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Japan visa for Nepali citizens: requirements, fees and how to apply

Yes. Nepali citizens need a visa to enter Japan, including for tourism. Nepal is not on the Japanese foreign ministry's list of 74 visa-exempt countries and regions, revised 1 September 2025, and Japan does not issue visas on arrival. Applications in Nepal go through VFS Global Services Nepal Private Ltd. An appointment is required.

Updated

5working days, standard processing
3months to enter on a single-entry visa
86,727visas issued to Nepali nationals in 2025

Visa required

The rule for Nepali passports

What the Japanese foreign ministry publishes for nationals of Nepal.

Short-stay visa
Needed
Standard processing
5 working days
Japanese missions
1
Visa for a short stay
Required before travel
Visa on arrival
Not available
Standard processing
5 working days after the application is received
Single-entry visa
Valid for 3 months, for one entry
Visa fee from 1 July 2026
About 15,000 yen single entry, about 30,000 yen multiple entry, paid in local currency
JAPAN eVISA
Not offered for residents of Nepal
List last revised
1 September 2025
The official wording
MOFAVisas are issued in the Japanese embassy or consulate. Visas cannot be obtained at the port of entry in Japan.Visas and Landing Permission
MOFABased on the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, in principle a foreign national wishing to enter Japan is required to have a valid passport issued by the government of their own country with a visa issued by the head of the embassy or consulate-general of Japan.Visas and Landing Permission

Other passports from Asia

Short-stay visa rules for passports from Asia (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, exemption list revised 1 September 2025)
PassportShort-stay visaVisa-free stay
ChinaNeededNo visa-free stay
Hong KongNot needed90 days
NepalNeededNo visa-free stay
South KoreaNot needed90 days
TaiwanNot needed90 days
ThailandNot needed15 days

How to apply in Nepal

The steps the foreign ministry sets out, with what the mission in Nepal adds.

Step 1
Prepare the documents. If someone in Japan invites or guarantees you, they send their documents to you, not to the embassy.
Step 2
Apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate for the place you live, at an accredited agency, at a Japan Visa Application Centre or online, whichever that mission specifies.
Step 3
Wait for the examination. The standard time is 5 working days from the day after the application is received. It can take more than a month if the case is referred to Tokyo.
Step 4
Collect the result. The visa fee is paid only if a visa is issued.
Step 5
Enter Japan within 3 months. A single-entry visa is valid for three months and for one entry.

What the Embassy of Japan in Nepal says

Embassy of Japan in NepalThe Embassy has outsourced visa application and inquiry services to VFS Global Services Nepal Private Ltd. As a general rule, the Embassy does not accept visa applications directly from applicants … Applicants are requested to book an appointment through the VFS Global Services Nepal Private Ltd. website and submit their application at the designated time.Visa Information
Embassy of Japan in Nepalparticularly from March to April and September to November … Since a visa is valid for three months, we ask those planning to visit Japan during these periods to apply well in advance once your travel schedule is confirmed.Visa Information
Embassy of Japan in NepalIt typically takes 6 working days from the time of application at VFS Global to the issuance of a visa. … In cases where a more detailed examination is required, it may take 1 to 2 months to complete the review.Visa Information
Embassy of Japan in Nepalit means all currently released appointment slots are fully booked. … New appointment slots for up to 10 working days ahead are released daily. … Please check the website again the following day for updated availability.Visa Information
Embassy of Japan in NepalWe apologize, but we cannot accommodate individual requests for expedited issuance. … applications are reviewed in the order they are received.Visa Information
Embassy of Japan in NepalWe have received information regarding entities claiming to be VFS Global and offering to book appointments or obtain visas on behalf of applicants in exchange for high fees. … Neither VFS Global nor the Embassy is involved with such services in any way.Visa Information
MOFAOnce all the documents are ready, you may apply for a visa at the consular section of the Diplomatic Mission of Japan with jurisdiction over your place of residence, at an accredited agency, the Japan Visa Application Centre, or online, by the method specified by the Diplomatic Mission of Japan where you will submit your applicationVISA

If an application is refused, the same purpose cannot be applied for again within six months.

Documents for a tourist visa

From the foreign ministry's checklist for a single-entry short-term visa (April 2025).

