🇨🇳China

🇯🇵JapanCN-JP

China to Japan visa requirements

Q: Do I need to apply in person?

For tourist visas in mainland China, direct application at the embassy or consulate is generally not accepted. Submit through a designated travel agency. During eVISA or visa review, the Japanese mission may request an interview in specific cases.

Q: Can I get a multi-entry visa on my first application?

It is possible only if you meet the relevant category, such as sufficient financial capability, Okinawa/Tohoku-route conditions, prior qualifying Japan visits, or the high-income five-year category. Otherwise, first-time tourism applications are usually single-entry.

Q: How early should I apply?

There is no fixed earliest filing day, but a single-entry visa is valid for 3 months from issue. A practical window is about 2 weeks to 3 months before travel, leaving time for agency handling and possible additional review.

Q: What if my visa is denied?

Japan does not disclose individual refusal reasons. For the same travel purpose, the embassy generally will not accept a reapplication within 6 months unless humanitarian circumstances apply.

Q: Does the 15- or 30-day stay count from entry or visa issuance?

The visa validity period controls when you may seek entry. The allowed stay is decided at landing and shown on the landing permission; the embassy Q&A says the day after entry is counted as day one.

Q: Can I extend my stay in Japan?

Short-stay extensions are generally not allowed. If force majeure makes an extension necessary, consult Japan's Immigration Services Agency while in Japan.

Q: Is travel insurance required?

MOFA Japan strongly recommends international travel medical insurance. The official tourist-visa sources reviewed do not list it as a universal consular requirement, but agencies may request it as part of their package.

Yes. Chinese ordinary passport holders need a visa; from July 1, 2026, the mainland-China consular fee is CNY 715 for single-entry or CNY 1,430 for double/multiple-entry, plus agency fees. Chinese ordinary passport holders need a visa before traveling to Japan for tourism. For applicants residing in mainland China, tourist visa applications are handled through designated travel agencies rather than direct walk-in submission, and Japan eVISA applications for Chinese nationals residing in China are also made through accredited agencies. Individual single-entry tourist visas and tourist eVisas can be issued for 15 or 30 days; group tourist visas are generally up to 15 days. Tourist visa screening normally takes 5 business days after the embassy or consulate accepts the agency-submitted application, excluding agency handling and passport return time. For applications from July 1, 2026, the mainland-China consular fee is CNY 715 for single-entry and CNY 1,430 for double or multiple-entry visas, with agency service fees charged separately.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-07-24

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-07-24

Visa type

Single-entry individual tourist visa / Japan eVISA

Maximum stay

15 or 30 days

per entry

Entries

Single

from issue date

Visa fee

CNY 715 single-entry; CNY 1,430 double/multiple; agency fee extra

consular fee only

Processing time

5 business days after consular acceptance; agency handling extra

standard track

Validity

3 months from issue

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Use the correct designated agency

Tourist applications from mainland China are normally submitted through a Japanese embassy or consulate-designated travel agency based on where you reside.

· No direct walk-in· by residence

/02

Confirm sticker visa or eVISA route

Japan eVISA is available for Chinese nationals residing in China, but applications are still handled through accredited agencies and are limited to ordinary passport holders traveling by eligible air or sea routes.

· agency route· ordinary passport

/03

Gather required materials

Prepare the official application form, a valid passport, 4.5 x 3.5 cm photo, personal-information consent, residence proof, and required financial or student-route documents.

· official checklist· agency may add items

/04

Submit through the agency

The agency checks the file and submits it to the Japanese mission with jurisdiction. Tourist visa screening normally takes 5 business days after acceptance, but extra review can take longer.

· 5 business days· not guaranteed

/05

Collect or display the visa

For a sticker visa, collect the passport through the agency. For eVISA, display the live Visa Issuance Notice online at boarding; PDFs, screenshots, and printouts are not accepted.

