Complete Guide to Short-Term Stay Visa (Tourist Visa) for Japan: Entry Conditions, Required Documents, and Application Procedures[Supervised by Shionaga Administrative Scrivener Office, Kumamoto Prefecture]IntroductionThe “Short-Term Stay Visa” (commonly known as the tourist visa) is the most popular status of residence for foreigners planning a brief visit to Japan. This visa covers various purposes such as tourism, business meetings, visiting relatives, or attending conferences, allowing a stay of up to 90 days. As of late 2025, with advancing globalization and increasing demand for travel to Japan, visa exemption arrangements have been maintained for 74 countries and regions. The system continues to evolve with stricter reviews and further promotion of electronic applications. This has improved processing efficiency while requiring even more accurate preparation from applicants.This guide is supervised by experts at Shionaga Administrative Scrivener Office, based on extensive practical experience. It provides a step-by-step explanation of the system overview, application process, required documents, review key points, and measures against denial, incorporating the latest information as of December 2025. Our office, based in Kumamoto, supports visa applications nationwide, including document preparation and revisions. We also assist with cause analysis and re-applications for previously denied cases. Consultations are free—please feel free to call us at 096-385-9002. We are here to help make your entry into Japan smooth.1. What is a Short-Term Stay Visa?The Short-Term Stay Visa is a status of residence defined in Appendix Table 1-3 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, allowing temporary stays in Japan. It is generally limited to short-term exchanges or visits, without permitting paid work or long-term residence. As of 2025, it supports millions of users annually, contributing to Japan’s tourism industry and international exchanges.Possible Stay Periods
The duration varies by purpose and nationality. It is determined upon entry, with no residence card issued—only a stamp in the passport.

Main Purposes of Stay
Purposes are strictly defined by law, requiring clear description and proof of authenticity in the application.

Restrictions

• No paid work: Activities involving remuneration (e.g., part-time jobs, lecture fees) are strictly prohibited. Violations may result in deportation or re-entry bans.
• No extensions in principle: Extensions are rare, only for exceptional cases like illness or disasters (applied at local immigration offices).
• No status change: Changing to a work visa, etc., from short-term stay is generally not allowed. Choose the correct visa in advance.
• Remote work during short-term stay: Limited to “Specified Activities” (e.g., Digital Nomad visa), with income sourced only from overseas.

2. Visa Exemption Countries and ConditionsJapan maintains visa exemption for short-term stays with 74 countries/regions. Eligible individuals can enter without a visa application. This is based on reciprocal agreements and remains stable as of 2025.Main Visa-Exempt Countries/Regions (as of December 2025)

*For the full list of 74 countries/regions, check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Recent additions include Montenegro (Sep 2025), Peru (Jul 2025), and Paraguay (Jun 2025), often requiring ICAO-compliant ePassports.Countries Requiring Visa Applications
Mainly China, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, etc. Reviews are stricter for developing countries.Exemption Conditions

• Purpose limited to tourism, business, or visiting relatives (no work or study).
• Stay within 90 days (cumulative, considering past history).
• Must hold return ticket (e-ticket acceptable).
• Proof of funds (approx. ¥10,000 per day).
• Passport valid for at least 3 months; no criminal record. Additional questions possible at entry.

3. Application Methods for Short-Term Stay Visa3-1. Application Locations

• Generally: Japanese embassy/consulate in the applicant’s country of residence.
• Agencies: Possible in some countries (e.g., VFS Global in China).
• Online (e-Visa): Expanded to eligible countries.

3-2. Process Timeline
Typically 1-3 months. e-Visa has shortened reviews to 5-10 business days in many cases.

4. Required Documents by PurposeDocuments vary by purpose. Submit originals/copies with English/Japanese translations. Digital submission encouraged for e-Visa.Common Documents

• Passport (valid 6+ months, sufficient blank pages).
• Visa application form (MOFA format, online fillable).
• Photo (4.5×3.5cm, white background, recent).
• Round-trip ticket confirmation.
• Itinerary (detailed schedule and locations).

Tourism

Business

• From Japan side: Invitation letter, itinerary, company registry/financials.
• From applicant: Employment proof, company overview, activity details.

Visiting Relatives

• From Japan side: Invitation/guarantee letters, residence certificate, tax proof (¥3M+ income recommended).
• From applicant: Relationship proof, funds documents.

5. Review Points and Denial PreventionKey Review Items

• Authenticity of purpose (concrete and consistent plan).
• Financial ability (¥10,000/day + reserve).
• Intent to return (ties to home country: job, family, assets).
• Inviter reliability (stable status/income in Japan).
• Past record (no overstays).

Common Denial Reasons and Countermeasures

6. Notes During Stay

• No paid work (except unpaid volunteers). Violations: up to 5-year re-entry ban.
• No overstays: Fines, detention, blacklist.
• Must depart on time.
• Entry review: Funds/itinerary may be requested (30% cases).
• Future: JESTA (electronic authorization) preparation ongoing for visa-exempt countries (planned full implementation around 2028-2030).

7. Special Cases: Multiple-Entry, Extensions, ChangesMultiple-Entry Visa

• Validity: 1-5 years (limited/multiple entries).
• Conditions: Financial proof, clean past record.
• Expanded for frequent business travelers, including Asia.

Extensions (Exceptional)

• For unavoidable reasons (illness, disaster).
• Apply at local immigration; up to 90 days additional.

Changes to Other Status

• Limited (e.g., to “Settler” for marriage).
• Low success rate.

8. Denial or Issues

• Analyze reason from notice; 6-month wait typical for re-application.
• Improve documents, show changed circumstances.

9. Latest Developments (December 2025)

• e-Visa expansion: Online applications for tourism in more countries (e.g., residents of Australia, Brazil, Canada, UK, USA, etc.).
• Processing faster via JAPAN eVISA portal.
• Visa exemptions stable at 74 countries.
• JESTA preparation: Electronic pre-approval for visa-exempt travelers planned for future (around 2028+).

SummaryThe short-term stay visa supports tourism, business, and family visits to Japan, with authenticity, funds, and return intent as key review factors. Digitalization in 2025 has streamlined processes, but risks remain. Accurate documents, consistent explanations, and inviter cooperation are essential. Consult a specialist for concerns or past denials. We offer free initial diagnostics.Shionaga Administrative Scrivener Office
Address: 1-9-6 Suizenji, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto 862-0950
Phone: 096-385-9002 (Weekdays 9:00-18:00; Saturday consultations available)
Email: info@shionagaoffice.jp
Website: https://shionagaoffice.jp/ (Latest cases on blog)Let us open the door to Japan together with Shionaga Administrative Scrivener Office!