Filling Visa Application

1. Business Visa
2. Tourist Visa  
3. Compulsory Visa Requirements
4. Multiple Entry Visa

A New Resident Registration System for Foreign Residents will begin in July 2012!
(This will replace the Alien Registration Scheme)

Applicants should download the visa application form from the Embassy’s home page and submit a hard copy (printed copy) together with the relevant documents.

1. The visa application form must be completed in full, leaving no details incomplete.
2. Details given therein must be true and correct.
3. The maximum period of stay in Japan for a short term visit is Ninety (90) Days.
4. Applicants should decide on the exact period of stay in Japan according to one's schedule, which may cover a maximum  period　
   of (90 ) days.
5. Visa applications should be typed or legibly hand written in BLOCK LETTERS.
6. Each applicant should fill a separate visa application, including child applicants.

1. Applicants visiting Japan for the first time should produce the original Birth Certificate with a photocopy and an Affidavit declaring that they have not changed their original name.
2. A letter from the Travel agent confirming the itenery (The Embassy does not assume responsibility as regards obtainin REFUND on Air Tickets).
3. A photograph taken within the past six months. (Refer Application Form for specifications on  Photo).
4. A valid Passport (a minimum validity of Six (6) Months) and previous cancelled passports; if  any.
5. Applicants if married, should produce the original marriage certificate with a photocopy.
6. Applicants should produce the original National Identity Card with a photocopy.

NOTICE TO ALL VISA APPLICANTS

ALL VISA APPLICANTS ARE KINDLY REQUESTED TO PRODUCE THE NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD WHEN APPLYING FOR JAPANESE VISA. THEREFORE, PLEASE CHECK WHETHER THE NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD IS LEGIBLE AND CLEAR. IDENTITY CARDS WHICH ARE ILLEGIBLE, BADLY DISCOLOURED AND DAMAGED WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. TO AVOID ANY INCONVENIENCE, VISA APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO CHECK THE STATE OF THEIR OWN NATIONAL IDENTITY CARDS, AND IF THE NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD IS NOT IN AN ACCEPTABLE CONDITION TO OBTAIN A NEW IDENTITY CARD FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT.

       7. Student Visa applicants should produce their original GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level results issued by the School Principal.

1. A letter from the local company (reasons for entry, period of stay & Japanese company intending to visit)
2. Original business registration of the local company with a photocopy.
3. Company's Bank Statements (Originals) for the past Six (6) Months. (Fixed deposit Certificates will not be accepted)
4. The latest Original Tax payment receipt of the Company.
5. Original guarantee letter from a Japanese Company(if food and lodging expenses in Japan are borne by the sponsor in Japan) with Japanese Company Registration  (Original).

   PLEASE SUBMIT THE COURIER/POSTAL ENVELOPE TOGETHER WITH THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS FROM JAPAN

1. Bank Statements (Originals ) for the past Six (6) Months. (Fixed Deposit Certificates will not be accepted ).
2. Employment Certificate; if employed. (or other relevant certificates i.e. original business registration certificate if owner or partner of a business). For student applicants a letter from the school Principal or head of the institution.
3. Document explaining the applicants activities in Japan.
   a) If sightseeing; detail itinery of proposed travel plan and a hotel reservation(Fax reservations only)
   b) If visiting relatives; detailed information about relatives and proposed plan of visit
       * if relative or friend is a Sri Lankan, copy of Resident Card, Residence Registration Certificate issued from city office in Japan & passport        copies,        including a copy of a valid visa to stay in Japan
       * if relative or friend is a Japanese, Guarantee Letter (if food and lodging expenses in Japan are borne by the sponsor in Japan), Invitation Letter, Schedule of Stay, his/her income certificate, resident certificate & employment certificate
   c) Documents relating to tours or tour packages, brochures etc.
   d) If attending a meeting, seminar or conference; details of such venue and programme.
   e) A hotel reservation (by Fax only) and any other relevant documents the applicant may wish to forward.

