Japan: independently obtaining a visa for Russians in 2021

Japan was completely closed from the world for a long period. But now visiting the Land of the Rising Sun is available to foreign citizens. A visa to Japan for Russians in 2021 remains mandatory regardless of the purpose of the trip . You must apply for a visa to Japan in advance at the Embassy or Consulate General.

Japan is the only country in the world that bears the title of Empire

Types of visas

The Japanese side issues several types of visas. The key distinction is made depending on the duration of the trip: short-term or long-term.

Short stay visa

Short-term permits, in turn, are divided based on the purpose of staying in the country. The following targeted visas to Japan for Russians in 2021 can be obtained:

• Business (single and multiple);
• Tourist;
• Guest room for visiting friends;
• Guest room for visiting relatives.

All types of short-term visas are issued for a period of 3 months (90 days), and they give the right to come to Japan once and stay in the country for 15 days. If there is a justified need to visit Japan several times, a multiple-entry visa may be issued. A tourist visa does not provide the opportunity to find a job. Short-term permits cannot be extended.

Long-term visas

Those who wish to stay in the country longer need to apply for a long-term permit. Obtaining a long-term visa to Japan is possible only if there is a significant reason by the standards of the Japanese authorities. Therefore, such permits are graded based on the purposes of stay:

• Educational;
• Medical;
• Working – “Certificate of Eligibility”;
• Wife/husband visa.

It is noteworthy that a student visa gives the right to work in the country, but in a strictly limited number of hours per week. Limits are set by the administration of the prefecture where the foreigner lives. Directly fully working - “Certificate of Eligibility” is issued very rarely, and only if there is an already concluded contract with the resident.

A Japanese long-term visa is valid for one year, extension is not provided, subsequent ones must be obtained in the same way as the original one, but they are issued more leniently.

Visa violations and sanctions

When going to Japan, you should remember that violation of the local visa regime (for example, working on a tourist visa) leads to administrative arrest for an indefinite period, a fine and subsequent forced deportation from the country and restrictions on visiting it in the future for a period of several years. The administrative arrest of a violator of the Japanese visa regime is the subject of consular proceedings, and the consul of the Russian Federation in Japan will have to represent the interests of the arrested person in the future, taking measures for his legal protection.

Transit through Japan

Previously, visa-free transit was allowed, but obtaining a visa to Japan for tourists staying in the country as a result of transit has become mandatory. The peculiarity of the Japanese transit visa is that Russians need to apply for it through the Consulates and Embassy of Japan in Russia. Unlike other countries, Japanese authorities do not issue permission at the airport upon arrival, except in cases of force majeure .

If the plane landed at Tokyo airport due to a breakdown or other valid reasons, and this circumstance did not depend on the tourist and could not be foreseen by him, then transit will be processed at the airport, but such situations are resolved privately. Therefore, in order to avoid problems with the Japanese authorities and obtaining visas in the future, you must definitely apply for a transit visa in Russia if you are planning a layover in Japan. The transit permit is valid for 72 hours.

Where to contact

A Japanese tourist visa can be obtained from the Japanese Embassy in Moscow or from any of the four aforementioned Consulates General of Japan in St. Petersburg, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Vladivostok or Khabarovsk. The official websites of the representative offices indicate the territories and zones covered by the consular responsibility of a particular Japanese Consulate General in Russia.

Where to apply for a visa

A Japanese visa is issued after a foreign citizen applies to the Consulate General of Japan in Russia at the Embassy located in Moscow, or regional consulates. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has demarcated the work area of ​​each consular unit . Thus, the Consulate General in Khabarovsk has the right to accept applications from the majority of residents of the Far East, and the consular department in Vladivostok - from residents of Kamchatka, Primorsky Krai, and the Magadan Region. Residents of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region need to contact the St. Petersburg Consulate of Japan. There is also a branch on the island. Sakhalin.

All Russians can submit documents to the Moscow Consulate General.

You can also apply for a Japanese visa at the specialized “Asian Visa Center”. The center is located in Moscow and is an official trusted partner of the Japanese Embassy in the Russian Federation. It is noteworthy that in obtaining a visa, the center acts as an intermediary-guarantor, that is, through it you can obtain a visa, even if there is no invitation from the Japanese resident.

