Visa to Enter Japan (English Version)
1.How to Apply 2.Temporary Visitor's Visa 3.For Work or Long-Term Stay 4.General Information regarding Visa Application 5.Criteria for Visa Issuance 6.Useful Links
How to Apply
Eligibility
!!! Visa exemption measures have been resumed from October 11, 2022. For further information on border control please click HERE.--------------------
Applicants must hold a valid residence permit in Hungary to be eligible to apply for a visa. Foreign residents staying in Hungary cannot apply for a visa unless they have a valid residence permit in Hungary.
Hungarian passport holders are not required to obtain a visa to enter Japan for up to 90 days in case the purpose of visit is tourism, visiting friends/relatives, short-term business affairs, attending an academic conference/seminar and/or other unpaid activities.
(Note)
Applications from those foreign nationals who are not residing in Hungary cannot be accepted even if they have a valid residence permit in Hungary.
Application Process
Visa applications must be submitted by the applicant in person with the exception of applications for diplomatic/official visas. If extraordinary circumstances do not make it possible for you to come in person, please contact the Consular Section.Please bring your application documents to our office during our opening hours (see below). It is necessary to make an appointment in advance.
Visa application and pick-up hours:
Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:30, from 14:00 to 16:30 (Please arrive at least 15 minutes before closing time.)
The Embassy of Japan is closed on weekends, Hungarian and some Japanese public holidays. For the list of public holidays please click here (PDF).
Office address:
1125 Budapest, Zalai út 7.
You can find a map of our office location here (PDF).
Contacts:
Embassy of Japan in Hungary
Consular Section
Tel: +36-1-398-3100
Fax: +36-1-275-1281
E-mail: consul@bp.mofa.go.jp
Japanese Visa Information Hotline (24 hours / 7 days a week, English only)
TEL: 06-8008-0244
Notes:
This hotline is designated for visa applicants residing in Hungary.
*If you are calling from Hungary, you will be charged a domestic call fee for your call.
*This Hotline will only provide general information regarding Japanese visas.
*The Hotline will not connect you to the Embassy's Consular Section. If you need to contact the Embassy in regards to pending or future visa applications, please contact the Embassy directly at +36-1-398-3100 during office hours.
Payment of Visa Fees
Visa fees vary depending on your nationality and the type of visa you are applying for. Hungarian nationals are exempt from visa fees. Please click here (PDF) for detailed information.Payment must be made in cash (please bring the exact amount) upon receipt of the visa. Credit/Debit cards or cheques are not accepted.
Processing Time
Time to process visa applications depends on the applicant’s clarified status or circumstances. There is no express visa service. Generally, it takes a minimum of 5 working days to process visa applications, even if the documentation is sufficient.In certain cases, applications may need to be referred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan, in which cases the process may take longer (about three weeks or more) for the assessment to be fully completed.
Temporary Visitor's Visa
A Temporary Visitor's Visa is for a stay of up to 90 days in Japan for the purposes of tourism, visiting friends/relatives, short-term business affairs, attending an academic conference/seminar and/or other unpaid activities. Paid or gainful activities are prohibited with this visa.Hungarian passport holders are not required to obtain a visa to enter Japan for up to 90 days in case of the above listed purposes. For more information about the list of other countries and regions that have Visa Exemption Arrangements with Japan, please click here.
Please find the lists of documentation below that are required to support your visa application. For further information on how to submit the application, please contact the Consular Section.
(Note)
Nationals and citizens of countries and regions with Visa Exemption Arrangements with Japan are advised to take evidentiary documents regarding their stay for potential immigration inspection at the airport (such as a return flight ticket, details of host organization and evidence of sufficient funds for their stay in Japan, etc.)
For Short-Term Business Affairs
【Basic Documents】
1. 1 visa application form completed and signed by the applicant (PDF)
2. 1 photo (45 mm x 35 mm - your head height, measured from the top of your head to the bottom of your chin, must be about 32 mm) taken within the past six months
3. Valid passport with sufficient space for the visa sticker and Japanese entry stamps (at least two blank pages)
4. Valid Hungarian Residence Permit
5. Official Card Certifying the Address (“Lakcímet Igazoló Hatósági Igazolvány”) / Accommodation Reporting Form for Third Country Nationals (“Szálláshely Bejelentőlap Harmadik Országbeli Állampolgár Részére”)
6. Visa fee (if applicable) – due when the visa has been issued
(Note)
Nationals of Russia, CIS (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan) and Georgia are required to submit 2 photos and 2 visa application forms.
