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

Yes. Russian citizens need a visa to enter Japan, including for tourism. Russia 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 Russia go through Japan Visa Application Centre (JVAC).

Updated

5working days, standard processing
3months to enter on a single-entry visa
194,908visitors to Japan in 2025

Visa required

The rule for Russian passports

What the Japanese foreign ministry publishes for nationals of Russia.

Short-stay visa
Needed
Standard processing
5 working days
Japanese missions
5
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 Russia
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 Europe

Short-stay visa rules for passports from Europe (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, exemption list revised 1 September 2025)
PassportShort-stay visaVisa-free stay
FranceNot needed90 days
GermanyNot needed90 days
ItalyNot needed90 days
RussiaNeededNo visa-free stay
SpainNot needed90 days
United KingdomNot needed90 days

How to apply in Russia

The steps the foreign ministry sets out, with what the mission in Russia 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 Russia says

  • Applications in Russia go through Japan Visa Application Centre (JVAC). Source
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

The foreign ministry publishes a separate outline for nationals of Russia.

The checklist above is the ministry's general one. For nationals of Russia it publishes its own outline, which lists the documents that apply.

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

JAPAN eVISA in Russia

The foreign ministry's eVISA list (as of 15 May 2026) does not include Russia. 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.

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; Russian citizens need a visa in any case.

Russia and Japan in numbers

194,908 visitors from Russia came to Japan in 2025, 21st among the markets JNTO counts separately. That was up 96.4% on 2024.

Japan issued 169,437 visas to Russian nationals in 2025, 2% of all visas issued and number 6 by nationality.

Japanese embassy and consulates in Russia

The missions the foreign ministry lists for Russia. 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 Russian citizens need a visa for Japan?

Yes. Russian citizens need a visa to enter Japan, including for tourism. Russia 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 Russia go through Japan Visa Application Centre (JVAC).

Can Russian 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 Russian 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 Russia?

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.

Can Russian citizens apply for a Japan eVISA?

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

Related items

Sources for this page

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