🇯🇵 2026 Complete Guide: Short-Term Stay (Tourist) Visa for Japan – Entry Requirements, Documents, and Application Process
Supervised by Shionaga Gyoseishoshi Law Office, Kumamoto

Introduction

For many foreign visitors, the Short-Term Stay Visa (often called the “Tourist Visa”) is the first residence status chosen when planning a brief trip to Japan for tourism, business meetings, family visits, or conferences, allowing a stay of up to 90 days. In 2026, with accelerating globalization and recovering tourism demand, arrivals to Japan are reaching record levels, accompanied by expanded visa exemption measures now covering more than 75 countries and regions. At the same time, stricter screening reflecting global conditions and the full-scale rollout of online applications (JAPAN eVISA) mean procedures are more efficient but require applicants to prepare accurate documents and plan carefully.​

This article has been reviewed by experts at Shionaga Gyoseishoshi Law Office, drawing on extensive practical experience. It explains, step by step, everything from the basic framework of the system to the latest application flows, required documents, examination points, and how to respond to refusals, incorporating 2026 updates. Based in Kumamoto and serving clients nationwide, the office offers one-stop support for preparing and checking visa application documents, including cases where applications were previously refused, from cause analysis to reapplication support. Initial consultations are free, so feel free to call (+81-96-385-9002) for assistance with a smooth entry to Japan.​

1. What is the Short-Term Stay Visa?

The Short-Term Stay Visa is a residence status defined in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act that permits foreign nationals to stay in Japan temporarily for non-remunerative, non-long-term purposes. In principle, it does not allow paid work and is limited to short-term exchanges and visits such as tourism, business meetings, and family visits.​

Permitted length of stay

The permitted stay depends on the applicant’s nationality and purpose of visit, and one of the following periods will be granted at entry; no residence card is issued.​

• Up to 15 days: Applied to certain visa-exempt countries such as Thailand and Brunei, suitable for short sightseeing trips with relatively simple screening.

• Up to 30 days: Granted to some nationalities such as Qatar, often used for short business visits.

• Up to 90 days: The standard period for many countries and regions, ideal for family visits and cultural exchange, with extensions generally not permitted.

Main purposes of stay

The Immigration Act sets out permitted activities in detail, and applicants must clearly state and substantiate their planned activities when applying.​

• Tourism: Travel for leisure, culture, and nature experiences within Japan, such as temple visits in Kyoto, climbing Mt. Fuji, and visiting Aso and Kumamoto Castle.

• Business: Unpaid activities such as meetings, negotiations, contract discussions, and trade fairs.

• Family/friend visits: Meeting and spending time with relatives or acquaintances living in Japan, including attending weddings or accompanying family for medical checkups.

• Academic and cultural exchange: Non-profit intellectual exchange such as lectures, research presentations, and academic conferences, including university symposia and museum visits.

Key restrictions

Certain limitations apply to Short-Term Stay status.​

• Employment prohibited: Paid activities such as part-time jobs or paid lectures are strictly forbidden, and violations may result in deportation or future entry bans.

• Extension generally not allowed: Extensions of stay are not approved in principle, with limited exceptions such as illness or disasters handled at regional immigration offices.

• Change of status restricted: Changing from Short-Term Stay to a work visa is generally not permitted.

• 2026 update – Digital Nomad Visa: With the introduction of the Digital Nomad “Designated Activities” status, remote work during Short-Term Stay is tightly restricted and only allowed where remuneration is clearly sourced abroad under specific conditions.​

2. Visa Exemption Countries and Conditions

Japan has mutual short-term visa exemption arrangements with more than 75 countries and regions, allowing eligible travelers to enter without obtaining a visa in advance for Short-Term Stay purposes. These arrangements continue to expand and be relaxed in 2026, but travelers who do not meet the conditions may still be refused entry.​

Main visa-exempt countries/regions (as of January 2026)

The following are examples of major visa-exempt areas and typical lengths of stay.​

• Asia: South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia (extended to 90 days) – generally 90 days, with some 15-day cases.

• Europe: All 27 EU member states, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, and others – usually 90 days.

• North America: United States and Canada – 90 days.

• Oceania: Australia and New Zealand – 90 days.

• Latin America: Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Peru (relaxed to 90 days) and others – typically 90 days.

• Middle East and Africa: UAE, Qatar, Turkey, South Africa – usually 90 days, with some 30-day regimes.

Nationals of countries such as China, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq generally require a visa for short-term visits, and screening is stricter for many developing countries.​

Conditions for visa exemption

Even if from a visa-exempt country, travelers must satisfy specific conditions.​

• Purpose: Limited to tourism, business, or family/friend visits.

• Duration: Up to 90 days per visit, considering past stay history.

• Return/onward ticket: A confirmed return or onward flight (e-ticket accepted) is required.

• Financial capacity: Funds sufficient to cover living costs, often estimated at around 10,000 yen per day, proven by bank statements or cash.

• Other: Passport valid for at least three months beyond the stay, and no serious health or criminal issues; immigration officers may ask additional questions on arrival.

3. How to Apply for a Short-Term Stay Visa

3-1. Where to apply and jurisdiction

In principle, applicants must apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate-general in their country of residence. In some countries, applications are accepted via designated agencies such as VFS Global in China or BLS International in India, and jurisdiction is determined by place of residence.​

For eligible nationalities and regions, the JAPAN eVISA online system is strongly recommended for tourism-related applications. Applicants submit information and documents digitally and receive an electronic visa, streamlining the entire process.​

3-2. Process from application to entry (2026 update)

Overall, the process typically takes one to three months, though eVISA can significantly reduce processing time.​

1. Preparation: Clarify the purpose of visit, plan the trip, and check the latest requirements published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; where available, pre-register for eVISA.