· check dates· online notice

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

China -> Japan · Single-entry individual tourist visa / Japan eVISA

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RecommendedPassport — valid for the stay with a blank visa page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

The embassy Q&A does not set a six-month rule, but recommends renewing if expiry is near

RequiredVisa application form

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Complete with Adobe Acrobat Reader where required; sign before submission

RequiredPhoto — 4.5 x 3.5 cm, white background

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

Taken within 6 months; attach to the application form

RequiredPersonal information processing consent form

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Required for tourist visa applications through designated agencies

RequiredHukou or residence proof

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Used to confirm residence and consular jurisdiction

RequiredTravel itinerary and agency-arranged bookings

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

For tourist visas other than five-year multiple-entry visas, the designated agency manages the itinerary, flights, and hotels

RequiredFinancial-capability proof

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

One accepted route may be gold-level international credit card proof, employment/income documents with recent bank statements, or asset proof

ConditionalStudent or recent-graduate proof

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Only if applying through the simplified route for eligible university students or recent graduates

ConditionalFamily relationship documents

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

If family members apply together or under the principal applicant's eligibility

RequiredAdditional documents

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

The agency or Japanese mission may request more documents during review

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesMOFA Japan — VISA (April 1, 2026)MOFA Japan — The JAPAN eVISA system (May 15, 2026)MOFA Japan — Visa information for Chinese nationals (September 28, 2022)

Application link included: MOFA Japan — VISA (April 1, 2026)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Consular fee (single-entry)CNY 715Mainland-China rate for applications from July 1, 2026; paid only if issued

Consular fee (double / multiple-entry)CNY 1,430Mainland-China rate from July 1, 2026; only if eligible and issued

Agency service feeVariesSet by the designated agency, not the embassy

Photo / courier / document handlingVariesOptional or agency-specific

Total estimateCNY 715 + agency fee — CNY 1,430 + agency feeincl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Tourist visa screening

5 business days

Counted from the day after the Japanese mission accepts the agency-submitted tourist application.

Recommended planning window

2 weeks to 3 months

Do not apply too early because a single-entry visa is valid for 3 months from issue; leave time for agency handling.

Extra review

Longer than standard

Additional documents or Ministry of Foreign Affairs consultation can extend processing; no result is guaranteed within the standard window.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Incomplete or inaccurate documents

The embassy Q&A says applications may not be accepted when documents are incomplete or insufficiently detailed.

Official ground

/02

Invalid passport or no blank visa page

A valid passport and the right to return or re-enter the country of residence are part of Japan's issuance standards.

Official ground

/03

Unauthorized submission channel

Tourist applications must use designated travel agencies; using an unqualified person or agency can prevent acceptance.

Official ground

/04

Purpose or stay does not fit the status

The planned activity and stay period must match Japan's Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act categories.

Official ground

/05

False documents or inadmissibility

False materials, certain criminal history, prior deportation/overstay issues, or public-order concerns can lead to refusal.

Official ground

/06

Recent refusal for the same purpose

After a refusal, the embassy generally will not accept a same-purpose reapplication within 6 months unless humanitarian circumstances apply.

Official rule

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Customs

Declare cash over JPY 1,000,000 equivalent and avoid bringing restricted fresh food, meat, plants, or controlled medicines.

/02

Immigration

Fingerprints and a photo are normally collected on arrival. Visit Japan Web can speed up immigration and customs forms.

/03

Connectivity

Tourist SIMs, eSIMs, and pocket WiFi rentals are widely available at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and major city pickup points.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-07-24 · major

Japan visa fees revised

Updated mainland-China consular fees effective July 1, 2026 to CNY 715 for single-entry and CNY 1,430 for double/multiple-entry visas; designated-agency fees remain separate.

2026-06-19

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-19 · major

Official-source fact check

Updated checked-date and corrected China-to-Japan tourist visa stay, fee, photo size, passport-validity wording, processing timing, eVISA handling, refusal/reapplication language, and source metadata against official Japan sources.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can I apply for a Japan visa on arrival?—

No. Mainland Chinese passport holders cannot obtain a visa on arrival in Japan. Application must be completed and approved before boarding your flight.

Do I need to apply in person?+

Can I get a multi-entry visa on my first application?+

How early should I apply?+

What if my visa is denied?+

Does the 15- or 30-day stay count from entry or visa issuance?+

Can I extend my stay in Japan?+

Is travel insurance required?+