Indian citizens need a short-stay tourist visa to visit Japan, allowing stays of 15, 30, or 90 days. Applications are submitted through VFS Global on behalf of the Embassy of Japan, with processing typically completed within 5 to 7 working days.
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'Japan visa from India' is primarily informational — the process requires a physical embassy/VFS submission with specific document formats — and secondarily transactional. The snippet answers the headline facts, then routes to the apply modal.
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Japan visa from India
Short-stay tourist visa (15/30/90 days)VFS Global submissionEmbassy of Japan in IndiaSingle or double entry5–7 working-day processing
Overview
Japan requires Indian tourists to hold a valid visa before travel. The short-stay tourist visa allows stays of 15, 30, or 90 days, with single or double entry. Indian applicants submit the application through VFS Global, which routes it to the Embassy of Japan. The passport is returned by courier after the decision. The process is document-focused — no biometric fingerprinting is required for a short-stay tourist visa.
Not to be confused with
This page covers the Japan short-stay tourist visa for Indian passport holders. It does not cover the Japan work visa, student visa, spouse visa, or the transit visa. Japan is not part of the Schengen area; a Japan visa does not permit travel to Europe.
Eligibility
Indian passport valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay.
Tourism purpose; business visitors may need a different category.
Confirmed return flight and accommodation in Japan.
Sufficient funds to cover the stay, evidenced by bank statements.
No prior immigration non-compliance in Japan.
Documents by applicant profile
Valid passport and prior passports.
Visa application form (completed and signed).
One recent photograph meeting Japan visa specifications.
Cover letter explaining the itinerary.
Approved-leave letter from the employer.
Last three months of salary slips and bank statements.
Latest Form 16 and income-tax returns.
Return flight itinerary and hotel bookings.
Step-by-step process
1
Complete the visa application form
Fill the Japan visa application form and gather the supporting documents.
2
Submit at VFS Global
Submit the application and documents at a VFS Global centre on behalf of the Embassy of Japan. No appointment may be required for submission, but check the current process.
3
Pay fees at the centre
Pay the visa fee and VFS service charges at the counter; keep the receipt for tracking.
4
Track and collect the passport
Track the application online and collect the passport in person or by courier once the decision is communicated, typically within 5 to 7 working days.
Fees
Applicant
Fee
Note
Short-stay tourist visa
Varies (approx. 3,000–4,000 JPY range)JPYverify
Fee set by the Embassy of Japan; confirm on the embassy/VFS portal.
VFS service charge
Varies by centreINRverify
Added to the visa fee at submission.
* Fees marked "verify" must be confirmed on the official portal before payment.
Processing time
The short-stay tourist visa is typically processed within 5 to 7 working days from submission. File at least two weeks before the intended travel date, longer during peak season (cherry blossom and autumn foliage periods).
Common rejection reasons
Insufficient proof of financial means to cover the stay.
Inconsistent itinerary or accommodation details.
Missing or incorrectly formatted supporting documents.
Weak ties to India, raising doubts about return.
Prior Japan immigration non-compliance.
Gaya · Bodhgaya · Patna · Varanasi application path
For applicants in Gaya and Bodhgaya, the nearest VFS Global submission centres for Japan are typically in Kolkata or New Delhi. The concierge arranges: application form completion, document pre-check by courier from Gaya, submission at the nearest VFS centre, and return passport courier to Bodhgaya or Patna. No biometrics are required, but the physical submission must be made in person or by an authorised representative.
Pan-India note: The VFS Global route applies across India, with centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and other cities. Concierge support is available nationwide.
Local-market adaptation: Japan is positioned to Bihar-based applicants as a document-focused, no-biometric alternative to the Schengen and US routes. The concierge route emphasises courier-first document pre-check in Gaya/Bodhgaya, physical submission at the nearest VFS centre (Kolkata or New Delhi), and Hindi/Bhojpuri form assistance. This is distinct from generic pan-India copy.
Frequently asked questions
Related destinations
Editorial control panel — 10-part deliverable metadata
Compliance & trust
Last verified
2026-08-02
Source priority
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp) and VFS Global India are the primary sources. No third-party platform is used as a content source.
Ambiguity flags
Fee is denominated in JPY and converted to INR at the day's rate.
Processing time during peak season (cherry blossom, autumn) may be longer.
VFS submission process (appointment vs walk-in) should be re-confirmed.
Editor note: Fee figures are indicative. Re-confirm current fees and the latest submission process on the embassy and VFS portals before treating as authoritative.
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