VISA
Q&A (most popular)
Q1: I am Greek. Do I need a visa to enter Japan?
Greeks travelling for purposes such as tourism, business meetings, conferences, relative visits for a short term stay up to 90 days are NOT required a visa. Read more…
Q2: I am a foreign national other than Greek. Do I need a visa to enter Japan?
Foreign nationals on the list here travelling for purposes such as tourism, business meetings, conferences, relative visits for a short term stay up to 90 days are NOT required a visa. Read more…
Q3: What are the current COVID-19 related border measures of Japan?
All travellers must present a COVID-19 booster vaccination shot certificate or a PCR negative test result (find here the designated format).
Additionally, all travellers from China (except from Honk-Kong and Macao) are required a PCR negative test result regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination state.
All travellers are recommended to registrater to "Visit Japan Web" prior to their journey.
Read more…
Visa requirements info
Call the Japan VISA Information Hotline
Tel. (+30) 215-7779826 (24h/ 7 days a week, English),
which includes guidance of required documents
or visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for further information:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
Visa application
Example: company missions, business meetings, acquaintance/relative visits, tourism etc.
A. Greeks and other foreign nationals with a so-called “ short-term visa exemption” as on the LIST HERE do NOT need to obtain a visa.
B. Foreign nationals NOT on the LIST HERE for a so-called “short-term visa exemption”, MUST obtain a visa to enter Japan.
Foreign nationals not on the LIST are kindly asked to prepare all necessary documents beforehand and contact the Consular Section to arrange appointments for application and delivery.
Alternatively,
-Call the Japan VISA Information Hotline
Tel. (+30) 215-7779826 (24h/ 7 days a week, English),
which includes guidance of required documents,
-Click here for required documents depending on your nationality:
・China ・Russia ・CIS countries, Georgia ・Philippines ・Vietnam ・Other nationalities
or
-Visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for further information: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
2. Activities with remuneration or long-term stay (more than 90 days)
Example: employment, long-term residency, long-term studies etc.
ALL foreign nationals should obtain a “Certificate of Eligibility” prior to a visa application at the Embassy. The “Certificate of Eligibility” can be applied through a proxy/company/organization based in Japan at the local Immigration Bureau (Ministry of Justice) of the proxy residence/company base etc.
Remark: Applications for a “Certificate of Eligibility” CANNOT be accepted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Embassies/Consulates.
Required application documents:
1. Visa application form (filled through)
2. One photo (45mm×35mm)
3. Valid Passport
4. Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
5. Resident permit issued by the Greek Government (※Non-Greek nationals only)
When applying at the Embassy (basic info)
Appointments All applicants are kindly asked to prepare all necessary documents beforehand and contact the Consular Section to arrange appointments for application and delivery.
Geek stay permit Most of non-EU nationals must hold a valid Greek stay permit to apply for a visa.
Nationals of Russia and NIS countries Nationals of Russia and NIS countries are required to submit visa application IN DOUBLE (TWO (2) froms) and TWO (2) photos.
Applying with authorization Find here the details of an APPLICATION (and/or delivery) BY PROXY with a LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION.
In case the proxy presents a Greek ID card, ONLY a physical hard copy is accaptabler (Greek digital ID cards are NOT acceptable).
Visa fees Visa fees depend on nationality and visa type. See here the Visa Fees List. Visa fees must be paid IN CASH only (cheques or credit/debit cards are NOT acceptable).
Border Measures
As of 12th January 2023, temporary measures apply to all travellers from China. Click HERE for details.
As of 7th September 2022 all travellers with a COVID-19 booster vaccination shot are allowed to enter Japan with a valid vaccination certificate. Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen etc. are acceptable, but a combination with a recovery certificates is NOT acceptable.
Travellers WITHOUT an appropriate vaccination certificate MUST present an appropriate negative result certificate of a COVID-19 test conducted within 72h prior to departure. The use of the format HERE is strongly recommended, to avoid boarding or border control issues.
All travellers are also recommended to use the FAST TRACK through login and registration to “Visit Japan Web” (NOT obligatory). Travellers can conduct the border control, toll declarations and, as of 1st November 2022, the COVID-19 related FAST TRACK through “Visit Japan Web” prior to arrival to Japan. (The border control applies to new entries of foreign nationals only and not to Japanese nationals or re-entries of foreign nationals.)
LATEST JAPANESE BORDER MEASURES
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/bordercontrol.html
Requirements of a valid vaccination certificate
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/border_vaccine.html
Visit Japan Web
https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/
The FAST TRACK is included here.
For Visitors: Notices on the Use of Mask in Japan
Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel
Border measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Measures for Resuming Cross Border Travel
Other Information
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lleQbd0yXmw
(2) Animal/Plant Quarantine and Inspection of Animal/Plant Products
https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/product/import.html
(3) Useful tools for foreign travelers in case of disaster
https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001471576.pdf
(4) A Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/portal/index.html
(5) Foreign national coexistence policies
Consular Section
Embassy of Japan in Greece
Ethnikis Antistaseos 46, 152 31 Halandri
Tel: 210 670 9910 /11
Monday-Friday, 09.00-16.00, except holidays
consular@at.mofa.go.jp