How to apply for a Japanese tourist visa from the UK

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Check nationality and jurisdiction

Not everyone living in the UK needs a Japanese visa. First check passport-based exemptions on the Japanese embassy's page ↗. UK residence and British citizenship have different consequences. Ordinary visitors to the UK cannot apply as UK residents.

The competent mission depends on your address: Scotland and the specified northern English areas fall under the Edinburgh consulate. London is not automatically the submission location for the entire country.

Choose eVISA or a conventional application

The Japanese foreign ministry ↗ lists the UK among residence countries where eligible ordinary passport holders can apply for a tourist eVISA. It is for single-entry short tourism. Check family visits, business and other purposes separately: the electronic tourist route does not replace every temporary visitor category.

For conventional submission, follow the embassy appointment process; for an electronic application, reach JAPAN eVISA through the official link. Additional documents or an in-person interview may be requested.

Prepare documents without unnecessary purchases

The tourism checklist ↗ lists the passport, form, photograph, UK eVisa and share code or other appropriate status evidence, and trip documents. Flight information is requested if booked: do not infer that you must buy a non-refundable ticket simply to apply.

Match the itinerary, accommodation and financial evidence to your chosen application route. Keep the application number and copies of uploads; poor scans or an incomplete file can delay or cancel an application.

Allow for processing, fees and showing the permit

The embassy publishes different planning estimates: normally five working days after a valid in-person application is accepted and an average of two weeks for eVISA. Neither guarantees completion by departure. Fees depend on nationality and category; payment and issuance arrangements differ between processes.

For eVISA, show the Visa issuance notice in the functioning online system at boarding. The foreign ministry states that a PDF, screenshot or printout is not a substitute. Check account access and internet connectivity beforehand; for a conventional visa, inspect the returned passport and sticker.