It is allowed to resort to the help of tourist operators as intermediaries, as well as to use the services of a representative. If the applicant does not have the opportunity or desire to visit the consulate in person, then he can issue a notarized power of attorney to the person representing his interests at the consulate.

The guarantor and his role

Obtaining a visa to Japan on your own is quite problematic. The reason for this lies in the mandatory condition put forward by Japanese laws - the presence of a guarantor on the Japanese side .

The guarantor must be exclusively a resident of Japan. When applying for a tourist visa, the guarantor, as a rule, is a travel company that is necessarily accredited in Japan. If an application is submitted for a business visit, the guarantor is the Japanese partner. The participation of a Japanese citizen as a guarantor is allowed, but a visa may not be given unless the existence of a relationship between the foreigner and the Japanese is proven. Only a friend or Japanese acquaintance can invite you to visit Japan.

Algorithm of actions

Once a Japanese guarantor has been found, you can obtain a visa to Japan on your own. The procedure is as follows:

1. Preparation of documents on the part of the applicant;
2. Drawing up a letter of guarantee, creating a package of title papers for the guarantor;
3. Transfer of the letter and documents to the guarantor by mail to Russia to the applicant;
4. Filling out forms, organizing documents by a Russian;
5. Appeal to the Consular Section, according to territorial jurisdiction;
6. Waiting for documents to be verified;
7. Obtaining a visa or refusal to issue it.

Current information about the opening hours of each consulate can be found on the website of the Japanese Embassy in Russia. It is worth considering that documents are not accepted on Japanese and Russian holidays.

Who is a guarantor and why is he needed?

Obtaining a visa to Japan on your own is quite labor-intensive work. Documents without invitation will not be accepted.

The main reason for the complexity is the mandatory presence of a Japanese guarantor. Moreover, the latter must be a person who is a citizen of Japan.

At the consulate you will need to prove that you maintain friendly relations with this person and have known each other for a sufficient period of time. Otherwise, a visa refusal is inevitable.

In the case of a business tour, the partner company will act as a guarantor. As mentioned above, the Japanese Visa Application Center can also act as a guarantor.

As for tourist visas directly, in this case the guarantor of your stay in the country will be the travel company itself where you purchased the tour.

It is important to know! The travel company must be accredited in Japan.

Required documents

The list of papers that need to be submitted to the consulate differs slightly from the type of permit being issued. Required documents:

• International passport, valid for no less than the planned visit;
• Invitation;
• Letter of guarantee;
• Documents for the guarantor;
• Papers provided by the Japanese side;
• 2 photos;
• A copy of the first page of the Russian passport;
• Certificate from work;
• Statement.

The Japanese government does not set time limits on the validity of a tourist’s passport, but difficulties may arise at customs if the validity of the passport borders the period of the trip, it is better to renew it in advance.

Only a resident has the right to issue an invitation for a tourist to visit Japan . This can be either a citizen or an organization conducting legal activities in the country. The document must have details and be issued to a specific person - the applicant. The invitation is valid for no more than 6 months from the date of issue.

The letter of guarantee is prepared by your Japanese guarantor. After which the documents, along with papers addressed to the person acting as the guarantor, are sent to you in Russia.

Only the applicant has the right to submit papers to the consulate; the guarantor does not have the opportunity to send documents to the Embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The inviting party is required to provide the visit program, time spent on the territory and purpose of visiting Japan, and place of residence upon arrival.
These documents also include confirmation of your hotel room reservation. Documents are drawn up in Japanese or English addressed to the consul. The relationship between the receiving party and the applicant is described in detail, for example, if the visit is personal in nature - a wedding, then it is worth confirming the intention and existence of the relationship, for example, through correspondence, data from the telephone company about calls, etc.

Confirmation of the tourist's solvency is required. If it is not possible to provide a proof of employment, a proof of availability of money in a bank account or a letter of sponsorship will be suitable. Accordingly, the sponsor must provide documents confirming the availability of funds. Individual entrepreneurs must submit documents from the tax office.

Application – the form must be filled out in English, legibly and without corrections . It is allowed to use technical means - a computer, but the signature must be made by hand. The questionnaire is printed on two sheets; printing on the back of one sheet is not allowed. It is not allowed to use paper clips or staples.

