JP country scene

Short-Term Stay — visiting relatives

JapanShort stays and visits

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

For the relevant traveller scope, is a visa, electronic authorisation, visa on arrival or no advance visa normally required?

Japan has reciprocal short-term visa exemption arrangements with 74 countries and regions (stay granted on landing: 15 days for Indonesia and Thailand, 30 days for Brunei and Qatar, 90 days for the others). For other travellers MOFA publishes a Single-Entry Short-Term Stay Visa checklist applying to all nationalities except China, Russia, CIS countries, Ukraine, Georgia and the Philippines.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The source does not state in one sentence that every non-exempt national needs a visa; nationality-specific procedures (China, Russia, CIS, Ukraine, Georgia, Philippines, Viet Nam) are on separate pages not read.

What short-visit purposes does this route cover?

Visiting relatives: visiting a spouse or blood relatives/relatives by affinity within the third degree. Activities generating revenue or receiving remuneration in Japan are not permitted.

See recorded sources

What maximum stay, rolling-period rule, validity and entry rules apply?

The Temporary Visitor period of stay is 90 days, 30 days or 15 days (or a period in days not exceeding 90 designated by the Minister of Justice for the individual). The official source does not state visa validity or a rolling-period rule.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Visa validity and any rolling-period rule are not stated in the sources read.

What important funds, accommodation, invitation, insurance, onward-travel or passport evidence may be required?

The applicant needs a valid passport, an application form, a photo, an itinerary with flight/ship number and dates, (if paying own expenses) proof of ability to pay (income certificate/tax return or bank statement), and proof of the relationship (relatives: birth, marriage or family-register certificate). The inviting person provides an invitation letter, a document explaining the reason for invitation, a list of applicants if more than one and an itinerary in Japan. If a guarantor covers expenses: letter of guarantee, proof of the guarantor's funds, certificate of residence (Juminhyo), and for a foreign-national guarantor copies of residence card, Juminhyo and passport. Documents must have been issued within the last three months.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000121327.pdf
    (1)Valid passport (2)Visa application form (3)Photo (4)Itinerary with the flight/ship number and date of arrival and departure to and from Japan (5)One of the following documents to prove ability to pay travel expenses during your stay in Japan (if you pay your own travel expenses) •Income certificate or tax return issued by a public agency •Bank statement, balance certificate etc. (6)Document to prove kinship, friendship, or acquaintance relationship •Visiting relatives: Birth certificate, Marriage certificate, Family register certificate (Kosekithon) etc. (copies will be accepted) •Visiting friends/acquaintances: Photos, E-mails, Call history, Letters etc.
  • https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000121327.pdf
    (7)Invitation letter(p.4) (8)Document to explain the reason for invitation (examples: invitation showing date of graduation, wedding etc., medical certificate) (9)List of Visa Applicants(p.5) (Where there is more than one applicant) (10)Itinerary in Japan(p.6)
  • https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000121327.pdf
    (11)Letter of guarantee(p.8) (12)Proof of funds of the guarantor (at least one of the following): *Withholding tax slip will not be accepted. •The latest Certificate of income (the previous year's gross income must be included)/taxation issued by the head of administration of the place of residence, or tax return (Form 2) issued by the director of tax office •Balance certificate (13)Certificate of residence(Juminhyo) *Relationship to all family members must be included. (14)If the guarantor is a foreign national, please submit a copy of both sides of guarantor's valid Residence Card (or special permanent resident certificate), Certificate of residence(Juminhyo - full details are required for foreign nationals except My Number and Resident Register Code), and a copy of passport.
  • https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000121327.pdf
    Documents must have been issued within the last three months and must be valid at the time of submission.

Where/how is permission obtained when required, and under what important circumstances can a stay be extended or changed?

Visas are applied for at the Japanese diplomatic mission with jurisdiction over the applicant's place of residence. Extension of a Temporary Visitor stay is in principle allowed only for truly unavoidable humanitarian reasons or equivalent special circumstances, e.g. need for medical treatment.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000121327.pdf
    【Diplomatic Missions of Japan】 Visit the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to find out which Diplomatic Mission of Japan has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/temporaryvisitor.html
    ※ 在留資格「短期滞在」に係る在留期間の更新は、原則として、人道上の真にやむをえない事情又はこれに相当する特別な事情がある場合に認められるものであり、例えば、病気治療をする必要がある場合などがこれに当たります。

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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