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Japan tourist visa requirements: documents, application form and photo size

For a single-entry tourist visa the Japanese foreign ministry's checklist asks for six things: a valid passport, the application form, one photo, a flight itinerary, proof you can pay for the trip, and an itinerary in Japan. Nationals of China, Russia, the CIS countries, Ukraine, Georgia and the Philippines have their own outlines.

Updated

6documents on the tourism checklist
45 × 35mmphoto space on the form
3months: how recent documents must be

Guide

The six documents for tourism

From the ministry's checklist dated April 2025, for all nationalities except China, Russia, CIS countries, Ukraine, Georgia and the Philippines.

  • 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.

Flights and hotels do not have to be booked or paid for when you apply. The checklist says so, and adds that the ministry is not responsible for cancellation fees.

Photo size

45 × 35mmphoto space on the ministry's application form

The ministry's visa application form marks the photo space as 45 mm × 35 mm. A mission can ask for something different, so check its page.

Photo sizes as worded by Japanese missions (pages checked 5 October 2026)
Country (mission)What the mission's page says
MalaysiaEmbassy of Japan in MalaysiaOne 3.5 x 4.5 cm Colour Photograph (white background) … Taken within 6 months Source
ThailandEmbassy of Japan in ThailandOne photograph taken within the last 6 months (The photo must be 2 x 1.4 inches, black and white or color with plain background) Source
Hong KongConsulate-General of Japan in Hong KongPassport-size colour photo taken within 6 months (45mm X 35mm, front-facing, without hat, without background). Source
MacaoConsulate-General of Japan in Hong KongPassport-size colour photo taken within 6 months (45mm X 35mm, front-facing, without hat, without background). Source
CanadaEmbassy of Japan in CanadaOne photo taken within the last 6 months (45 mm x 35 mm or 2 in × 1.4 in) Source
United StatesEmbassy of Japan in the United States of AmericaOne 2"x 2" Photo … Must be taken in front of a plain background and within the past 6 months Source
BahamasEmbassy of Japan in JamaicaOne 45mm x 35mm size photograph taken within the last 6 months Source
SurinameEmbassy of Japan in Trinidad and TobagoOne (1) passport photograph (45mm x 35mm) taken within the last six (6) months with a white background. Source
AustraliaEmbassy of Japan in AustraliaA 45mm ×35mm (or approximate size) ID/ passport photograph taken in the last 6 months Source
New ZealandEmbassy of Japan in New ZealandPassport sized photo (45x35mm) printed on photo-quality paper … Taken within the last 6 months Source
QatarEmbassy of Japan in the State of QatarPhoto: H45mm x W35mm, light-coloured background, taken within the last 3 months, glued to Form (#3) Source
LesothoEmbassy of Japan in South Africaone passport-size photograph 45mm x 45mm on a white background (not a printed copy) Source
BelgiumEmbassy of Japan in Belgiumidentity photographs for the visa application form must be taken within the last 6 months before the day of application and must be of excellent quality. … Accepted sizes : (45mm X 45mm) or (45mm X 35mm) Source
BulgariaEmbassy of Japan in Bulgaria1 photo taken during the last 6 months (size 4,5cm x 3,5cm) Source
Czech RepublicEmbassy of Japan in the Czech Republic1 photo (Czech standard passport-size: 35 x 45 mm, not older than 6 months) Source
DenmarkEmbassy of Japan in DenmarkOne 45 mm x 35 mm passport-type photo taken within the previous six months (stateless persons must submit three photos) Source
EstoniaEmbassy of Japan in Estonia35 mm x 45 mm passport-type photo(s) taken within the previous six months Source
FinlandEmbassy of Japan in Finland4.5cm×3.5cm, taken within last 6 months. … The photograph should meet the standard of passport photo and be printed on photo paper. Source
GermanyEmbassy of Japan in GermanyPhoto: frontal photo, no scans or copied passport photos; 45mm x 35mm; not older than 6 months and not damaged Source
GreeceEmbassy of Japan in GreeceOne photo (45mm×35mm, taken within the last 6 months) Source
HungaryEmbassy of Japan in Hungary1 photo (45 mm x 35 mm - your head height, measured from the top of your head to the bottom of your chin, must be about 32 mm) taken within the past six months Source
IcelandEmbassy of Japan in IcelandSize: 45mm height × 35mm width (same size as a passport photo). … Taken within 6 months before the date of application. Source
LiechtensteinEmbassy of Japan in Switzerland3. Passport-sized photograph 45mm ×35mm (taken within the last 6 months) Source
NetherlandsEmbassy of Japan in the Netherlandsphoto(approx.45mm×35mm) taken with a plain background within the previous 6 months attached to the visa application form Source
PolandEmbassy of Japan in PolandONE PHOTO sticked to application form (45 mm x 35 mm) /Front shot/White background/ Taken within the past 6 months) Source
SwedenEmbassy of Japan in SwedenPhoto specifications: Taken less than 6 months before the date of application. … 35×45 mm. Source
SwitzerlandEmbassy of Japan in SwitzerlandPassport-sized photograph 45mm ×35mm (taken within the last 6 months) Source
United KingdomEmbassy of Japan in the UKOne passport-size photo ⚫ Taken within the last 6 months. 35mm x 45mm Source
PhilippinesEmbassy of Japan in the Philippines4. Facial Photo … Must be 4.5 x 3.5 (cm) and taken within 6 months from the date of application. Source
MyanmarEmbassy of Japan in MyanmarOne Photo (45 mm x 45 mm, taken within the past 6 months) Source
PakistanEmbassy of Japan in PakistanPhotograph: One recent and latest photograph of applicant with light background preferably white, having size of 45mm x 45mm (1.75" x 1.75"). Source
Sri LankaEmbassy of Japan in Sri LankaPhoto attached to the application form must be taken within the last six months. … Specs of photo: 4.5cm x 3.5cm with white background Source
CambodiaEmbassy of Japan in CambodiaTaken within the last 6 months. … (H:4.5cm x W:3.5cm, White background, B/W or color photo) Source
LaosEmbassy of Japan in the Lao PDR1 Photo (taken within the previous 6 months, 45mm x 35mm type) Source
South AfricaEmbassy of Japan in South Africaone passport-size photograph 45mm x 45mm on a white background (not a printed copy) Source
Saudi ArabiaEmbassy of Japan in Saudi ArabiaPhoto has to be taken within the last 6 months, size of 45mm x 35mm, plain background. Source
KuwaitEmbassy of Japan in the State of KuwaitSize: 45mm × 35mm … Taken within 6 months only – old photo will be refused Source
OmanEmbassy of Japan in the Sultanate of Oman(2) One 45mm×35mm photo on glossy paper with plain background. … - Must be taken within the last 6 months … - Head size must exceed 30mm or 70% of the total height of picture Source
BahrainEmbassy of Japan in BahrainPhoto (2in×1.4in,must be taken within 6 months) Source

