VISA / Residing in Japan

Acceptance of Printout/Photocopy of Documents Prepared by Japan (for Temporary Visitors) 

From 17th March 2023, printouts or photocopies of documents issued/prepared by entities in Japan for short-term stay visitors (eg: visa applicants for Business purposes or Visiting Relatives/Acquaintances) are accepted. Applicants may also submit the originals as before.
 

Documentation to be submitted for Visa Application

• Please DO NOT STAPLE any documentation or photographs.

  (A) Tourism

  3. One passport-size photo on a plain background taken within 6 months of the date of application, pasted on the Application Form. (Do not staple!)
4. Confirmation slip, certificate, or other documents to prove reservation of air boarding ticket. *
5. Proof of sufficient funds to defray all travel expenses, such as bank statement (covering a minimum duration of the past 3 months), or original and photocopy of a bank account book. **
6. A Travel Itinerary in Japan. This document needs to detail the planned activities on a daily basis, as well as the places of accommodation along with their contact numbers for each day in Japan.
7. A Letter of Employment, which certifies the visa applicant’s identity, job position, salary, period of service in the company, and purpose of their journey to Japan on the company’s letterhead. The letter must be original. (with physical signature and/or company stamp) and dated no earlier than six months from date of visa application submission)

Note: Self-employed applicants with own businesses are to submit a copy of their company’s business registration and its business profile.

8. Documents confirming reservation of accommodation in Japan, which certifies the place’s name, address and contact number. *
9. A copy of re-entry Visa (eg: Work Visa, Marriage Visa, Dependent Visa) of Maldives – for expatriates. ***
10. A copy of Work Permit card or printout of Electronic Work Permit – for expatriates. ***

Note 1: * Regarding points 4 and 8 – Please be advised not to purchase the airline ticket and accommodation yet, as that would not guarantee visa would be issued.
 
Note 2: ** Regarding point 5 – If a third party guarantees to cover the applicant’s expenses, the guarantor’s bank statement along with a letter of guarantee (original) needs to be submitted.
Copies of marriage and birth certificates may be required as additional documents for some cases. (If documents such as marriage and birth certificates are not in English, an English translation dated and signed by the translator must be submitted as well.)
 
Note 3: *** Regarding points 9 and 10 – Only expatriates with long-term visa in Maldives can apply for Japan Visa through the Embassy of Japan in Maldives. However, visa requirements vary depending on the nationality of the applicant. Thus, expatriate applicants are strongly advised to confirm visa requirements with the Embassy first, via telephone or email (please refer to the end of this page), prior to submission of application.

Please read the Embassy’s submission procedures before you apply, click here.


Additional documentation is required for the following purposes.
 

  (B) Business (submit together with (A))

1. An Invitation Letter prepared by the inviting person/guarantor in Japan.
2. A program or Travel Itinerary prepared by the inviting person/guarantor in Japan, detailing the daily activities, accommodation and contact numbers in Japan.
3. Documents or program materials to explain activities in Japan, such as a contract of transactions between companies, meeting materials, materials of trading goods, etc..
4. A Letter of Guarantee prepared by the guarantor in Japan. (If the travel expenses are to be borne by the guarantor.)
5. A certified incorporation register or overview of the guarantor company/organization in Japan. (If the travel expenses are to be borne by the guarantor.)

Please read the Embassy’s submission procedures before you apply, click here.
 

  (C) Visiting Relatives or Friends (submit together with (A))

1. Documentation to prove kinship (for Visiting Relatives). *
2. An Invitation Letter and supporting documentation for invitation (e.g. invitation card for wedding ceremony in Japan), from the inviting person/guarantor in Japan.
3. A Travel Itinerary prepared by the inviting person/guarantor in Japan, detailing the daily activities, accommodation and contact numbers in Japan.
The following documentation should be prepared by the guarantor in Japan if the expenses are to be borne by the guarantor.
4. A Letter of Guarantee.
5. One or more than one of the following documents to certify the guarantor’s ability to bear applicants expenses:
　　a) The latest certificate of income/taxation or a certificate of tax payment.
　　b) A copy of the counterfoil of final tax return with the stamp of receipt of the tax office. (e-Tax: submit receipt notification and final tax return)
　　c) Latest bank statement.
6. Certificate of Residence ‘Jyuminhyo’ with description of his/her family relationship with all family members. (When the guarantor is Japanese)
7. A copy of both sides of a valid Residence Card. (When the guarantor is a foreign national)
8. A Certificate of Residence ‘Jyuminhyo’ with all matters listed except for ‘My Number’ and Resident Record Code. (When the guarantor is a foreign national)
 
Note 1: * Regarding point 1 – If documents such as marriage and birth certificates are not in English, an English translation dated and signed by the translator must be submitted as well.

Please read the Embassy’s submission procedures before you apply, click here.
 

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