Frequently asked questions

2026/4/1

Content

1. General

Q 1: I want to visit Japan. Do I need a visa?

A1: Visitors from visa exempted countries and regions do not need a visa if their period of stay in Japan is 90 days or less AND they will not be engaged in income-earning activities. Please click here for the list of visa exemption countries.

Q2 : As a Malaysian citizen with a Malaysia passport, do I require a visa to enter Japan?
A2: Malaysian nationals holding biometric passport compliance with ICAO standard do not need visa to enter Japan for a short term stay not more than 90 days if your purpose of visit is transit, tourism, business (without paid activities), visiting friends/family and relatives, attend conference, seminar, short term study course.

Those who plan to stay for more than 90 days to work or study in Japan has to obtain a visa before entering Japan, please click here for more information.

When entering Japan, the immigration officer might ask visitors some questions concerning the purpose of visit or request to check certain documents (For example: hotel bookings, return flight tickets & etc.)

Please be aware that you might be denied entry if you are entering Japan for short-term stay but the total duration of your stay in Japan in a year exceeds 180 days.

Q3: I am a foreigner, can I apply Japan visa at the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia?
A3: Embassy of Japan in Malaysia only accepts visa applications from foreigners living in Malaysia with a long term stay visa (example: Work/ Student/ Spouse/ Dependent/ MM2H/ Maid visa).

We do not accept visa applications from those who are under short social visit pass such as tourists, short-term business travelers and foreigners transiting in Malaysia, holder of 6-month visa (e.g. 6-month professional visit pass, student pass), visit pass (temporary employment) with single entry visa.

Q4: I would like to work/ study in Japan. How can I get a visa to work/study in Japan?
A4: For those who wish to work/study in Japan, you must find a potential employer/school who is willing to act as your sponsor and apply for the Certificate of Eligibility for you at the Immigration Bureau in Japan. After you obtained the Certificate of Eligibility, you have to submit visa application at the nearest Embassy or Consulate office where you reside. Click here for more information

Immigration Services Agency information center contact number
https://www.moj.go.jp//isa/consultation/center/index.html

Q5: I am flying to a third city but transiting in Japan, do I need a transit visa?
A5: For transit purpose, you can transit (without applying for transit visa) for the situation below:

1. Stay at transit area (cannot go out at all from the transit area) during layover while waiting for connecting flight.
2. At the same terminal and same airport; do not change terminal and airport at all.

Please take note that Narita airport will close at midnight. You cannot stay at transit area when it is closed. Please check your arrival/departure time.

3. Your connecting flight is on the same day.

If you need to change terminal, change airport or your connecting flight is on the next day, you need a transit visa.

Q6: I renewed my passport recently and my Japan visa is in the old passport. Do I need to transfer the visa to my new passport before entering Japan?
A6: If your Japan visa is still valid, you can enter Japan by bringing along both new and old passports. Please show the immigration officer your valid visa on your old passports at the Immigration counter.

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2. Visa Application and Collection

Q7: Can I submit my application online?
A7: No. We do not have any online application service. Application has to be submitted at the visa counter. Please do not send any documents or material directly to the Embassy. Please note that documents submitted will not be returned.

Q8: I have prepared all visa application documents; can I walk in to submit my visa application?
A8: Appointment is required to submit visa application. Walk-ins are not allowed at the moment.
Please refer to the link below to make an appointment in advance and wait for us to confirm your appointment before visiting the Embassy.
https://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visainfo_appt.html

Q9: I do not have time to submit the application personally, can I appoint a third party to submit my application and to collect my passport on behalf of me?
A:9 Third party submission is allowed with original letter of authorization form the visa applicant for the circumstances below:

1. Travel agent can submit visa application and collect passport on behalf of their client.

2. Family visa application where the main visa applicant must come personally to submit visa application and collect passport with original authorization letter from the family members excluding minor/underaged children.

