Types of Japanese Visas – The most detailed guide to applying for a Japanese Visa and the renewal process

How to apply Types of Japanese Visas? Each type of visa will have its own characteristics, conditions and application process, suitable for each specific purpose of entry. In this article, T-connect will provide you with the most detailed and complete information about all types of Japanese visas available.

Japan Visa by Number of Entries

Single entry visa

In the Japanese visa system, the Single Entry Visa is the most common type for tourists and short-term business travelers. This visa allows the holder to enter Japan only once during its validity period.

The visa is valid for 3 months, while the permitted stay is 15 days. It is worth noting that after leaving the country, if the user wants to return to Japan, they will need to apply for a new visa.

In addition, there is a double entry visa, which allows the holder to enter the country twice within a 6-month validity period. For a transit visa, the validity period is 4 months. The length of stay for each entry remains at 15 days.

Multiple entry visa

Multiple Entry Visa allows the user to enter Japan multiple times during the validity period without having to apply for a new visa. This type of visa is suitable for people who need to frequently travel to Japan such as businessmen, professors, artists, athletes, government employees of ministries, departments and agencies.

The validity period can be from 1 year, 3 years or 5 years depending on the subject and purpose of entry. The length of stay for each entry is usually from 15 to 30 days.

Japan Visa by purpose of entry

Tourist visa

Features and length of stay

Among the types of Japanese visas, tourist visas are the most popular. Japan is an attractive destination with millions of tourists every year, attracted by the unique combination of traditional culture and modern technology. Vietnamese citizens are required to apply for a visa before traveling to Japan because they are not on the list of visa-exempt countries.

Japan tourist visa applies to those who want to enter Japan for sightseeing, entertainment or other short-term purposes such as visiting friends and relatives but not participating in paid activities.

A self-sufficient tourist visa allows a single entry with a maximum stay of 15 days and is valid for 90 days. For Package Tours organized by designated travel companies, the stay is also limited to 15 days.

Documents required to apply for a tourist visa

Application for Japanese tourist visa includes:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Visa application form
• Photo size 4.5cm x 4.5cm
• Financial proof (savings book, account statement...)
• Proof of employment (employment contract, job confirmation letter, etc.)
• Detailed itinerary when traveling to Japan
• Hotel reservation confirmation, round trip air ticket

Student visa

Characteristics of student visa

A Japanese student visa is for students who want to study in Japan at language schools, universities or long-term training programs. The visa is usually valid for 3 months to 5 years and can be extended.

To apply for a student visa, applicants need to have sponsorship from an educational institution in Japan. In addition, they need to prove that they have enough financial resources to cover their study and living expenses during their stay in Japan.

Student visa application includes:

• Valid passport
• Visa application
• Photo size 4.5cm x 4.5cm
• Letter of admission from school in Japan
• Demonstrate financial
• Academic documents, transcripts

Business visa

Business visa is one of the important types of Japanese visa for business activities, trade negotiations, signing contracts or attending seminars. The stay is from 30 to 90 days, and cannot be used for tourism or paid work.

Business visas include:

• Single entry business visa for specific activities such as negotiations, conference attendance, contract signing, after-sales service, academic, cultural and sports exchanges
• Multiple-entry business visas are issued to special categories such as official employees of Vietnamese government agencies, National Assembly deputies, cultural and intellectual activists, and their relatives.

Work visa

Types of Japanese work visas

In the Japanese visa system, the work visa plays an important role for foreigners who want to work legally in Japan. This is the type of visa that allows foreigners to work legally in Japan. Types of work visas include:

• Work visa for engineers and bachelors: Requires a college degree or higher. For technical fields such as electricity, information technology, and mechanics, at least 6 years of experience is required.
• Visa for labor export: For high school graduates or higher, no high level of expertise required.
• Student visa converted to work visa: For international students who graduate and want to work in Japan.

Work visa application process and costs

To apply for a work visa, you need to have a college degree or higher or a high school diploma, depending on the type of visa. The process of applying for a work visa includes:

• Have a labor contract with a company in Japan
• Apply for a certificate of residence eligibility
• Submit visa application at Japanese Embassy/Consulate General

The cost of applying for a work visa is specifically regulated: 610.000 VND for a single-entry visa and 1.220.000 VND for a multiple-entry visa. Applicants must fully meet the requirements for education, experience and have a sponsoring company in Japan.

Visa to visit relatives

Subjects and conditions for granting family visit visa

Among the types of Japanese visas, a family visit visa is issued to people whose relatives are living, working or studying in Japan. The sponsor must prove the relationship and financial ability to ensure the stay of the relative.

Documents need to be prepared

• Passport
• Visa application
• Invitation letter from relatives in Japan
• Documents proving family relationship
• Demonstrate financial

Permanent residence visa

Types of residence visas

Long-term residence visas include permanent residence visas and marriage visas. These are types of Japanese visas that allow the holder to live permanently in Japan with the same rights as Japanese citizens:

• Permanent Visa: For those who have lived in Japan for a long time and have permanent residence status.
• Marriage Visa: For people married to Japanese citizens.

