Temporary Visitor Visa
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A Temporary Visitor visa is a status of residence granted for short-term stays in Japan to engage in activities that do not involve earning an income (such as tourism, visiting relatives, or short-term business).
Permitted Period of Stay: Either "15 days," "30 days," or "90 days."
Eligible Individuals:
Individuals holding nationalities or residing in regions that are not subject to visa exemption measures (visa waivers). In principle, no visa acquisition is required for citizens of Visa Exemption countries.
Main Purposes of Visit:
Visiting Relatives/Acquaintances: Family, relatives, friends, fiancé(e)s, etc. living overseas.
Short-Term Business: Business discussions, contract signing, attending meetings, after-sales service, market research, etc.
Tourism / Individual Travel: Independent travel for tourism or staying at a friend's house.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Visa Exempt Countries and Regions (List of Target Countries) https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/visa/tanki/novisa.html
About the "180-Day Rule"
This is an operational standard established by the Ministry of Justice and the Immigration Services Agency to prevent the "de facto long-term, permanent residence through the use of the Temporary Visitor system." There exists an operational rule of thumb stating that "the total number of days stayed in Japan within the past 12 months must not exceed 180 days."
From when are the 180 days counted?
The reference date is the final day of the planned period of stay. For example, if you apply for a Temporary Visitor visa with September 9, 2026 as the final day of your stay in Japan, and the total number of days spent in Japan during the 12-month period counting backward from September 9, 2026 exceeds 180 days, the likelihood of your visa application being rejected increases.
2. Types of Temporary Visitor Visas
As a rule, entry is permitted only once; however, visas allowing multiple entries may be issued depending on nationality and purpose.
Single-Entry Visa
Overview: Allows entry to Japan only once (the most standard type).
Validity Period: 3 months from issuance.
Target Applicants: Almost all nationalities except for visa-exempt countries.
Fee: 15,000 yen
Multiple-Entry Visa
Overview: Allows entry to Japan multiple times within the validity period (a single stay is usually 15 to 90 days).
Validity Period: 1 to 5 years.
Eligibility: Varies by country; generally includes nationals of specific designated countries who hold an IC/MRP passport, have a history of travel to Japan, or possess a certain level of financial means or high income.
Fee: 30,000 yen
3. Application Requirements and Required Documents
Basic Screening Criteria for Temporary Visitor Visa
Holding a valid passport (must not be forged and must have sufficient validity).
The activities must not fall under operating a business involving income or receiving remuneration.
Having sufficient funds to cover living expenses during the stay and return travel expenses.
Note: Requirements for multiple-entry visas vary depending on the country.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: List of Documents Required for Short-Term Stay Visa Applications https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/000472950.pdf
4. Application Process
In principle, the application destination for a Temporary Visitor visa is the Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan (overseas diplomatic mission) in the country where the applicant resides.
Step 1: Formulation of Travel Plan (determining the schedule in Japan and the invitation plan)
Step 2: Preparation of Documents (prepared separately by the invoker/guarantor in Japan and the applicant overseas)
Step 3: Sending Documents from Japan (mailing original documents/copies prepared in Japan to the applicant overseas, etc.)
Step 4: Applying for the Visa at an Overseas Diplomatic Mission (submitted by the applicant in person)
Step 5: Examination by the Overseas Diplomatic Mission (interviews or requests for additional documents may occur as necessary)
Step 6: Issuance of Visa / Entry into Japan
Points to Note
Visa Expiration: After the visa is issued, you must enter Japan within 3 months.
Important Points regarding Rejection: Once an application is rejected, a re-application for the same purpose will, in principle, not be accepted for 6 months. Since the reasons for screening results are not disclosed, it is essential to prepare accurate and complete documents with no deficiencies for the initial application.
5. Prohibition of Work Activities and Activities for Which Remuneration May Be Received Exceptionally
After entering Japan as a Temporary Visitor, operating a business that generates income or engaging in activities to receive remuneration (employment/work) is strictly prohibited. Even if the paying entity is a foreign corporation, it is not permitted if practical tasks or labor are provided within Japan.
【Exception】 Receiving Remuneration That Does Not Constitute Employment
(excluding activities conducted as a business/profession)
For the following activities, even Temporary Visitors are exceptionally permitted to receive remuneration (honorariums, actual expenses, etc.) (Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act).
Enforcement Regulations of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
Temporary Remuneration, etc.
Article 19-3: Honoraria for lectures not conducted as a business as prescribed in Article 19, paragraph (1), item (i) of the Act, as well as temporary remuneration associated with daily life and other forms of remuneration, shall be as set forth in the following items.
1. Honoraria, prize money, and other forms of remuneration for the following activities not conducted as a business:
(a) Lectures, classes, discussions, and other similar activities
(b) Advice, expert opinions, and other similar activities
(c) The creation of novels, academic papers, paintings, photographs, programs, and other works of authorship
(d) Participation in events, appearances in films or broadcast programs, and other similar activities
2. Honoraria and other remuneration for performing daily household chores for relatives, friends, or acquaintances at their request (excluding those performed as a business)
3. Remuneration for activities that assist in education or research conducted pursuant to a contract with a university or college of technology, received by a person residing in Japan under the “Student” status of residence who is enrolled at such a university or college of technology
※limited to the fourth and fifth years and specialized courses.
※Excluding those receiving exclusively Japanese language education. (This refers to Japanese language education as defined in Article 1 of the Act on the Accreditation of Japanese Language Education Institutions, etc., for the Proper and Reliable Implementation of Japanese Language Education (Act No. 41 of Reiwa 5).)
Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/356M50000010054#Mp-At_19_3
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