India Visa for Japanese Citizens
Japanese citizens have a privilege almost no other nationality gets: a true Visa on Arrival at nine designated Indian airports, alongside full e-Visa eligibility. This guide covers what is specific to Japanese travellers; the documents and process for each visa type are the same for all foreign nationals and are covered on our service pages.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · Independent consultancy — verify with official sources
India Visa Essentials for Japanese Citizens
- •India's Visa-on-Arrival facility is available only to citizens of Japan, South Korea and (conditionally) the UAE. For Japanese nationals it works at nine designated airports — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Calicut and Ahmedabad — for a fee of ₹2,000, with a duly filled VoA application form on landing.
- •The VoA is non-extendable and non-convertible, and is not available on Diplomatic/Official passports — for anything beyond a short, simple visit, the e-Visa or a regular visa is the safer instrument.
- •For employment in India, Japanese nationals need an Employment Visa before travel like every nationality — the VoA and e-Visa do not permit work.
Which India visa do you need?
The requirements and process for each category are the same for all foreign nationals. For tourism, Japanese travellers use the official e-Visa portal. For everything below, we handle the paperwork end to end:
Meetings, conferences, investment exploration.
Paid work with an Indian employer.
Spouses and children of visa holders.
Persons of Indian origin and spouses.
Treatment at recognised Indian hospitals.
Mandatory for stays beyond 180 days.
Extend an eligible long-stay visa.
Leave India after an overstay or expiry.
For short visits, Japanese citizens can use the e-Visa portal or the Visa on Arrival at the nine designated airports. For business, employment, family (X), medical, or any FRRO/compliance matter in India, apply through the appropriate route — our team handles the paperwork end to end.
India Visa FAQs for Japanese Citizens
Do Japanese citizens get Visa on Arrival in India?
Yes — Japan is one of only three nationalities (with South Korea and, conditionally, the UAE) eligible for India's Visa on Arrival. It is available at nine designated airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, costs ₹2,000, and is non-extendable and non-convertible.
Should a Japanese traveller use the e-Visa or Visa on Arrival?
For predictability, the e-Visa — approval is confirmed before you fly, while VoA involves queues and an on-arrival decision. The VoA is best as a fallback for genuinely last-minute, short trips arriving at one of the nine designated airports.
Can Japanese citizens work in India on a VoA or e-Visa?
No. Paid employment requires an Employment Visa obtained before travel, and stays over 180 days on qualifying categories trigger FRRO registration within 14 days of arrival — the same rules as every nationality.
Official government sources
We base our guidance on official Indian government sources and update it as rules change. Requirements are set by the authorities and can change — always verify the current position directly before you apply:
Disclaimer: India Visa Experts is an independent consultancy and is not affiliated with the Government of India, its missions, or any government agency. Visa decisions rest solely with the relevant authorities. Nationality-specific terms (validity, eligibility) can change — verify the current position on the official sources above before you apply. This page is general guidance, not legal advice. See our editorial policy.
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Independent consulting service. Not affiliated with the Government of India or any government agency.