Japan is one of the most sought-after international destinations for Indian travellers — and one of the more involved visa processes. There is no visa on arrival and no direct e-visa option for Indian passport holders. The Japan tourist visa is a physical sticker visa applied through VFS Global before travel. The process is straightforward if you know what is required. But the rules tightened significantly in 2026 — and many travellers are being caught out by outdated information online. This guide covers the current Japan visa requirements accurately. Japan Visa — Quick Reference Detail Information Visa required Yes — tourist visa applied before travel Visa on arrival Not available for Indians E-visa Not available for Indians Applied through VFS Global — authorised partner of Embassy of Japan Appointment needed No — walk-in during working hours Processing time 5 working days standard (varies by city) Embassy fee ₹450 (single or multiple entry) VFS service fee ₹800 Total fee Approximately ₹1,250 Optional courier ₹550 additional Stay allowed Up to 90 days per visit Key 2026 change 3 years ITR now required — not 1 year Rejection rate 20 to 25% — higher than most countries Biometrics Fingerprints and digital photograph at VFS Jurisdiction rule Must apply at VFS centre covering your residential area INFARE Japan visa handled through B2B partner — Trip Pass → Japan visa for Indians — what you need to know Indian passport holders require a tourist visa to enter Japan. There is no visa on arrival option and no direct e-visa application available for Indians. The visa must be applied and stamped in your passport before travel through VFS Global — the authorised processing partner of the Embassy of Japan in India. The Japan tourist visa allows a stay of up to 90 days per visit for tourism purposes. Working or engaging in paid activities during the stay is not permitted. What changed in 2026 — the ITR update This is the most important thing to know before applying for a Japan visa in 2026. The Embassy of Japan updated its financial documentation requirements in 2026 — applicants are now required to submit 3 years of Income Tax Returns (ITR) instead of the previous requirement of 1 year. Many visa guides online still reference the old single-year requirement. This is outdated. The change caught many applicants off guard in early 2026 and contributed to a spike in rejection rates. Ensure you have 3 years of ITR ready before applying. Jurisdiction rule — which VFS centre to apply at Japan strictly enforces a jurisdiction rule — you must apply at the VFS centre that covers your current residential address. You cannot walk into any VFS centre of your choice. North India (Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP, Uttarakhand) — VFS New Delhi, Chandigarh or Jaipur West India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, MP, Chhattisgarh) — VFS Mumbai, Ahmedabad or Pune South India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Kerala) — VFS Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad or Kochi East India (West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Northeast states) — VFS Kolkata Submitting at the wrong centre will result in rejection. Verify your correct jurisdiction before visiting. Documents required The Japan tourist visa requires thorough documentation. The embassy values detailed planning — a weak or incomplete application is one of the most common reasons for rejection. Mandatory documents: Valid Indian passport — minimum 6 months validity beyond travel dates, at least 2 blank pages Visa application form — downloaded from the Embassy of Japan website, printed on A4, filled in English in block letters and signed. All information must match supporting documents exactly. Recent colour photograph — 45mm x 45mm, white background, matte finish Detailed day-by-day travel itinerary — the embassy expects thoroughness here Hotel booking confirmations for the entire stay Return flight tickets or confirmed reservations Bank statements — last 6 months showing consistent balance and salary credits. Show both savings account and salary account. 3 years of Income Tax Returns — this is the 2026 updated requirement Employment proof — salary slips (last 3 months) for salaried applicants. Business registration documents for self-employed. Travel insurance covering the Japan trip duration Recommended bank balance: ₹1.5 to 2 lakhs or more per person. Consistent transaction history matters more than a single large balance. The embassy wants to see salary credits in the account — not just savings balance. Biometrics: Fingerprints and a digital photograph are now required at the VFS submission. Plan accordingly — do not arrive at the last minute. Processing time by city Standard processing is 5 working days from submission at VFS Global. Processing times vary slightly by city: Chennai — approximately 3 working days Mumbai — approximately 4 working days Delhi — approximately 5 working days Bengaluru — approximately 6 working
