Japan Transit Visa - Requirements, Exemption and Application

Are you planning to use a Japanese airport to connect to a third country? Then, you will need a Japan Transit Visa.

However, if you don’t need an entry permit to visit Japan, getting a visa to use an international airport in Japan will not be necessary.

Find out if you need a transit visa to use a connecting flight from Japan to another country.

Discover the application process, validity, processing time and fees, the best time to apply and other necessary information about a visa to transit through Japan.

What is a Japan Transit Visa?

A Japan Transit Visa permits holders to use an international airport in Japan. Thus, they can get to a third country through Japan. However, it can allow them to stay in the country for a few days for tourism, sightseeing, or rest. Otherwise, they will get a correct Japan visa for visiting the country.

Eligibility for a Japan Transit Visa

The criteria for a Japan Transit Visa include the following:

You are not from a Japan visa-free country
You plan to use a connecting flight from Japan to another country

Countries that need Japan Transit Visa

Apart from these countries, nationals of other countries will need a visa to use an airport in Japan. They include:

Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Belgium
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Korea
Romania
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Spain
Surinam
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tunisia
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay

In addition, holders of Diplomatic passports from the following nations don’t need a Japan Transit Visa. They include:

Barbados
Indonesia
Lesotho
Malaysia
Serbia
Thailand
Turkey
United Arab Emirates

Exemptions from Japan Transit Visa

Sometimes, citizens of countries that need a visa to use a Japanese airport may qualify for exemptions for a transit visa. Therefore, you can travel through Japan without a permit if you meet the following conditions. They include:

If you will not leave the international area of the airport
If you have a ticket that allows you to leave within 72 hours
If your documents for the destination country are complete

On the other hand, if you have a ticket but there is no available flight in the next 72 hours, you can apply for a Shore Pass on arrival.

Requirements for a japan Transit Visa

You will need the following documents to apply for a visa to transit through Japan. They include:

Japan Transit Visa application form
Your passport
Cover letter
Passport-size pictures
Flight Itinerary
Daily Itinerary
Valid visa for the third country of destination
Bank statements
Latest Income Tax Returns

#1. Japan Transit Visa application form

You can download an application form from the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. You will need to complete the application with the correct details, including your name, nationality, the duration of your stay, the time of travel to Japan and place of birth.

Moreover, you can fill out the form online or at a Japanese embassy in your country of origin or residence.

#2. Your passport

You will need a valid passport of at least six months. In addition, the travel document must contain two blank pages for the visa stamp. Plus, it will be in good condition.

#3. Cover letter

Another document you need for a Japan Transit Visa is a cover letter. You will use it to state the details of your travel to Japan, like the purpose and time of visiting Japan.

#4. Passport-sized pictures

You also need three photos with the following features. They include:

4.5cm x 4.5cm in dimensions
White background
Taken in the last six months
Your head must be straight
Neutral facial expression
Your entire face has to be visible
Name and date of birth written on the back

#5. Flight itinerary

It will detail your travel plan, including the time of arrival and departure from Japan. It must not be a flight ticket. However, you can use a flight reservation certificate.

#6. Daily itinerary

You must include all your plans for the duration of your stay in Japan. It must contain the places you plan to visit, the time and activities you will perform there.

#7. Your final destination visa

Another document is a visa to enter the country for your final destination. Without your entry permit to a third nation, you can obtain a transit visa to use a connecting flight from Japan.

#8. Bank statement

A bank statement will prove you have the financial means to stay in Japan. Thus, you must get a letter from your financial institution from the last six months showing you have enough money to stay in Japan.

#9. Latest Income Tax Returns

In addition to the bank statement, you need your latest income tax returns as proof of financial means.

Steps to apply for a Japan Transit Visa

The steps to apply for a Japan transit Visa include the following:

Step 1. Contact the Embassy or Consulate to schedule an appointment.

Firstly, you must contact the Japanese embassy in your country of origin. You will get information about the visa requirements. Then, you have to book an appointment with the embassy.

Step 2. Gather the required documents for a Japan Transit Visa

Secondly, you have to collect all the documents for your transit visa. You must gather all the files you need to avoid visa denial by the embassy or consulate.

Step 3. Submit the documents at the Embassy or the travel agency.

Thirdly, you can submit your documents for your visa. Then, if it is necessary, you will attend an interview at the embassy.

Step 4. Wait for the visa to be processed.

Fourthly, wait for the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country of residence or origin. It usually takes five days to get this reply. Once you get a notification from the embassy, you will pay your visa fee.

Step 5. Collect your visa from Embassy/Consulate/travel agency.

Fifthly, you can receive your visa from the Japanese embassy in your country. Once you get it, you can travel to Japan within three months.

Japan Shore Pass

Sometimes, your flight from Japan to a third destination may not be ready within 72 hours. Therefore, you will need a Japan Shore Pass to remain in the country until the next available flight. However, it is the function of your airline to apply for it. Thus, you can ask them to receive it for you before you arrive in Japan.

To be eligible for Japan Shore Pass, you must

have complete documents to your final destination country
have proof of enough financial funds
must arrive and depart from an airport or seaport in the same group

Japan Shore Pass groups

You must use an airport or seaport in the same group while using a Japan Seaport, especially if you do not need a Japan Transit Visa. The groups include the following:

Group A

The following airports and seaports are in group A. They include:

Airports: Narita (NRT), Haneda (HND), Nagoya (NGO), Niigata (KIJ), Komatsu (KMQ) and Yokota (OKO).
Seaports: Tokyo, Yokohama, Niigata, and Nagoya.

Group B

Airports and seaports in group B include the following:

Airports: Osaka (KIX), Nagoya (NGO) and Komatsu (KMQ).
Seaports: Osaka, Kobe and Nagoya.

Group C

You can use the following airports and seaports in group C. They include:

Airports: Fukuoka (FUK), Nagasaki (NGS), Kumamoto (KMJ), Kagoshima (KOJ), Naha (OKA) and Kadena (DNA).
Seaports: Hakata (Fukuoka), Shimonoseki and Naha (Okinawa).

Group D

Travellers can use the following airports and seaports in group D. They include:

Airport: Chitose (CTS).
Seaports: Tomakomai, Otaru, Hakodate and Muroran.

Also Read: Steps on how to apply for a Japan Working Holiday Visa

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the processing fee for a Japan Transit Visa?

The processing time for a visa to use a connecting flight from an airport in Japan is 700 Yen. You can only pay the fee after the Japanese embassy has processed your transit visa. You must make the payment in person at the embassy.

What is the processing time for a visa to use an airport in Japan to connect to a third country?

Usually, it takes five days to process a visa to use an airport in Japan to move to another country. However, you can apply for your permit two weeks before your travel. Thus, the officials at the embassy will have enough time to work on your visa.

What is the validity period of a Japan Transit Visa?

A transit visa is usually valid for 15 days. And you cannot extend it upon expiration.

Where can I apply for a visa to pass through Japan?

You can fill out your application online or at the Japanese embassy in your country of origin. However, you must submit the form to the embassy or consulate when you complete it.

Conclusion

Finally, with the steps above, you can obtain your Japan Transit Visa without stress. Also, you can use the requirements when applying for the permit.

However, you must contact the Japanese embassy in your country of origin to get further information about the transit visa application process.

Moreover, there are many reasons to visit Japan at least once in your life to experience the culture and life of the Japanese.

Good luck.

Japan Transit Visa – Requirements, Exemption and Application