# Japan visa for Nepali citizens > Japan visa for Nepali citizens: tourist & e-visa requirements, fees, processing time. Apply online with Yatra For Fun. Nepali passport holders visiting Japan as tourists use the Japan Short-Term Stay Visa — Tourism. Processing time: Typically 6 working days from VFS submission to issuance. Apply through VFS Japan Visa Application Centre — Kathmandu. - **Visa route (tourist):** Visa required - **Canonical page:** https://yatraforfun.com/visa/japan - **Last reviewed:** 2026-08-10 ## Embassy / mission - **Mission:** Embassy of Japan — Kathmandu - **Address:** Panipokhari, Lazimpat, Kathmandu (P.O. Box 264) - **Phone:** +977 1 4426680 - **Email:** nepal.consul@kt.mofa.go.jp - **Hours:** Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 (visa counter Mon–Fri 09:00–12:00). - **Application centre:** VFS Japan Visa Application Centre — Kathmandu — 3rd Floor, Chhaya Center, Amrit Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu. Operated by VFS Global since 2024 — handles short-stay tourist + business; long-stay (work / study / family) via Embassy direct. - **Online portal:** https://www.vfsglobal.com/japan/nepal (VFS Japan Nepal) · https://www.np.emb-japan.go.jp (Embassy Kathmandu) - **Payment:** Cash NPR at submission; VFS service fee separate. ## Visa categories ### Tourist — Japan Short-Term Stay Visa — Tourism **Purpose:** Tourism, family visit (≤ 90 days). **Stay duration:** 15 / 30 / 90 days per consul discretion. **Validity:** 3 months single / 1–5 years multi. **Entries:** Single or Multiple. **Processing time:** Typically 6 working days from VFS submission to issuance (Embassy notice 31 Mar 2026); 1–2 months if detailed examination is required — apply well ahead in peak seasons (Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov student surge). **How to apply:** VFS Japan Kathmandu (Chhaya Center) — appointment at vfsglobal.com/japan/nepal. Slots for up to 10 working days ahead are released DAILY — a "no open seats" message means booked out, check again next day. Embassy accepts only Diplomatic / Official visas directly. **Financial requirement:** Bank statement (last 6 months) having ending balance of NPR 4 lakh (4,00,000). **Required documents:** - Passport (6+ months) + photocopy - Visa application form (online + signed) - Photo (45×45mm white background) - Citizenship copy - Cover letter explaining purpose - Bank statement (last 6 months) having ending balance of NPR 4 lakh (4,00,000) - Tax clearance certificate - Employer letter / business registration - Daily itinerary + hotel booking + return ticket ### Business — Japan Short-Term Stay Visa — Business **Purpose:** Business meetings, conferences (≤ 90 days). **Stay duration:** Up to 90 days. **Validity:** 3 months single / 1–5 years multi. **Entries:** Single or Multiple. **Processing time:** Typically 6 working days via VFS (Embassy notice 31 Mar 2026); 1–2 months if detailed examination is required. **Required documents:** - Passport, photo, form - Invitation letter from Japanese company - Japanese inviter company registration (Tōkibo Tōhon) - Schedule of stay in Japan - Employer letter from Nepal ### Work — Japan Work Visa (Engineer / Specialist / SSW / Skilled Labour) **Purpose:** Engineer/Specialist (E/H), SSW (Specified Skilled Worker), Skilled Labour, Intra-Company Transferee. **Stay duration:** 1 / 3 / 5 years. **Validity:** 90 days entry; convert to Status of Residence (Zairyū Card) on arrival. **Entries:** Single visa; multi on Zairyū Card. **Processing time:** 5–7 working days AFTER COE issued (COE itself takes 1–3 months). **How to apply:** Japanese employer obtains COE at regional Immigration Bureau -> COE sent to applicant -> visa stamped at Embassy Kathmandu. **Required documents:** - Passport, photo - Original COE (Certificate of Eligibility) - Employment contract - Education / professional qualifications (attested) - JLPT N4+ (E/H) or JFT-Basic + skills test (SSW) *(conditional)* — Per category. - Police clearance - TB chest X-ray - DoFE labour permit + PDO + SSF + insurance ### Student — Japan Student Visa (Ryūgaku) **Purpose:** University, language school, vocational school in Japan. **Stay duration:** Per programme (1–4 years). **Validity:** 90 days entry; convert to Zairyū Card. **Entries:** Single