VISITING JAPAN & VISA (see below) --------------------- POLICE CERTIFICATE (see left)
Who needs a visa to enter Japan?
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.

Eligible applicants (who can apply?) - Applications submitted on short notice will not be accepted (no exception)
- 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
- 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
FAQ |
News and Links |
Visa Fees |
Please note:
*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 For sightseeing, visiting relatives & friends |
Temporary Visitor Visa Attending conferences athletic tournaments, |
Temporary Visitor Visa School Trip |
For applicants intending to work/study/live in Japan 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. 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...
|
Extension of Validity of Re-Entry Permit |
Visa Waiver Arrangement for Nationals of the United Arab Emirates (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan site) |
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 |
Recommended Information
- POLICE CERTIFICATEPolice Certificates from the Japanese National Police Agency are issued only when requested by certain authorities as required by law