Visa for Japan
2024/12/27
Necessary documents for a visa application
The documents needed for a visa application depend on the visa category. If you are unsure which visa category to apply for, please contact us with details about your planned activities.
Please note:
- The processing of your application can start only after all documents are submitted completely and correctly.
- The consul in charge might request additional documents after reviewing your application.
- All citizens of NIS states (former Soviet Union) have to submit two application forms and two photos (for all visa categories). The detailed list can be found in our FAQ.
- Please do not staple documents together, but hand in loose papers, and please take off any passport cover!
- Application documents should be in English, German or Japanese. Documents in other languages should be handed in together with a translation (at least by yourself).
German nationals as well as nationals from other countries and regions (▸ full list here) can enter Japan without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days (this includes: touristic travel, business trips, attending a conference, visiting relatives/friends, remote work for an employer outside Japan, attending language schools, unpaid internships, unpaid research work, etc.).
For nationalities in need of a visa: On the following lists, you can find the documents needed for tourist and business visas (i.e. short business trips). Please be aware that a tourist visa is not sufficient for a business trip.
▸ Tourist visa
▸ Business visa
Do you have any questions about application documents?
You can find many answers in our ▸ FAQ!
For many visa categories, such as long-term study or work visas, a so-called Certificate of Eligibility (zairyû shikaku nintei shômeisho) is required.
The contact in Japan (e.g. the employer) has to apply for the Certificate at the Immigration Services Agency in Japan. After review and issuance of the Certificate, it will be sent to the applicant, who should then apply for the corresponding visa.
The necessary documents for the visa application are:
- visa application form (Hints for filling out the form: FAQ)
- passport (original + copy)
- Certificate of Eligiblity (copy or printout, see below) *
- recent passport photo (35 x 45 or 45 x 45 mm, not older than 6 months, at least printed on photo paper)
- for non-EU citizens: copy of German Residence Permit
* Since March 17, 2023, the original CoE is not necessary anymore, neither for the visa application, nor for entering Japan. For the visa application, a printout of a scan (or a copy) of the original CoE, or a printout of a digital CoE issued in e-mail form is sufficient.
If you do receive an original CoE via post, please take it with you and present it together with the visa when you enter Japan.
* Only available for applicants with German passport!
The conditions and necessary documents for the Working Holiday visa for German nationals can be found on the homepage of the Japanese Embassy:
▸ Information about the Working Holiday visa
! New rule starting January 1, 2025 !
From January 2025, German nationals can use the Working Holiday visa twice. Until now, the Working Holiday visa could only be used once in a lifetime.
Please note:
- The processing of your application can start only after all documents are submitted completely and correctly.
- The consul in charge might request additional documents after reviewing your application.
- All citizens of NIS states (former Soviet Union) have to submit two application forms and two photos (for all visa categories). The detailed list can be found in our FAQ.
- Please do not staple documents together, but hand in loose papers, and please take off any passport cover!
- Application documents should be in English, German or Japanese. Documents in other languages should be handed in together with a translation (at least by yourself).
Short-term visas (tourism, business trips, etc.)
German nationals as well as nationals from other countries and regions (▸ full list here) can enter Japan without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days (this includes: touristic travel, business trips, attending a conference, visiting relatives/friends, remote work for an employer outside Japan, attending language schools, unpaid internships, unpaid research work, etc.).
For nationalities in need of a visa: On the following lists, you can find the documents needed for tourist and business visas (i.e. short business trips). Please be aware that a tourist visa is not sufficient for a business trip.
▸ Tourist visa
▸ Business visa
Do you have any questions about application documents?
You can find many answers in our ▸ FAQ!
Forms for download
| application form | English |
Hints for filling out |
| schedule | English |
Japanese |
| invitation letter | English |
Japanese |
| letter of guarantee | English |
Japanese |
| This letter of guarantee does not substitute a delegation letter for business trips. | ||
| letter of authorization | German / English |
|
Application with a Certificate of Eligibility
For many visa categories, such as long-term study or work visas, a so-called Certificate of Eligibility (zairyû shikaku nintei shômeisho) is required.
The contact in Japan (e.g. the employer) has to apply for the Certificate at the Immigration Services Agency in Japan. After review and issuance of the Certificate, it will be sent to the applicant, who should then apply for the corresponding visa.
The necessary documents for the visa application are:
- visa application form
(Hints for filling out the form: FAQ)- passport (original + copy)
- Certificate of Eligiblity (copy or printout, see below) *
- recent passport photo (35 x 45 or 45 x 45 mm, not older than 6 months, at least printed on photo paper)
- for non-EU citizens: copy of German Residence Permit
* Since March 17, 2023, the original CoE is not necessary anymore, neither for the visa application, nor for entering Japan. For the visa application, a printout of a scan (or a copy) of the original CoE, or a printout of a digital CoE issued in e-mail form is sufficient.
If you do receive an original CoE via post, please take it with you and present it together with the visa when you enter Japan.
Application for a Working Holiday visa
* Only available for applicants with German passport!
The conditions and necessary documents for the Working Holiday visa for German nationals can be found on the homepage of the Japanese Embassy:
▸ Information about the Working Holiday visa
! New rule starting January 1, 2025 !
From January 2025, German nationals can use the Working Holiday visa twice. Until now, the Working Holiday visa could only be used once in a lifetime.