visa; multi on card. **Processing time:** 5–7 working days AFTER COE. **How to apply:** Japanese institution applies for COE at Immigration Bureau -> COE -> embassy visa. **Required documents:** - Passport, photo - COE for Ryūgaku - Letter of Acceptance from Japanese institution - Academic transcripts (notarised English translation) - Proof of financial means (sponsor or self ¥1.5–2 million / year) - JLPT / J.TEST results *(conditional)* - TB chest X-ray ### Family Visit — Japan Spouse / Dependant Visa **Purpose:** Spouse of Japanese / PR holder / work-visa holder; dependent child. **Stay duration:** Per spouse / dependant status. **Validity:** 90 days entry; multi on Zairyū Card. **Entries:** Single visa; multi on card. **Processing time:** COE 1–3 months + visa 5–7 days. **Required documents:** - Passport, photo - Original COE - Sponsor passport / Zairyū Card / Japanese ID - Marriage / birth certificate (attested + legalised) - Sponsor income proof ### Transit — Japan Transit Visa **Purpose:** Transit through Japan to third country. **Stay duration:** Up to 72 hours. **Validity:** 15 days. **Entries:** Single. **Processing time:** 3–5 working days. **Required documents:** - Passport, photo, form - Onward ticket to third country - Visa for next destination (if required) ## Important general notes - Every Nepali-language document MUST be accompanied by a certified English translation — embassies will reject untranslated originals. Where this page's destination notes ask for an apostille or a specific translator, follow those notes; otherwise a translation notarised by a Notary Public is the usual standard. - Nepalis MUST obtain visa for Japan — no visa-free or e-Visa. - Short-stay tourist + business via VFS Japan Kathmandu (Chhaya Center, Thamel) since 2024. - Long-stay (work / study / family / SSW / spouse) via Embassy Kathmandu directly with COE (Certificate of Eligibility). - Visa fees: Single-entry ¥3,000 (≈ NPR 2,700), Multi-entry ¥6,000 (≈ NPR 5,400), Transit ¥700. - VFS service fee NPR 2,400 + courier NPR 1,200. - Standard processing 5 working days from Embassy receipt. - COE for long-stay obtained by Japanese sponsor at regional Immigration Bureau in Japan FIRST; then visa issued in 5–7 days. - Photo: 45×45mm white background. - TB-test (chest X-ray) mandatory for long-stay before visa is issued. - For SSW (Specified Skilled Worker) workers: JFT-Basic + skills test + employer agreement. ## How to apply (4 steps) 1. **Confirm Japan visa eligibility** — Check that your Nepali passport qualifies for the visa type you need (Tourist, Business, Work, Education). Diplomatic / official passport holders may have different rules. 2. **Gather supporting documents** — Prepare: Passport (6+ months) + photocopy; Visa application form (online + signed); Photo (45×45mm white background); Citizenship copy; Cover letter explaining purpose; Bank statement (last 6 months) having ending balance of NPR 4 lakh (4,00,000). 3. **Submit at VFS Japan Visa Application Centre — Kathmandu** — VFS Japan Kathmandu (Chhaya Center) — appointment at vfsglobal.com/japan/nepal. Slots for up to 10 working days ahead are released DAILY — a "no open seats" message means booked out, check again next day. Embassy accepts only Diplomatic / Official visas directly. 4. **Track and collect** — Processing typically takes Typically 6 working days from VFS submission to issuance (Embassy notice 31 Mar 2026); 1–2 months if detailed examination is required — apply well ahead in peak seasons (Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov student surge). Collect your passport or e-visa as the embassy or visa centre instructs. