A guide to the main points for South African citizens residing in the Republic of South Africa who wish to apply for a visa to visit Japan

| Temporary visitors | Required documents |
| Additional requirements | Reciprocal exemption |

Visas for temporary visitors (business and tourism) - single entry

• Visa applications will only be accepted by the visa section if completed application forms, together with the required attachments, are submitted
• Once visa applications are officially accepted, visas will be issued in two working days , only if presented in the mornings from 09:00 to 12:30. travel agents to submit only on a Tuesday and collect on a Thursday between 09:00 and 12:30

Required documents for all visa applications

• Passport valid for at least 6 ?–9 months from date of application
• One application form (completed in full) and two photographs strictly 45mm x 45mm
• Full return schedule from travel agent
• Return air ticket (photo copy will be accepted)

Additional requirements

Business visa                                                   

• Fee: R190.00
• Letter from applicant?’s company in sa stating nature of visit, name and addresses of companies applicant will visit in Japan
• Letter stating company will bear all costs for visit
• Invitation letter from company in Japan applicant intends to visit

Tourist visa                                       

• Fee: R190.00
• Daily schedule of places where applicant will visit in Japan
• Names and addresses of hotels with copy of booking vouchers
• Bank letter stating applicant has sufficient funds for visit
• Copy of invitation letter, should the applicant be invited by a friend/family

Reciprocal visa exemption

If your home country has a reciprocal visa exemption arrangement with Japan, then it is possible to enter Japan without first obtaining a visa for the following purposes:

sightseeing, recreation, amateur sports, visiting relatives, short -term study, inspection tour, participation in unpaid lectures or meetings, attending a conference, business contact or other similar activities,

Countries which have reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with Japan are:

6 months or less

• Austria
• Germany
• Ireland
• Lichtenstein
• Mexico*
• Switzerland
• UK (UK citizens)

3 months or less

Andorra         Czech Republic         Iceland        Poland    Argentina               Denmark                Israel         Portugal    Australia               Dominican Rep.         Italy          San Marino Bahamas El Salvador Lesotho Singapore

Belgium  Estonia                Luxembourg    Slovenia   Canada          Finland                Malta          Spain   Chile           France                 Macedonia     Surinam   Colombia        Greece

Mauritius     Sweden   Costa Rica Guatemala              Monaco         Tunisia   Croatia         Honduras   Netherlands Turkey Cyprus          Hungary                Norway         Uruguay

90 days or less

• Barbados        
• New Zealand          
• USA*

14 days or less

• Brunei

  *Applies only to ordinary passports. holders of diplomatic or official passports must obtain a visa. journalists who have us passports must obtain a visa to travel to Japan on business, regardless of the intended length of stay.

  **Those nationalities permitted to remain for 6 months or less shall initially be granted a stay of up to 3 months. whilst in Japan they may then apply to immigration for an extension of up to a further 3 months, although such an extension is at the discretion of the immigration authorities in Japan and may not be granted.

• Although holders of the above passports are not required to obtain a visa prior to travel to Japan as tourists, for short-term business meetings or to attend a conference, they should carry with them evidence of the purpose of their trip, of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in Japan, and of plans to leave Japan after a reasonable stay. a visa is required if your purpose of travel is as a long term resident, for long term study, for volunteer activities, as a practising attorney, or for employment or for other remunerative activities.

• If your home country does not have a reciprocal visa exemption arrangement with Japan, please contact the consular section directly to find out how to obtain a visa. if you contact us on someone's behalf, please have details of the traveller's nationality, purpose of journey to Japan, and length of stay intended in Japan.

General

• Please note: no temporary passports are accepted
• In cases where a multi entry visa is required, please contact the visa officer well in advance
• Non South Arican passport holders are requested to contact the Embassy for details concerning additional requirements.
• Details concerning specific visas, eg., working visa, student, cultural, etc, should direct their inquiries to the Embassy
• Additional information may be required.

| employment or working | general visas| japanese national | certificate | general info |

? Embassy of Japan 2001
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Last update: 08-Sep-2001