FAQ (English)
2023/4/12
I. VISA
Q: I am Portuguese and will be studying for a year at a Japanese university on a cultural exchange program. Is it necessary to obtain a visa ?
A: Yes. In order to apply for a student visa, you must first obtain the Certificate of Eligibility issued by one of the Regional Delegations of the Japan Immigration Services. Once you receive the certificate, you may contact our Embassy to apply for your student visa by submitting required documents.
Q: I am Portuguese and will travel on a cruise (for tourism) to Japan to spend a few days there. Is it necessary to apply for a visa?
A: You do not need to apply for a visa for the purpose of staying in Japan for up to 90 days
Q: I am Portuguese, and do not live in Portugal presently. Do I need to go back to my country to apply for a long-term visa?
A: If you legally reside in the country where Japan’s Missions abroad are located, you may apply. Please contact them for more information.
Q: As a foreign citizen residing in Portugal, is it possible to apply for my visa at the Embassy of Japan in Portugal?
A: As long as you hold a residence permit issued by the Portuguese government, or are EU/OECD citizen, you are eligible to apply at our Embassy.
Q: I am of Brazilian nationality. I am temporarily staying in Portugal as a tourist. Can I apply for a short-term visa in this country to go to Japan?
A: If you do not own a residence permit issued by the Portuguese government, your visa application will not be accepted at our Embassy in Portugal.
Q: I live far away from Lisbon. Is it acceptable to send all my application documents and receive my visa by postal mail?
A: Our Embassy does not accept any documents of visa application nor send any documents out by postal mail, as we are not accountable for any loss of those documents. All the documents must be delivered to the Embassy in person.
Q: I have a trip scheduled for the following week and don't have enough time to apply and wait for a visa to be issued. Is there an emergency visa?
A: There is no urgent service for visa issuance. You should allow a plenty of time ahead of your departure date to apply.
Q: Can I get a work visa to do job search in Japan?
A: No. The work visa may only be granted through the sponsorship of your future employer in Japan. Normally, without the Certificate of Eligibility, which is a document required for your visa application, work visa will not be issued
Q: I received my Certificate of Eligibility. How much time will I be given before entering Japan?
A: You will have 3 months given to enter Japan from the issue date of the Certificate.
A: Yes. In order to apply for a student visa, you must first obtain the Certificate of Eligibility issued by one of the Regional Delegations of the Japan Immigration Services. Once you receive the certificate, you may contact our Embassy to apply for your student visa by submitting required documents.
Q: I am Portuguese and will travel on a cruise (for tourism) to Japan to spend a few days there. Is it necessary to apply for a visa?
A: You do not need to apply for a visa for the purpose of staying in Japan for up to 90 days
Q: I am Portuguese, and do not live in Portugal presently. Do I need to go back to my country to apply for a long-term visa?
A: If you legally reside in the country where Japan’s Missions abroad are located, you may apply. Please contact them for more information.
Q: As a foreign citizen residing in Portugal, is it possible to apply for my visa at the Embassy of Japan in Portugal?
A: As long as you hold a residence permit issued by the Portuguese government, or are EU/OECD citizen, you are eligible to apply at our Embassy.
Q: I am of Brazilian nationality. I am temporarily staying in Portugal as a tourist. Can I apply for a short-term visa in this country to go to Japan?
A: If you do not own a residence permit issued by the Portuguese government, your visa application will not be accepted at our Embassy in Portugal.
Q: I live far away from Lisbon. Is it acceptable to send all my application documents and receive my visa by postal mail?
A: Our Embassy does not accept any documents of visa application nor send any documents out by postal mail, as we are not accountable for any loss of those documents. All the documents must be delivered to the Embassy in person.
Q: I have a trip scheduled for the following week and don't have enough time to apply and wait for a visa to be issued. Is there an emergency visa?
A: There is no urgent service for visa issuance. You should allow a plenty of time ahead of your departure date to apply.
Q: Can I get a work visa to do job search in Japan?
A: No. The work visa may only be granted through the sponsorship of your future employer in Japan. Normally, without the Certificate of Eligibility, which is a document required for your visa application, work visa will not be issued
Q: I received my Certificate of Eligibility. How much time will I be given before entering Japan?
A: You will have 3 months given to enter Japan from the issue date of the Certificate.
II. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Q: I am going to Japan on a tour, but don't know yet when to return. Can I leave for Japan only with one-way flight ticket booked?