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which visa do Nepali citizens use to visit Japan as tourists? Nepali passport holders visiting Japan for tourism use the Japan Short-Term Stay Visa — Tourism, which allows a stay of 15 / 30 / 90 days per consul discretion. ### How long does a Japan tourist visa take to process for Nepali citizens? Typically 6 working days from VFS submission to issuance (Embassy notice 31 Mar 2026); 1–2 months if detailed examination is required — apply well ahead in peak seasons (Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov student surge). ### What bank balance is required for a Japan visa? Bank statement (last 6 months) having ending balance of NPR 4 lakh (4,00,000). ### How many days can Nepali citizens stay in Japan on a tourist visa? 15 / 30 / 90 days per consul discretion (Japan Short-Term Stay Visa — Tourism). ### Where do Nepali citizens apply for a Japan tourist visa? VFS Japan Kathmandu (Chhaya Center) — appointment at vfsglobal.com/japan/nepal. Slots for up to 10 working days ahead are released DAILY — a "no open seats" message means booked out, check again next day. Embassy accepts only Diplomatic / Official visas directly. ### What documents are required for a Japan tourist visa from Nepal? Required documents include: Passport (6+ months) + photocopy; Visa application form (online + signed); Photo (45×45mm white background); Citizenship copy; Cover letter explaining purpose; Bank statement (last 6 months) having ending balance of NPR 4 lakh (4,00,000); Tax clearance certificate; Employer letter / business registration. ### Where is the Japan embassy in Nepal? Embassy of Japan — Kathmandu — Panipokhari, Lazimpat, Kathmandu (P.O. Box 264). Phone: +977 1 4426680. Applications are lodged at VFS Japan Visa Application Centre — Kathmandu, 3rd Floor, Chhaya Center, Amrit Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu. Operated by VFS Global since 2024 — handles short-stay tourist + business; long-stay (work / study / family) via Embassy direct. ### Can Nepali citizens apply for a Japan business visa? Yes — Japan Short-Term Stay Visa — Business. Business meetings, conferences (≤ 90 days). Processing: Typically 6 working days via VFS (Embassy notice 31 Mar 2026); 1–2 months if detailed examination is required. ### Is there an official online portal for the Japan visa? Yes. The official starting point is https://www.vfsglobal.com/japan/nepal. ### How is the Japan visa fee paid? Cash NPR at submission; VFS service fee separate. ### Can Yatra For Fun help with a Japan visa application? Yes — Yatra For Fun's visa desk can help you prepare your Japan visa file over WhatsApp (the embassy or visa centre makes the decision), and you can order reservation documents for your file: a dummy flight ticket (NPR 999) and a dummy hotel booking (NPR 499). The reference number is a Yatra For Fun document number, not an airline PNR, so it will not appear on an airline's Manage Booking page. ## Sources - https://www.np.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa.html — Embassy of Japan Kathmandu visa page - https://www.np.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00824.html — Embassy visa-procedures notice dated 31 March 2026 (Reiwa 8) — processing time, VFS mechanics, FAQ - https://www.vfsglobal.com/japan/nepal — VFS Japan Nepal - https://www.moj.go.jp/isa — Japan Immigration Services Agency - https://www.mofa.go.jp — Japan MoFA - Japan Visa Hotline (Nepal): 1-800-001-0169 — 24/7, English support - Embassy consular section (Diplomatic/Official visas + visa transfer to new passport): consular-emb@km.mofa.go.jp - VFS Japan Nepal contact: info.jpnnepal@vfsglobal.com - Re-application cooldown: a rejected application cannot be re-lodged for the SAME purpose within 6 months (humanitarian exceptions possible) - Visa transfer to a new passport: free of charge via the Embassy consular counter (old + new passport, 45×45 mm photo, form at counter; several days) - Withdrawal: VFS service charges are non-refundable; passport return may lag several days - Pre-entry TB screening (JPETS) applies to Nepal — TB Clearance Certificate obligation for eligible long-stay categories (per MHLW schedule commenced 2025) - Beware "priority appointment" agents — neither VFS nor the Embassy offers paid priority booking; all such services are scams ## Related - All visa guides for Nepali citizens: https://yatraforfun.com/visa - Dummy flight ticket for visa files: https://yatraforfun.com/dummy-ticket --- *Yatra For Fun (https://yatraforfun.com) helps Nepali citizens prepare visa files over WhatsApp — the embassy or visa centre makes the decision — and sells reservation documents for visa files: a dummy flight ticket (NPR 999) and a dummy hotel booking (NPR 499). The reference number is a Yatra For Fun document number, not an airline PNR, so it will not appear on an airline's Manage Booking page.*