Visiting Relatives or Friends

Acceptance of Printout/Photocopy of Documents Prepared by Japan

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.
 

To be prepared by the visa applicant:

1. Visa Application form.
- You may fill the form either digitally or with pen.
- Signature must be in pen. Digital signatures are not accepted.
- Leave the field “Certificate of Eligibility No.” blank.
- The field “Inviter in Japan” must be filled.
- The field “Guarantor or reference in Japan” must be filled if your travel expenses will be covered by your inviter/guarantor in Japan.

2. A valid Passport.

3. Copy of Passport Data page.​​

4. 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!)

5. A Letter of Employment *.
- The letter must state the visa applicant’s identity, job position, salary, and period of service in the company, printed on the company’s letterhead.
- The letter must be an original, with physical signature and/or company stamp.
- The letter must be dated no earlier than six months from date of visa application submission.

6. A Travel Itinerary in Japan.
- This document needs to detail the planned daily activities, as well as the places of accommodation along with their contact numbers, for each day spent in Japan.

7. Reservation of flight tickets **.
- Reservation must be for the full round trip to Japan, starting from your departure from Maldives, until your return to Maldives.
- If your trip includes stops at other countries between your departure/return to Maldives, flight reservations for those countries must be included as well.

8. If visa applicant will not be staying at the Inviter’s residence for the whole trip, you must submit reservation of other accommodation in Japan **.
- Reservation must indicate the place’s name, address and contact number.
- Include reservations for all hotels/airbnbs etc. for the duration of your stay.

9. If travel expenses will be covered personally by the visa applicant, you must submit proof of sufficient funds ***. You may submit:
- Bank statement, covering a minimum duration of the past three months, showing a sufficient end balance. (You may submit statements of more than one account.)
- Or, an original and photocopy of a bank account book.

10. For expatriates: A copy of re-entry visa of Maldives (eg: Work Visa, Marriage Visa, Dependent Visa)

11. For expatriates: A copy of Work Permit card or printout of Electronic Work Permit
 

To be prepared by the Inviter in Japan:

12. Documentation to prove kinship (for Visiting Relatives).
- If documents such as marriage and birth certificates are not in English or Japanese, an English translation dated and signed by the translator must be submitted as well.

13. A Letter of Invitation.
- If applicable, include supporting documents for the invitation (e.g. invitation card for wedding ceremony in Japan, etc.).

14. Copy of inviter’s ID such as Passport, driver’s license etc.. (When the inviter is Japanese)

15. Copy of both sides of a valid Residence Card. (When the inviter is a foreign national residing in Japan)

The following documentation should be prepared by the Inviter/Guarantor in Japan if they will cover the visa applicant’s travel expenses:

16. A Letter of Guarantee.

17. One of the following documents to certify the guarantor’s ability to bear applicant’s expenses:

1. The latest certificate of income/taxation, or a certificate of tax payment.
2. 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)
3. Latest bank statement.

18. Certificate of Residence ‘Jyuminhyo’ with description of his/her family relationship with all family members. (When the guarantor is Japanese)

19. Certificate of Residence ‘Jyuminhyo’ with all matters listed except for ‘My Number’ and Resident Record Code. (When the guarantor is a foreign national residing in Japan)

Note 1: * Regarding point 5 – Self-employed applicants with own businesses are to submit a copy of their company’s business registration and its business profile.
Freelancers are to submit a letter detailing their work and source of income.

Note 2: ** Regarding points 7 and 8 – Please be advised not to make payment for the airline ticket and accommodation yet, as that would not guarantee visa would be issued. Only a reservation for both will suffice.

Note 3: *** Regarding point 9 – If a third party (other than the guarantor in Japan) guarantees to cover the visa applicant’s expenses, you will need to submit:

• The guarantor’s bank statement (for the past 3 months, with sufficient end balance).
• An original letter of guarantee, signed by the guarantor, stating their intention to cover all travel expenses of the visa applicant.

Copies of marriage and/or 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.)

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