Japan visa requirements for Australians citizens - Options, fees, and more

Whether you’re looking to hit the slopes, soak up the culture, or eat your fill of Japan’s unique cuisine, there are plenty of reasons for a trip to Japan. And with non-stop flights from several Australian airports, now might be the perfect time to go.

If you’re thinking of booking your next trip overseas you may be wondering about visa requirements. Do you need a tourist visa for Japan? And if so, what type? This guide looks at the Japan visa requirements for Australian citizens to help you understand your options. You can also learn more about the Wise card, an easy way to stretch your dollars when paying in foreign currencies.

Do Australians require a visa for Japan?

We’ll start with the obvious question: do you need a visa for Japan from Australia?

At the time of writing, there is no need to get a visa to travel from Australia to Japan, as an Australian passport holder, for a tourist trip of up to 90 days¹. The normal tourist visa you may have required in the past has been waived for Australians and citizens of many other countries.

If you’re heading to Japan to work, to study, or if you plan to stay for over 90 days, you will need a visa. Most visas require you to apply through the Japanese Embassy or Consular Service closest to your home.

Bear in mind that Japan visa requirements for Australian citizens can change, so you’re advised to get the latest from the Australian Government Smart Traveller website, or the Japanese Embassy in Australia, before you travel.

Entry requirements for Japan

There are no Japan visa requirements for Australian citizens for a tourist visit under 90 days. However, you do still need to complete the Japanese disembarkation card on arrival - or you can do the digital disembarkation card² in advance if you prefer.

The visa waiver for Japan is an option if you have an Australian passport, but if you’re a resident of Australia and have a different nationality you’ll need to check if the waiver is available for you. The waiver applies to 71 countries in total, including New Zealand, Canada, the US, the UK and many countries in the EU. You can get the full list of waiver countries online³ to check for your specific nationality.

Planning a trip to Japan? Read our guide on the best time to visit Japan here.

Types of Japan Visas available for Australians

As we've seen, there’s no need to get a visa for Japan if you’re going as a tourist for up to 90 days, although this may be different if you’re not an Australian citizen. If you need a visa for Japan because of your nationality, or because of the type or duration of your trip, you can learn more about the options through the Embassy of Japan in Australia⁴. We’ve summarised a few common visas you may consider, below.

Business Visa (up to 90 days)

If you’re going to Japan for a business trip, the visa waiver may not apply. In this case you can apply for a 90 day business visa, through the Japanese Embassy or Consular Service. This visa requires you to be invited by a Japanese company, and supported by your own Australian company.

Long-Term Stay Visa

Generally if you want to remain in Japan for over 90 days you will have to be invited by someone in Japan. This may be an employer, or if you’re going to Japan to study, your educational institution, for example.

The process here requires the inviting person to get a certificate of eligibility before you can start your application for a visa⁵. Applications must be completed in person at the Japanese Embassy. If you’re planning a long term stay, the visa sponsor that is relevant to your specific case can confirm which visa types might suit you.

Work Visa

If you intend to work in Japan, you’ll need to find an employer first in almost all cases. The employer must show they are entitled to recruit from overseas, and then they will initiate the application for a work visa for you. They’ll apply for a certificate of eligibility which is needed for your application for a visa - until you have this you can’t start your application.

There are many different working visa types based on the specific job you do, or how senior you are in your field⁶. The employer will guide you as to which one to pick based on their requirements.

Working Holiday Visa

If you’re aged between 18-30 you can apply for a one time Working Holiday Visa for Japan which allows you to live in Japan for one year⁷. The expectation is that you will move around Japan at least every 3 months, and while you can work, certain types of work - including bar work - are prohibited. You can not apply for a second working holiday visa once you have already had one - but there’s no application fee for this visa type.

Thinking of staying longer in Japan? Learn more about moving to Japan from Australia here.

What do you need to apply for a visa for Japan

The paperwork and documents needed to apply for a Japanese visa - if you need one - varies depending on the type of visa you’re looking for.

However, as a basic starting point, you’ll usually need the following:

• Completed visa application form
• 45mm×35mm passport photograph - Note the Japan visa photo requirements: image should be not more than 6 months old, with evidence to show it is recent, such as a receipt from the photographer
• Your passport, plus an additional copy of the passport photo page
• Itinerary and flight details to show your plans
• Three months of bank statements showing you have enough funds for your trip

If you’re applying for a business visa you may also need:

• A letter of invitation from the company you’re attending in Japan
• A letter confirming the nature of your trip, from your company in Australia
• Your employment contract
• A letter of guarantee from the company paying for the trip

How much does a Japan visa cost?

The cost of a Japanese visa depends on whether it’s issued as a single entry visa or a multiple entry visa⁸:

• Single entry visa - 30 AUD fee
• Multi-entry visa - 60 AUD fee

Bear in mind that there may be other financial constraints attached to your visa. For example if you apply for a working holiday visa, you will need to prove that you have adequate funds to support yourself while in Japan. This means you are asked to prove you have at least 2,500 AUD when you apply.

Heading to Japan? Get more Yen for your AUD with the Wise card

When planning your trip, it's crucial to consider how you'll spend in Japan. High foreign transaction fees or unfavorable exchange rates can quickly inflate your travel costs. The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 7x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

🚀 Get your Wise card