Visa: Criteria for Visa Issuance

In principle, a Japanese visa will be issued to an applicant when he or she meets all of the following requirements and the issuance is regarded as reasonable:

• The applicant possesses a valid passport and is entitled for re-entry to the country of which he or she is a national, citizen or resident.
• All submitted documentation shall be authentic, completed and satisfactory.
• The activities to be engaged in while in Japan, or the civil status or position of the applicant, and the period of stay shall meet the requirements for the status of residence and the period of stay stipulated in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (cabinet Order No.319 of 1951, hereinafter referred to as “the Act”.
• The applicant shall not fall under any of the items of Article 5, Paragraph 1 of the Act.
  If all requirements are met, most visas will normally be processed within 5 business days. However, for some visa categories, or in certain cases where additional information is required, the processing time will be longer.