The most comprehensive and complete guide to Japan family visit visas

Visa to visit relatives is a popular visa for those who want to meet family and relatives living in the Land of the Rising Sun. If you are looking forward to reuniting with relatives in Japan but do not know where to start to apply for a Japanese family visit visa, do not miss this article. Let's find out with T-Connect about the necessary information, from conditions, documents, to visa application process, to help you prepare easily and quickly!

Learn about Japan family visit visa

What is a Japanese family visit visa?

A Japanese family visit visa is a type of visa that allows foreigners to enter Japan to visit relatives for a certain period of time. This type of visa is for personal purposes, not for long-term work or study. This type of visa is very popular with families who have relatives working, studying or settling in Japan.

“How long is a Japanese family visit visa valid for?” is a very common question among many people today. Normally, a Japanese family visit visa is valid for 3 months and the holder is allowed to stay for a maximum of 30 days. The official period of stay will be clearly stated on the visa, and you can only stay in Japan during this period. If you need to stay longer, you will have to apply for an extension or a new visa.

Conditions for Applying for a Japanese Family Visit Visa

To apply for a Japanese family visit visa, you need to meet some basic conditions:

• Purpose of Visit: Provide a clear reason for visiting relatives or friends in Japan, along with the travel itinerary.
• Family Relationships: You need to prove your family relationship with your relative in Japan. This will usually require proof of documents such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or an invitation letter from your relative.
• Proof of Funds: You must have sufficient financial ability to pay for your trip without support from relatives in Japan. This can be proven through payslips, bank statements, or owned assets.
• Applicants must be Vietnamese or foreigners living and working legally in Vietnam (with work permit and temporary residence card)

Types of Japanese family visit visas

There are many types of Japanese family visit visas depending on the purpose and length of stay of the visa applicant. The two common types of family visit visas include:

• Single Visa: allows you to enter Japan only once during the validity of the visa. The period of stay is usually 15 days.
• Multiple Visa: allows you to enter Japan multiple times during the validity of your visa without having to apply for a new visa each time. The period of stay for each entry can range from 15 days to 90 days, depending on the decision of the Japanese Embassy.

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

What documents do I need to prepare to apply for a Japanese family visit visa?

When applying for a Japanese family visit visa, you need to prepare a complete and accurate set of documents to ensure quick and smooth approval. Below is a list of necessary documents:

Applicant's documents (person who wants to go to Japan)

• Passport (valid for 6 months from the intended date of entry into Japan)
• Visa application form (clearly state the visa application date & have the same signature as the signature in the passport). You can see details on how to fill it out at here.
• 1 passport photo 4.5×4.5 cm in size, taken within the last 6 months.
• Documents proving family relationship (Birth certificate, Marriage certificate, copy of Family register)
• Proof of employment (bank statements, pay slips, property documents)
• Application for leave to visit relatives (if working)
• Flight reservation or itinerary confirmation

Documents prepared by the inviting side in Japan

• Invitation letter (Form): This document is required, even if no guarantee is required. The inviter's name, address, and phone number must be clearly stated.
• Trip Schedule (Form): Must clearly state the date and time of arrival in Japan, date and time of return, flight number, airport and activity program, must clearly state the information of the place of stay (address, phone number).
• Copy of family register (if the inviter or spouse is Japanese)

If the guarantor bears the expenses in Japan, additional information must be provided:

• Certificate of Guarantee (Form)
• One of the documents proving the financial capacity of the guarantor (Certificate of income/Certificate of bank deposit balance/Copy of tax registration/Certificate of tax payment stating total income, issued by a Japanese administrative agency).
• Citizenship certificate (copy with relationship of family members)

Procedures for applying for a Japanese family visit visa

The procedure for applying for a Japanese family visit visa includes the following 5 specific steps:

Step 1: Prepare documents for applying for a Japanese family visit visa

First, you need to prepare a complete set of documents as required by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate as above.

Step 2: Submit application at Japanese Embassy or Consulate

Once you have prepared all the documents, you will submit your application at the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate. If you live in areas where there is no Embassy or Consulate, you can submit your application through the application center (VFS Global).

Step 3: Pay visa application fee

After submitting your application, you will need to pay the visa application fee.

Step 4: Wait for application review

The processing time for a Japanese family visit visa usually takes 5 to 10 working days. However, in some special cases, the processing time may be longer.

Step 5: Receive visa results

Once your application is approved, you will receive your visa results:

• Visa granted: You will receive a Japanese family visit visa with a period of stay determined by the Embassy.
• Visa denied: If your application does not meet the requirements or contains errors, your visa may be refused. In this case, you will receive a notice of the reason for refusal and will be able to reapply for a visa in the future.

Important notes when applying for a Japanese family visit visa

To increase your chances of getting a Japanese family visit visa and avoid unnecessary problems, you need to note some important points below:

• Documents are an important deciding factor in visa approval. Prepare complete and accurate documents, ensuring that the information in the documents matches your personal documents.
• In the invitation letter, do not write in general terms such as "Visiting relatives" but clearly state the process leading to the sponsorship, activities and places visited. Avoid providing a sketchy or unreasonable schedule, this may cause the application to be evaluated poorly.
• Your sponsor or inviter can be your guarantor in case your finances are not strong enough. In that case, the sponsor needs to have documents proving income, bank balance, tax payment copy, and total personal income confirmed by Japanese administrative agencies.
• You should apply for a visa at least 1 month before your departure date to avoid delaying your plans.
• In some cases, you may be asked to attend an interview to clarify further information. Be prepared to answer questions related to the purpose of your trip, your relationship with your relatives, your specific schedule and your plans to return to Vietnam.
• If your Japanese visitor visa is refused, the Japanese Embassy or Consulate usually requires a minimum waiting period of 6 months before you can reapply. 

Applying for a Japanese family visit visa can be quite complicated, but if you understand the process, prepare your documents carefully and comply with the requirements of the Embassy, ​​your chances of getting a visa will be higher. This is not only an important step for you to make a meaningful family visit but also opens the door to wonderful experiences in the Land of the Rising Sun. Hopefully, the above article has provided you with useful information about the Japanese family visit visa!

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