【Additional Documents】
[From the applicant]
1. Company’s letter describing the outline of the company’s business, dates/duration and the reason for the visit to Japan in detail
2. Certificate of employment noting designation, term of employment and the amount of the monthly salary
3. Flight details for the entire trip (flight itinerary) issued by a travel agency
(Note)
In some cases, the following documents may be required depending on the applicant’s circumstances:
1. Official documents to prove establishment of the company to which the applicant belongs (e.g. certificate of company register, etc.)
2. Proof of business (e.g. business license certificate, company brochure, contract of transactions with the Japanese company, invoices/receipts, latest tax payment receipts, financial report and/or recent bank statement of the company which shows transactions for the past year, etc.)
3. Proof of accommodation (e.g. confirmation slip for accommodation reservations, etc.)
[From the Japanese side]
1. Letter of reason for invitation explaining the purpose and length of stay of the business visit to Japan in detail (PDF (English)) (PDF (Japanese))
2. Detailed day-to-day schedule of the business visit to Japan (listing dates, activities, flight plans, accommodations, etc.) (PDF (English)) (PDF (Japanese))
3. Letter of guarantee (PDF (English)) (PDF (Japanese))
4. Certified copy of the incorporation register (“Tokibo-Tohon”) issued within three months or copy of the latest edition of quarter company journal (“Kaisha-Shikiho”)
5. Certificate of corporation tax payment (“Nozei-Shomeisho”) or profit & loss statement
(Note)
In case of a stock exchange-listed company, the above mentioned requirements for 3, 4 and 5 from the Japanese side will not be usually necessary, except in case of nationals of China.
For Attending an Academic Conference/Seminar
【Basic Documents】
1. 1 visa application form completed and signed by the applicant (PDF)
2. 1 photo (45 mm x 35 mm - your head height, measured from the top of your head to the bottom of your chin, must be about 32 mm) taken within the past six months
3. Valid passport with sufficient space for the visa sticker and Japanese entry stamps (at least two blank pages)
4. Valid Hungarian Residence Permit
5. Official Card Certifying the Address (“Lakcímet Igazoló Hatósági Igazolvány”) / Accommodation Reporting Form for Third Country Nationals (“Szálláshely Bejelentőlap Harmadik Országbeli Állampolgár Részére”)
6. Visa fee (if applicable) – due when the visa has been issued
(Note)
Nationals of Russia, CIS (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan) and Georgia are required to submit 2 photos and 2 visa application forms.
【Additional Documents】
[From the applicant]
1. Letter describing the applicant’s status, academic and professional history, outline of the conference/seminar and the reason for attending the conference/seminar in detail issued by the organization to which the applicant belongs
2. Pamphlet or brochure on the conference/seminar
3. Detailed daily programme of the conference/seminar
4. Proof of sufficient funds for the stay in Japan (e.g. recent bank statement which shows transactions for the past six months or certificate of income for the past year, etc.)
5. Flight details for the entire trip (flight itinerary) issued by a travel agency
6. Proof of accommodation (e.g. confirmation slip for accommodation reservations, etc.)
[From the Japanese side – provided by the conference/seminar organizer]
1. Letter of reason for invitation regarding the trip to Japan explaining the purpose and length of stay in detail (PDF (English)) (PDF (Japanese))
2. Detailed day-to-day schedule of the stay in Japan (listing dates, activities, flight plans, accommodations, etc.) (PDF (English)) (PDF (Japanese))
For Sightseeing
【Basic Documents】
1. 1 visa application form completed and signed by the applicant (PDF)
2. 1 photo (45 mm x 35 mm - your head height, measured from the top of your head to the bottom of your chin, must be about 32 mm) taken within the past six months
3. Valid passport with sufficient space for the visa sticker and Japanese entry stamps (at least two blank pages)
4. Valid Hungarian Residence Permit
5. Official Card Certifying the Address (“Lakcímet Igazoló Hatósági Igazolvány”) / Accommodation Reporting Form for Third Country Nationals (“Szálláshely Bejelentőlap Harmadik Országbeli Állampolgár Részére”)
6. Visa fee (if applicable) – due when the visa has been issued
(Note)
Nationals of Russia, CIS (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan) and Georgia are required to submit 2 photos and 2 visa application forms.
【Additional Documents】
[From the applicant]
1. Detailed letter explaining the reason for the trip to Japan – dated and signed by the applicant
2. Detailed day-to-day schedule of the stay in Japan (listing dates, activities, flight plans, accommodations, etc.) (PDF)
3. Proof of occupation/profession issued by the organization to which the applicant belongs (e.g. certificate of employment noting designation, term of employment and the amount of the monthly salary, or certificate of enrolment from the school, etc.)
4. Proof of sufficient funds for the stay in Japan (e.g. recent bank statement which shows transactions for the past six months or certificate of income for the past year, etc.)
