Here is How to Apply for a Japan Visa

A visa is one of the mandatory documents that foreign nationals must have when visiting another country. Likewise, when you plan to go to Japan, before heading there to see the breathtaking sakura, you must first obtain a visa. Do not worry if you do not know how to apply for a Japan visa, as the information in this article will help clear up any confusion you may have.

Requirements for Obtaining a Japan Visa

Obtaining a Japanese visa is a relatively easy process. As long as you meet all the requirements for obtaining a Japan visa, the application process can proceed smoothly. These requirements call for providing all the necessary documents. So, what are they? Here are some of them:

1. Passport.

2. The visa application form can be downloaded here. Please fill out the form using Adobe Acrobat Reader and print out the form with a QR Code (PDF).

3. Recent passport photo with a clear image, not blurry. Sized 4.5 x 3.5 cm taken within the last 6 months, without a background and not edited.

4. Copy of Resident’s Identity Card (KTP)

5. Copy of Student ID Card or Proof of Enrollment (only for university students)

6. Proof of roundtrip flight ticket booking as definite proof of entry and exit dates to and from Japan

7. Travel itinerary for the entire trip, from entry to exit to Japan

8. If there is more than one visa applicant, include copies of documents that can demonstrate the relationship with the applicant, such as a family card, birth certificate, and other supporting documents.

In addition to documents related to identity and travel plans during your stay in Japan, you also need to prepare financial documents as requirements for obtaining a Japan visa. Here are the documents required:

1. Applicant as the financial guarantor. Provide proof of finance such as bank statements or savings books showing transactions for the last 3 months.

2. Financial guarantor other than the applicant. If the guarantor is a parent of the applicant, provide proof of the guarantor's finances and documents proving the relationship between the applicant and the financial guarantor.

However, not all visa applicants are required to provide proof of finance. Those who fall under the following categories can apply without any proof of finance:

1. Applicant is an employee of a company listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange.

2. Applicant is a state-owned enterprise (BUMN) employee.

3. Applicant is an employee of a company that has a partnership with a company in Japan.

4. Applicant is an employee of a joint venture company between Indonesia and Japan, a Japanese subsidiary, or a branch of a Japanese company.

5. Applicant is a government employee.

6. Applicant is an internationally-recognized artist/entertainer; recognized athlete; dean, professor, assistant professor of a university; museum director, or government or private research institute leader.

Once all the documents are ready, organize them according to their sequence before proceeding to the next step, which is how to apply for a Japan visa.

How to Apply for a Japan Visa

The documents are prepared, now it is time for you to find out how to apply for a Japan visa. Today, the issuance of Japanese visas is no longer handled by the Embassy of Japan, but rather transferred to the Japan Visa Application Center (JVAC).

However, the process of applying for a Japan visa is not significantly different from how the Embassy of Japan handled it. The first thing you need to do is make a reservation here.

To make a reservation, you need to create an account first and then log in to your account. Next, just follow the steps instructed for the reservation process. If you are too busy to come to the JVAC, no need to worry because the JVAC can send someone to assist you with the visa application process.

Although Travel Insurance is not mandatory as a requirement for obtaining a Japan visa, you are still advised to purchase Travel Insurance to Japan from MSIG Indonesia. Medical care in Japan is quite expensive, so if you are covered by insurance, you can feel at ease whenever you become ill while in Japan.

The process of appling for a Japan visa is not difficult as long as you pay attention to the requirements. Hopefully, your visa application process will go smoothly!