Important Notes about Visas

Under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act of Japan, it is stipulated that any foreigner wishing to enter or land in Japan must possess a valid passport and a visa obtained from an embassy or consulate.

However, citizens from certain countries (including Swedish citizens) may be eligible to visit Japan without a visa under visa exemption arrangements.

Please note the following

1. Citizens of countries that have an agreement with Japan allowing them to stay for longer than 90 days must apply for extension at the regional immigration bureau while in Japan.
2. You are only allowed to stay as a "Temporary Visitor" for a total of 180 days during a 12-month period.
3. The earliest you can apply is 3 Months ahead of your planned arrival in Japan.
4. A visa is only a recommendation and does not automatically guarantee landing permission. The visa is a certificate issued by the ambassador or consul verifying that the foreign citizen's passport is genuine and valid and that the application for a stay in Japan for the purpose and period indicated on the visa has been deemed appropriate.
5. The Landing permission on the other hand serves as the legal basis for your stay in Japan and is stamped in the passport by the immigration officers at the airport or seaport where you go through the immigration procedures and you only get this if you satisfy the criteria for landing in Japan.

Further information

Further information about the Immigration Control Procedure can be found at the Immigration Bureau of Japan.