5. Flight details for the entire trip (flight itinerary) issued by a travel agency
6. Proof of accommodation (e.g. confirmation slip for accommodation reservations, etc.)
7. Any other documentation supporting the applicant’s special situation or circumstances regarding the trip to Japan (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate of child (in case of family trip) and/or other documents to prove the activities in Japan, etc.)
For Visiting Friends or Relatives
【Basic Documents】
1. 1 visa application form completed and signed by the applicant (PDF)
2. 1 photo (45 mm x 35 mm - your head height, measured from the top of your head to the bottom of your chin, must be about 32 mm) taken within the past six months
3. Valid passport with sufficient space for the visa sticker and Japanese entry stamps (at least two blank pages)
4. Valid Hungarian Residence Permit
5. Official Card Certifying the Address (“Lakcímet Igazoló Hatósági Igazolvány”) / Accommodation Reporting Form for Third Country Nationals (“Szálláshely Bejelentőlap Harmadik Országbeli Állampolgár Részére”)
6. Visa fee (if applicable) – due when the visa has been issued
(Note)
Nationals of Russia, CIS (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan) and Georgia are required to submit 2 photos and 2 visa application forms.
【Additional Documents】
[From the applicant]
1. Detailed letter explaining the reason for the trip to Japan – dated and signed by the applicant
2. Proof of occupation/profession issued by the organization to which the applicant belongs (e.g. certificate of employment noting designation, term of employment and the amount of the monthly salary, or certificate of enrolment from the school, etc.)
3. Documents to prove kinship/acquaintance relationship (e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate, certified copy of the family register, photos of the applicant and the inviting person taken together, letters and/or e-mails exchanged, etc.)
4. Proof of sufficient funds for the stay in Japan (e.g. recent bank statement which shows transactions for the past six months or certificate of income for the past year, etc.)
5. Flight details for the entire trip (flight itinerary) issued by a travel agency
6. Proof of accommodation (e.g. confirmation slip for accommodation reservations, etc.)
7. Any other documentation supporting the applicant’s special situation or circumstances regarding the trip to Japan (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate of child (in case of family trip) and/or other documents to prove the activities in Japan, etc.)
[From the Japanese side – provided by friend/relative in Japan]
1. Letter of reason for invitation regarding the trip to Japan explaining the purpose and length of stay in detail (PDF (English)) (PDF (Japanese))
2. Detailed day-to-day schedule of the stay in Japan (listing dates, activities, flight plans, accommodations, etc.) (PDF (English)) (PDF (Japanese))
3. Letter of guarantee (PDF (English)) (PDF (Japanese))
4. Certificate of employment
5. Certificate of residence (“Jumin-hyo”) issued within three months and with all matters listed except for Individual Number (“My Number”) and Resident Register Code
6. Copy of both sides of the valid Residence Card (“Zairyu-Card”) (if the applicant’s friend/relative is not Japanese)
7. Copy of the applicant’s friend’s/relative’s passport including the pages containing status items, Japanese visa and landing permission stamps (if the applicant’s friend/relative is not Japanese)
8. Certified copy of the family registration (“Koseki-Tohon”) (if the applicant’s friend/relative is Japanese or married to a Japanese national)
9. Latest certificate of income (“Shotoku-Shomeisho”) issued by municipal office, latest certificate of tax payment (Form 2) (“Nozei-Shomeisho”) issued by tax office (each certificate should indicate the gross income for the previous year) or certificate of deposit balance
(Note)
In case of nationals other than of China, the above mentioned requirements for 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 from the Japanese side will not usually be necessary. However, the “Letter of Guarantee”(3) is necessary in cases when the expenses of the applicant’s stay in Japan and/or the air ticket costs are covered by the applicant’s friend/relative in Japan.
For Transit
【Basic Documents】
1. 1 visa application form completed and signed by the applicant (PDF)
2. 1 photo (45 mm x 35 mm - your head height, measured from the top of your head to the bottom of your chin, must be about 32 mm) taken within the past six months
3. Valid passport with sufficient space for the visa sticker and Japanese entry stamps (at least two blank pages)
4. Valid Hungarian Residence Permit (foreign nationals only)
5. Official Card Certifying the Address (“Lakcímet Igazoló Hatósági Igazolvány”) / Accommodation Reporting Form for Third Country Nationals (“Szálláshely Bejelentőlap Harmadik Országbeli Állampolgár Részére”)
6. Visa fee (if applicable) – due when the visa has been issued
(Note)
Nationals of Russia, CIS (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan) and Georgia are required to submit 2 photos and 2 visa application forms.
