JAPAN
Entry
Requirements & Visa Extension
All visitors to Japan must have a valid passport for the duration
of their stay, but only residents of certain countries need apply
for a visa in advance. Citizens of Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein,
Mexico, Switzerland and the UK can stay in Japan for up to ninety
days without a visa provided they are visiting for tourism or business
purposes. This stay can be extended for another three months.
Citizens of Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium,
Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece,
Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lesotho,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, the Netherlands,
New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore,
Slovenia, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay and the
USA can also stay for up to ninety days without a visa, though this
is unextendable and you are required to possess a return airline
ticket. Anyone wishing to stay longer will have to leave the country,
then re-enter.
All other nationalities must apply for a visa in advance from the
Japanese embassy or consulate in their own country. These are usually
free, though in certain circumstances you may be charged a fee of
around ¥3000 for a single-entry visa. The rules on visas do
change from time to time, so check first with your embassy or consulate,
or on the Japanese Foreign Ministry Web site (www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
), for the current situation.
Visa extensions
To get a visa extension you'll need to fill in two copies of an
Application for Extension of Stay, available from local immigration
bureaux (see Listings sections of major city accounts). These must
then be returned along with passport photos, a letter explaining
your reasons for wanting to extend your stay, and a processing fee
of ¥4000. In addition, you may be asked to show proof of sufficient
funds, and a valid onward ticket out of the country. If you're not
a national of one of the few countries with six-month reciprocal
visa exemptions (ie Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico,
Switzerland and the UK), expect a thorough grilling from the immigration
officials. An easier option - and the only alternative available
to nationals of those countries who are not eligible for an extension
- may be a short trip out of the country, say to South Korea or
Hong Kong, though you'll still have to run the gauntlet of immigration
officials on your return. |