  • Valid passport
  • Visa application form, 1 copy
  • Photo, 1 (the ministry's form marks the photo space as 45 mm × 35 mm)
  • Flight itinerary with the flight or ship number and the dates of arrival and departure
  • Proof you can pay for the trip: an income certificate or tax return from a public agency, or a bank statement or balance certificate
  • Itinerary in Japan

Documents must have been issued within the last three months. The mission can ask for more on a case-by-case basis.

Visa fee

Fees changed on 1 July 2026.

For applications accepted on or after 1 July 2026, the fee is about 15,000 yen for a single-entry visa and about 30,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa, converted and paid in the local currency. Depending on purpose and nationality, the fee can be waived or different. No fee is charged if the visa is not issued. An agency adds its own handling fee.

MOFAFor visa applications accepted at overseas diplomatic missions on or after that date, the fee, converted into Japanese yen, will be approximately 15,000 yen for a single-entry visa and approximately 30,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa.Visa Fees
MOFADepending on the purpose of your visit and your nationality, fees may not be required or the amount may differ.Visa Fees
Visa fees published by the Embassy of Japan in Nepal (checked 5 October 2026)
VisaWhoFeeFrom
Single entryAll13,890 NPR Source1 July 2026
Single entryIndian nationals770 NPR Source1 July 2026
Multiple entryAll27,780 NPR Source1 July 2026
Multiple entryIndian nationals770 NPR Source1 July 2026

JAPAN eVISA in Nepal

The foreign ministry's eVISA list (as of 15 May 2026) does not include Nepal. Apply on paper at the embassy or consulate, or through the channel it names.

Working, studying or staying longer

The short-term visa covers short stays only.

Paid work is outside a short stay. To work for pay, or to stay more than 90 days, you need a visa. The foreign ministry says to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Services Agency first, in principle.

Japan's pre-entry tuberculosis screening applies to nationals of Nepal who come as mid- to long-term residents or under the digital nomad status. It does not apply to short stays as a Temporary Visitor.

At the airport in Japan

The same steps apply to every foreign visitor.

On arrival you complete the Disembarkation Card for Foreigner (online through Visit Japan Web, or on paper), give your fingerprints and a facial photograph, and an immigration officer decides whether you can land.

JESTA, Japan's travel authorisation

JESTA is the electronic travel authorisation Japan is creating for visa-exempt visitors, starting no later than 31 March 2029. The law bars entry to foreign nationals who have neither a JESTA authorisation nor a visa; Nepali citizens need a visa in any case.

Nepal and Japan in numbers

Japan issued 86,727 visas to Nepali nationals in 2025, 1% of all visas issued and number 7 by nationality.

Japanese embassy for Nepal

The missions the foreign ministry lists for Nepal. The rules on this page can change, so confirm with the mission before you book.

This page is compiled from the official pages below and was last checked on 5 October 2026. It is not legal advice. The embassy or consulate has the final word on your case.

Frequently asked questions

Do Nepali citizens need a visa for Japan?

Yes. Nepali citizens need a visa to enter Japan, including for tourism. Nepal is not on the Japanese foreign ministry's list of 74 visa-exempt countries and regions, revised 1 September 2025, and Japan does not issue visas on arrival. Applications in Nepal go through VFS Global Services Nepal Private Ltd. An appointment is required.

Can Nepali citizens get a visa on arrival in Japan?

No. The foreign ministry states that visas cannot be obtained at the port of entry in Japan. Apply before you travel.

How much is a Japan visa for Nepali citizens?

From 1 July 2026 the fee is about 15,000 yen for a single-entry visa and about 30,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa, paid in local currency. It can differ by nationality and purpose.

How long does a Japan visa take in Nepal?

The foreign ministry's standard is 5 working days from the day after the application is received. It can take more than a month if the case is referred to Tokyo. The Embassy of Japan in Nepal adds: “It typically takes 6 working days from the time of application at VFS Global to the issuance of a visa. … In cases where a more detailed examination is required, it may take 1 to 2 months to complete the review.”

Can Nepali citizens apply for a Japan eVISA?

The foreign ministry's eVISA list (as of 15 May 2026) does not include Nepal. Apply on paper at the embassy or consulate, or through the channel it names.

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Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 5, 2026