Japan visa for Indians: documents and processing time

Japan is the fastest-growing holiday from India. Searches for the Japan visa have nearly quadrupled in three years, driven by cherry blossom tours, family trips to Tokyo and Osaka, and couples looking for something new. The good news: with a complete file, the Japan visa is one of the more predictable applications we handle, and it is also one of the cheapest.

Here is how it works for Indian passport holders, what to submit and how far ahead to apply. It reflects the process at the time of writing (October 2026).

Do Indians need a visa for Japan?

Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa for tourism, visiting family and business. You can't apply directly to the Embassy or Consulates: applications go through accredited travel agencies or the official visa application centres (VFS Global). We are set up to prepare and file Japan visa applications for travellers across South India.

eVISA or visa sticker?

Japan introduced an eVISA for Indian residents in 2024. For eligible short-term tourist applications, the visa is issued electronically as a Visa Issuance Notice, which you show on your phone at check-in and on arrival in Japan. Printouts and screenshots are not accepted, so keep the notice accessible in the app or email.

Not every applicant or visa category can use the eVISA. Multiple-entry visas, some business visits and certain cases still receive a visa label in the passport. We tell you which route applies when we review your documents.

What does it cost?

Japan raised visa fees for most nationalities from 1 July 2026, but the Embassy of Japan in India has confirmed that Indian citizens applying in India continue to pay ₹500 for both single and multiple-entry visas. The visa centre's service charge and any agency service fee are added on top. We quote the full amount before we file.

Documents for a tourist visa

• Passport valid for the trip, with blank pages, plus old passports if you have travelled before
• Visa application form, signed
• One recent photograph, 45 × 35 mm, white background
• Day-by-day itinerary (the "schedule of stay"), listing each city and hotel
• Flight reservation
• Hotel bookings for every night
• Bank statement for the last six months, stamped by the bank
• Income tax returns (ITR) for the last two or three years
• Employer's leave letter, or business registration and company documents if self-employed
• Students: a bonafide letter from the school or college, plus parents' financial documents

If a friend or relative in Japan is inviting you, add an invitation letter and their documents. If they are paying for your trip, a letter of guarantee and their income proof are also needed. We send you the exact list for your case.

How long does it take?

The consulate needs at least five working days after submission, and longer in busy months or if they ask for more information. You can apply up to three months before travel. We recommend submitting three to four weeks ahead, and five to six weeks for late March and early April, when the cherry blossom rush and Japanese public holidays fill both flights and visa queues.

How long can you stay?

A single-entry tourist visa is generally valid for three months from issue, and you must enter within that time. The length of stay granted is based on your itinerary, typically 15 or 30 days for a holiday.

Multiple-entry visas

Japan offers multiple-entry visas to Indian applicants who meet set criteria, such as a recent travel history to Japan or G7 countries, or sufficient income. They can be valid for several years, with each stay limited. For frequent business travellers they save repeated applications. Ask us whether you qualify.

Five ways to avoid delays

1. Make everything match. The itinerary, hotel bookings, flight dates and leave letter must tell the same story.
2. Book refundable hotels until the visa is issued. We hold flexible rates for our travellers.
3. Explain large deposits. A sudden large credit just before applying raises questions. Add a short note if there is a genuine reason.
4. Use the correct photo size. Japan's 45 × 35 mm format differs from the US and Schengen.
5. Apply early for spring. The cherry blossom season compresses everything into a few weeks.

If the visa is refused

Japan does not usually give detailed reasons, and a reapplication for the same purpose is generally not accepted within six months. That is why checking the file carefully before submission matters so much.

Planning the trip

Most of our Japan travellers combine Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka over seven to ten days, with the bullet train between them. We prepare the itinerary and file the visa as part of every Japan package, including the cherry blossom tour. Read when to go for cherry blossom, or see Japan visa services if you only need the visa.

Questions, answered

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• Japan visa
• Japan packages

Published by Airtravel Enterprises · More articles and guides