FAQ

Q.1　I plan to visit Japan for XX. Do I need to get a visa?
Q.2　I plan to visit a third country via Japan. Do I need to get a transit visa?
Q.3　How many days does it take to get a visa?
Q.4　I will be traveling to Japan on business. What documents do I need?
Q.5　I am going to visit relatives living in Japan. What documents do I need?
Q.6　I am going sightseeing in Japan. What documents do I need?
Q.7　What documents do I need to apply for a transit visa?
Q.8　Can I apply for a multiple-entry temporary visitor visa?
Q.9　How much is a visa fee?
Q.10　What type of visa can I apply for through the eVISA system?
Q.11　If I apply through the eVISA system, can I receive my eVISA without going to the Embassy
Q.12　Can I receive my eVISA immediately after applying through the eVISA system?
Q.13   My Canadian passport will expire within six months. Do I need to renew my passport?
Q.14   I am a permanent resident of Canada. Do I need a tourist visa?
Q.15   I am planning to go to Japan next year. Can I apply for a temporary visitor’s visa now? When should I apply?
Q.16   Can I enter Japan as a visitor without a visa, and then apply for a working visa, or another visa type, while in Japan?
Q.17   I received a visa to work in Japan for three years, but the “Date of Expiry” on the visa is only for three months from the date of issue. Is this an error?
Q.18   I am currently working in Japan, but left the country without obtaining a re-entry permit. Can I obtain a permit from the Consulate or Embassy of Japan in Canada?
Q.19   I will renew my Canadian passport, while I am temporarily in Canada. However, I need the re-entry permit, which is in my passport, to re-enter Japan. What should I do?
Q.20   I am a Canadian citizen who would like to apply for a Working Holiday Visa, but I am over the age limit (30 years old). Can an exception be made to the age limit?
Q.21   I went to Japan with a Working Holiday Visa, but came back to Canada within a few months. Can I re-apply for a Working Holiday Visa?
Q.22   I am an Australian citizen currently living in Canada. Can I apply for a Working Holiday Visa for Australian citizens, while I am in Canada?
Q.23   I was born in Canada and still have dual citizenship, Canadian and Japanese. When I go to Japan, which passport should I use? 
Q.24   What can I legally bring to Japan? Where can I find customs information?

•  For information about VISA including eVISA, please consult both the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s FAQ about JAPAN eVISA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' FAQ.  
•  For general information on Japanese visas, please call ＋1-587-883-9002 or email at japan-visa@bricks-corp.com, JAPAN VISA INFORMATION HOTLINE (in English, 24/7).
   Please mention your nationality and place of residence in your communication.


 

Q.1　I plan to visit Japan for XX. Do I need to get a visa?

Nationals of visa-exempt countries/regions (including Canadians) visiting Japan for a short period of time for tourism, business, visiting relatives or acquaintances, etc. without being engaged in remunerated activities do not need a visa. Others need to apply for a visa before visiting Japan.
 

Q.2　I plan to visit a third country via Japan. Do I need to get a transit visa?

Under Japan’s border measures, if you are simply transiting through Japan within the same airport and the same day without leaving the secure transit area, a visa will not be required. This regulation applies to all nationalities. However, except for Nationals of visa-exempt countries/regions (including Canadians), if you have to go through the immigration process for whatever reason, such as to switch airports, pick up luggage and check in again, or to stay overnight for the next flight, a visa will be required. Since it depends on the flights and the airport, please find out by contacting your airline and the airport whether you have to step out of the secure transit area.
(Note: Airlines may have their own boarding regulations. Passengers will also have to satisfy them.)
Activities in Japan are limited to sightseeing, recreation, rest, etc., and do not include visits to relatives/acquaintances.

Q.3　How many days does it take to get a visa?

If all requirements are met, most visas can normally be issued within 4-7 business days. However, there are certain cases that require referral to the Ministry in Japan. These cases may take 1-2 months. We do NOT offer expedited service. Please check the list of application documents before you apply.

Q.4　I will be traveling to Japan on business. What documents do I need?

For nationals of countries/regions other than visa-exempt countries/regions, please click here.
 

Q.5　I am going to visit relatives living in Japan. What documents do I need?

For nationals of countries/regions other than visa-exempt countries/regions, please click here.
 

Q.6　I am going sightseeing in Japan. What documents do I need?

For nationals of countries/regions other than visa-exempt countries/regions, please click here.
 

Q.7　What documents do I need to apply for a transit visa?

For nationals of countries/regions other than visa-exempt countries/regions, please click here.
 

