VISITING JAPAN & VISA (see below) --------------------- POLICE CERTIFICATE (see left)

2025/3/11

Who needs a visa to enter Japan?

 
FOR NEW ZEALAND 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.

 

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
 

Eligible applicants (who can apply?) - Applications submitted on short notice will not be accepted (no exception)

Visa application are accepted only from residents in our jurisdiction
  • 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)
  • Visa is only valid for 3 months.  You must enter Japan within this time frame.  Therefore, we will NOT accept any visa applications more than 3 months before your departure date from New Zealand
  • For CoE holders: you must enter Japan within those three months from the issuing date of CoE

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

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

Simply bring in your application during our consulor section hours:
9am - 12pm or 1pm - 3:30pm (Monday to Friday)  
*NO appointment required*

Please check the list of office holidays before your visit

 

(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

  • WE ARE NOT ABLE TO CHECK VISA APPLICATION STATUS
  • After receiving visa grant notification by email from us, you may collect your passport at 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 are NOT able to check your visa status
  • 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 call "JAPAN VISA INFORMATION HOTLINE"  09 802 3564 (24 hours/7days a week, English only) 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

*We are not able to check visa application status

*Incomplete documents will be to returned/withdrawn

*We are not able to check visa application status


*We are not accepting applications from
outside our JURISDICTION



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

 

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 need to have a sponsor there already who can submit the application on your behalf.

Meanwhile, you have to send them any relevant supporting documents.  Depending on the type of visa you’re applying, your sponsor could be your employer, your school, or your spouse.

Once you get the COE (the process can take up to three months), your sponsor has to send it to you, and you can use it to apply 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 Holdaiy Visa FAQ
 
 
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
 

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