Common Japanese Visas and Essential Information

A visa is an indispensable document when you want to enter Japan. Let's delve into tourist, visiting, business, and other types of visas with HeyJapan to provide you with a comprehensive overview and the best preparation for your trip.

Japanese Visa Types Based on Number of Entries

Japanese visas are categorized based on several factors, the most common being the number of entries and the purpose of entry. You need to understand the detailed information about these types of visas to choose the one that fits your plans.

Visa classification depends on many factors

Single-entry Japanese Visa

A single-entry Japanese visa allows you to enter Japan only once within the permitted period. This type of visa is suitable for those with short-term plans such as tourism, visiting family, or a one-time business trip.

Key Features of a Single-entry Visa:

• Allows only one entry during the visa's validity period.
• Typically valid for 15 to 90 days.
• Suitable for short trips.
• Easier and simpler to obtain compared to multiple-entry visas.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Single-entry Visa:

Multiple-entry Japanese Visa

Japanese visa multiple times

A multiple-entry Japanese visa allows you to enter Japan multiple times during the visa's validity period. This type of visa is mainly for those who need to travel frequently between Japan and Vietnam, study, work, or visit family regularly.

Key Features of a Multiple-entry Visa:

• Allows multiple entries during the visa's validity period.
• Typically valid for six months to five years.
• Suitable for frequent travelers or long-term stays.
• More complicated and time-consuming to obtain compared to single-entry visas.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Multiple-entry Visa:

Japanese Visas Based on Purpose of Entry

Self-guided Tourist Visa

The self-guided tourist visa is the most common Japanese visa for those planning a free travel trip to Japan. With this visa, you will plan your itinerary, book flights, hotels, and other travel services.

Self-sufficient tourist visa is popular

Key Features of a Self-guided Tourist Visa:

• Valid for 15 to 90 days.
• Allows free travel and exploration in Japan.
• Requires financial proof and a detailed travel itinerary.
• Not permitted to work or study during the stay.

Requirements for a Self-guided Tourist Visa:

• Passport valid for at least six months.
• 4x6 cm photo with a white background.
• Financial proof.
• Detailed travel itinerary.
• Return flight ticket.
• Hotel reservations.
• Employment or study certificate (if applicable).

Business Visa

The business visa is for those entering Japan for business activities, trade, attending conferences, exhibitions, or signing contracts.

Vietnamese do business in Japan

Key Features of a Business Visa:

• Valid for 15 to 90 days.
• Allows participation in business activities such as trade, conferences, and exhibitions.
• Requires an invitation letter from a Japanese partner.
• Not permitted for long-term work or study during the stay.

Requirements for a Business Visa:

• Passport valid for at least six months.
• 4x6 cm photo with a white background.
• Invitation letter from a Japanese partner.
• Complete company and business purpose details.
• Detailed business itinerary.
• Financial proof.
• Employment certificate from the company in Vietnam.

Visa Package Tour

The Package Tour Visa is issued to those participating in a fully organized tour by a Japanese travel company. This visa is typically for those with little travel experience or who want to avoid the complexities of self-guided visa procedures.

Take part in a package tour in Japan

Key Features of a Package Tour Visa:

• Short-term validity, usually 7 to 15 days.
• Pre-arranged travel itinerary by the travel company.
• Requires participation in all tour activities.
• Easier and simpler to obtain compared to self-guided tourist visas.

Requirements for a Package Tour Visa:

• Passport valid for at least six months.
• 4x6 cm photo with a white background.
• Tour contract with the Japanese travel company.
• Financial proof (simpler compared to self-guided tourist visas).
• Detailed tour itinerary provided by the travel company.

Student Visa

The student visa is for those entering Japan to study and live, primarily students who wish to study at universities, colleges, or vocational schools in Japan.

