Quick answer
Indian passport holders need a visa for Japan. Apply for a short-term tourist visa through a VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre in India; eligible applicants receive it as an eVISA. The visa fee for Indians is ₹500, plus a VFS service charge, and processing takes about five working days. Japan's 2026 global fee increase does not apply to Indians applying in India.
At a glance
- Visa type
- Short-term tourist visa (temporary visitor), issued as an eVISA through VFS Global
- Stay allowed
- Typically 15–30 days per single-entry visit; up to 90 days depending on itinerary
- Fee
- ₹500 visa fee (single or multiple entry) plus a VFS service charge of roughly ₹800–1,000
- Processing
- About 5 working days after submission; longer in March–April
- Validity
- Single-entry visas are valid for three months from issue
- Apply at
- Official portal
Documents checklist
- Passport valid for the stay, with at least two blank pages, plus old passports
- Visa application form, filled in and signed
- Recent photo, 45x35 mm, white background
- Flight reservation (a confirmed ticket is not required before approval)
- Schedule of stay: a day-by-day itinerary with hotel names
- Bank statement for the last six months
- Income tax returns for recent years
- Employment letter or business proof, and a leave letter
- For sponsored trips: invitation and guarantee letters from the host in Japan
Common mistakes that get Indians refused
- Large deposits made just before applying weaken a bank statement; the embassy looks for steady balances.
- The eVISA notice is meant to be shown on your phone screen; keep the phone charged and the notice easy to open at check-in.
- VFS appointment slots fill fast before cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and in autumn; apply four to six weeks ahead.
- You can apply up to three months before travel, not earlier.
Do Indians need a visa for Japan?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a short-term tourist visa, applied for through VFS Global's Japan Visa Application Centres in India. Since 2024, eligible short-term visas are issued as an eVISA, a digital visa linked to your passport, rather than a sticker.
How much does it cost?
The visa fee for Indians is ₹500, for single or multiple entry, plus a VFS service charge of roughly ₹800–1,000. Japan raised visa fees worldwide from 1 July 2026, but the revised rates do not apply to Indian passport holders applying through VFS in India.
How to apply, step by step
- Prepare the documents: application form, photo, flight reservation, a schedule of stay, six months of bank statements, recent income tax returns and an employment or business letter.
- Book a VFS appointment at the centre for your jurisdiction and submit in person.
- Pay the visa fee and VFS charge at the centre.
- Wait about five working days. The embassy may call you or ask for more documents.
- When approved, you receive an eVISA issuance notice by email. Keep it on your phone.
- Before flying, register on Visit Japan Web to get QR codes for immigration and customs.
How long can you stay?
Single-entry tourist visas commonly allow 15 or 30 days, and up to 90 days if your itinerary justifies it. Indians with strong finances or a history of travel to Japan can ask for a multiple-entry visa valid for up to five years.
What the embassy actually checks
The embassy looks at whether your funds comfortably cover the trip and whether the itinerary is realistic. Steady bank balances matter more than one large figure; a sudden deposit just before applying invites questions. Previous travel to Japan, the US, the UK or Schengen countries helps. At Narita, Haneda or Kansai, immigration takes fingerprints and a photo and is usually quick.
Families and seniors
Each traveller needs a visa, including children; minors need a birth certificate and the sponsoring parent's financial documents. Japan suits older travellers in safety and punctuality, but stations involve stairs and long transfers. Use the luggage-forwarding service between hotels so nobody carries suitcases on trains.
For cherry blossom trips, book the VFS appointment in January or early February. Slots in March fill up quickly.
For budgets and timing, see the Japan trip cost guide, the best time to visit Japan and things to do in Japan. Load yen from our foreign exchange desk, and let our visa assistance team review your file.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Japan visa fee for Indians in 2026?
Can Indians apply for the Japan eVISA online?
How much bank balance is needed for a Japan visa?
Can Indians get a multiple-entry visa for Japan?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