Q.8　Can I apply for a multiple-entry temporary visitor visa?

It depends on your nationality. Please check here to see what applies to you. For nationals of other countries/regions, please contact us individually. Please note that a multiple-entry visa cannot be applied for through the eVISA system.
 

Q.9　How much is a visa fee?

Please click here.
 

Q.10　What type of visa can I apply for through the eVISA system?

Only visas for short-term TOURISM can be applied for through the eVISA system. For other purposes than tourism including visiting relatives/acquaintances living in Japan, apply at the Embassy in person . Please note that a multiple­entry visa cannot be applied for through the eVISA system.
 

Q.11　If I apply through the eVISA system, can I receive my eVISA without going to the Embassy?

Those who are exempt from the fee and who are paying online do not need to visit the Embassy.
 

Q.12　Can I receive my eVISA immediately after applying through the eVISA system?

The processing time for an eVISA is the SAME as that for a traditional sticker visa (4-7 business days). We do NOT offer expedited service. In the eVISA system, you can only select scheduled dates of entry into Japan after 7 days from the submission date.
 

Q.13 My Canadian passport will expire within six months. Do I need to renew my passport?

It is not necessary under Japanese immigration law. Your passport must be valid at the time of entry. Please note that airline company polices and restrictions may differ. It is best to confirm their policies directly with them. If you hold a Canadian travel document other than an ordinary passport, it must be valid for longer than six months.
 

Q.14 I am a permanent resident of Canada. Do I need a tourist visa?

It depends on your nationality or the passport you hold. If you hold a passport of a country with a reciprocal visa exemption arrangement with Japan, you do not need a visa to enter Japan as a tourist. Otherwise, you need one. More on Short-term Visas.
 

Q.15 I am planning to travel to Japan, next year. When should I apply for a temporary visitor's visa?

You can apply up to three months prior to the date you will enter Japan. Generally, a temporary visitor's visa is expires three months after the date of issue.
 

Q.16 Can I enter Japan as a visitor without a visa, and then apply for a working visa, or another status of residence, while in Japan?

No, a visa cannot be acquired after arriving in Japan. According to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, an application for the change of status from a temporary visitor to another status will only be accepted under special circumstances.
* A visa is a recommendation, made by an embassy or consulate, that a foreigner should be allowed to enter Japan. When an immigration officer completes an examination for landing and grants landing permission at the port of entry, a stamp is issued. This stamp is the legal documentation of the foreigner's status in Japan. The visa becomes irrelevant at this time (except for multiple-entry visas).
 

Q.17 I received a visa to work in Japan for three years, but the “Date of Expiry” on the visa is only three months from the "Date of Issue." Is this an error?

The "Date of Expiry" indicates the final date the visa can be used for entry into Japan. The "Period of Stay" starts from the date you arrive in Japan.
 

Q.18 I am currently working in Japan, but left the country without obtaining a re-entry permit. Can I obtain a permit from the Consulate or Embassy of Japan in Canada?

No. A re-entry permit is only issued by an immigration office in Japan. Before returning to Japan, you must re-apply for a visa.
 

Q.19 I will renew my Canadian passport, while I am temporarily in Canada. However, I need the re-entry permit, which is in my passport, to re-enter Japan. What should I do?

Bring your old and new passport with you to Japan. You will need to show both to immigration at the port of entry. If you have a multiple re-entry permit, you can have it transferred to your new passport at the local immigration office in Japan.
 

Q.20 I am a Canadian citizen who would like to apply for a Working Holiday Visa, but I am over the age limit (30 years old). Can an exception be made to the age limit?

No exceptions can be made to the required criteria. You could apply for a Working Visa.
 

Q.21 I went to Japan with a Working Holiday Visa, but came back to Canada within a few months. Can I re-apply for a Working Holiday Visa?

A Working Holiday Visa is only issued once. There is no exception.
 

Q.22 I am an Australian citizen currently living in Canada. Can I apply for a Working Holiday Visa for Australian citizens, while in Canada?

No. A Working Holiday Visa can only be issued by an Embassy or Consulate General of Japan in your home country.
 

Q.23 I was born in Canada and have dual citizenship, Canadian and Japanese. When I go to Japan, which passport should I use? 

According to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Japanese citizens are required to use their Japanese passport to enter Japan.
Moreover, you have to choose one citizenship before you turn 20 years old. In renouncing your Japanese citizenship, you will have to give up your Japanese passport. More information: The Choice of Nationality.
 

Q.24 What can I legally bring to Japan? Where can I find customs information?

Detailed information is available at Japan Customs.