If the applicant is a minor, one of the parents has to submit the visa application on behalf. Authorization letter is not required.

3. For business purpose or training/employment visa application with COE – If more than one visa applicants are from the same company, only one of the visa applicants or company representative can submit visa application and collect passport on behalf with original authorization letter from the applicant.

4. Applications for diplomatic/official visas submitted by a representative of their organizations is allowed.

Q10: How soon can I submit my visa application?
A10: Visas are only valid for 3 months, therefore, 3 months prior to the date of your visit to Japan is the earliest that you can apply for a visa.

Q11: How long does it take to process the visa application?
A11: It takes at least 5 working days to process visa application, however, issuing a visa might take a few months depending on certain conditions/circumstances. We recommend applying for a visa at least 2 to 3 months before your departure date.

Q12: I have received an email from the Embassy requesting me to submit additional documents. Can I post or courier the documents to the Embassy?
A12: If you were instructed in the email to submit the documents by hand to the guard house, do not post or send any documents by courier. Embassy do not accept visa application documents by post/ courier as it will complicate the whole visa procedure and it is also risky where the documents might go missing during the delivery process.

Q13: I have submitted my visa application and there is a collection date stated on the receipt. Does it mean that my visa application has already been approved?
A13: No. The collection date stated on the receipt is just a date set for your passport collection. Kindly take note that visa is subjected to approval and you will know the outcome of your visa application on the date of collection.

Q14: There is no collection date stated on my receipt, when can I collect my passport?
A14: If the collection date is not stated on your receipt, please wait for the Consul to inform the outcome of your visa application through email. Your application will take at least 5 working days to process but it might take a longer time to process if Consul request for additional information/documents after you have submitted your visa application documents at the visa counter.

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3. Regarding visa documents

Q15: I do not have a bank account in Malaysia, can I submit the bank account statement from my home country?
A15: Embassy of Japan in Kuala Lumpur do not accept bank statement from other countries. Bank statement from the bank without any physical branch in Malaysia and also e-wallet statement including Wise and Touch’n go is not acceptable.

Q16: I just opened a bank account in Malaysia, I can only submit one month or two months of bank account statement?
A16: You need to submit at least 3 months bank account statement from a Malaysia bank. Embassy of Japan in Kuala Lumpur cannot accept/process your visa application if you are not able to submit at least 3 months of bank statement from a Malaysia bank.

Q17: I am below 18 years old and does not have a bank account in Malaysia, can I submit my parents bank account statement to support my visa application?
A17: We can accept your parents bank account statement if the bank statement is from a Malaysia bank.

Q18: My company only issue digital employment letter. Can I submit digital copy of company letter without original signature and original company stamp?
A18: Company letter should be printed on the company letterhead with original signature of person in charged and company stamp. Digital signature of authorized signatory, scanned copy/photocopy of company letter is not acceptable. If you cannot provide original company letter as per embassy’s requirement, your application will not be accepted.

Q19: My University/College/School cannot provide the letter with original signature and original stamp. Can I submit digital copy of the university letter?
A19: The university/college/school letter must be printed on the university/college/school letterhead with original signature of the authorized signatory and original university’s stamp. Digital signature/Scanned copy/email/photocopy of university letter is not acceptable. If you cannot provide original university/college/school as per embassy’s requirement, your application will not be accepted.

Q 20: Do I need to submit flight and hotel bookings?
A20: Confirmed flight tickets and hotel bookings are not compulsory during visa submission but Consul might request for tentative flight or hotel booking after submission of application. Do not purchase confirmed tickets. Embassy will not be responsible for ticket purchased prior to getting a visa/delay in visa application process/visa being rejected.

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4. Visa Processing time

Q21: What is the processing time to obtain a visa? Q21: What is the processing time to obtain a visa?
A21: Embassy requires a few days to respond and set an appointment for you (based on the slot availability upon replying your email) and at least 5 working days to process the visa after you have submitted complete visa application documents at the visa counter. Visa application process might take a longer time if Consul request for additional documentation after you have submitted your visa application at the visa counter. We do NOT have expedited services.