Additionally, you will need air tickets or reservations for them, especially a return ticket confirming your intention to leave Japan on time.

Japan visa photo requirements

Photos to obtain a visa must be in color or black and white. The size of the photograph for a visa to Japan is 4.5 x 4.5 cm. They must be taken no later than 6 months before applying to the consulate. It is not acceptable to submit two different photographs. The photo must be attached to the application form.

Who can be a guarantor? Information for citizens of Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia and CIS countries

Russians no longer need to have a guarantor for their short-term trip. For residents of other CIS countries, this information will be relevant. The guarantor can be a citizen or resident of Japan with permanent status. This is a tour operator, individual or employer. If the inviting party is a legal entity, it must be officially registered and not have tax debts.

The inviting party sends a set of documents. Without them, it is not possible to apply for a visa.

If the guarantor is a legal entity, then the following are sent to visit Japan:

• An official letter stating the purpose of the trip and the duration of stay,
• A trip plan with a daily schedule, which describes in detail each day of the trip.
• Letter of guarantee.
• Documents about a legal entity. This necessarily includes: a company registration certificate, a certificate of payment of all taxes and fees. Sometimes they require a brief summary of what the company does and what its type of activity is.
• Confirmation of full payment for the tour.
• Confirmation of hotel room reservation.
• Air ticket reservation.

If the guarantor is an individual, the set of documents will be slightly different. There are several options for sets of documents, which will differ depending on the status of the guarantor. But in any case you will need:

• Official letter for the purpose of the visit,
• Trip plan,
• Letter of guarantee,
• Confirmation of the relationship between the guarantor and the tourist, or other connections and relationships between them.

Consular fee

Japan, despite being closed from the rest of the world and having difficulties obtaining a visa, does not charge Russians a consular fee. In fact, the cost of a visa to Japan for Russians in 2021 is zero, but you have to pay for sending documents - about 10 dollars.

When applying for an urgent visa, the consular fee depends on the urgency:

• 10,000 yen – application less than 4 days before departure;
• 4,000 yen – apply 4 – 5 days before the trip.

The costs of paperwork, in particular the transfer of papers from the Japanese side, are paid by the tourist . Additionally, payment for intermediary services is taken into account. The price is set independently by the travel agency or visa center. The cost of a visa can reach $100 or more.

Processing times and prices

At the Embassy, ​​reviewing the application and making a decision on issuing a card takes about 4 days , and if the result is positive, the applicant can receive a visa within the 4th working day, excluding weekends/holidays.

If it is necessary to interview the applicant and provide additional documents, the review period may be extended. With this calculation in mind, it is recommended to submit an application in advance, but not earlier than 3 months before visiting Japan.

Applying for a Japanese visa is free of charge.

When submitting an application through a travel agency, the period will be increased based on the sending of documents.

How much a visa to Japan with the services of intermediaries will cost will be calculated in each specific case. But the approximate cost of registration through travel agencies is 7,000 rubles, the Visa Center is 1,500 rubles, and Pony Express is 2,000 rubles.

Refusal to issue

Japan strictly regulates the procedure for issuing visas and checks applicants' documents very carefully. Refusals to issue visas to Japan are not uncommon. The most common reasons:

• Incomplete package of papers;
• Filling out the form incorrectly;
• Submission of false data;
• Presence of offenses during previous visits;
• Fraud of consulate staff.

In case of refusal, the reason must be indicated. If your application is rejected due to incorrect or missing documents, you can reapply after 6 months. If the refusal was due to fraud or violation of Japanese laws, then the period may be increased, up to and including a permanent ban.

Consulate employees do not conduct a preliminary check of papers when submitting an application. Therefore, the fact that your documents were accepted does not mean that later, when checked and analyzed, they will meet the established standards and requirements.

Results

Obtaining a Japanese visa is a mandatory procedure for all CIS citizens, regardless of the duration of the visit and the purpose of the trip.

To submit an application, you will need to enlist the support of a guarantor, which can be a legal entity (university, company, partner) or an individual (a resident associated with the applicant in some way). It takes from 4 days to two weeks to process the application. Each document is carefully studied and checked.

There is no consular fee for Russians. They only pay for the sending of documents and the urgent processing service.

If refused, a new application can be submitted after 6 months, but provided that the reason was not too serious: errors in the application or lack of documents.