2. Document collection: Gather and, if necessary, translate all required documents, coordinating with the inviting party in Japan and arranging any needed notarization.

3. Submission: File the application in person, by mail where allowed, or online via JAPAN eVISA; some countries require same-day interviews.

4. Screening: Authorities review the case and may request additional materials, with eVISA often allowing completion within about a week.

5. Visa issuance: Successful applicants receive a visa sticker in their passport or an electronic visa; it must usually be used within three months.

6. Entry: At the airport, officers check passports and financial proof, applying standards that differ from those used for Digital Nomad Visa applicants.

4. Required Documents by Purpose

Required documents vary by purpose and must generally be submitted with originals, copies, and English or Japanese translations; digital submission is becoming standard under eVISA. All information must be consistent, complete, and traceable to verifiable sources.​

Common documents

These materials are typically required regardless of purpose.​

• Passport with at least six months’ validity and sufficient blank pages.

• Visa application form on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs template, often fillable online.

• One recent photograph (4.5 × 3.5 cm, white background, front-facing, taken within six months).

• Round-trip flight reservation or e-ticket printout.

• Detailed itinerary (on A4 paper), specifying accommodation, daily schedule, and places to visit.

Tourism

For tourism purposes, applicants usually prepare financial and itinerary-related evidence.​

• Bank balance certificate: For the last three months showing funds roughly sufficient to cover expected costs (often 100,000 yen or more), demonstrating economic capacity.

• Employment and income certificate: Issued by the employer with annual income; unemployed applicants may need a family sponsor’s guarantee.

• Accommodation proof: Hotel booking confirmations or vacation rental contracts to substantiate the travel plan.

• Detailed day-by-day travel plan: Listing daily activities and sightseeing spots to show the genuineness of the visit.

Business

Business travelers must support both the Japanese inviter and their own professional background.​

• From the Japanese inviter: Letter of reason for invitation, stay schedule, company registration documents, company profile, and recent tax certificates.

• From the applicant: Employment certificate, company profile or brochure, and a detailed activity description including agendas and participant lists.

Family and acquaintance visits

Those visiting relatives or acquaintances prepare documents from both sides to prove relationships and financial arrangements.​

• From the Japanese inviter: Letter of invitation, letter of guarantee, certificate of residence, copy of residence card, and tax payment certificates (with annual income of roughly three million yen or more as a guideline).

• From the applicant: Certificates proving family relationship such as family registers or birth certificates, plus financial documents like bank statements and income certificates.

5. Screening Focus and Refusal Countermeasures

Main screening points

Authorities examine several core aspects when deciding whether to grant a Short-Term Stay Visa.​

• Genuineness of purpose: Clarity, consistency, and detail of plans.

• Economic base: Ability to cover all expenses, often conceptualized as around 10,000 yen per day per person plus reserves.

• Intent to return: Evidence of strong ties to the home country through employment, family, or assets.

• Reliability of inviter: Stability and credibility of the Japanese host’s status and income.

• Past history: Records of prior entries, exits, and any history of overstays or violations.

Common refusal reasons and responses (2026)

Frequent reasons for refusal include unclear purpose, insufficient finances, doubts about the applicant’s intention to return home, and inconsistent or missing documents.​

• Unclear purpose: Strengthen the itinerary with detailed schedules, maps, and booking confirmations that align logically with the stated purpose.

• Inadequate finances: Provide multiple sources of financial evidence, such as additional bank accounts and asset certificates, and, where appropriate, add a family guarantor.

• Doubts about return intent: Submit documentation of real estate ownership, family obligations, and high-level positions or stable salaries in the home country.

• Document inconsistencies or omissions: Use checklists and, where possible, have a gyoseishoshi or immigration specialist review the file before submission.

9. Latest Policy Trends (as of January 2026)

The scope of electronic visas, online submissions, and digital pre-clearance is expanding rapidly.​

• eVISA expansion: From 2026, short-term tourism eVisas are being rolled out for additional countries and regions, making online applications the standard in major developed markets and often shortening processing to within about one week.

• Online system enhancement: The JAPAN eVISA portal has been upgraded, and digital submission of photographs and supporting documents has become mandatory in many cases.

• eTA preparation: Japan is preparing to introduce an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system by around 2028 for more than 75 visa-exempt countries, with pilot programs expected for some nationalities after 2026.

• Coordination with Digital Nomad status: The boundary between Short-Term Stay and the Digital Nomad “Designated Activities” status is being clarified, and remote work under Short-Term Stay is being strictly limited and carefully scrutinized.​

Closing Message

The Short-Term Stay Visa underpins tourism, business, and family visits to Japan, and screening hinges on the genuineness of purpose, financial sufficiency, and clear intention to return home. Digitalization in 2026 makes procedures more efficient but does not eliminate the risk of refusal where documents or explanations are inadequate. Accurate, purpose-appropriate documentation, consistent explanations, and active cooperation from the Japanese inviter are essential to avoiding refusal, and those who feel uncertain or have experienced refusals are strongly encouraged to consult a visa specialist gyoseishoshi.​

Shionaga Gyoseishoshi Law Office offers free initial assessments and immediate analysis of individual cases to support successful stays in Japan.​

Shionaga Gyoseishoshi Law Office
1-9-6 Suizenji, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto 862-0950, Japan
Phone: 096-385-9002 (Weekdays 9:00–18:00, Saturday consultations available)
Official website: https://shionagaoffice.jp/ – featuring the latest case studies on the blog.​

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