Japan eVisa for Indians: Who Can Apply Online

So the word "eVISA" describes how the visa is issued, not how you apply. You still prepare a paper file, take it to VFS, and wait for the consulate's decision; what changes is that the visa arrives as an electronic notice instead of a sticker in your passport. Everything below is as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. For other visa types, see our Japan visa guide for Indians.

Who can use the fully online JAPAN eVISA website?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) limits full online application on the JAPAN eVISA website to residents of these countries and regions:

• Australia
• Brazil
• Cambodia
• Canada
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Taiwan
• The United Kingdom
• The United States

India is not on the list. If you are an Indian citizen living abroad, MOFA says you apply to the Japanese embassy or consulate for your country of residence, not to a mission in India. If you live in one of the nine places above, check MOFA's eVISA pages for that country's online route and any conditions that apply to your nationality (Embassy of Japan: the JAPAN eVISA system).

How does the eVISA work if you live in India?

1. Prepare a tourist visa file to your consulate's checklist.
2. Submit it at a VFS Japan centre in your jurisdiction and pay the fees.
3. The consulate decides the application. VFS states it plays no role in the decision.
4. You receive a visa issuance notice instead of a visa sticker.
5. At the airport, show the notice on a mobile device connected to the internet.

The last step trips people up. A PDF, screenshot, photo or printout of the notice is not accepted. Keep your phone charged and make sure you have working data or Wi-Fi at the departure and arrival airports.

Which visas does the eVISA cover?

The eVISA described by the Embassy is for single-entry tourism, with a stay of up to 90 days. It is open to Indian nationals and to foreign residents of India. If you need a multiple-entry visa, a business visa, a visa to visit relatives, or a long-term visa with a Certificate of Eligibility, apply for that category at VFS in the usual way.

There is no shortcut around a visa altogether. MOFA says visas are issued only at Japanese embassies and consulates abroad and cannot be obtained on arrival, and India is not among the 74 countries and regions on Japan's visa-exemption list dated 1 September 2025.

How much does the Japan eVISA cost for Indians?

Other nationals resident in India pay more: INR 8,650 for a single-entry visa from 1 July 2026. The VFS service charge applies even to applicants exempted from visa fees (Embassy of Japan: visa fees).

Where do you submit, and do you need an appointment?

If your passport was issued in a different state from where you live now, carry address proof for your current state.

What goes into the tourist file, and how long does it take?

The Delhi checklist for tourism without a guarantor asks for a covering letter if needed, your flight schedule to and from Japan, an itinerary with hotel and contact details, and your latest Income Tax Return (or 6 months of bank statements if you have no ITR). Mumbai's November 2025 checklist asks for confirmed flight and hotel bookings, while Chennai and Kolkata accept reservations and Chennai advises against buying confirmed tickets before the visa is granted.

Indicative processing is a minimum of 5 working days at the Embassy in New Delhi, 3 at Chennai, 5 at Kolkata and 6 at Bengaluru; VFS lists 10 processing days for Mumbai and 12 for Pune, Ahmedabad and Goa. The Embassy accepts short-term applications from 3 months before travel.

Japan issued 265,882 visas to Indian nationals in 2025, the fourth-highest of any nationality, according to MOFA. That is a count of visas issued, not an approval rate.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares verifiable flight reservations, hotel bookings, day-wise itineraries and cover letters for visa files. Packages range from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for a reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Can I show a printout of my Japan eVISA at the airport?

No. The visa issuance notice must be shown on a mobile device connected to the internet. A PDF, screenshot, photo or printout is not accepted, so keep your phone charged and connected.

Can Indians get a visa on arrival in Japan?

No. Japan's Foreign Ministry says visas are issued only at Japanese embassies and consulates abroad and cannot be obtained on arrival. Indian passport holders must get a visa, sticker or eVISA, through a VFS Japan centre before travel.

How long is a Japan single-entry visa valid after it is issued?

MOFA says an issued single-entry visa is basically valid for three months, so you must enter Japan within three months of issue or apply again. The tourism eVISA allows a stay of up to 90 days.

What happens if my Japan visa application is refused?

MOFA does not give the specific reason for a refusal. A new application for the same purpose is not accepted within six months, except where circumstances have changed significantly and travel is needed on humanitarian grounds.