             PLEASE SUBMIT THE COURIER/POSTAL ENVELOPE TOGETHER WITH THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS FROM JAPAN

1. All documents submitted by applicants must be genuine. Applicants submitting forged documents or giving incorrect information in the visa application form will be considered permanently ineligible for visa to Japan.
2. The above documents are required only for accepting visa applications. They do not automatically qualify for the issuance of a visa. Other documents may be requested by the Visa Officer subsequently.
3. Applications will be accepted from Monday-Friday between 9.00 & 10.30 a.m & 5  working days for processing.
4. Visas will be issued on Monday to Friday between 3.00 p.m. & 4.30 p.m.
5. Applicants may be subject to an interview at the discretion of the Visa Officer.
6. Visa Fee payable on receiving an entry visa is Rs.4,760/= for each individual applicant.
   
7. Child applicants traveling on parents passports will also be charged individually.
8. Applicants are advised to tender the exact amount for visa fee and thereby avoid any inconvenience.

A. Why Are Visas Necessary?

                    In principle, foreigners wishing to enter Japan (with the exception of shipping and airline crews) are required to apply at an overseas Japanese diplomatic establishment (embassy or consulate) for a visa to be stamped in or attached to their passport valid for travel to Japan.                   Under Japan's Immigration Control Act, it is stipulated that any foreigner wishing to enter or land in Japan must possess a valid passport and a visa obtained from an embassy or consulate. In other words, when foreigners apply to an Immigration Inspector (immigration officer) at a port of entry or departure (hereafter referred to as a port of entry) of an airport or seaport for an examination for landing, one of the conditions that they must meet is possession of a valid visa.

                   Accordingly, if a foreigner does not possess the necessary visa, in principle he or she is not granted permission to enter Japan.

B. Characteristics of a Visa

                   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs receives many inquiries about visas, such as, "What is a visa?", "How should I go about obtaining a visa?", and "Are there any obstacles to entering and residing in Japan even after obtaining a visa?" Also, the ministry receives quite a few inquiries and even complaints from people who confuse the visa issued by an embassy or consulate and the landing permission (or status of residence permission) granted by an immigration officer belonging to the Ministry of Justice. These people ask such questions as, "how can I extend my visa?" (meaning extending period of status of residence permission) and "I cannot understand why my application for a visa extension has been rejected" (again, they mean status of residence permission). Often problems seem to occur at the time of entry into Japan because of inadequate knowledge or misunderstanding. We hope that this information will increase your understanding of Japan's visa system.

1. What is a visa?

On the basis of the Law for the Establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visas granted by the Japanese Government are issued only by embassies or consulates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A visa cannot be acquired after arriving in Japan.

A visa is a recommendation that a foreigner should be allowed to enter Japan. In other words, it is a kind of certificate issued by the ambassador or consul verifying that the foreigner's passport is genuine and valid and that the application for a stay in Japan for the purpose and period indicated on the visa has been deemed appropriate.

  To repeat, a visa itself does not guarantee landing (status of residence) permission.
  Possession of a visa is one condition for application for landing at an airport or seaport.
Although there are some countries that do accept a visa as a guarantee of landing permission, most countries, like Japan, adopt a system which requires permission from immigration authorities as well as a visa.

2. What is landing permission?

            Landing permission is stamped in a foreigner's passport by immigration officers at the airport or seaport where he or she goes through immigration procedures. It is completely different from a visa. It is this landing permission, not a visa, that serves as the legal basis for the foreigner's stay in Japan. A visa is only a recommendation and does not automatically guarantee landing permission.
      When a foreigner wishing to enter Japan arrives at an airport or sea port in Japan, he or she first of all has to apply to an immigration officer for landing permission. The immigration officer will check the validity of the foreigner's passport, the existence of a visa when necessary, the validity of the visa, the purpose of entering Japan, the scheduled period of stay, and so on. Landing permission will be granted only if all the conditions stipulated in the Immigration Control Act, including those being checked by the immigration officer, are met.

               The stamp of landing permission states not only the date and port of entry but also the status of residence (often referred to as immigration status) of the foreigner, which determines the activities in which that foreigner is permitted to engage in Japan and the term of residence of his or her immigration status.

               The receipt of landing permission is a prerequisite for any future applications at a regional immigration authority in Japan for specific purpose, such as extension of term of residence or change of status of residence. Any such application must be made at the nearest regional immigration authority to the applicant's place of residence in Japan.
          When an immigration officer at the port of entry completes an examination for landing and grants permission, the visa immediately becomes invalid (although multiple visas remain valid until the date of their expiration). After that, it is the landing permission that serves as the legal basis for the foreigner's stay in Japan.