Transit Visa Requirements For Japanese Airports: What You Need To Know

If you're transiting through a Japanese airport and have an immediate flight connection, you typically don't need a transit visa, regardless of your nationality. However, if you have a longer layover and plan to leave the airport for sightseeing or resting, you may need to apply for a Japanese transit visa, especially if your layover is overnight. This visa is usually for short-term stays of a few days up to 90 days and is intended for tourism, sightseeing, or rest. The application process for a Japanese transit visa involves contacting a Japanese embassy or consulate, collecting the required documents, submitting them, and waiting for the visa to be processed, which can take around 3 to 5 working days. It's important to note that Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with 71 countries and regions, so it's always good to check the specific requirements for your nationality.

Do you need a transit visa for Japan?

Transit without a visa if you have an onward ticket within 72 hours

If you are a citizen of a country that typically requires a visa to enter Japan and you are transiting through a Japanese airport, you do not need a visa if all of the following conditions are met:

• You have a confirmed onward ticket within 72 hours of arrival.
• You have no other connecting flights on the same day.
• You remain within the international transit area of the airport.
• You have the necessary documents for your destination country.

This is known as a Japan Shore Pass and can be obtained on arrival. However, it is recommended that you contact your airline in advance to confirm if they can assist you in receiving the pass before you travel.

Please note that the Japan Shore Pass is not applicable if you wish to leave the airport during your layover. In this case, you would need to apply for a Japan Transit Visa, which is intended for short stays of up to 15 days for tourism, sightseeing, or rest purposes. The application process for this visa typically involves contacting and submitting documents to a Japanese Embassy or Consulate, and it may take around 3-5 working days to obtain.

Transit visa required for longer layovers or sightseeing

If you are transiting through a Japanese airport and have an immediate connecting flight, you do not need a visa, regardless of your nationality. However, if you are planning to leave the airport during longer layovers for sightseeing or resting, you will need to apply for a Japanese transit visa. This type of visa is typically intended for stays of a few days (up to 15 days) and can be used for tourism, sightseeing, or rest.

The Japanese transit visa can be obtained from a Japanese diplomatic mission office, such as an embassy or consulate, and the process usually takes around 3 to 5 working days. It is important to note that some diplomatic missions may not accept individual applications, and you might need to apply through an accredited travel agency. The required documents for the visa include a completed and signed Japan Visa Application Form, and you may need to provide additional documentation as well.

In certain cases, if you have a travel ticket within 72 hours and no connecting flights on the same day, you may be eligible for a Japan Shore Pass, which can be obtained upon arrival. This pass is typically handled by your airline, so it is recommended to contact them in advance to confirm their ability to assist with the Shore Pass. The Shore Pass is only valid for a maximum stay of 72 hours.

It is worth noting that Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with 71 countries, including Australia, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and more. Citizens of these countries can enter Japan without a visa for short-term stays, usually up to 90 days. However, it is always advisable to check the latest entry and exit requirements with the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate before your travel.

Visa exemptions for citizens of 71 countries

Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with 71 countries and regions. Nationals of these countries do not need a visa to enter Japan and can stay for a specified period. The duration of stay varies per country, with Indonesia and Thailand allowed to stay for "15 days", Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar for "30 days", and other countries for "90 days".

For nationals of Indonesia, visas are not required only for those with a registered ICAO-compliant ePassport. For nationals of Malaysia, visas are not required only for holders of ePassports in compliance with ICAO standards. Those without such passports are advised to obtain a visa in advance, or they may be refused entry to Japan. Nationals of Macao do not require a visa if they hold a SAR passport issued by the Macao SAR of the People's Republic of China. Visa exemption arrangements for Taiwan are limited to passport holders with a personal ID number. Nationals of Barbados, Türkiye, and Lesotho are exempt from visas if they hold Machine-Readable Passports (MRP) in compliance with ICAO standards. Those without MRPs are advised to obtain a visa in advance to avoid potential refusal of entry to Japan.

Additionally, citizens of certain countries can obtain multiple-entry visas if they have previously visited Japan and other G7 countries or can demonstrate "sufficient financial capability". Nationals of India, the Philippines, and Vietnam fall under this category. Chinese tourists traveling on approved cruise ships can enter Japan without a visa if they embark and disembark on the same specified ships.

It is important to note that the information provided here may not be exhaustive, and visa policies can change over time. It is always recommended to check the official websites of consulates or embassies for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding visa requirements for specific nationalities.

Japan Transit Visa application process

If you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to enter Japan and you are transiting through Japan to a third country, you will need a Japan Transit Visa. This visa is typically issued for a maximum of 15 days and can only be used for tourism, sightseeing, or rest. It cannot be used for business-related activities or to visit family and friends.

To apply for a Japan Transit Visa, you must follow these steps:

• Contact the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate to book an appointment. Alternatively, you may need to apply through an accredited travel agency, as some diplomatic missions do not accept individual applications.
• Collect the required documents, which typically include:

• A completed and signed Japan Visa Application Form.
• A valid passport with at least two blank pages and six months of validity remaining.
• A cover letter specifying the purpose of your travel.
• Passport-size photographs adhering to specified guidelines.
• Flight Itinerary, including arrival plans, departure dates, flight reservation numbers, and certificates of reservation.
• Daily Itinerary, detailing your activities during your stay in Japan.

• Submit the documents to the Embassy, Consulate, or authorised travel agency.
• Wait for the visa to be processed. This typically takes around five working days from the date your completed application is received.
• Collect your passport with the affixed visa from the Embassy, Consulate, or travel agency. The visa will be valid for travel to Japan within three months of issuance.

It is important to note that if you have an immediate flight connection and do not plan to leave the international transit area, you may not need a transit visa, regardless of your nationality. Additionally, if you have a connecting flight within 72 hours (3 days) and no other flights on the same day, you may be eligible for a Japan Shore Pass, which can be processed upon arrival or through your airline in advance.

Australian eligibility for Japan's visa exemption scheme

Australian citizens are eligible for Japan's visa exemption scheme for short-term stays for tourism or business travel. This means that if you are an Australian citizen, you do not need to obtain a visa before travelling to Japan for tourism or business purposes if your stay will be less than 90 days. However, it is important to note that after entering under the visa exemption scheme, you cannot change your entry status to another visa category without departing Japan and re-entering with the appropriate visa, such as a spouse, work, or study visa.

When entering Japan under the visa exemption scheme, Australian citizens must meet certain requirements, including having a valid passport and providing evidence of their Australian long-term visa status. Additionally, Australian citizens may be required to provide an itinerary, proof of financial capability, and other supporting documents. It is always a good idea to check with the Japanese Embassy or Consulate for the most up-to-date and accurate information on visa requirements and eligibility.

If you are transiting through Japan and your onward flight is departing from a different airport, you must enter Japan and meet the standard entry requirements. In most cases, if you have an immediate connecting flight, regardless of your nationality, you will not need a visa. However, if you plan to leave the airport during your layover, you may need to obtain a transit visa, especially if your layover is overnight. The Japanese transit visa is intended for travellers with longer layovers who wish to sightsee or rest in Japan for a short period, usually up to 15 days.

It is important to note that Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with several countries, and the period of stay granted upon landing permission varies. For example, Indonesia, Thailand, and Qatar are granted a 15-day or 30-day stay, while other countries, including Australia, are granted a 90-day stay. Additionally, some countries have specific passport requirements, such as holding an ICAO-compliant ePassport or a Machine-Readable Passport (MRP), to be eligible for the visa exemption.

Frequently asked questions