What Is the "Temporary Visitor" Status of Residence?

This status applies to foreign nationals staying in Japan for a short period to engage in tourism, recreation, sports, visiting relatives, sightseeing, attending training sessions or meetings, business contact, and other similar activities (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). Examples include tourists and conference participants.

Specific examples of business-purpose activities include the following (based on JETRO and other sources):

• Persons conducting short-term business activities in Japan such as meetings, negotiations, contract signings, after-sales service, promotions, and market research
• Participants in conferences and business meetings
• Participants in training sessions and briefings held by companies or organizations
• Stays for the purpose of observation or inspection (e.g., factory tours, trade fair visits)

Please note: The Temporary Visitor status of residence does not permit employment activities (activities for remuneration or operating a profit-making business).

Period of Stay

The permitted period of stay is granted in units of up to 90 days, 30 days, or 15 days.

Relationship Between a Visa and Status of Residence

A visa is one of the requirements for landing in Japan as defined under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, and does not guarantee entry into Japan. A visa is issued by a Japanese Embassy or Consulate General located overseas and cannot be obtained upon arrival in Japan or while staying in Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan).

Once landing is permitted, an immigration officer stamps the passport with a "Landing Permission" stamp, which includes the "Status of Residence" and other relevant details. The review and issuance of visas is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Overseas Diplomatic Missions, while the administration of status of residence is handled by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

How to Apply for a Visa at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate General

• Visa applications must be submitted at the overseas diplomatic mission that has jurisdiction over the applicant's country of residence or passport-issuing country (region). Applications cannot be submitted from within Japan.
• Applications may be submitted through the mission's counter or via an accredited agent, visa center, or online application as directed by the competent overseas diplomatic mission.
• If there are no particular issues with the application, the review process takes approximately one week from the date of acceptance. Additional document submissions or inquiries to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may extend this timeframe.
• Required documents vary depending on the purpose of travel, the applicant's nationality, and region. Always check the website of the competent overseas diplomatic mission for the latest requirements.

Tourists residing in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Cambodia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Brazil, the United States, South Africa, and certain other countries may be eligible to apply online via JAPAN eVISA (Electronic Visa), subject to applicable conditions (see JAPAN eVISA | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan).

Standard Requirements for Visa Issuance (Application Requirements)

In principle, a visa will be issued when all of the following requirements are satisfied and the issuance is deemed appropriate (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "Standard Requirements for Visa Issuance"):

1. The applicant holds a valid passport and has secured the right and qualification to return to their home country or re-enter the country of residence.
2. The documents submitted for the application are proper and complete.
3. The activities the applicant intends to engage in, or the applicant's status, position, and intended period of stay, conform to the status of residence and period of stay as stipulated under the Immigration Control Act.
4. The applicant does not fall under any of the grounds for denial of landing (Article 5, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Control Act).

For the Short-Term Stay category, tourism, business, visiting acquaintances, relatives, and similar purposes with a stay of up to 90 days are eligible. Operating a profit-making business or engaging in activities for remuneration are not permitted.

Required Documents for a Short-Term Stay Visa

The following is a general guideline. Documents required by the overseas diplomatic mission vary depending on the applicant's nationality, region, and purpose of travel (tourism, visiting relatives, business, etc.). Always check the latest required documents on the website of the competent overseas diplomatic mission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Short-Term Stay guide (by nationality/region).

Documents to Be Prepared by the Applicant (Traveler)

• Visa application form (Ministry of Foreign Affairs format; available in English, Chinese, Korean, and other languages)
• Photograph (size and number as specified by the overseas diplomatic mission)
• Passport
• Family register, marriage certificate, etc. (may be required depending on the purpose)
• Certificate of employment or enrollment, etc. (depending on circumstances)
• Round-trip air ticket or travel itinerary (depending on circumstances)

Documents to Be Prepared in Japan by the Inviter / Guarantor and Sent to the Applicant (for Visiting Relatives, Business Invitations, etc.)

• Letter of Guarantee (Ministry of Foreign Affairs format; no official seal required as per current guidelines)
• Letter of Invitation (for single-entry or multiple-entry; no official seal required as per current guidelines)
• Certificate of employment of the inviter, residence certificate (Juminhyo), planned itinerary, etc. (depending on purpose and instructions from the overseas mission)
• Company or organization profile (when a corporation is inviting applicants for business or conference purposes)
• List of applicants (when inviting multiple persons simultaneously)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa Application Document Downloads (Reference)

Forms can be downloaded from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Visa | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan page under "3. Visa Application Document Downloads":

• Visa application form (in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages)
• Letter of Guarantee (PDF)
• Letter of Invitation (single-entry) (PDF) · Letter of Invitation (multiple-entry) (PDF)
• Planned Itinerary (PDF)
• Company / Organization Profile (PDF)
• List of Applicants (PDF)

Documents prepared by the inviter or guarantor should be sent to the applicant, who will then submit them to the competent overseas diplomatic mission. Please do not send them directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the overseas diplomatic mission.

For Those Currently in Japan Wishing to Obtain the "Temporary Visitor" Status of Residence (Reference)

Foreign nationals already residing in Japan who wish to change their status to or acquire the "Temporary Visitor" status of residence must file an application with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (Application for Change of Status of Residence / Application for Acquisition of Status of Residence). For required documents, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan's page on "Temporary Visitor" Status of Residence. Extensions of the period of stay are considered only in cases where there are unavoidable humanitarian circumstances.

Official Reference Links

• Status of Residence "Temporary Visitor" | Immigration Services Agency of Japan
• Visa | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
• List of Overseas Diplomatic Missions | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
• Visa-Exempt Countries and Regions | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
• Short-Term Stay Visa / Status of Residence (JETRO)

The content of this page is a summary of official information. Procedures may change without notice. Always verify the latest information from the official websites listed above and the competent overseas diplomatic mission before submitting your application.