You may submit your visa application within 3 months prior your date of travel (including the month of travel).

Q22: I need to travel to Japan urgently, do you have an expedited service for issuing visas?
A22: The Embassy does not accept requests for same-day issuance nor expedite cases due to personal reasons. Embassy process the applications fairly and in the order in which we receive them. It is your responsibility to make sure you have enough time to apply for a visa.

After you have submitted your visa application at the visa counter, we need at least 5 working days or more (subjected to the Consul decision) to process your visa application. Please do not confirm/purchase your ticket before obtaining your visa. The Embassy will not be responsible for ticket purchased prior to getting a visa/delay in visa application process/visa being rejected.

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5. Application not Approved, Withdraw, Cancel

Q23: I have submitted all visa application documents according to Embassy’s requirement. Why is my application not approved? When can I apply again?
A23: Visa is subjected to approval. It is MOFA Japan rules and regulation that Embassy cannot inform you the specific reason of rejection. You can apply again after six months from the date of rejection.

You may refer to MOFA Japan website (FAQ) regarding this matter:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/faq.html#q3-1

Q24: Do I need to pay visa fees if my application was unsuccessful?
A24: You will not be required to pay visa fees if the visa is not issued.

Q25: I have canceled my travel plans to Japan. Can I withdraw/cancel my visa application after I have submitted my application at the visa counter?
A25: Yes. Please prepare a formal letter addressed to Embassy of Japan in Malaysia explaining the reason why you wish to withdraw/cancel your visa application.

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6. Visiting Japan Questions

Q26: Do I need any vaccinations to enter Japan?
A26: There are no vaccination requirements to enter Japan.

Q27: Do I need at least 6 months passport validity in order to enter Japan?
A27: Japan does not have any regulations relating to passport validity, so long as your passport will be valid until after you leave Japan.

Q28: Can I bring my medications with me?
A28: Please refer to the following page for more information regarding bringing medications into Japan.

Q29: How can I bring my pet?
A29: Please refer to the following page for more information regarding bringing your pet into Japan.

Q30: Is it mandatory to have a travel medical insurance to visit Japan?
A30: Getting international travel medical insurance is not mandatory but highly recommended as medical treatment in Japan can be very expensive. Additionally, foreign visitors who fail to pay their medical expenses may be denied entering Japan in the future.

Q31. I will be traveling with a minor, but without the minor’s legal guardian(s). Are there any restrictions on entering Japan?
A31: If you are traveling with a minor who is 16 years old or younger and without their parent(s)/legal guardian(s), then we strongly recommend to obtain a letter of consent from the minor’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and bringing that letter with you to Japan. A letter of consent should include a statement approving the trip and be signed and dated by all of the minor’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s). Letter(s) don't need to be notarized.

Q32: I am a minor (under 18 years old). Can I travel to Japan by myself?
A32: Yes, you can travel to Japan by yourself. However, if you are 16 years old or younger, then we strongly recommend to obtain a letter of consent from all of your parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and bringing the letter with you to Japan.

Q33: I overstayed and was deported from Japan; can I enter Japan again?
A33: Any foreign national who falls under any of the following conditions among others are not allowed to enter Japan even after the implementation of visa exemption for Malaysian Nationals which started from July 2013.

1) A person who has been deported from Japan for overstaying and the stipulated period of denial of landing has not elapsed from the date of deportation.

2) A person who has been convicted of violation of any law or regulation of Japan or of any other countries, and has been sentenced to imprisonment with or without work for 1 year or more or to equivalent penalty,

3) A person who possesses any narcotics or psychotropic substances illegally.

The grounds for denial of landing on foreign nationals are stipulated in Article 5 of Japan Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.

Click here to check the conditions of entry to Japan.

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