Outlines by nationality

The ministry publishes separate outlines for some nationalities and for multiple-entry visas.

Visa outlines published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, by nationality (checked 5 October 2026)
OutlineOn the ministry's pageFile
For Single Entry VisaShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Pacific IslandersShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of IndiaShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of IndonesiaShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of MongoliaShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of Lao People’s Democratic RepublicShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of other Asian and Oceanian countries and regionsShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and VaticanShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of ColombiaShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of EcuadorShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of Saint Christopher and NevisShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of other Latin American and Caribbean countries and regionsShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of QatarShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of Saudi ArabiaShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Nationals of United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt and South AfricaShort-term stay: other nationalitiesPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Single-Entry Short-Term Stay VisasNationals of Philippines who wish to come to Japan for a short-term stayPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Multiple Entry Visas (for Business Purpose and Cultural or Intellectual Figures)Nationals of Philippines who wish to come to Japan for a short-term stayPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Multiple Entry Visas (for other kind of Short-Term Stay)Nationals of Philippines who wish to come to Japan for a short-term stayPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Multiple-Entry Visas (for Individual with considerable financial capacity)Nationals of Philippines who wish to come to Japan for a short-term stayPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Multiple Entry Visas (for Business Purpose and Cultural or Intellectual Figures)Nationals of Viet Nam who wish to come to Japan for a short-term stayPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Outline of Application Procedures for Multiple Visa for HKDI or Macau Travel Permit HoldersNationals of China who wish to come to Japan for a short-term stayPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Outline of Application Procedures for Single-Entry VisasNationals of Russia who wish to come to Japan for a short-term stayPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Outline of Application Procedures for Multiple-Entry VisasNationals of Russia who wish to come to Japan for a short-term stayPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Single-Entry Short-Term Stay VisasNationals of CIS countries, Ukraine and Georgia who wish to come to Japan for a short-term stayPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Azerbaijan, Armenia and GeorgiaNationals of CIS countries, Ukraine and Georgia who wish to come to Japan for a short-term stayPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
UkraineNationals of CIS countries, Ukraine and Georgia who wish to come to Japan for a short-term stayPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and UzbekistanNationals of CIS countries, Ukraine and Georgia who wish to come to Japan for a short-term stayPDF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

If someone in Japan invites you

  • For visiting relatives or friends, the checklist adds an invitation letter, a document that explains the reason for the invitation, and proof of the relationship.
  • If a guarantor in Japan pays for the trip, the guarantor adds a letter of guarantee, proof of funds and a certificate of residence.
  • The inviting person sends these documents to you. They do not go to the ministry or the embassy.

Copies of documents prepared in Japan are accepted, though the mission can ask for originals.

What the visa officer checks

MOFAThe applicant possesses a valid passport and is entitled to the re-entry to a country of his/her nationality or a country of his/her residence.Criteria of Visa Issuance
MOFARequirements for visa application may vary depending on the local situation/the purpose of your visit.VISA

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need for a Japan tourist visa?

A valid passport, one visa application form, one photo, a flight itinerary, proof you can pay for the trip (an income certificate, tax return, bank statement or balance certificate) and an itinerary in Japan. That is the foreign ministry's checklist for most nationalities.

What is the photo size for a Japan visa?

The ministry's application form marks the photo space as 45 mm × 35 mm. Check the page of the mission where you apply, because it can set its own size.

Do I need to book flights and hotels before applying for a Japan visa?

No. The ministry's checklist says reservations and payments for airline tickets, accommodations and transportation are not required at the time of visa application.

How recent must my documents be?

Issued within the last three months and valid when you submit them, according to the ministry's checklist.

Are the documents the same for every nationality?

No. Nationals of China, Russia, the CIS countries, Ukraine, Georgia and the Philippines have separate outlines, and each mission can ask for more.

Related items

Sources for this page

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