🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

🇯🇵JapanSA-JP

Saudi Arabia to Japan visa requirements

Q: Does the January 2026 Japan-Saudi visa waiver help tourists?

Not for ordinary passport holders. The mutual visa exemption that started in January 2026 applies only to diplomatic and official (special) passports.

Q: How long can I stay in Japan on the eVisa?

The eVisa is a single-entry short-term-stay visa allowing a stay of up to 90 days for tourism.

Q: How much does the Japan eVisa cost?

The single-entry visa fee is the equivalent of JPY 3,000 (roughly SAR 75), paid online during the application.

Q: How long does eVisa processing take?

Standard processing is about five working days, and you should apply at least about a week before your planned arrival date.

Q: Do I need to print the eVisa?

No. At the airport you must log in to the JAPAN eVISA website and display the Visa Issuance Notice on your device screen. Printouts, screenshots and PDFs are not accepted.

Saudi Arabia ordinary passport holders need a visa to visit Japan for tourism. The easiest route is the official Japan eVisa: a single-entry, short-term-stay (tourism) visa issued online to residents of Saudi Arabia, allowing a stay of up to 90 days. Saudi Arabia is NOT on Japan's visa-exemption list for ordinary passports, so a Saudi ordinary passport holder requires a visa for a short tourist visit. Since Saudi Arabia is one of the countries covered by the JAPAN eVISA system, eligible travelers residing in Saudi Arabia can apply fully online instead of visiting the embassy. The eVisa is a single-entry, short-term-stay visa for tourism that permits a stay of up to 90 days and is valid for three months from the date of issuance. Standard processing is around five working days, and applications should be submitted at least about a week before the planned arrival date. The visa fee equates to the standard single-entry fee of JPY 3,000 (roughly SAR 75). At the airport, travelers must log in to the JAPAN eVISA website and display the digital 'Visa Issuance Notice' on screen — printouts, screenshots or PDFs are not accepted. Those who cannot use the eVisa (for example, multiple-entry needs) can apply in person at the Embassy of Japan in Riyadh or the Consulate-General in Jeddah. A January 2026 Japan–Saudi mutual visa exemption applies only to diplomatic/official (special) passports, NOT to ordinary passports.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

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 2026-05-30

Visa type

eVisa (single-entry, short-term-stay / Temporary Visitor for tourism)

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days

per entry

Entries

Single entry

from issue date

Visa fee

JPY 3,000 (approx. SAR 75) standard single-entry fee

consular fee only

Processing time

About 5 working days

standard track

Validity

3 months from date of issuance

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm eVisa eligibility

Verify you hold a Saudi ordinary passport, are residing in Saudi Arabia, and are travelling for tourism/short visit. The Japan eVisa is only for ordinary passport holders and single-entry tourism stays of up to 90 days.

· Ordinary passport· Tourism only

/02

Prepare documents

Have a passport valid for the duration of stay, a passport-style photo, travel itinerary, round-trip flight booking, proof of accommodation, and proof of sufficient funds (e.g. bank statement).

· Digital scans· Color photo

/03

Create an account on the official MOFA JAPAN eVISA portal, complete the online application form, and upload the required documents. Submit at least about 7 days before your planned arrival.

· Official MOFA portal· Apply 7+ days ahead

/04

Pay the visa fee

Pay the equivalent of the JPY 3,000 single-entry fee online via the accepted payment method during the application.

· JPY 3,000· Online payment

/05

Receive the Visa Issuance Notice

Wait roughly 5 working days for review. Once approved, the 'Visa Issuance Notice' is issued within your eVISA account — there is no physical visa sticker.

· ~5 working days· Digital notice

/06

Display the eVisa at the airport

At departure and on arrival in Japan, log in to the JAPAN eVISA website and display the Visa Issuance Notice on your device screen. Printouts, screenshots and PDFs are not accepted.

· Live login required· No printout/screenshot

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

Saudi Arabia -> Japan · eVisa (single-entry, short-term-stay / Temporary Visitor for tourism)

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredSaudi ordinary passport valid for the whole stay

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

required

RequiredResident of Saudi Arabia (for eVisa eligibility)

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

required

RequiredRecent passport-style color photo

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

required

RequiredConfirmed round-trip flight reservation

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

required

RequiredProof of accommodation (hotel booking / host details)

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredTravel itinerary / day-by-day plan

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredProof of sufficient funds (bank statement)

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

required

RequiredVisa fee equivalent to JPY 3,000 paid online

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

required

RequiredSmartphone/device to display the eVisa Visa Issuance Notice at the airport

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

required

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance for the trip

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

recommended

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

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 sourcesMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — The JAPAN eVISA system Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia — Visa application Consulate-General of Japan in Jeddah — Visa services

Application link included: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — The JAPAN eVISA system

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Single-entry visa feeJPY 3,000Standard Japan single-entry visa fee; same amount applies to the eVisa (approx. SAR 75)

eVisa service/processingJPY 0No extra government service charge on the official MOFA eVISA portal beyond the visa fee

Travel insurance (optional)SAR 50-200Recommended but not mandatory; varies by provider and trip length

Total estimateJPY 3,000 (approx. SAR 75) — JPY 3,000 + ~SAR 200 insuranceincl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

JAPAN eVISA (online)

About 5 working days

Apply online via the official MOFA JAPAN eVISA website; single-entry tourism visa, up to 90 days stay. Apply at least ~7 days before arrival.

In-person at Embassy (Riyadh) / Consulate (Jeddah)

About 5-10 working days

Submit application in person; needed for cases not covered by eVisa, such as multiple-entry requests.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Saudi Arabia not visa-exempt for Japan

Japan does not grant visa-free entry to Saudi ordinary passport holders, so a visa is required even for short tourism.

High

/02

eVisa available for Saudi residents

Saudi Arabia is on Japan's eVISA list, letting eligible travelers apply online instead of visiting the embassy.

High

/03

Diplomatic exemption misread

The Jan 2026 mutual visa waiver applies only to diplomatic/official passports, not ordinary passports — a common point of confusion.

Medium

/04

Single-entry, tourism-only scope

The eVisa covers single-entry short stays for tourism; other purposes or multiple entries require an embassy application.

Medium

/05

Airport display rules

Travelers must show the live eVisa Visa Issuance Notice on screen; printouts/screenshots are rejected, causing avoidable issues.

Low

/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

2026-05-30 · major

Saudi Arabia to Japan route verified

Verified that Saudi ordinary passport holders require a visa and can use the JAPAN eVISA (single entry, up to 90 days, valid 3 months, ~5 working-day processing, JPY 3,000 fee). Confirmed the Jan 2026 mutual waiver covers only diplomatic/official passports.

/09 — The questions