Study abroad visa for international students studying in Japan

Key Features of a Student Visa:

• Valid for the duration of the registered study program, typically 6 months to 4-5 years.
• Allows studying at Japanese educational institutions.
• Permits part-time work up to 28 hours per week (with school and immigration approval).
• Requires rigorous financial proof and academic ability.

Requirements for a Student Visa:

• Passport valid for at least six months.
• 4x6 cm photo with a white background.
• Admission letter from a Japanese school.
• Financial proof (bank statements, savings account of self or sponsor).
• Japanese language proficiency certificate (JLPT or equivalent).
• Previous school transcripts and certificates.
• Study and post-graduation plans.

Specified Skilled Worker Visa

The Specified Skilled Worker Visa (Tokutei Ginou) allows foreigners to enter Japan and work in specific skill areas. This visa covers 14 industries, including agriculture, construction, nursing, healthcare, food processing, etc.

Skill labor in Japan

Key Features of the Specified Skilled Worker Visa:

• Valid for 1 to 5 years (depending on the specific skill).
• Allows work in specific industries.
• Requires skill and Japanese language proficiency certificates.
• Can be renewed and converted to long-term work visas.

Requirements for the Specified Skilled Worker Visa:

• Passport valid for at least six months.
• 4x6 cm photo with a white background.
• Certificate of completion of the specific skill training.
• Japanese language proficiency certificate (usually N4 or above).
• Employment contract with a Japanese employer.
• Health certificate proving the ability to work in Japan.
• Criminal record certificate.

Work Visa

The work visa is for those entering Japan to work under a labor contract with a Japanese employer. This visa typically requires professional qualifications, relevant work experience, and Japanese language proficiency.

Labor visa requires professional qualification suitable for the profession

Key Features of a Work Visa:

• Valid for 1 to 5 years (renewable).
• Allows work in a specific field in Japan.
• Requires professional qualifications and work experience.
• Can bring family (spouse and children) under certain conditions.

Requirements for a Work Visa:

• Passport valid for at least six months.
• 4x6 cm photo with a white background.
• Signed employment contract with a Japanese company.
• Certificate of eligibility from Japanese immigration.
• Professional qualifications and certificates.
• Japanese language proficiency certificate (if required).
• Criminal record certificate.
• Health certificate.

Volunteer Visa

The volunteer visa is for those who love volunteering activities and wish to enter Japan to participate in volunteer work. This visa requires acceptance from a Japanese volunteer organization, a specific activity plan, and proof of financial ability to cover living expenses.

Volunteering in Japan

Key Features of a Volunteer Visa:

• Valid for 3 months to 1 year.
• Allows participation in unpaid volunteer activities.
• Requires acceptance by a Japanese volunteer organization and a specific activity plan.

Requirements for a Volunteer Visa:

• Passport valid for at least six months.
• 4x6 cm photo with a white background.
• Invitation letter from a Japanese volunteer organization.
• Detailed volunteer activity plan.
• Financial proof to cover living expenses.
• Valid travel insurance in Japan.
• Detailed travel and stay itinerary.

Medical Visa

The medical visa is for foreign patients who need to enter Japan for medical treatment. This visa can also be issued to accompanying guardians if necessary. The validity and duration of stay depend on the patient's medical condition.

Japanese Medical Visa for Foreign Patients

Key Features of a Medical Visa:

• Valid for up to 3 years.
• Allows continuous stay for medical treatment in Japan, with a maximum stay of 90 days per visit.
• Easy to obtain, with a high approval rate. 

Requirements for a Medical Visa:

• Passport valid for more than six months.
• 4x6 cm photo with a white background.
• Personal identification documents.
• Financial proof (bank statements).
• Medical treatment plan.
• Visa application form.

Conclusion

The above information provides details on the various types of Japanese visas, their characteristics, and the requirements for obtaining them. Preparing the necessary documents and adhering to the regulations will increase your chances of successfully entering Japan. We hope this article has given you a comprehensive and helpful overview for your travel, study, or work plans in Japan. HeyJapan wishes you success in your upcoming journey!