Visa Applications

Visa Categories

• Temporary Visit – Tourism
• Temporary Visit – Business Affairs
  • Participation in meetings (including academic conferences), Business affairs (business liaison/networking, business consultations, contract signing, after-sales service, market research), Cultural exchange, Sports exchange, etc.
• Temporary Visit – Visiting Relatives and Acquaintances
  • Visiting spouse, blood relatives/relatives by affinity within the third degree; Visiting acquaintances/friends
  • NOTE: If you are staying at the home of someone you know in Japan (even for part of your trip), please apply under this category of visa.
• Visa based on a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
  • For applicants possessing a valid COE.
  • The COE is a basic requirement for people who wish to work, study or remain for an extended period of time in Japan
• Transit Visa
• Working Holiday
• Specified Visa – Designated Activities
  • Long Stay for Sightseeing and Recreation
• Multiple-entry visa for Chinese citizens residing in Canada
• Multiple-entry Visa for Nationals of India
• Multiple-entry Visa for Nationals of Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia

General Information

• Canadian citizens OR Foreign citizens holding a valid permanent resident card, work permit or study permit only.
• Residents of Quebec or the Atlantic provinces only. If you live in another province, you must apply through the appropriate office.
• Find out if you need a visa. You can also check the List of Countries with Visa Exemptions (Temporary Visit).

• To submit an application: In person only (except eVISA)
• Holders of a valid certificate of eligibility (COE) living far from the Consulate may, in some cases, submit their documents by post. Please contact us by email to verify if you are eligible. NEVER SEND any documents by post without contacting us first.
• Processing time: 10 business days or more. Please submit your application at least 15 business days before your departure.
• When to apply: Within 3 months of the date of entry into Japan
• Application fees: See full list (All visas issued to holders of a Canadian passport are free of charge)
• Prepare one copy of each required document per applicant (ex. flight confirmation), even if many applicants are traveling together. All applications with missing or incomplete documents will be returned without being processed.
• Additional documents may be requested on a case-by-case basis, due to the nature of the visa application process.
• Finally, but most importantly, please note that submitting all the required documents does not guarantee that your application will be approved and a visa will be issued. There are situations where visas cannot be granted to the applicants. Here is a basic list of cases where a visa cannot be issued (Please refer to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Chapter II, Section 2, Article 5 – “Denial of Entry”). Please note, however, that the Consulate-General of Japan will not justify the refusal of an application.

• Frequently asked questions
• Resources for new residents of Japan
• Guide to Japanese Visas (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)

WARNING: Be aware of fraudulent websites, social media, emails attempting to extract payments from visa applicants

Inquiries about general visa matters

JAPAN VISA INFORMATION HOTLINE (24 hours/7days a week, English only)
TEL: 1-587-883-9002
*This Hotline is designated for visa applicants residing in Canada.
*This Hotline will only provide general information regarding Japanese visas.
*The Hotline will not connect you to the Consulate-General's Visa Section. If you need to contact the Consulate-General in regards to a pending visa application, please contact the Consulate-General directly at 514-866-3429 during office hours.