Visiting Japan / VISA

Εξαίρεση Visa 　-Οι Έλληνες ΔΕΝ χρειάζονται Visa για διαμονή μέχρι 90 μέρες στην Ιαπωνία και για δραστηριότητες όπως τουρισμός, επίσκεψη σε συγγενικό/φιλικό πρόσωπο, επαγγελματικές συναντήσεις κλπ. που ΔΕΝ περιλαμβάνουν επιχειρηματικό εισόδημα ή αμοιβή. Κάνετε κλικ εδώ για όλες τις εθνικότητες που δικαιούνται ανάλογη εξαίρεση Visa. 　-Οι Έλληνες χρειάζονται Visa για διαμονή άνω των 90 μερών στην Ιαπωνία ή/και δραστηριότητες με επιχειρηματικό εισόδημα ή αμοιβή όπως: οικογενειακή επανένωση, σπουδές, εταιρικές μεταθέσεις, επαγγελματίες καλλιτέχνες κλπ. Το ίδιο ισχύει για όλες τις λοιπές εθνικότητες. 　Διάρκεια ισχύος διαβατηρίου 　ΔΕΝ απαιτείται ελάχιστη διάρκεια ισχύος διαβατηρίου για την είσοδο στην Ιαπωνία για όλες τις εθνικότητες. 　Ηλεκτρονική δήλωση εισόδου 　Δηλώστε την είσοδό σας στο "Visit Japan Web" πριν το ταξίδι για να αποκτήσετε ένα QR code για ταχύτερο συνοριακό και τελωνειακό έλεγχο (προαιρετικό).

 

Visa exemption 　-Greeks do NOT need a Visa for stays up to 90 days in Japan for activities such as tourism, visiting friends or relatives, business meetings etc. which do NOT include business income or contracted payments. Click here for the nationalities that are granted such a Visa exemption. 　-Greeks need a Visa for stays more than 90-day in Japan and/or for activities which include business income or contracted payments such as: long-term family stays, long-term studies, intracompany transfer, professional artists’ performances etc. The same applies to all other nationalities. 　Passport Validity Period 　NO minimum validity period of passport is required to enter Japan for all foreign nationals. 　Online entry registration 　Register on "Visit Japan Web" prior to your journey to obtain a QR code for smooth border, immigration and custom control (NOT mandatory).

 

Find general guidance as well as information on VISA requirements, necessary documents etc. here:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html (website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)
 
For further information call the
Japan VISA Information HOTLINE
Tel.: (＋30) 2297 888236 in English (24h/7 days a week) or
Online call: https://comm.brdg.site/visa_japan.html (toll free)
 in English, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian and Ukrainian (check the link for operating hours)

1. Short-term stay (Temporary visitor visa)
A stay up to less than 90 days for activities such as tourism, visiting friends or relatives, business meetings, company missions etc. in which running a business with income or getting contracted payment is NOT included, is a so-called “short-term stay’’. 

  1.1 Greeks and other foreign nationals on the LIST HERE are granted a visa exemption and do NOT need to obtain a visa for a so-called “short-term stay’’.
 
  1.2. Foreign nationals NOT on the LIST HERE are NOT granted a visa exemption for a so-called “short-term stay’’ and NEED to obtain a visa to enter Japan.

　For required documents according to nationality click here:
    ・China ・Russia ・CIS countries, Ukraine, Georgia ・Philippines ・Vietnam ・Other nationalities

Important Note: Chinese nationals residing in Greece can apply for a single-entry visa for tourism, for maximum stay of 30 days only.
Important Note: Valid resident permit card issued by the Greek Government is required in case of non-Greek nationals

2. Long-term stay and/orWork
A stay more than 90 days AND/OR for work (activities which include business income or contracted payment), such as long-term residency, long-term studies employment, artists performances etc. require a Visa for ALL foreign nationals.
  
   All foreign nationals for long-term stay and/or work should obtain a “Certificate of Eligibility (COE)” prior to a visa application. A COE can be applied through a proxy/company/organization based in Japan at the local Immigration Bureau (Ministry of Justice) of the proxy’s residence, base etc.
Important Note: Applications for a COE CANNOT be accepted at the Embassies/Consulates or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Visa application at the Embassy with a COE
- Required documents -
  - Visa application form (filled through)
  - One photo (45mm×35mm, taken within the last 6 months)
  - Valid Passport
  - Valid resident permit card issued by the Greek Government. * required in case of non-Greek nationals
  - Certificate of Eligibility (COE). * accepted in original paper form, copy (front and back side) or electronic form (printed)

Time needed for issuance   The standard processing time is a minimum of one week (6 working days). The standard time may vary depending on each case and extra time may be needed. The applicant may be required to submit additional documents, the examination or decision may need more time etc. Therefore, kindly book and apply well in advance prior to your scheduled journey with a full set of documents. On the other hand, an application can be accepted more than 3 months before departure, as the validity of a single entry visa is 3 months.
Appointments   All applicants are kindly asked to arrange appointments for application and collection. Prepare all necessary documents beforehand and contact the Consular Section (consular@at.mofa.go.jp).
Greek stay permit card   Most of non-EU nationals must hold a valid Greek stay permit card to apply for a visa.
Nationals of Russia, CIS countries, Ukraine and Georgia   are required to submit the TWO (2) visa application forms and TWO (2) photos.
Submitting a proxy application    is accepted. Find here the details.
 * Greek digital ID cards are NOT acceptable. ONLY a Greek ID card in physical form is accepted.
Visa fees    Click here for the Visa Fees List. Visa fees may be exempted depending nationality and/or the purpose of visit. Only CASH is accepted for payment.

Online entry registration 
Visit Japan Web
Register online and obtain a QR code for immigration, customs & "tax-free shopping service" (NOT mandatory)

Vaccination for travellers 
A vaccinated journey, a joyful stay in Japan
Vaccination before travelling is recommended (NOT mandatory)

Travel insurance 
Ταξίδι στην Ιαπωνία:  συνιστάται η κατάλληλη ταξιδιωτική ασφάλιση/ Travel insurance is recommended when travelling to Japan
YouTube video (Japan Tourism Agency)

Customs
Japan Customs
Duty-free allowance, goods, cash, declaration etc.

Medicines
Medicines for personal use

Forbidden animal & plant products
Forbidden animal, meat & plant products to bring into Japan (baggage & parcels)
“When entering Japan, we may look inside your luggage to check for meat products’’ (leaflet) 
“You must not bring any meat products, vegetables or fruits into Japan.” (leaflet)  

Animal & Pet Quarantine
Import & export quarantine for dogs & cats 
 
When feeling ill in Japan
Guide for when you are feeling ill in Japan
Website to help you receive medical help in Japan (Japanese National Tourism Organization)
Local call centers Information on medical institutions etc.

Immigration Services & Agencies
Immigration Services Agency (Ministry of Justice)
Border procedures, immigration policies, foreign national coexistence, etc.
Tel. +81-(0)3- 3580-4111

General information Center for Foreign Nationals (Ministry of Justice)
Information on entry process, resident card, special re-entry permit etc.
Tel. +81-(0)3- 5796-7112   E-mail: info-tokyo@i.moj.go.jp
 
Life in Japan for foreign nationals
Foreign national coexistence policies
A Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals


Consular Section
Embassy of Japan in Greece
Ethnikis Antistaseos 46, 152 31 Halandri
Monday-Friday, 09.00-16.00, except holidays  
consular@at.mofa.go.jp