Japan visa for Indians: requirements and documents

Indian passport holders need a visa for a short-term stay in Japan (up to 90 days). Tourists can get a JAPAN eVISA; visiting relatives or friends and business need a regular visa. Applications go through VFS Japan Visa Application Centres.

Last checked against official sources on 2026-10-14.

Can I use the JAPAN eVISA?

Since 1 April 2024, Indian nationals (and foreign residents of India) can get a single-entry JAPAN eVISA for tourism, for a stay of 15, 30 or 90 days decided by the mission. You still apply through VFS; the visa is issued electronically. Visiting relatives or friends, business and multiple-entry visas need a regular visa.

Where to apply

Through the VFS Japan Visa Application Centres; the Embassy or consulate decides the application.
Consulates cover their own regions, for example Chennai (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Puducherry) and Kolkata (West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha).
The Embassy says no appointment is needed and you can apply up to 3 months before travel.

Documents for tourism

Passport with more than 2 blank pages, old passports, and a copy of the photo page
Visa Application Form, signed, with one photo (45 × 35 mm, colour, white background, taken within 6 months)
Flight or cruise schedule, and an itinerary with hotels (Schedule of Stay)
Latest income tax return (ITR), or 6 months of bank statements if you have no ITR
Students and dependants: consent and the parent’s or spouse’s ITR, with proof of relationship

Documents for visiting relatives or friends

Your host in Japan prepares part of these documents.

Your passport, application form, photo and financial documents as for tourism
From Japan: Letter of Invitation, Schedule of Stay, List of Visa Applicants, and proof of the relationship (birth or marriage certificate, Koseki-tohon; for friends, photos or messages)
Guarantor: Letter of Guarantee plus income or tax certificate, or bank balance certificate, and a residence certificate (Juminhyo) showing family relationships
Foreign residents in Japan who invite: copy of passport and residence card

Good to know

Several multiple-entry visa categories exist for Indian nationals, for example for people who travelled to Japan at least twice in the last three years.
Visas cannot be expedited.

The official forms

The Visa Application Form, Schedule of Stay, Letter of Invitation, Letter of Guarantee and List of Visa Applicants are the official forms of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Download the blank forms

Official sources

Requirements, fees and processing times change. Always check the current checklist on the official pages below before you apply; the visa centre’s checklist is what your application is checked against.

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