A clear path to your application
The right application channel depends on your destination and where you legally live.
Prepare your application
Start with the official document list for your passport, purpose and legal residence.
Submit through the official channel
Follow the official instructions for where and how to submit.
Review the decision before departure
Check the passport details, dates and entry conditions on the permission you receive.
Check your trip dates
Count your travel days and compare your passport expiry with the entry rule.
What to prepare for your trip
Check each item as you prepare it. Labels show which documents are required, conditional, or recommended.
Your circumstances may require additional documents. Ticks track preparation, not eligibility or admission.
Costs & timing
Government charges and decision times for this route. Check the official service for your final fee.
Government fees
- Approximate yen equivalent of the single-entry fee (from 1 July 2026)
- JPY 15,000
Additional service or payment charges may apply. Confirm the total before paying.
Decision time
5 working days
Count from the day after the mission receives the application and assume the documents have no problems. High application volume may cause delays; additional examination by MOFA in Tokyo can take more than a month. Apply early and follow the local mission’s current lead time.
A processing estimate is not a guaranteed travel date.
Arrival paperwork is a separate step
Visit Japan Web
Prepare immigration and customs information online. Online preparation is optional and does not grant a visa.
Open Visit Japan WebDetails that can change your plans
Your passport nationality and legal residence serve different purposes
Japan applies the visa-exemption list to the nationality and type of travel document you hold. Your legal residence can affect where you apply and whether an online or agency channel is available, but a residence permit from another country does not replace your passport nationality.
Official guidanceCheck medicines before packing
Japan has separate rules for prohibited and controlled medicines. Check the active ingredient and quantity with MHLW before travel; some medicines need advance import confirmation even when prescribed at home.
Official guidanceJapan’s visa checklist depends on where you apply
The Japanese mission serving your legal residence sets the required documents, application channel and local appointment process. Use its current checklist for your nationality and purpose; do not assume another country’s checklist applies.
Official guidanceAllow time for the decision
The embassy says processing varies with demand and cannot be expedited around your travel schedule. Check its current submission instructions.
Official guidancePractical tips for Japan
Small preparation steps to keep your travel information within reach.
Keep your accommodation details together
Save your first accommodation’s name, address, postcode and contact number with your itinerary so you can find them while completing arrival information.
Japan at a glance
- Capital
- Tokyo
- Currency
- JPY
- Calling code
- +81
Questions for this route
Do travelers with an ordinary passport from Benin need a visa for Japan?
For tourism in Japan, travelers using an ordinary passport from Benin should obtain a visa before travel. The published short-visit limit is 90 days per visit; follow any shorter period on your granted permission.
How long can I stay in Japan?
The short-visit limit is 90 days per visit. Your actual permission can be shorter; check the dates and conditions you receive.
How much passport validity do I need?
Valid for your entire stay.
How much is the government fee?
Approximate yen equivalent of the single-entry fee (from 1 July 2026): JPY 15,000 for one entry. Additional service or payment charges apply. Check the official payment page for exemptions and any additional charges.
How long does a decision take?
5 working days. Count from the day after the mission receives the application and assume the documents have no problems. High application volume may cause delays; additional examination by MOFA in Tokyo can take more than a month. Apply early and follow the local mission’s current lead time.
Do I need to complete Visit Japan Web?
Optional for this route. Prepare immigration and customs information online. Online preparation is optional and does not grant a visa. It does not replace a required visa or travel authorisation.
What if I’m going to work, study or stay longer?
This guide is for a short tourist visit on an ordinary passport. It does not establish eligibility for employment, study or residence. Use the destination’s official guidance for your actual purpose.
Does my country of residence change the answer?
Passport nationality and legal residence are different. This page starts with your passport. Residence can change where you apply and which application channel is available; an existing visa or residence permit may also create an exception. Check the official eligibility guidance for your circumstances.
Official websites
Use these government websites to confirm requirements and complete any application.
Check Japan’s visa application procedure
A short-stay visa must be obtained before travel. Apply through the Japanese mission, accredited agency, visa centre or online channel specified for your legal residence; Japan does not issue this visa on arrival or inside the country.
Open Visit Japan Web
Check Japan’s visa exemption list
Passport eligibility, visit limits and document exceptions.
Find the Japanese mission for your residence
Visa procedures and jurisdiction depend on where you legally live. Use the mission serving your residence, then check its current local document list and appointment rules.
About this guide
This guide covers short tourist visits on an ordinary passport. Your nationality, residence, travel document and purpose can affect the entry conditions. Check the linked official guidance before travel; the border authority decides admission and your permitted stay.
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