Temporary Visitor Visa and Transit Visa

2024/1/5

Temporary Visitor Visa

The Temporary Visitor Visa is for a visit not exceeding 90 days, for purposes such as:

Tourism, business, visiting friends or relatives, attending a conference, etc.
This category excludes profit-making operations and paid activities.

UK and Irish passport holders are NOT required to obtain a visa if they wish to enter Japan for the purpose of a journey as described above for a period of 6 months or less. Please note that the visa exemption agreement does not apply to holders of British Overseas Citizen, British Subject or British Dependent / Overseas Territories Citizen passports. Under visa exemption arrangements, nationals of certain countries and regions(see list) who wish to go to Japan for the above-mentioned activities are NOT required to obtain a visa (Note 1, 2).
Please note that holders of Convention Travel Documents, emergency passports and temporary passports are advised to contact the Consulate in advance of making an application.

A multiple entry visa may be issued to frequent travellers who intend to visit Japan for short–term stays for things like business and cultural activities. Please contact the Visa Section for further information.

Please see the list of required documents, if your purpose of visit is;

Note 1: Even if you are the subject of a visa exemption arrangement, permission to enter Japan remains at the discretion of the immigration authorities. We advise that you should take supporting documents with you for immigration inspection at the airport such as a return flight ticket, details of host organisation and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.

Note 2: For nationals of the UK (British Citizens), Ireland, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico and Switzerland, the maximum period of stay given on arrival will be 90 days. If you wish to extend your period of stay for a further 90 days, you must go to the nearest immigration office to apply for extension of your period of stay.

Please see General Information for application procedures.

Transit Visa

Travellers transiting through Japan only need to apply for a transit visa in the following situation:

Connecting flights have been booked separately
Luggage needs to be transferred by the traveller individually (checked-out and then back in)

If you do not leave the airside and do not go through immigration, you do not need a transit visa.
If you are in doubt, please contact the Airline or travel agent in charge of your trip. The Consulate cannot advise on individual itinerary proposals.

If you require transit visa, please contact the Visa Section for further information.
Tel: 0131 225 4777 (Please listen to the automated English guidance and then select option 1)

* Even if you are subject to a visa exemption arrangement, permission to enter Japan remains at the discretion of the immigration authorities. We advise that you take supporting documents with you for immigration inspection at the airport such as a return flight ticket, details of your host organisation and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.