Visa Information: General Information

Visa applicants living outwith our jurisdiction as detailed above should contact the Embassy of Japan in the UK (London) to enquire about the application procedure. We will in principle not accept visa applications from residents of the Embassy’s jurisdiction.

Visa applications must be made on appointment in person at the Consulate. An appointment must be booked online in advance. 
For further information about booking an appointment please see the following page: Online booking system.

Please see the About Us page for information on finding the Consulate, including opening hours, directions from Waverley and Haymarket stations.

• The Visa Exemption Arrangement applies based on your nationality, NOT on your UK residence status.

		Types of Travel	Visa Requirements
British Citizens ※		Short-term stay (less than 6 months) FOR Tourism, business (without paid activities), conference, or study purposes	NOT Required
		COE (Certificate of Eligibility) holders	Required
Non-British Citizens	Visa Exemption Countries and Regions (List) ※	Short-term stay (less than 90 days) FOR Tourism, business (without paid activities), conference, or study purposes	NOT Required
		COE (Certificate of Eligibility) holders	Required
	Non-Visa Exemption Countries and Regions	Required

※Holders of British Overseas Citizen, British Subject or British Dependent / Overseas Territories Citizen passports or Convention Travel Documents are not included in “British Citizens”and “Visa Exemption Countries and Regions”. Holders of such documents must obtain a visa prior to travel and should contact us for visa information.

The required documents are explained on the information page for each visa category below. The visa application form applicable to all categories can be downloaded by clicking the following link: Visa application form

• Temporary Visitor Visa and Transit Visa​ • Certificate of Eligibility (Employment/Student/Long-Term Stay)
• Working Holiday Visa
• Volunteer Visa
• Spouse or Child of Japanese National Visa (Certificate of Eligibility required)
• Medical Stay Visa
• Long Stay for Sightseeing and Recreation Visa
• Extension of re-entry permit

For more information on visas to Japan, please see the following link: Guide to Japanese Visas (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)

The normal processing time from the date of application to collection is 5 working days (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and our office holidays).

As processing may take longer if we require further information to support your application (e.g. additional documentation or an interview), please make sure that there is enough time before submitting your application as we cannot accept requests for fast processing time (especially temporary visitor visa for tourism). We will advise you the expected processing time at the time of application if possible.

You must make a collection appointment ONLINE after your application is accepted. Passports must be collected in person.

Applicants who are unable to visit the Consulate for collection must arrange for someone to come on their behalf. To do so, the person collecting the passport must provide a photo ID (passport or UK driving licence) and an authorisation letter (any format) signed by the applicant. Please make an appointment ONLINE in advance.

Visa fees are payable in cash only (no card or cheque). Visa fees vary depending on nationality and the type of visa (see the visa fees list). 

Visa Section, Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh 
Address: Attn. Consular Section, Consulate General of Japan, 2 Melville Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 7HW
Tel: 0131 225 4777 (Please listen to the automated English guidance and then select option 1)
(Due to the decision to change the UK domestic telephone system, we have switched to an IP phone system but are currently experiencing difficulty connecting to our lines. If you are unable to connect, please contact us again later or contact us by email.)
Email: visa@ed.mofa.go.jp
*Please mention your nationality, UK visa status and a council area of your residence in your email

Japan Visa Information Hotline
Tel: (+44) 84 4986 4968 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls will be answered in English)
Email: japan-visa@bricks-corp.com
*Please mention your nationality or citizenship and place of your residence in your email
*Domestic call fees may apply
*If calling via Skype please click here 
The Hotline provides general Japanese visa information and will not connect to the Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh. Please contact the Consulate for enquiries related to individual visa applications.
 

NEW
Specified visa: Designated activities (Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad)
Attention: Increasing number of fraud cases targetting Chinese students in Japan (1 September 2023)
Foreign national coexistence policies
Highly skilled professional visa(Certificate of Eligibility)
Outline the establishment of a "new system" for accepting highly-skilled foreign professionals (PDF)

COVID-19 information
Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel
Japanese Government Initiatives relating to COVID-19
Border measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) 

Online Customs and Border Control Services
Visit Japan Web Service

Traveling to Tohoku area
Visitors to Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate prefectures 

Residency in Japan
Guide to immigration procedures (※immigration Services Agency of Japan)
Basic Resident Registration System for Foreign Residents (※Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)
Portal site for Daily Life Support for Foreign Residents (※immigration Services Agency of Japan)
Foreign national coexistence policies
For further information, please see Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Tourism in Japan 
Japan National Tourism Organisation
Overseas Travel Insurance