Do Venezuelan nationals need a visa for Japan?
Yes, all Venezuelan citizens planning to visit Japan must obtain a visa. This requirement covers short-term trips for purposes such as tourism, cultural events, and leisure activities.
For further details on entry conditions, please refer to the official website of the Japanese diplomatic mission located in Venezuela. Click here for more information.
Documents needed for Venezuelan citizens visiting Japan
For a short-term visa, Venezuelan сitizens must provide:
- Valid passport: at least six months of validity from the intended entry date.
- Completed application form: available from the Japanese Embassy website.
- One 4.5x4.5 cm color photo.
- Proof of financial solvency: bank records or other evidence of funds.
- Accommodation confirmation: hotel booking or similar proof.
- Proof of departure: return or onward ticket.
Understanding Japanese visas for Venezuelans
Japanese visas are categorized primarily into short-term and long-term types, with an additional multi visa option for frequent travelers (granted to those who have visited three times within the past year or ten times over three years).
For Venezuelans visiting Japan for tourism, it is necessary to apply for a single-entry short-term visa, covering various purposes such as:
- Tourism
- Family or friend visits
- Business meetings and similar short-term engagements
This visa allows a stay of up to 90 days and can be applied for at Japanese diplomatic missions, or in certain circumstances, via authorized travel agencies. For comprehensive information on the requirements, please visit the official Embassy of Japan website in your country.
How to apply for a Japanese visa for Venezuelans
Venezuelan citizens traveling to Japan must secure a visa from a Japanese embassy, consulate, or designated travel agency. Follow these steps:
- Contact the Japanese mission. Start by contacting the nearest embassy or consulate to learn their document submission policy. Some missions accept applications only via approved travel agencies, which handle submissions.
- Prepare the required documents. Ensure you have a completed application form, recent photo, valid passport, proof of financial means, confirmed accommodation bookings, and travel tickets. Requirements can vary, so confirm the specifics beforehand.
- Document submission. Submit your paperwork directly at the embassy/consulate or through a travel agency, as per the mission’s guidelines. Agencies offer convenience, including document review for errors.
- Processing timeline. Visa processing generally takes 5-10 business days from receipt of a complete application. In complex scenarios, processing may take longer.
- Receive your passport. Upon approval, collect your passport with the visa attached. Typically, the visa allows entry for up to three months from issuance.
Reminder: Verify all documents for accuracy, even if working with a travel agency.
What you need when entering Japan
Alongside your visa, ensure you have:
- A valid passport with the visa stamped inside.
- Return or onward travel proof.
- Accommodation proof, such as a hotel booking or host’s address.
- Financial documentation, including cash, bank cards, or bank statements.
- Health insurance (optional but recommended). Japan’s healthcare costs can be high, and having coverage helps mitigate unexpected expenses. Easily arrange health insurance via the Visit World website.
What is a “Landing Permit” in Japan?
When Venezuelan citizens arrive in Japan, they must go through a screening process conducted by an immigration officer to obtain a “Landing Permit”. During this process, the officer verifies whether you meet the entry conditions outlined in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. These conditions include presenting a valid passport, a visa (if required), a legitimate reason for travel, and a specified period of stay.
If all criteria are met, you will receive an “entry permit” in the form of a special stamp in your passport. This stamp outlines your “residence status” (indicating what you are allowed to do in Japan) and your “period of stay.”
Note: Once you receive an entry permit, your visa becomes void (unless it’s a multiple-entry visa, which remains valid). Changes to your stay type or duration must be handled through a “change of residence status” or “extension of stay” with the Regional Immigration Bureau under Japan’s Ministry of Justice.
Places in Japan worth visiting for Venezuelan travelers
- Nikko: a perfect mix of Japan’s natural landscapes and historically significant shrines awaits in Nikko.
- Kyoto: discover authentic Japanese culture through Kyoto’s iconic temples and peaceful gardens.
- Osaka: known for its bustling energy and culinary delights, Osaka is a haven for food enthusiasts.
Fee for applying for a Japanese visa
Obtaining a Japanese visa requires payment of a fee. For a single-entry visa, the standard cost is around 3,000 yen. Payment must be made in the local currency of Venezuela, where the Japanese embassy or consulate is situated.
Consider the following:
- The fee structure can vary based on your nationality and purpose of travel. Some applicants may be exempt.
- If your application is denied, no fee will be charged.
- When applying via a travel agency, additional charges may be incurred.
Transit visa.
It is issued when Japan is not the final destination of the tourist, its validity is 72 hours. For those who plan to go on a cruise with a call to Japanese ports, it is also recommended to obtain a transit visa - it will allow you to go ashore.
If a tourist flies with a change at a Japanese airport within one day, a transit visa is not required. In case of force majeure, the visa-free stay is extended to 72 hours, and a special mark in the form of a sticker is made on the passport in such an event. In this case, passengers cannot leave the transit area of the airport.
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Documents required for issuing a transit visa to Japan:
● A valid international passport (for visa and immigration stamps, the passport must have at least 2 blank pages).
● A copy of the first page of the international passport with a photo and information about its owner.
● Two completed visa forms in English
● Two photos sized 4.5x4.5, necessarily in color.
● Two copies of the visa to the country of destination.
● A copy of the airline ticket reservation, which indicates a stay in Japan of up to 3 days.
● Two copies of hotel reservations where tourists will stay in Japan.
You may need to provide financial documents:
● certificate from the place of work indicating the position, length of service, and salary;
● statement from a bank account with cash flow for the previous 3 months.