【Additional Documents】
[From the applicant]
1. Detailed letter explaining the reason for the trip to Japan – dated and signed by the applicant
2. Air tickets and stopover hotel vouchers
3. Proof of sufficient funds for the stay in Japan (e.g. recent bank statement which shows transactions for the past six months or certificate of income for the past year, etc.)
4. Visa to enter the applicant’s destination country or area (if applicable)
For Work or Long-Term Stay
If the applicant’s purpose of going to Japan is for “work” or “long-term stay” (i.e. student, cultural activities, training, dependent and spouse/child of Japanese national, etc.), in principle the applicant must arrange to have a Certificate of Eligibility before applying for the visa. (Note: In case of Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship students the ’Certificate of Eligibility’ is not necessary for the application.)This Certificate is to be obtained by the inviting Japanese party through the local immigration office in Japan on behalf of the applicant. The applicant needs to submit the original Certificate of Eligibility to our office upon applying for the visa.
Please find the list of the documentation below that is required to support your visa application. For further information on how to submit the application, please contact the Consular Section.
【Requirements for Visa Applications】
1. 1 visa application form completed and signed by the applicant (PDF)
2. 1 photo (45 mm x 35 mm - your head height, measured from the top of your head to the bottom of your chin, must be about 32 mm) taken within the past six months
3. Valid passport with sufficient space for the visa sticker and Japanese entry stamps (at least two blank pages)
4. Valid Hungarian Residence Permit
5. Original Certificate of Eligibility
6. Visa fee (if applicable) – due when the visa has been issued
(Note)
Nationals of Russia, CIS (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan) and Georgia are required to submit 2 photos and 2 visa application forms.
What is a Certificate of Eligibility? A Certificate of Eligibility is issued before the visa application by a regional immigration authority under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice as evidence that the foreign national meets the conditions for landing in Japan, including the requirements that the activity in which the foreign national wishes to engage in Japan at the time of the landing examination is not fraudulent and is an activity that comes under a status of residence (excluding Temporary Visitor Status) stipulated in the Immigration Control Act. (Application for the Certificate of Eligibility by a proxy in Japan is allowed. You can find further information here. |
General Information regarding Visa Applications
- All visa application forms should either be printed or typed with no column left blank.
- Additional documents may be required if necessary.
- In case of nationals of China, Russia, CIS and Georgia, if the required application documents are not in English, it is advised to attach English translation to them. English translations do not have to be official translations, they can be translated by the applicant.
- All documents must be submitted in original (No photocopy of documents or documents sent by fax/e-mails will be accepted). In principle, submitted documents will not be returned except for identification documents (e.g. ID, passport, Hungarian residence permit, etc.) and other important documents that are difficult to obtain again.
- Please note that you are not required to pay for the air ticket and the hotel in advance, as the Embassy of Japan cannot refund the costs in case your visa is not granted or is delayed.
- Japan does not have any regulations relating to passport validity, as long as your passport is valid until the time you leave Japan (especially in case of short-term stay).
- Acceptance of the application does not necessarily mean that the visa will be granted.
- In case the visa is not granted, the reasons will not be disclosed due to our internal rules.
- In general, the visa is only valid for one entry. The visa sticker itself is valid for three months from the date of issue, therefore applications are accepted three months prior to the intended date of arrival. The validity period of the visa sticker cannot be extended.
- A visa is only a recommendation for the entry to Japan. Possession of a visa does not necessarily entitle the bearer to enter Japan. The person may not be permitted to enter upon arrival at port of entry if he or she is found inadmissible, even in the possession of a valid visa.
Criteria of Visa Issuance
A Japanese visa will be issued to an applicant when he/she meets all of the following requirements and if the issuance is considered to be appropriate.(1) The applicant possesses a valid passport and is entitled to the re-entry to the country/area of his/her nationality or a country/area of his/her residence.
(2) All submitted documents are authentic, completed and satisfactory.
(3) The activities to be engaged in Japan, the civil status or the position of the applicant and the period of stay meet the requirements for the status of residence and the period of stay stipulated in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. (Cabinet Order No.319 of 1951. Hereinafter referred to as the "Immigration Control Act".)
(4) The applicant does not fall under any of the items of Article 5, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Control Act.
Useful Links
- Guide to Japanese Visas (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)
- Immigration Procedures (Immigration Services Agency, Ministry of Justice of Japan)
- Contacts of Immigration Offices in Japan
- Basic Resident Registration System for Foreign Nationals who stay in Japan for more than three months (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan)
- Guidebook on Living and Working in Japan (Immigration Services Agency, Ministry of Justice of Japan)
- Travel Information for Tourists Visiting Japan (Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO))
- Quarantine-Plant, Animal and Food Customs
- Customs
- Medicine
- Valid International Driving Permits in Japan
- Japan Post