Visa & Consular

1. Important Notes Regarding Visa Applications and Issuance

●From Visa Application to Issuance

（1）Visa applications are subject to a minimum processing period of 7working days from the date of submission of the complete application and additionally requested documents. Applicants are strongly advised to submit their applications well in advance of their intended date of travel to ensure sufficient processing time.
 Applicants are strongly advised to submit their applications well in advance of their intended date of travel to ensure sufficient processing time.

（2）The submission of a visa application does not guarantee issuance of a visa. Applicants are strongly advised to refrain from making confirmed travel arrangements before visa has been formally issued.
The Embassy accepts no responsibility for any losses incurred as a result of a visa delay or rejection. 

●Required Documents for Visa Application
The documents listed in this website are the absolute minimum requirements for obtaining a visa. Please note that we cannot officially accept or process any applications if these required documents are incomplete.

●n-Person Appearance of the Applicant
In principle, applicants are required to appear in person either when submitting their documents or when collecting their passport (upon visa issuance). While proxy applications or collections may be permitted depending on individual circumstances (subject to the submission of additional documents), the applicant's personal appearance remains a crucial part of the visa process.
Furthermore, in the case of proxy applications, we cannot accept the application unless it is confirmed that the applicant is legally residing and currently present in the Maldives at the time of application.
 

2. Advanced Procedures for Customs and Immigration

All entrants/returnees to Japan are strongly advised to use the “Visit Japan Web” online service for smooth Customs and Immigration procedures prior to departure.
Travelers who do not use Visit Japan Web may face extended procedures at the entry port in Japan.
 

3. Animal and Plant Quarantine Notice for Import

All entrants/returnees to Japan must not bring any meat products, vegetables or fruits into Japan.

Please check this link for further information on Japan’s Animal and Plant Quarantine measures.

For more details of Visas, please click links below.

1.Temporary Visitor Visa

 ・Tourism
 ・Business purposes
 ・Visiting Relatives or Acquaintances
 

2. Transit Visa

 

3. Long-term Visa for Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Holders

 

4. Maldivian Diplomatic / Official Passport holders

 

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR EXPATRIATES RESIDING IN MALDIVES:

Only expatriates with long-term visa in Maldives (i.e. Work Visa, Marriage Visa, and Dependent Visa) can apply for Japan Visa through the Embassy of Japan in Maldives.

＊Citizens of Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Moldova,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are required to submit TWO visa application forms and
TWO identical passport-sized photographs.
 
＊＊Citizens of Philippines, who are travelling to Japan for purposes of Tourism or Visiting Relatives/Acquaintances, are required to submit Birth certificate and Marriage certificate (if married) issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

- If the Birth certificate issued by PSA is illegible, a Birth certificate issued by a Local Civil Registrar must also be submitted.
- In case of late registration, Baptismal certificate, school record (elementary or high school), and yearbook must also be submitted.
 
＊＊＊ In certain cases or depending on nationality, additional supporting documents may be required.
 

Other important information related to visa submissions

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY AND CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY INQUIRIES PRIOR TO VISITING THE EMBASSY TO SUBMIT APPLICATION

 

A) Notes:

・Please DO NOT STAPLE any documentation or photographs.

・Depending on the examination of the visa application, applicants may be requested to submit additional documentation besides those listed above.

 

B) Visa Application and Collection:

・Visa is valid for only 3 months from the date of issue. Hence, visa applications with an intended date of travel that falls after 3 months from the date of submission will not be accepted.

・Both the submission of visa application and collection of visa must be done by the applicant in person.

・Due to unavoidable circumstances, if a third party has to submit the visa application or collect the visa on behalf of the applicant, the third party must also present their ID Card, a copy of their ID Card, and a Letter of Authorization (original) signed by the visa applicant stating:

・The reason why the visa applicant is unable to come to the Embassy in person.

・The name and ID Card number of the person who is authorized to submit the visa application or collect the visa on behalf of the applicant.

・The relation between the third party and the visa applicant.

-Please note that visa applications through third-parties can only be accepted if the visa applicant is residing in Maldives at the time of submission.

C) Processing Period:

A minimum period of 7 working days is required to process visa applications, starting from the date after submission. However, the evaluation may take longer depending on the examination, and thus applicants are advised to apply well in advance – at least 2-3 weeks before the intended departure date.
 

D) Visa Fees (from 1^st April 2026 to 30 June 2026)

1. Single-entry Visa:     MVR310 
2. Multiple-entry Visa:   MVR610
3. Transit Visa:　　　　 MVR70    
 
　Visa Fees (from 1^st July 2026 to 31^st March 2027)
 
1. Single-entry Visa:    MVR1530
2. Multiple-entry Visa:  MVR3060
3. Transit Visa: 　　　 MVR70

・Visa fee is charged only when the visa is issued, and applicants will be notified of the amount prior to collection.
・Visa fee is to be paid only in cash, and the exact amount. (Cash notes that are damaged, such as ripped, ink blotted or significantly faded in color, will not be accepted.)
・Visa fee is exempt for citizens of certain countries, while in some cases additional fees may apply. Contact the Consular Section for further information.

E) Consular Section Operating Hours:

Sunday to Thursday, except on Embassy Holidays
Morning:09:00-12:00 hrs
Afternoon:13:45-16:15 hrs
(During Ramadan)
Morning:8:30-12:00 hrs
Afternoon:13:45-15:45 hrs

F) Insurance

All travelers to Japan are recommended to purchase overseas travel insurance.
○ Overseas travel insurance can provide security even in the face of unexpected emergencies so that you can enjoy your trip.
○ Medical expenses can be very costly in Japan. If the travel insurance you purchase offers sufficient coverage of medical costs, you can receive treatment without concern.
○ It is recommended to take an overseas travel insurance with travel support for hospital referrals, medical interpretation and cashless medical service. (We recommend that you check your insurance details before travelling. For example: Perinatal medical care is not covered by travel insurance and can be expensive.)

 

Questions?

Embassy of Japan in Maldives, Consular Section 5th Floor Aage (Bank of Ceylon building)
Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Male’

Tel: +960-330-0087
Email: ryoujimale@mo.mofa.go.jp

Japanese/ English

Japanese/ English

・Foreign national coexistence policies

   For more details, please click links below. 
     
      A Daily Life Support Portal For Foreign Nationals
      Guidebook On Living and Working    (English Guidebook)
      New to Japan? Useful Pages For Foreign Nationals

 

・Guide for when you are feeling ill in Japan

   Japan has created a website to help you receive medical care in Japan.
   Please add it to your bookmarks to use in the event of an emergency.

・Newly introduced status of residence in Japan   

   Japan has started a new status of residence, Visa for Highly skilled professional and Specified visa: Designated activities (Future creation individual, Spouse or Child of future creation individual). 

   For more details, please click links below.
      
      Visa for Highly Skilled Professional
      Specified visa: Designated activities (Future creation individual, Spouse or Child of future creation individual)
 

・Japan Customs

　Japanese/ English