Based on the current situation in Ukraine, Japan has decided to apply to dogs and cats evacuated to Japan, the provisions on rescue dogs, etc., provided by the order of the Minister. You can find this provision
here.
General rules for importing pets to Japan.
First, let us briefly list the necessary documents and conditions, and then consider them in more detail:
1) Obtaining an international passport and implantation of a subcutaneous chip.
If the animal does not have an international veterinary passport, you need to get one to start the first stage. It is desirable to register the animal for the person who will transport it.
Next - identification chip installment. If the animal already has a chip implanted, please check its compatibility with Japanese requirements. The microchip must comply with ISO 11784 and 11785 standards (15-digit code consisting only of numbers).
Make sure that the microchip number can be identified by a microchip reader in veterinary hospitals.
2) Double vaccination against rabies.
The Japanese quarantine service requires double vaccination of animals, each dose of which is noted in the veterinary passport.
1st vaccination:
If the animal was vaccinated before the installation of the chip, these vaccinations are not considered valid. In this regard, you can take the opportunity and put the first vaccination immediately after installation of the chip or after 1 week.
If the animal has been vaccinated with the chip installed, the duration of this vaccination should not exceed 91 days (the date of vaccination is considered zero day).
2nd vaccination:
No earlier (mandatory condition!) than in 31 days the animal is given the 2nd rabies vaccination.
Importantly! Japanese requirements state that vaccination must contain a dead virus! "Killed" recombinant / modified viral vaccine. Vaccines made with "live" viruses are not accepted by the Japanese side. Please consult your doctor in advance during this step to avoid unpleasant consequences.
3) Test for antibodies to rabies and 180-day quarantine.
This test can be done on the day of the 2nd rabies vaccination or in the following days.
The certificate is issued within 2 weeks. Be sure to check this document for spelling information, especially the microchip number. Otherwise, if an error is detected at the border, the animal will simply be not accepted. The certificate validity is 2 years.
Importantly! The antibody titer should be greater than or equal to 0.5 IU per 1 milliliter, which means that the animal is eligible for import into Japan. If the titers are unsatisfactory - the analysis is repeated.
The waiting period is 180 days. Dogs and cats must arrive in Japan 180 days after the blood test for rabies antibodies. The date of blood collection is considered to be day 0.
In addition, the date of arrival in Japan must be within the validity of the administered rabies vaccine and the validity of the rabies antibody test (certificate valid for 2 years).
Importantly! Dogs and cats waiting less than 180 days will be quarantined in the Animal Quarantine Service remand center for the period of replenishment of missing days. The age of the animal imported into Japan must be at least 10 months.
4) Prior notification of the quarantine service.
You must notify the Japanese Quarantine Service of your arrival with the pet at one of the airports/seaports at least 40 days in advance. Communication is in Japanese or English.
When making a notification, you need to send information about the upcoming flight with your pet and special completed notification forms:
Notification form for dogs:
Notification form for cats: https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/pdf/notification-cat.pdf
What can be imported into Japan by plane:
● The import and export of local or foreign currency are not restricted (amounts equivalent to 1,000,000 JPY or more are subject to mandatory declaration). Gold products of millesimal fineness 900 must also be declared if their total weight exceeds 1 kg.
● Persons over the age of 20 are allowed duty-free import of up to 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 g of tobacco
● Up to 56 ml (2 ounces) of perfume
● Other goods up to JPY 200,000
What is forbidden from imports into Japan:
● Firearms and ammunition (cold steel, hunting, and pneumatic weapons are imported only with the permission of the National Security Service of Japan).
● Drugs and psychotropic substances (their importation is subject to deportation and a life ban on entry into the country).
● Some medications (especially those containing 1-deoxyephedrine).
● Counterfeit securities and banknotes.
● Fresh fruits, vegetables and plants, animals and a number of foods of animal and vegetable origin (primarily meat and meat products, as well as various fruit crops).
● Pornographic material, movies, or publications that contain scenes of violence and cruelty.
● Magazines, photographs, drawings and engravings of obscene content.
● Printed publications and other materials that undermine public order
● Counterfeit products, as well as things and items that damage the trademark, copyright and patent law.
What is forbidden from exports from Japan.
● Art and antiques without the permission of the competent authorities
How much alcohol can be imported into Japan.
● Up to 3 bottles of alcoholic beverages (up to 0.75 liters each)
What you need to know before renting a car in Japan.
Most rental companies allow people to rent cars from the age of 18, but this depends on the specific company and the type of vehicle may vary. Young drivers should learn about age restrictions in advance.
In addition, a valid driver's license is required. A valid driver's license is the International Driving Permit (IDP).
1) When you rent a car in Japan, all drivers must be registered in the rental documents. To do this, either all drivers must be present in person at the time of the lease, or one person must have all the driver's licenses to confirm the identity of drivers and the validity of licenses.
2) Depending on the rent, a number of services are offered. Discuss additional services in advance, such as car seats for young children, multilingual GPS devices, ski racks, and more.
3) Japan has many toll roads and highways, and some routes can be very expensive. An electronic payment card (ETC) is a useful tool that allows you to charge a fare directly from your credit card or include it in your car rental bill.
● This means you don't have to stop at a payment point - just slow down and the ETC card will be activated. For more information on ETC devices and ETC card rental, see the official website.
● If you do not have an ETC card, you can only go through paid checkpoints labeled “General” in green or general paid checkpoints labeled “ETC / General”. "ETC-only tollgate" - only ETC signs marked in purple.
4) Return of the car
Be sure to fill the fuel tank before returning the car to the rental company, or you will have to pay extra for the missing gasoline. Some rental companies require a receipt as proof that you have filled the tank.
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