Now, there’s many people like me who have applied for a Japanese Visa in the past and have heard stories of long waits (The South African Consulate even closed the Visa application a couple of times when they were short on staff). I struggled with this a few months ago, but I learned some insider tips and tricks which helped me navigate through the entire process easily. The guide that I’m sharing below contains all of the information you should know before you get started on your visa application.In order to qualify for a visa, you need to fulfill the following requirements:- You must be between 18 and 70 years old- You must have a fully paid return or onward ticket- You must have a passport valid for 6 months prior to your departure

How Long Does It Take To Get A Japanese Visa In South Africa

In this day and age, travelling and exploring foreign countries is essential for broadening one’s horizons on different cultures. Knowing how to speak other languages will also help you to communicate with the locals in that country. However, you should ensure that you have all your documents before you proceed.Japan is one of the most sought after tourist hubs of the world. It’s an amazing country with so many scenic sites to offer that one could go crazy just trying to make a list.

Japanese eVisa for South African Citizens

By 2030, Japanese tourism officials hope to attract around 60 million travelers per year. In order to expedite this lofty goal, Japan is set to introduce a new system for visitors to apply for and receive permission to visit the island country.

The Japanese eVisa system will soon be introduced and will be made available to citizens from nearly every country in the world, including South Africa.

Find out all the details that South Africans have to know in order to get their eVisa for Japan.

Do South Africans Need a Online Visa to Visit Japan?

Yes, South African passport holders are required to hold a visa in order to visit Japan. Luckily, once the eVisa for Japan is officially made available to travelers, the process for South Africans to acquire an electronic travel authorization will be streamlined as they will be able to do it all from the comfort of their homes, without the necessity to visit an embassy or consulate or otherwise rely on the mail system.

There are a few documents and prerequisites that are required, as well as an application form, but the entire process, from start to finish, will be easy to complete.

Other visas to Japan are also available to South African nationals, for instance when they are entering the country for academic, permanent settlement and/or work-related endeavors. However, in those cases, travelers from South Africa will need to apply through a Japanese embassy or consulate.

South African Nationals’ eVisa Options for Japan

The types of Japanese eVisa that South African travelers should apply for will depend on the duration and type of trip they are taking to Japan.

For the vast majority of South African travelers, the tourist eVisa for Japan is the option they will select as this electronic travel permit covers tourism, leisure, visiting family, and short-term business ventures. The tourist eVisa is available in either single- or multi-entry options and is valid for up to 90 days.

The Business eVisa to Japan is meant for South Africans who are visiting Japan only for commercial and business affairs.

The Japanese Transit Visa is the option suitable for South African travelers who are laying over in Japan for a few hours when waiting for a connecting flight that has another country as its final destination.

Long-Term eVisa Options to Stay in Japan for South Africans

There are a variety of Japan’s longterm visa options for South African passport holders. These are more specific to the applicant’s reason for visiting Japan and their length of stay.

• General Visa to Japan: For stays exceeding 90 days up to three years
• Japan’s Working Visa: For South African citizens who have received an offer to move to Japan for professional reasons
• Specific Visa to visit Japan: For the spouse of a Japanese resident who wishes to relocate to Japan for up to five years
• Diplomatic Visa to enter Japan: This option is for South Africans who are doing diplomatic work in Japan. The length of the visa depends on the specific needs of the applicant
• Japanese Official Visa: The official visa is offered to a variety of applicants, including those doing international relations or governmental work. The length of this visa is also duty specific

Japan e-Visa Requirements for South African Nationals

As is the case with any visa application, the Japanese eVisa for South African citizens will require a handful of documents and personal details when filling out Japan’s eVisa application form.

The most basic eVisa requirements to Japan that each applicant must provide are the following:

• A valid South African passport. The passport must be at least six months away from expiring and have at least two blank pages
• A digital, recent upload of the South African applicants’ passport photograph
• A detailed itinerary including proof of plans to enter and exit Japan before the visa has expired, and hotel or alternative accommodation plans
• If the traveler from South Africa is married, they must provide a marriage certificate
• Proof of ability to finance the entirety of the trip. If South Africans are not visiting Japan with the aid of a guarantor or a sponsor, then they must provide documents such as tax statements or account statements that prove they are financially capable of undertaking the costs for their time in Japan
• A second piece of South African government-issued identification such as a birth certificate or driver’s license

In the event that a South African traveler is visiting Japan with the financial aid of a Japanese sponsor or guarantor then they must also provide the following:

• A letter that explains in detail the relationship between the South African applicant and the Japanese citizen who is sponsoring their visit
• Documents corroborating the information detailed in the letter
• Financial documents of the guarantor or sponsor that prove that they are indeed capable of financing the South African traveler’s time in Japan

Over the next months, there might be more information available regarding visa policy to Japan, therefore, South Africans are advised to be informed about the latest pieces of news regarding the Japanese eVisa.

With all this information in mind, citizens of South Africa will be able to enter Japan with any hassle.