VISITING JAPAN & VISA (see below) ------------ For Police Certificate Application (SEE RIGHT ➡)

2025/6/2

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Introducing Online Appointment System for Visa and Other Services

You must make an online appointment in advance for consular services from 16 June 2025.
Please click HERE for details. 

Eligible applicants (who need a visa? who can apply?)

FOR NEW ZEALAND (AUSTRALIA) PASSPORT HOLDERS
New Zealand is one of the visa exempt country and do not need a visa if your period of stay in Japan is 90 days or less AND you will not be engaged in income earning activities.

FOR OTHER PASSPORT HOLDERS
Please access the link below to determine whether your nationality is included in the short-term stay visa exemption measure or not.
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html

PASSPORT VALIDITY
Japan does not have any regulations relating to passport validity.  If your passport is not expired when you depart from Japan, there should be no problem with your entry into Japan.


 
Visa applications are accepted only from residents in our jurisdiction
JURISDICITON MAP
 
  • Long-term resident status in NZ who hold visa such as "RESIDENT" "WORK" "STUDENT" "GUARDIAN" may apply
  • We DO NOT accept visa applications from any types of NZ "TOURIST VISA" holders (except 'Guardian' status)
  • For CoE holders: you must enter Japan within those three months from the issuing date of CoE
  •  Applications submitted on short notice will not be accepted 

How to apply (2 options) & How to collect your visa/passport

(OPTION 1) Apply in person (office address & map)

You must make an online appointment in advance for consular services from 16 June 2025.
Please click HERE for details. 

Please check the list of office holidays before you make an appointment

 

(OPTION 2) Appy by post

You must agree to conditions below then email us before proceeding with any further steps:
  • Must be resides within our jurisdiction (no exception)
  • Must use the trackable courier service
  • Our office is not responsible for delay of delivery or loss/damage of passports
  • DO NOT send money: Visa fee need to be paid at the time of passport collection
  • Courier ALL those required documents (including the original passport)
  • You must come IN PERSON to visit our office to collect you own passport/visa (for age 18 and over, no exception)
  • ALL CoE applicants must come in person to visit our office to collect you own passport (no exception) 
  

*HOW TO COLLECT YOUR PASSPORT/VISA*

  • An online appointment is NOT required when you collect your visa/passport
  • Once you receive the visa grant notification via email, collect your passport from the office.
  • Visa fee can be paid at the time of collection.  Only CASH payment is accepted
  • All visa applicants 18 years of age and over must appear in person either when applying for visa OR at collection of visa 
  • All CoE visa applicants MUST appear in person either when applying for visa OR at the collection of visa 

Visa processing time and examination process

 
Visa assessment period is one week or more from the date of receiving ALL completed documentation
  • We do NOT have expedited services 
  • We will NOT accept any visa applications more than 3 months before your departure date from New Zealand (except WH Visa) 
  • There is NO urgent/priority visa processing service (no exception)
  • Applications submitted on short notice will not be accepted
  • Depending on examination, additional documentation is required
  • Incomplete documents will be returned/withdrawn
  • We will keep passports while processing visa applications
  • Even with possession with a visa, final permission to enter Japan remains at the discretion of the immigration authorities

Visa requirements

Check FAQ section below prior to visiting the office or if you have any questions.  Alternatively, please contact to the "JAPAN VISA INFORMATION HOTLINE" or email us

​
 
*Do NOT use staple/clip/tape/use tabs or sticky note on document 

*Applications submitted on short notice will not be accepted

*We do not have expedited services

*Incomplete documents will be to returned/withdrawn



DOWNLOAD FORMS FOR VISA APPLICATION 

Visa Application Form
see Q10 & Q11 for common questions
 

Travel Itinerary
Your EVERYDAY plans during your stay in Japan and must include dates, main activities, locations and accommodation
 

Letter of Guarantee
ENGLISH   or  JAPANESE
Must be completed by the inviting person/guarantor in Japan 
(only if apply)
 

Reason for Invitation
ENGLISH  or   JAPANESE
Must be completed by the inviting person/guarantor in Japan 
(only if apply)
 

List of Visa Applicants
Must be completed by the inviting person/guarantor in Japan
when two or more applicants intedrd to
apply for a visa at the same time 
(only if apply)
 

Stay Programme Form 
for Working Holiday Visa only
 
 


Visa assessment may take 1 week or more from the date of receiving ALL completed documentation
 

Temporary Visitor Visa
VISA TYPE A
(Single or Double Entry) 

 For sightseeing, visiting relatives & friends
  

Temporary Visitor Visa
VISA TYPE B

Attending conferences athletic tournaments,
business trip and so on that are not paid activities in Japan
 

Temporary Visitor Visa
VISA TYPE C

School Trip
 

Visa Application with 
Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

For applicants intending to work/study/live in Japan 
*incl. Spouse/Child of Japanese national
(日本人の配偶者・子を含む)
 

If you are visiting Japan for reasons other than tourism, transit, business, or a short-term visit, then you need a Certificate of Eligibility.

The Certificate of Eligibility is issued by the Immigration Services in Japan before you enter the country.

This means you must already have a sponsor in Japan who can submit the application on your behalf. In the meantime, you are required to send them any relevant supporting documents. Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, your sponsor may be your employer, your educational institution, or your spouse.

Once the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is issued—which can take up to three months—your sponsor must send it to you. You can then use the COE to apply for your visa.
 
 

Working Holiday Visa 

Eligible for NZ passport holder who is currently residing in our jurisdiction only (MAP)
(NO exception)

Starting 1 December 2024, as for national of New Zealand the Working Holiday Programmes will be allowed for two lifetime occurrences two inconsecutive one year stays in total.

WORKING HOLIDAY VISA Q & A 
 
 

Transit Visa
For travellers who will stop over in Japan
due to the flight schedule and...
  1. go through the Customs and Immigration area 
  2. transit to the different airport (eg: Narita to Haneda) 
  3. stay overnight due to the connecting flight schedule
 

Extension of Validity of Re-Entry Permit
 
 

Visa Waiver Arrangement for Nationals of
the United Arab Emirates  
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan site)
 
 

～Multiple Visa Application～
PACIFIC ISLANDS, INDIA, VIETNAM, INDONESIA, PHILIPPINES AND CHINA

You MAYBE able to apply for a Multiple-Entry Visa by clicking on eligible country above for further informaion

Please note that there is NO guarantee to recive a visa

We will NOT accept your applicaiton more than 3 months before your scheduled departure date from New Zealand
 

 

ENTERING JAPAN: Customs and Disembarkation Cards

To pass through border controls on arrival in Japan, you need to fill out 2 completed documents (Customs Declaration Form and Disembarkation Card) during your flight to Japan.   Airline staff will issue those cards to all passengers who required them.

Otherwise you may complete the Customs Declaration Form online (VISIT JAPAN WEB) before travelling.

Visit Web Japan
  

Recommended Information

  • POLICE CERTIFICATEPolice Certificates from the Japanese National Police Agency are issued only when requested by certain authorities as required by law

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