I learned about Japan eVisa while I was preparing for my visa application for a recent trip to Japan, by chance. According to their website, as of December 15, 2025, the JAPAN eVISA system is available for nationals or people residing in Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the U.S.A.
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I’ve had a 3-year and 5-year multiple entry visa before, but didn’t renew when it expired during the pandemic, so when I applied for one in 2024, I was given a single entry. Or maybe I just didn’t express intent for multiple entry, idk.
I thought of applying again for a single entry this time through the e-visa system out of curiosity, and also for a bit of convenience by not having to go to their office.
My booked flight was March 22, 2026, and I didn’t start gathering requirements until the week of March 10. I know, that’s a bit tight, but I was too busy with work and according to their website, you can apply five working days before your flight.
Timeline of Japan eVisa Application
| Date | Application Step |
| March 12, 2026 | Submitted my application through the eVisa website https://www.evisa.mofa.go.jp/index (See Part 1 below for original requirements) |
| March 13, 2026 | I received an email notification to submit additional documents (See Part 2 below for additional requirements) |
| March 16, 2026 | I submitted the additional documents by email in the morning |
| March 16, 2026 | I received an email confirmation that they had received the additional documents, and that my visa application would be processed in the afternoon |
| March 17, 2026 | I received my evisa before noon! |
Japan eVisa Required Documents
Part 1: Original requirements
- Visit https://www.evisa.mofa.go.jp/index
- Read thoroughly if this visa applies to you
- Scroll down to “Flow of online visa application”
- Click the link in Step 1 to see the list of requirements.
- Fill-in the fields on the left, then click “Display”
Here’s the list I got:
- Passport
- Facial photo – I took a selfie at home with white background
- Itinerary with flight information
- Document to prove the ability to pay for travel expenses – this is one of my mistakes; I used a downloadable / printable version from my online account
- Schedule of stay
- Document to prove the relationship with the financial guarantor / account holder – not applicable to me since this is self-funded
- Passport or Identification card of financial guarantor – not applicable to me since this is self-funded
- Document to prove legal residency
- Letter of authorization – not applicable to me since this is self-funded
Part 2: Additional requirements
Via email, I was informed to submit the following
- A Certificate of Entry and Exit Dates issued within the past 10 days from the National Immigration Agency
- Bank Statement issued at the bank counter or Bank Passbook
- Round-trip Flight ticket
Where to get the Taiwan Certificate of Entry and Exit Dates?
Don’t bother applying online. I spent a good two hours figuring it out and installing malware (I meant drivers) so the card reader would work, all for nothing.
Go to the National Immigration Agency near Xiaonanmen (or the one nearest you), and fall in line before 8AM – I was already 20th in line when I arrived. The office opens at 8:30AM. Get a number, fill in the paper application, wait for your number to be called, and pay NT$100. Bring a photocopy of your ARC/APRC, or use their easy card/coin-operated photocopier machine. I was out the door in 10 minutes!
That left me more than enough time to reach the bank before it opened at 9AM — I was the first customer and got the necessary bank statement in 30 minutes for NT$200.
I was able to send the additional requirements by 10AM!
I didn’t have to pay anything for the visa application itself, so the whole process cost me NT$300 plus time and train fare.
How to use Japan eVisa
Once you receive the notification that your visa has been issued, follow the instructions in the email or on the website to download a copy to your mobile phone.
You will need this when you check in at the Taiwan airport (Songshan, in my case). The ground staff took a while to figure out the eVisa, so I spent a good amount of time waiting until they verified this form of travel permit – at least, that’s what I assumed; I didn’t ask, but that’s usually the reason for the hold-up.
It wasn’t necessary to show it at the Japan airport (Haneda, in my case), but I still prepared just in case.
A couple of hours after my arrival in Japan, I received an email with the subject: JAPAN eVISA [Notification of visa expiration or invalidation] – which I figure means the eVisa has already been used.
Will I apply for Japan eVisa again?
I discussed this with some Filipino colleagues – ideally, it’s best to get a multiple-entry visa, which means preparing more documents and visiting the Japan embassy. There are additional requirements such as a Certificate of Employment, leave approvals, etc., which add to the time and hassle. So I think I might just apply for the Japan eVisa again – single entry, for tourism.
I think I arrived a little too early, even though the forecast said Sakura should already be in full bloom by that week. There were a handful of trees in Shinjuku Gyoen – here are some snaps from around Shinjuku:
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That’s it for now! Stay tuned for more adventures and tips on balancing work and travel!
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