Conditions and procedures for applying for a residence visa

• To apply for a permanent visa, the applicant must have continuous residence in Japan, have a stable income and not violate the law.
• For marriage visa, legal marriage certificate with Japanese citizen is required.

Refugee visa

Refugee visa is a special type of Japanese visa for people who immigrate to Japan due to political, religious, or racial persecution in their home country. The process of applying for this visa is often lengthy and applicants are not allowed to work in Japan.

Medical visa

Medical visas are issued to foreign patients coming to Japan for treatment for a maximum period of 3 years. The length of stay is from 13 days to 1 year each time. The cost of a single-entry visa is 650.000 VND and a multiple-entry visa is 1.300.000 VND.

Japan Volunteer Visa

Volunteer visas are currently only issued to British citizens to volunteer for a year at Japanese charities. Currently, Vietnamese citizens are not eligible for this type of visa.

Working Holiday Visa in Japan

The Working Holiday Visa allows people aged 18-30 to live and work part-time in Japan for one year. However, this visa is only available to citizens of certain countries such as Australia, the US, Canada, France, Iceland, Germany and New Zealand. Vietnam is not on the list of countries eligible for this visa.

Japan visa application process

You can directly submit your application to the Embassy (Embassy) to apply for a visa. Japan has an Embassy of Japan in Hanoi and a Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City. The Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City is responsible for receiving visa applications for people currently living in the southern region from Dak Lak and Phu Yen provinces to the south. For those living from Gia Lai and Binh Dinh provinces to the north, please submit your visa application at the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam (in Hanoi).

Below are the procedures for you to apply for a Japanese visa in the most complete way:

1. Prepare documents

Required documents for each type of visa:

When applying for Japanese visas, preparing complete and accurate documents is the key factor to success. Each type of visa has its own requirements, however, there are some basic documents that are always necessary such as a passport with at least 6 months validity, a visa application form, and a portrait photo as prescribed.

Notes when preparing documents:

• Visa application must be accurate and complete.
• When preparing documents for Japanese visa applications, it is important to note that documents cannot be sent by fax or post. All documents must be submitted directly to the Japanese diplomatic mission.
• In addition to the documents included in the guide, depending on the purpose of entry and on a case-by-case basis, visa applicants may be required to provide additional documents.
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted. In this case, the visa applicant will be given a list of missing documents that need to be supplemented, and the inviting party will also be required to confirm the contents of this list.

2. Submit application

How to apply

Visa applicants can submit their applications directly at two main locations: the Embassy of Japan in Hanoi and the Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City.

People living in Gia Lai and Binh Dinh provinces to the North will submit their applications in Hanoi, while people living in Dak Lak and Phu Yen provinces to the South will submit their applications in Ho Chi Minh City.

>> See more: Instructions for writing a Japanese Visa application

Processing time

• Morning from 8:30 to 11:30 from Monday to Friday every week (except holidays)
• Afternoon can receive issued visa.
• The review process typically takes at least one business week, but may take longer if additional investigation or interviews are required.

Note when processing application:

• Visa applications sent directly to the Consulate General of Japan by fax or mail will not be accepted.
• In addition to the documents included in the guide, depending on the purpose of entry and on a case-by-case basis, visa applicants may be required to provide additional documents.
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted. In this case, the visa applicant will be given a list of missing documents that need to be supplemented, and the inviting party will also be required to confirm the contents of this list.
• Once your visa application is processed, you will be issued a Receipt of Application. Please bring this receipt with you when you come to pick up your visa.

3. Visa costs

Japan visa fee table for Vietnamese

Visa type	Unit (Vietnamese Dong) (From 1/4/2024 to 31/3/2025)
Single entry visa	520.000
Regular multiple entry visa	1.030.000
Transit Visa	120.000
Extension of re-entry permit	520.000
Extension of validity of refugee passport identity card	430.000

Visa fee waiver

Depending on where the visa applicant will go, current location, and purpose of going to Japan, there will be cases where the visa fee is exempted.

The fee exemption regime is summarized below. Visa applicants must request the consular window when submitting their application. In addition, please attach documents proving that you meet the visa fee exemption conditions.

Object	Visa type	Condition
All visa applicants for 3 earthquake and tsunami provinces	All types of visas	Visit Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima prefectures.
Full-time college student	Short-term stay visa	Nationals of ASEAN countries (Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos) studying at university level in Vietnam.
Tourists etc.	Short-term stay visa	Travel to Okinawa (can be combined with visiting relatives, business, etc.)

Note: Once the visa return procedure is completed, the Japanese Embassy will not be able to refund.

