Are you someone who needs to visit Japan quite often? Or if you are someone who wants a multiple-entry Japanese visa, this article will guide you in the best possible way. Indian passport holders, who travel to Japan frequently for tourism, business, or cultural exchange, can apply for this multiple-entry temporary visitor visa, which will allow them to visit the destination repeatedly for short stays over a longer validity period. Issued by the Japanese diplomatic missions, this visa is designed for travellers with strong travel history or financial capacity and does not permit paid work or revenue-generating activities. For more details, check this. Below is a detailed breakdown of who is eligible, what documents are required, and how the application process works.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Multiple-entry temporary Visitor Visa (tourism, business, visiting relatives)
For these purposes, you can get a visa validity of up to 5 years, and extend your maximum stay per visit for around 90 days.Permitted purposes: Tourism, business affairs (non-remunerative), Visiting relatives or acquaintancesThings that are not permitted: Paid employment, and revenue-generating business activities
Eligibility criteria for Indian nationals
Applicants must hold an ordinary Machine Readable Passport (MRP) or e-passport compliant with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards and fall under one of the following categories:
- Frequent Japan visitors: Individuals who have travelled to Japan two or more times as a temporary visitor in the last three years
- Prior Japan visit along with financial capacity: Individuals who have travelled to Japan at least once in the last three years
- Must demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to cover travel expenses
- Japan and G7 travel history: Individuals with at least one Japan visit as a temporary visitor, and travel records to G7 countries (excluding Japan) within the last three years
- Applicants with sufficient financial capacity: Individuals who can independently prove strong financial standing, even without recent Japan travel history
- Family members: Spouse or children of applicants who qualify under Category 4 (sufficient financial capacity)
Documents required (Tourism / general multiple-entry visa)
For applicants with two or more Japan visits
- Visa application form (with photograph)
- Valid passport (MRP or e-passport only)
- Current or old passport showing Japanese visas and entry stamps from the last three years
- Proof of legal residence if applying outside India
For applicants with one Japan visit and financial capacity
- Visa application form (with photograph)
- Passport
- Passport pages showing Japanese visa and entry stamp
- Income tax returns or bank deposit certificate
- Proof of legal residence if applying outside India
For applicants with Japan and G7 travel history
- Visa application form (with photograph)
- Passport
- Passport pages showing visas and entry stamps for Japan and G7 countries
- Proof of legal residence if applying outside India
For applicants applying based on financial capacity
- Visa application form (with photograph)
- Passport
- Income Tax Returns
- Additional financial proof may be requested, including bank balance certificates, stock dividends, pension or retirement benefits, inheritance documents, lease agreements, property deeds or real estate records, proof of legal residence if applying outside India
For spouse or children
- Visa application form (with photograph)
- Passport
- Documents proving relationship
- Financial documents of the primary applicant (if applying separately)
- Copy of primary applicant’s passport and multiple-entry visa (if already issued)
- Proof of legal residence if applying outside India
Note: Additional documents may be requested during examination. The Japanese mission reserves the right to issue a single-entry visa instead of a multiple-entry visa after review.Read more: Anand Mahindra wonders why the world is not visiting this unique travel destination, calls it heaven
Where to apply
Visa applications are accepted only at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General that has jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence.
Multiple-entry visa for business purposes and cultural or intellectual figures
This category is meant for professionals travelling for business or recognised cultural, academic, or intellectual activities.
Visa validity and stay
- Validity: 1, 3, 5, or 10 years
- Stay per visit: 15, 30, or 90 days
- First visit: Must be for business or approved professional purpose
- Subsequent visits: Can also be used for tourism or visiting relatives
- Paid work: Not permitted
Eligibility: Business purpose applicants
Applicants (and their spouse or children) must fall under one of these categories:
- Regular employee of a government or public-sector enterprise
- Employee of a stock exchange–listed private company (India, Japan, or third country)
- Employee of a Japanese-affiliated company that is a member of the Japan Chamber of Commerce
- Employee of a listed company’s subsidiary, joint venture, or branch office
- Employee of a company with continuous business transactions with a listed Japanese company
- Employee with record of Japan business travel history and G7 travel history in the last three years
- Employee with three or more Japan business visits in the last three years
Eligibility: Cultural or intellectual figures
Applicants (and their spouse or children) may qualify if they are:
- Artists (fine art, literature, music, theatre, dance) or specialists in humanities or sciences with recognised achievements
- Licensed professionals such as lawyers, chartered accountants, patent attorneys, doctors, or notaries actively practising
- Amateur athletes with notable accomplishments
- Full-time university professors, assistant professors, or lecturers
- Directors or senior officials of public research institutions or museums
- Members of parliament, government officials, or local government representatives
Read more: Indian runner sets Guinness record for fastest Manali–Leh run across high Himalayan passes, finishes under 100 hours
Documents required (business / cultural categories)
- Passport
- Visa application form (with photograph)
- Documents proving eligibility under the relevant category
- Employment certificate (where applicable)
- Passport copies showing Japan and G7 travel history (if applying under travel-history categories)
- Proof of relationship for spouse or children
- Copy of the primary applicant’s passport and multiple-entry visa (if applying separately)
Important: Even under these categories, Japanese authorities may issue a single-entry visa after examination.
Key points to remember
- Multiple-entry visas do not guarantee entry; immigration officers decide at arrival
- Paid work or income-generating activity is strictly prohibited
- All applications are subject to review, and additional documents may be requested
