Japan Tourist Visa (eVisa) from India in 2026: Complete Application Walkthrough
By Ananya Singh (Ananya Singh writes step-by-step first-international-trip guides for Indians — passport rules, visa cascade timing, immigration walkthroughs, and the unglamorous logistics that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.) · Published · 11 min read
Japan tourist visa for Indian passport holders in 2026 — eVisa via online portal or VFS in-person, full document checklist, and how to qualify for a multi-entry visa.
eVisa vs traditional sticker visa — both available for Indians in 2026
Japan rolled out the JAPAN eVISA system for Indian tourists in 2024 and it's now the default path for first-time travellers. The eVisa is exactly what it sounds like — an electronic visa issued through the eVISA portal (evisa.mofa.go.jp), no embassy visit, no biometrics, no sticker. The traditional sticker visa is still available via VFS Global for those who prefer in-person submission or have unusual cases.
For 95% of Indian leisure travellers, the eVisa is faster, cheaper, and the right choice.
Eligibility for the JAPAN eVISA
- Indian passport holder living in India
- Single-entry tourist visa for stays up to 30 days
- Travelling for tourism (not work, study, or visiting family on long stays)
- Applying through an accredited travel agency listed on Japan's official site (Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip, Atlys, EaseMyTrip, ClearTrip, Yatra and many others are accredited)
If you need a multi-entry visa or are visiting family long-term, you'll go via the traditional embassy/VFS route.
Step 1 — Choose accredited agency + create eVISA account
Pick any of the accredited Indian travel agencies (full list on mofa.go.jp). Most charge ₹2,000–5,000 service fee on top of the standard ¥3,000 visa fee (~₹1,800). The agency creates your eVISA account, uploads documents on your behalf, and tracks the application.
You can also apply directly via the eVISA portal yourself if your agency arrangement falls through — login at evisa.mofa.go.jp.
Step 2 — Document checklist
- Passport bio page scan
- Passport photo — 45×45mm, white background, taken in last 6 months
- Application form — auto-generated by eVISA portal
- Tour itinerary / Day-by-day plan — Japan-style, with specific cities, hotels, transport modes (Shinkansen, JR Pass)
- Flight bookings — confirmed return tickets (Japan strict about this; dummy bookings sometimes work but real return tickets are safer)
- Hotel bookings — confirmed for every night
- Bank statements — 3 months, with stamp
- ITRs — last 2 years
- Salary slips — last 3 months
- HR leave-approval letter
- Cover letter — 1 page, purpose and brief itinerary
Step 3 — Submit, pay, wait
Agency submits via eVISA portal. Processing target is 5 working days but most decisions come in 3–7 working days for clean files. You'll get an email with the eVisa as a PDF attachment.
Print the eVisa and carry it. At Japanese immigration, you show the eVisa printout + passport — they verify the QR code and stamp you in.
Multi-entry Japan visa (the traditional route)
For multi-entry visas (3 or 5 years), you'll skip the eVisa and apply through VFS Global Japan. Fee is ¥6,000 (~₹3,600). You'll need everything above plus prior travel history showing G7 visits, longer ITRs, and a stronger employment profile. Multi-entry visas are typically issued to:
- Applicants with prior Japan visa (most reliable path)
- Frequent G7-country travellers (Schengen, US, UK, Canada stamps)
- Business travellers with corporate sponsorship
- High-income applicants (₹15 LPA+ salary, ₹10L+ stable balance)
Why Japan tourist visas get refused
Japan has one of the highest tourist-visa approval rates for Indians (95%+ for clean files). Refusals usually trace to:
- Inconsistent itinerary — Japan officers cross-check that hotel cities match transit between them
- Insufficient funds — under ₹1L per traveller for 7-day trip looks thin
- Unverifiable employment — HR letter from very small/new company without verifiable office
- Prior overstays in any country — including Schengen, US, UK
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the Japan eVisa myself or do I need an agency?
Both are possible. The accredited-agency route is the most common — they handle uploads and have direct portal access. Self-application is also available through evisa.mofa.go.jp but requires you to navigate the portal solo.
How long is the Japan eVisa valid?
The eVisa is single-entry, valid for 3 months from issue date for entry, and allows up to 30 days of stay. For longer or multi-entry use, apply for a traditional sticker visa via VFS.
Do I need to show return tickets for Japan?
Yes — Japan is stricter than most countries about confirmed return flights. Many agencies recommend buying actual refundable return tickets rather than dummies. If using dummies, choose a reputable issuer with verifiable PNR.
How much money should I show for Japan?
Comfortable benchmark: ₹1.5L+ per traveller for a 7-day trip, ₹2.5L+ for 14 days. Japan is expensive — officers check that your funds match a realistic Japan budget (¥15,000–25,000/day for budget-mid travel).
Can I get a multi-entry Japan visa on first application?
Possible but rare. Most first-time applicants get the single-entry eVisa. After completing one Japan trip successfully and re-applying within 3 years, a 3-year multi-entry visa is much easier to get.
Is the Japan eVisa available for visiting family?
The eVisa is for tourism only. Visiting family stays follow the standard Visit Relatives visa category through VFS Global, which requires an invitation letter from your Japan-based relative + their residence card.