Japan visa for Indians: eVISA, documents, fees and timeline (2026)
Updated 17 Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Indian passport holders need a visa for Japan, and tourists can apply for an eVISA through the Japan visa application centre run by VFS Global. For Indian nationals the visa fee is ₹500, plus the VFS service charge. You can apply up to three months before travel. Leave at least three to four weeks for processing, because the Embassy says it can't speed up applications. A tourist visa allows a short stay of up to 90 days.
Visa rules change. This guide was checked against the Embassy of Japan in India and Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in October 2026. Always confirm on the official sites linked below before you apply.
The short version
| Question | Answer (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Do Indians need a visa for Japan? | Yes, for tourism, business and family visits |
| Can I apply online? | Tourists can get an eVISA, but you still apply through the VFS application centre, not directly on the Japanese government site |
| Visa fee for Indians | ₹500 (single or multiple entry, from 1 July 2026) |
| Extra charges | VFS service charge, plus optional courier or SMS updates |
| When to apply | Up to 3 months before travel; ideally 4–6 weeks before |
| Processing time | Varies. Plan for 3–4 weeks in busy seasons |
| How long can I stay? | Short-term stay of up to 90 days |
Step by step
- Book refundable flights and hotels first. You need to show them.
- Prepare your documents (list below). Most delays come from missing papers or unclear bank statements.
- Submit through the Japan visa application centre (VFS Global). Check your city's centre before you go. Several centres moved to appointment-only in 2026.
- Pay the fee: ₹500 visa fee plus the VFS service charge. The service charge is not refunded if the visa is refused.
- Wait for the decision. The Embassy doesn't respond to status enquiries, so use VFS tracking.
- Get your eVISA. It arrives as a visa issuance notice. Keep it on your phone. Airlines check it at the check-in counter in India.
Documents for a tourist visa
- Passport valid for the whole trip, with blank pages. Carry old passports too, if you have them.
- Visa application form, filled in and signed
- One recent photo, 45 × 45 mm, white background
- Flight booking (return or onward)
- Hotel bookings for every night
- Day-by-day itinerary
- Bank statements for the last 3–6 months showing enough funds
- Income tax returns (ITR) for the last 2–3 years
- Employed: leave letter or employment certificate. Self-employed: business registration
- A short cover letter explaining the trip
For family trips, add proof of relationship for children, and a no-objection letter if a minor travels with one parent.
Single entry or multiple entry?
Most first-time tourists get a single-entry visa. Indian nationals who meet certain conditions (such as frequent business travel or past travel to Japan) can apply for a multiple-entry visa. See the Embassy's page for "Multiple visa for nationals of India". The fee for Indians is the same ₹500 either way.
After you get the visa
- Fill in Visit Japan Web before you fly. It gives you QR codes for immigration and customs and saves time at the airport.
- Keep hotel addresses and your itinerary handy. Immigration officers sometimes ask.
- Japan's departure tax is ¥3,000 from 1 July 2026, and it's normally included in your air ticket.
Common mistakes that cause refusals or delays
- Bank statements with a sudden large deposit just before applying, with no explanation
- An itinerary that doesn't match the hotel bookings
- Applying more than three months before travel (it won't be accepted)
- Applying less than two weeks before travel in peak season
Watch out for visa scams
The Embassy of Japan never asks for payment by phone or email. Pay only at the VFS centre or through its official portal. If someone calls claiming to be from the Embassy, report it.
If you book with us
On our Japan group trip, visa filing is included. We give you a document checklist, check your file before submission, and track it. You send documents about 30 days before departure. The visa decision is always the Embassy's.