What is a Temporary Visitor Visa?

This visa is designed for sightseeing, recreation, sports, visits to relatives, tours, participation in courses or meetings, business contacts, and other similar activities during a stay of 90 days or less in Japan. There are three types of “short stay” visas: 90 days, 30 days, and 15 days. The visa application is made at a Japanese diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in a foreign country. Those from countries other than visa-exempt countries (China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Russia, etc.) must go through the process of having a foreign visa issued at a Japanese diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) abroad.
The main items that fall under the category of a temporary visitor visa are as follows

Visits to relatives (visits by blood or in-laws up to the third degree of kinship)
Visits to acquaintances and sightseeing (visits to acquaintances and friends, sightseeing)
Short-term business (attendance at meetings, business contacts, business negotiations, contract signing, advertising, market research, cultural exchange, sports exchange, etc.)
Medical stay (within 90 days)

(1) Screening Criteria for Temporary Visitor Visa

1. financial requirements

The applicant must be able to pay all expenses during his/her stay in Japan. (Except in cases where expenses are to be paid by someone other than the applicant.)

2. Non-remuneration requirement

The applicant must not be engaged in activities that generate income or activities for which remuneration is received. In addition to the above, the examination for a short-stay visa will be conducted in accordance with individual cases.

(2) Procedures

The application for a temporary visitor visa must be made in person at the Japanese embassy in the country where the person resides.

(3) Required documents

The documents required to apply for a temporary visitor visa vary somewhat depending on the country of the applicant and the purpose of his/her visit to Japan. The following is a general list.

Tourist visa

Application form

Copy of passport

Photograph

Documents proving the applicant's ability to pay the travel expenses

(income certificate issued by a public institution, transaction certificate issued by a financial institution, etc.)

Schedule of stay, itinerary of stay

（Schedule and itinerary of stay (including brochures of accommodations, etc.)

Visiting relatives and acquaintances

What you need to prepare for the visit

Application form

Copy of passport

Photograph

Documents proving the applicant's ability to pay the travel expenses

(income certificate issued by a public institution, transaction certificate issued by a financial institution, etc.)

Documents that prove the relationship between the applicant and his/her relatives, acquaintances, or friends.

(For visiting relatives, birth certificate, marriage certificate, family register, etc.; for friends and acquaintances, a photograph, letter, etc.) In the case of a friend or acquaintance, a photograph, a letter, a copy of an e-mail, an international telephone bill, etc.)

Documents to be prepared by the inviting party

Letter of Reason for Invitation

Documents that prove the reason for the invitation

Schedule of stay

Reference form, etc.

(4) Screening Period

The examination period varies depending on how crowded the embassy or consulate is, but generally takes about one to two weeks. (It is advisable to contact the embassy or consulate directly to find out how crowded it is and how long the examination period is expected to take.