A: No. You must have a proof of round-trip flight tickets.
Q: My passport is not optical (machine readable). Is it okay to enter Japan with this passport?
A: There are no problems as long as your passport is valid and recognized by the Japanese government. If you have any concerns, please contact the Consular Section of our Embassy.
Q: My Portuguese passport will expire in less than six months. Do I have to renew my passport before entering Japan?
A: Make sure that your trip to Japan completes before the expiry date. We do not require a minimum period of validity for entering Japan.
Q: My son is minor and will be traveling to Japan alone. Are there any special procedures for minors for entering Japan?
A: No, there is no special procedures on Japan’s end. However, Portugal has some requirements for minors for departure and arrival, and we advise you to contact the Portuguese authority in advance. You should also check with the airline to see if they have any services for unaccompanied minors.
Q: I am currently back in Portugal, but my Portuguese passport with Japanese long-term visa and re-entry permit on has been stolen. What do I need to do to re-enter Japan?
A: First, you must obtain a new passport. At the same time, you need to ask a family member or acquaintance in Japan to apply for a "Certificate for the Re-entry Permit Deadline " (Sainyukoku Kyoka Kigen Shomeisho) at the Regional Immigration Delegation of your area of residence in Japan, and have it sent to you. Please also contact the Japan Immigration Services. You must present the new passport and a copy of certificate upon arrival in Japan.
A: No. You must have a proof of round-trip flight tickets.
Q: My passport is not optical (machine readable). Is it okay to enter Japan with this passport?
A: There are no problems as long as your passport is valid and recognized by the Japanese government. If you have any concerns, please contact the Consular Section of our Embassy.
Q: My Portuguese passport will expire in less than six months. Do I have to renew my passport before entering Japan?
A: Make sure that your trip to Japan completes before the expiry date. We do not require a minimum period of validity for entering Japan.
Q: My son is minor and will be traveling to Japan alone. Are there any special procedures for minors for entering Japan?
A: No, there is no special procedures on Japan’s end. However, Portugal has some requirements for minors for departure and arrival, and we advise you to contact the Portuguese authority in advance. You should also check with the airline to see if they have any services for unaccompanied minors.
Q: I am currently back in Portugal, but my Portuguese passport with Japanese long-term visa and re-entry permit on has been stolen. What do I need to do to re-enter Japan?
A: First, you must obtain a new passport. At the same time, you need to ask a family member or acquaintance in Japan to apply for a "Certificate for the Re-entry Permit Deadline " (Sainyukoku Kyoka Kigen Shomeisho) at the Regional Immigration Delegation of your area of residence in Japan, and have it sent to you. Please also contact the Japan Immigration Services. You must present the new passport and a copy of certificate upon arrival in Japan.
III. ENTRY AND RE-ENTRY PROCEDURES
Q: What are the immigration procedures at the entrance of Japan?
A: Since 20 November 2007, at the time of the landing, foreign nationals have been required to provide fingerprints and face photography in addition to the presentation of their passport and other documents.
Q: I am going to study in Japan for a year. Upon arrival in Japan, what am I required to do?
A: When you wish to stay for more than 90 days, you will require to receive a Zairyu card (Residence Card). Subsequently, you will need to register your home address with the City Hall of your residence area, within the period of 14 days after you are settled in your own place. If you wish to leave Japan temporarily and return within the period of stay granted, you must duly inform the school/university, and declare your intention of re-entry to the immigration officers at the time of departure from Japan.
Q: I intend to leave Japan for more than 1 year within the granted time period. What are the necessary procedures?
A: You should go to the Regional Immigration Services Delegation of your area of residence in Japan in order to apply for re-entry permit.
A: Since 20 November 2007, at the time of the landing, foreign nationals have been required to provide fingerprints and face photography in addition to the presentation of their passport and other documents.
Q: I am going to study in Japan for a year. Upon arrival in Japan, what am I required to do?
A: When you wish to stay for more than 90 days, you will require to receive a Zairyu card (Residence Card). Subsequently, you will need to register your home address with the City Hall of your residence area, within the period of 14 days after you are settled in your own place. If you wish to leave Japan temporarily and return within the period of stay granted, you must duly inform the school/university, and declare your intention of re-entry to the immigration officers at the time of departure from Japan.
Q: I intend to leave Japan for more than 1 year within the granted time period. What are the necessary procedures?
A: You should go to the Regional Immigration Services Delegation of your area of residence in Japan in order to apply for re-entry permit.