Quick answer
Indians need a visa for Japan. Tourists get a single-entry short-term eVISA (stay up to 90 days), applied for through VFS Global, which has a Japan visa centre in Cochin. The visa fee for Indians is INR 500 (1 July 2026 to 31 March 2027) plus the VFS service fee.
Japan visa for Indians at a glance
| Visa needed for tourism? | Yes1 |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Single-entry short-term eVISA for tourism, stay up to 90 days2 |
| Fee | INR 500 for Indian nationals, single or multiple (1 July 2026 to 31 March 2027), plus VFS service fee3 |
| Where to apply | VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre - Cochin centre open Mon-Fri 09:00-13:004 |
| Processing | Generally 5 working days after VFS Chennai accepts the application; may take longer from other cities3 |
| When to apply | Up to 3 months before your travel date1 |
Visa options for Indian passport holders
Single-entry short-term eVISA (tourism)123
- Who can use it
- Indian nationals and foreign nationals living in India
- Stay
- Up to 90 days
- Entries
- Single
- Fee
- INR 500 (1 July 2026 to 31 March 2027) plus VFS service fee
- Processing time
- Generally 5 working days after acceptance at VFS Chennai; longer from other cities
- Where to apply
- Japan Visa Application Centres run by VFS Global (visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/jpn/)
- Good to know
- You apply at VFS as before, but the visa is issued electronically, not as a sticker. At the airport you must show the 'visa issuance notice' on a phone with internet; a PDF, photo, screenshot or printout is not accepted.
Multiple-entry visa for Indian nationals13
- Who can use it
- Indian nationals who meet Japan's multiple-visa criteria
- Entries
- Multiple
- Fee
- INR 500 (1 July 2026 to 31 March 2027) plus VFS service fee
- Where to apply
- VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centres
- Good to know
- Check the 'Application Procedures for Multiple Visa for Indian Nationals' linked from the embassy and consulate pages.
Documents to prepare
- Valid passport.5
- One visa application form and one photo.5
- Flight itinerary with flight numbers and dates of arrival in and departure from Japan.5
- Proof you can pay for the trip: an income certificate or tax return issued by a public agency, or a bank statement or balance certificate.5
- Day-by-day itinerary in Japan, with where you will stay.5
- Flight and hotel reservations or payments are not required when you apply.5
- Visiting family or friends: also an invitation letter, proof of the relationship and a list of applicants if more than one.5
- Documents must be issued within the last three months. Documents other than the passport are not returned.5
Before you fly and on arrival
- Show your eVISA 'visa issuance notice' on a phone or tablet with internet at the airport. PDFs, screenshots and printouts are not accepted.2
- Visit Japan Web lets you complete immigration and customs procedures online and show a 2D code on your phone on arrival.6
- Do not bring meat products, vegetables or fruits into Japan.1
Applying from Kerala
- Kerala falls under the Consulate-General of Japan in Chennai. Ordinary tourist applications are submitted through VFS Global, not at the consulate.3
- VFS Global runs a Japan Visa Application Centre in Cochin, open Monday to Friday, 09:00-13:00, except public holidays and closures.4
- No prior appointment is needed to submit at VFS.1
- Processing is generally 5 working days for applications accepted at VFS Chennai; applications from other cities may take longer.3
What changed recently
- 1 July 2026: Visa fee for Indian nationals set at INR 500 for single or multiple entry (until 31 March 2027). Transit visa abolished.13
- 1 April 2024: JAPAN eVISA started in India for single-entry short-term tourism visas.2
How Albah Holidays can help
- We handle Japan visa applications from our office in Kozhikode — we check your case, give you the exact document checklist, fill in the application and book any appointment.
- Where fingerprints or an interview are needed, you attend in person — we prepare you for it and follow up until the decision.
- Flights from Calicut, Kannur or Kochi, hotels and travel insurance — booked together with us.
- Send your passport copy and travel dates on WhatsApp, or visit our office in Eranhipalam, Kozhikode.
- Flights to Japan from Calicut, Kannur or Kochi, booked with your visa so the dates line up and the name on the ticket matches the passport.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Japan?
Yes. Tourists apply for a single-entry short-term eVISA through VFS Global.12
How much is the Japan visa fee for Indians?
INR 500 for single or multiple entry, from 1 July 2026 to 31 March 2027, plus the VFS service fee.3
Where can I apply from Kerala?
At the VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre in Cochin. No prior appointment is needed.14
How long does it take?
Generally 5 working days after VFS Chennai accepts the application. Applications from other cities may take longer.3
Can I print my eVISA?
No. At the airport you must show the visa issuance notice on a phone with internet. Printouts, PDFs and screenshots are not accepted.2
Do I need to book flights and hotels before applying?
No. Reservations and payments are not required at the time of application, but you need a flight itinerary and a travel plan.5
Official sources
- Visa — Embassy of Japan in India. Page updated 2025-05-15; checked 24 September 2026.
- The JAPAN eVISA system — Embassy of Japan in India. Page updated 2024-03-21; checked 24 September 2026.
- VISA — Consulate-General of Japan in Chennai. Page updated 2026-06-26; checked 24 September 2026.
- Attend a centre - Japan Visa Application Centre — VFS Global (official partner of the Embassy of Japan in India). checked 24 September 2026.
- Checklist for Single-Entry Short-Term Stay Visa — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Page updated 2025-04; checked 24 September 2026.
- Visit Japan Web — Digital Agency, Government of Japan. checked 24 September 2026.
Rules, fees and processing times can change without notice. Every fact on this page was checked against the official sources above on 24 September 2026. Confirm before you travel — we recheck the current rules for every application we handle.