4. Review time

• The review period is at least 01 working week. After the review is completed, the Consulate General of Japan will contact each case by phone.
• In case the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to investigate or the Japanese Consulate General needs to interview the visa applicant, the visa processing time will be longer than 01 working week. We recommend that you arrange to apply for a visa early to ensure time.
• Except for humanitarian cases, expedited visa applications will not be considered. In case of emergency, please contact us early.
• The Consulate General of Japan does not respond to questions regarding the review content.
• In case the visa application is rejected after review, the visa applicant is not allowed to re-apply for a visa for the same purpose within 06 months.
• For information on visa standards, please refer to the link http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/visa/tetsuzuki/kijun.html

5. Get results

Notification of results and how to receive visa

• Visa applicants will receive a receipt upon submitting their application. Visa collection is done on weekday afternoons, and it is mandatory to bring the issued receipt.
• In case the visa application is rejected after review, the visa applicant is not allowed to re-apply for a visa for the same purpose within 06 months.

Changing your itinerary after you have your visa

• After being granted a visa, in case of changes in the content of activities or changes in the length of stay beyond the length of stay allowed in the visa, it is necessary to reapply for a new visa.
• The validity period of the visa is 03 months from the date of issue (not from the date of receipt of the application). If this deadline is exceeded, the visa will be invalid and you will not be able to enter Japan.

Note to check visa information: Upon receiving your visa, you should carefully check information such as your full name, passport number, visa validity, and number of entries. If you find any errors, you should immediately notify the consular officer for timely correction.

Japan visa extension

When do I need to extend my visa?

Visa needs to be extended if the period of stay is about to expire but the user still needs to continue staying in Japan for the purpose of studying, working or living.

Cases requiring visa extension: People who study, work or have other legitimate reasons to extend their stay must apply for a visa extension before their current visa expires.

Visa extension process

• Documents required: Visa extension documents include an application for extension, passport, certificate of residence, documents proving the reason for extension and extension fee.
• Time and place to submit extension application: Applicants for extension must submit their application to the Japanese Immigration Bureau at least 1 month before the current visa expires.

Notes during visa extension process

• Common problems: Some extensions are denied due to insufficient documents or without a valid reason. Visa applicants need to prepare their documents carefully to avoid this situation.
• Renewal cost: Visa extension costs depend on the type of visa and the length of extension, averaging around 4.000 – 6.000 yen.
• How to handle if visa expires: If the visa expires before it is renewed, the visa applicant may be required to leave Japan and may have difficulty re-applying for a visa later.

Visa Conversion

• Cases allowed for conversion: People with a student visa who want to work in Japan or people with a work visa who want to change to a permanent resident visa can apply for a visa conversion.
• Conversion process: Applicants for visa conversion must submit their application to the Japanese Immigration Bureau and wait for approval.
• Conditions and requirements: Visa conversion conditions depend on the type of visa desired and specific requirements from the Japanese government.

Short-term multiple-entry visa for Vietnamese citizens.

1. Subjects Granted Short-term Visas

People who come to Japan for business, cultural, intellectual activities, etc. can stay in Japan for 90 days (excluding labor or paid activities). Their spouses and children can also be considered for multiple-entry visas.

2. Conditions for Visa Application

(1) For Commercial Purposes

People holding positions equivalent to department head or higher or people working long-term for more than 1 year at companies that satisfy one of the following conditions:

• a. State-owned company.
• b. The company is listed on the stock market.
• c. A company with Japanese capital (including representative offices) and a member of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, located in a city where there is a Japanese diplomatic mission and has a parent company or contact address in Japan.
• d. The Company has regular transactions with companies listed on the Japanese stock market.

(2) Cultural Activists, Intellectuals, etc.

• a. World-famous people or artists working in the fields of fine arts, literature, art, music, dance, etc. with outstanding achievements, or scientists in the fields of social sciences (literature, law, economics), natural sciences (physics, engineering, medicine, etc.).
• b. Amateur athletes with good results.
• c. University lecturers or higher (long-term employees).
• d. People who are department heads or higher in national and public research institutes and national and public museums and art museums.

(3) Details of Conditions

For further details on the conditions for being granted a multiple-entry short-term visa, please contact the Embassy of Japan (Tel: 024-38463000).

Some frequently asked questions

Is it difficult to get a Japanese visa?

Depending on the type of visa and the applicant's profile. If the profile is complete and clear, the approval rate will be higher.

How long does it take to process a Japanese visa?

Typically takes 7 – 10 business days, but may take longer if additional review is required.

Is the cost of applying for a Japanese visa expensive?

Costs range from 610.000 - 1.220.000 VND depending on visa type.

Can I extend my visa during my stay?

Yes, but you need to apply for an extension before your visa expires.

What should I keep in mind when applying for a Japanese visa?

Prepare complete documents, check information carefully and submit documents early to avoid delays.

Learning about the types of Japanese visas is very important so that you can best prepare for your trip. Hopefully this article has provided you with enough necessary information. Whether you are coming to Japan for tourism, study, work or settlement, understanding information about the types of Japanese visas is extremely important to ensure your trip goes smoothly. Follow up and prepare your documents carefully to have the opportunity to be granted a visa smoothly.

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