Frequently Asked Questions
2026/1/28
QUESTIONS
- I am an Australian citizen going on a short holiday to Japan, do I need a visa?
- How long does the visa take to process?
- How much does the visa cost?
- Do I need to make an appointment to lodge an application?
- I have a flight booked before my visa collection date. Is there any way to expedite the process?
- I cannot visit the Consulate-General in person due to work commitments etc. Can someone else lodge my application on my behalf?
- Do my children (who also need a visa for Japan) need to attend your office to lodge their application?
- I live far from the Consulate, is there any online application or can I post my visa application?
- How long is the single-entry visa valid for?
- Do I need six months left on my passport to enter Japan?
- Can I bring my medication into Japan?
- How can I obtain a Certificate of Eligibility?
- Is there any visa category for those who are engaged or in a partnership?
ANSWERS
1. I am an Australian citizen going on a short holiday to Japan, do I need a visa?
A visa is not required for Australian passport holders who wish to stay in Japan up to 90 days for the purpose of non-paid activities such as sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends, business meetings, attending a conference, etc.
If you wish to enter Japan for long term stay or for paid activities, you must apply for an appropriate visa. Please Check the Work, Study, Long Term Stay
A visa is not required for Australian passport holders who wish to stay in Japan up to 90 days for the purpose of non-paid activities such as sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends, business meetings, attending a conference, etc.
If you wish to enter Japan for long term stay or for paid activities, you must apply for an appropriate visa. Please Check the Work, Study, Long Term Stay
2. How long does the visa take to process?
Processing times vary for types of visas and application method.
In-person lodgement generally takes 5 working days to issue from the date of acceptance (excludes Designated Activities visas, J-Find and J-Skip visas).
Working Holiday visas generally take 10 working days to issue from the date of acceptance.
eVISAs generally take 2 weeks MINIMUM from the date of application lodgement.
Please not processing times are not guaranteed as it may take longer if the Government of Japan requires further examination of your application.
Processing times vary for types of visas and application method.
In-person lodgement generally takes 5 working days to issue from the date of acceptance (excludes Designated Activities visas, J-Find and J-Skip visas).
Working Holiday visas generally take 10 working days to issue from the date of acceptance.
eVISAs generally take 2 weeks MINIMUM from the date of application lodgement.
Please not processing times are not guaranteed as it may take longer if the Government of Japan requires further examination of your application.
3. How much does the visa cost?
Please see here for the fee.
Please see here for the fee.
4. Do I need to make an appointment to lodge an application?
YES, appointments are required for Visa Applications (as of Wednesday, 8 November 2023)
Please click here for details.
Pick-ups will be as per opening hours: 9:00am - 12:00pm and 1:30pm - 4:00pm, weekdays.
Please ensure you double-check our office holidays here as we are closed for Australian public holidays as well as several Japanese public holidays.
YES, appointments are required for Visa Applications (as of Wednesday, 8 November 2023)
Please click here for details.
Pick-ups will be as per opening hours: 9:00am - 12:00pm and 1:30pm - 4:00pm, weekdays.
Please ensure you double-check our office holidays here as we are closed for Australian public holidays as well as several Japanese public holidays.
5. I have a flight booked before my visa collection date. Is there any way to expedite the process?
No. As flights do not have to be purchased to apply for a visa, regardless of bookings, we cannot expedite the process. Applications are open 3 months before your intended travel date so please ensure to apply with ample time for processing.
No. As flights do not have to be purchased to apply for a visa, regardless of bookings, we cannot expedite the process. Applications are open 3 months before your intended travel date so please ensure to apply with ample time for processing.
6. I cannot visit the Consulate-General in person due to work commitments etc. Can someone else lodge my application on my behalf?
Generally, the visa applicant must visit our office in person to lodge their own application however, if you cannot visit our office, you may authorise someone else to submit your application on your behalf using this Letter of Authorisation. Your representative must show his/her valid photo ID at time of application.
Generally, the visa applicant must visit our office in person to lodge their own application however, if you cannot visit our office, you may authorise someone else to submit your application on your behalf using this Letter of Authorisation. Your representative must show his/her valid photo ID at time of application.
7. Do my children (who also need a visa for Japan) need to attend your office to lodge their application?
They do not have to visit our office so long as their parents bring their birth certificate. Additionally, children 5 years and older must sign their own application form (either write their name or for those that have a signature in their passport, the same signature as per their passport). Furthermore, please ensure both parents sign the application form for children under 18 years old.
They do not have to visit our office so long as their parents bring their birth certificate. Additionally, children 5 years and older must sign their own application form (either write their name or for those that have a signature in their passport, the same signature as per their passport). Furthermore, please ensure both parents sign the application form for children under 18 years old.
8. I live far from the Consulate, is there any online application or can I post my visa application?
The online eVISA are for those who will ONLY go to Japan for tourism purposes. Those who will holiday and visit some friends or family (even briefly) cannot apply online for the eVISA.
If you live in a remote area, you may be eligible to apply by post. Please direct postal application enquiries to visasection@bb.mofa.go.jp and advise the name and postcode of your suburb.
The online eVISA are for those who will ONLY go to Japan for tourism purposes. Those who will holiday and visit some friends or family (even briefly) cannot apply online for the eVISA.
If you live in a remote area, you may be eligible to apply by post. Please direct postal application enquiries to visasection@bb.mofa.go.jp and advise the name and postcode of your suburb.
9. How long is the single-entry visa valid for?
A single-entry visa is valid for three months from the date of issue (you must enter Japan within 3 months of the issue date). Therefore, single entry visa applications are only accepted if your intended travel date is within the next three months.
A single-entry visa is valid for three months from the date of issue (you must enter Japan within 3 months of the issue date). Therefore, single entry visa applications are only accepted if your intended travel date is within the next three months.
10. Do I need at least six months left on my passport to enter Japan?
The remaining period of validity on your passport does not have to be at least six months. Please ensure your passport is valid for your trip and return. We recommend that you check the regulations of your airline before travelling with less than six months passport validity.
The remaining period of validity on your passport does not have to be at least six months. Please ensure your passport is valid for your trip and return. We recommend that you check the regulations of your airline before travelling with less than six months passport validity.
11. Can I bring my medication into Japan?
Please see here, and make an enquiry as per these instructions.
For Japan Customs contact information regarding any items you may or may not take, please see this webpage.
Please see here, and make an enquiry as per these instructions.
For Japan Customs contact information regarding any items you may or may not take, please see this webpage.
12. How can I obtain a Certificate of Eligibility?
A Certificate of Eligibility (CoE, 在留資格認定証明書, zairyuushikaku nintei shoumeisho) is applied for by your sponsor in Japan (employer, school or family) on your behalf. For more details, please click here.
A Certificate of Eligibility (CoE, 在留資格認定証明書, zairyuushikaku nintei shoumeisho) is applied for by your sponsor in Japan (employer, school or family) on your behalf. For more details, please click here.
13. Is there any visa category for those who are engaged or in a partnership?
No. To apply for a spouse visa, you must have registered your marriage with the Japanese Government.
No. To apply for a spouse visa, you must have registered your marriage with the Japanese Government.
Recommended Information
- How To Apply For a Visa
- General Information
- Amended Procedure of Entry into Japan
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Download Forms
- Customs and Quarantine in Japan
- Japanese Passport
- VISA TYPES
- Short-Term Stay
- Work, Study, Long-Term Stay
- Working Holiday Visa
- Entertainer (Professional Sports Player [Golfer, Tennis Player, Surfer] )
- Australian Citizens