Visa to Japan for a child

If you are planning a trip to Japan with children, then you should follow several rules:

1. A child visa to Japan is required;
2. A child over 14 years old needs a foreign passport;
3. It is necessary to paste a photograph of a child over six years old into the parents’ passport;
4. Children under 14 years of age are entered into the questionnaire of the parents whose passport contains information about them;
5. A separate form must be filled out for minors over 14 years of age;
6. If the child is not traveling with his parents, then a notarized power of attorney is required in the name of the person accompanying the child, even if the accompanying person is the mother or father;
7. The cost of a child visa to Japan for Russians in 2021 is zero.

In addition, when submitting documents for opening a child permit, you will need to provide:

• Birth certificate (copy and original);
• Certificate from school or other educational institution.

How to obtain permission to visit the country multiple times?

Applicants who have visited Japan at least once in the last 3 years, have a job and have a certain income can apply for a multiple-entry tourist visa.

To obtain a multiple-entry visa, you must attach a letter to your documents explaining the reason for frequent travel. The letter is written in free form in English or Japanese .

Also in the form, in the “Intended length of stay in Japan” column, write the number of days of your last trip and about.

Entry rules to Japan

Japan makes it mandatory for everyone entering the country to provide biometric data. Refusal of the required procedure results in an entry ban. The following are exempt from submitting fingerprints:

• Holders of diplomatic passports;
• Children under 16 years of age;
• Persons who have a permanent residence permit in Japan;
• Persons invited by government agencies;
• Tourists who are not physically able to undergo the procedure.

In addition, at customs control the foreigner’s face must be photographed. And if there is suspicion of terrorism or involvement in the activities of terrorist organizations, they may be denied entry.

Japan is gaining popularity among tourists, despite the difficulties with obtaining visa documents. But the growth of demand among Japanese travelers is positively influenced by the fact that the desire to plunge into another culture and enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms more than offsets all the difficulties of obtaining a visa. The absence of restrictions on movement within the country for Russians also plays a role; it is enough to have a passport with you.

Simplification of entry procedures

The Land of the Rising Sun opened its borders to tourists recently; until 2021, it was difficult to obtain a visa for Russians to Japan - an invitation from the receiving party was required.

But from January 1, 2021, by agreement of the parties, the procedure for obtaining a visa has been significantly simplified. First of all, the condition for granting this most problematic invitation was cancelled. Another positive point is the free entry permit .

Every Russian can try to get permission to visit the Japanese islands. It is enough to collect the necessary package of documents and apply for a specific type of visa. There are plenty of varieties, the main distinguishing feature is the validity period (short-term and long-term).

Contacts of Japanese Embassies and Consulates

Embassy of Japan in Moscow

• Address: Moscow, Grokholsky lane, building 27;
• Telephones;
• Telephone number of the consular department;
• Opening hours: Monday-Friday from 09:00 to 18:00;
• Opening hours of the Consular Section: Monday-Friday, acceptance of documents - from 09:30 to 12:00, issuance of passports - from 14:30 to 17:30.

Consulate of Japan in St. Petersburg

• Address: St. Petersburg, Moika River Embankment, building 29;
• Telephone;
• Opening hours: Monday-Friday from 09:00 to 17:45.

Consular Section of the Consulate General of Japan in St. Petersburg

• Address: St. Petersburg, Millionnaya street, building 30;
• Telephone;
• Opening hours: Monday-Friday, acceptance of documents - from 10:00 to 11:30, issuance of passports - from 15:00 to 16:30.

Consulate of Japan in Khabarovsk

• Address: Khabarovsk, Turgeneva street, building 46;
• Telephone;
• Telephone number of the consular department;
• Opening hours: Monday-Friday, acceptance of documents - from 10:00 to 12:00, issuance of passports - from 15:00 to 17:00.

Requirements for candidates

You can apply for a visa at the Japanese Embassy in the Russian Federation:

• Citizens of the Russian Federation living in the territory under the jurisdiction of a specific Japanese Embassy.
• Foreign citizens legally residing in the Russian Federation on a long-term basis. In this case, it is necessary to provide documents confirming the legality of long-term stay:
  work permit;
• resident card;
• temporary registration at the place of stay for a period of more than 3 months or other documents.