India Visa for Japanese Citizens
Japanese citizens have a privilege almost no other nationality gets: a true Visa on Arrival at six 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: · 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 six designated airports — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad — for a fee of ₹2,000, with a duly filled VoA application form on landing.
- •The VoA cannot be extended, converts to another category only in specific cases such as marriage to an Indian national, 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.
- •Tourist visas — e-Visa and paper alike — may only be used to enter at a designated air or sea immigration check post. Arriving overland or by riverine route on a tourist visa is not permitted, which matters if you were planning to enter from Nepal, Bhutan or Bangladesh.
- •The Visa on Arrival works at six airports only — Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. Several other airports accept e-Visa holders but cannot issue a VoA, so arriving at one of those without a visa already approved will not work.
- •The VoA is not available on diplomatic or official passports, and is excluded where the applicant or either parent or grandparent was born in, or was a permanent resident of, Pakistan.
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 six 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 six designated airports — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, costs ₹2,000, and cannot be extended; it converts to another category only in specific cases, such as marriage to an Indian national.
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 six 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.
Can I enter India overland on a tourist visa?
No. Tourist visas restrict entry to designated air and sea immigration check posts; land border and riverine routes are not permitted. If your itinerary includes crossing from Nepal, Bhutan or Bangladesh, you need a category that allows it — check before you book.
Which airports issue India's Visa on Arrival to Japanese citizens?
Six: Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. Airports such as Kochi, Kozhikode and Ahmedabad accept e-Visa holders but do not issue Visa on Arrival — if you land there without an approved visa, the VoA is not an option.
How long is India's Visa on Arrival valid for Japanese nationals?
Up to 60 days with multiple entry, for tourism, business, conference or medical visits. It cannot be extended, and converts to another category only in specific cases such as marriage to an Indian national, so a longer or different-purpose stay needs the right visa obtained before travel.
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.