Chapters
- 01. How to enter Japan from the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
- 02. What is Japan visa - business, tourist, student or visit visa?
- 03. Different categories for Japanese visas to Nigerians
- 04. Japan visa: Nigeria basic requirements to travel to Japan
- 05. Putting your documents together and heading to the Japanese embassy consulate in Nigeria
- 06. Conclusion
- 07. Frequently asked questions
Japan is a beautiful country that is blessed with amazing landscape and eye-catching features for a memorable visit. Whether you are going to Japan to learn the Japanese language, for education, for tourism purpose or greener pastures, there are some things you need to put in place before travelling - Visa application is definitely one of the things to do.
With a population size of about 126 million people, Japan has some of the most beautiful historical buildings in the world. The Japanese government recently announced that they are willing to welcome up to 30 million visitors in 2020. The majority of tourists like to visit cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Yokohama, and islands such as Hokkaido, Shikoku, and a few others.
Now, if you are interested in visiting Japan as a Nigerian, this article will show you all the necessary information and steps needed to legally gain entry into the great territory of Japan.
You may also be interested in Japan travel guide for Nigerians, a guide that shows you how to enjoy your time in Japan.
How to enter Japan from the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
There are about 67 countries and regions that have visa exemption privileges to Japan - countries like the United States, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, etc. get a visa waiver to enter Japan. That means, with a valid passport and proof of return ticket, the citizens of these visa-free countries would be allowed to enter Japan for a period of time - usually ranging from days to months. Unfortunately, for countries like Nigeria, your passport is not enough to get you entry into Japan. While it is true that you need a Japanese visa to enter Japan, getting a Japan visa won't be a big deal if you can provide all the necessary requirements and follow the steps highlighted in this article.
What is Japan visa - business, tourist, student or visit visa?
As stated earlier, some countries do not need a tourist or visit visa to enter Japan - the citizens of countries such as the United States of America, New Zealand, Canada, Sweden, etc. are free to travel to Japan without a visa so long their purpose of travelling is well-defined and they can show proves of returning to their native countries.
Do you need a visa for Japan as a Nigerian? The answer is in the affirmative! For you to be able to travel to Japan, you must be legally cleared and approved by the Japan Embassy in Abuja. So simply put, a visa is a legal approval for a foreigner to visit a country for a stipulated period of time.
Now, since we have known that a visa is needed to gain entry into Japan as Nigerians, what are the Japan visa requirements and information needed and how do I apply for a visa? This takes us to the next heading in this article.
Read about the 10 biggest cities in Japan.
Different categories for Japanese visas to Nigerians
As a foreigner, you can travel to Japan for different reasons. It could be as a student, businessman, tourist, or just a visit. For this cause, there are different types of visas you can apply for, depending on your purpose of travelling to the country.
- Student visa: If you wish to study in Japan as a Nigerian, then you need to obtain a student visa to be eligible to school in the country. Even though there are programs that are taught in the English language, it is very important that you learn the Japanese language if you want to have a wonderful experience.
- Work visa: Just as the name implies, a work visa is one that permits you to work freely in Japan. You have to be a professional in your field to be able to seek immigration to Japan.
- Japan working holiday visa: The Japan working holiday visa is designed for young people within the age bracket of 18 and 30. With this visa, you can travel to Japan and stay for a period of one year. During your stay, you are allowed to find part-time jobs to keep yourself productive. As at the time of writing this article, this option is not yet available for Nigeria nationals.
- Business visa: If you are going to Japan to strike a business deal with a business partner that lives in Japan, then you need to put in an application for a business visa
- Tourist visa: Due to the mountainous nature of Japan and the mind-boggling features that characterize the Japanese territory, millions of people all around the world visit Japan every year for tourism. As a Nigerian going for tourism, do I need a visa for Japan? Yes, you do. As long as you are travelling to the country for any purpose, getting approval from the Japanese embassy in Nigeria is required.
- Visitor visa: If you have a family member or friends you would like to visit in Japan, then you must put in an application for a visitor visa. You must state the period of time you want to spend and stick to it in order not to breach the agreement you entered with the Japanese government.
Although there are still other types of visas to apply for, the ones listed above are the major ones that are related to Nigerians. Now that you have known the type of visa you need for a particular purpose, it is time for us to go through the visa application processes.
Have fun in Japan by visiting these places.
Japan visa: Nigeria basic requirements to travel to Japan
The ministry of foreign affairs in conjunction with the Japanese embassy requires that you get some documents ready for visa application. This is regardless of the type of visa you are applying for. Don't worry, on the application form (use the link below to download the form), there is a column that will require you to state the purpose of travel. This is where you will indicate either education, visit, tourism or business. Below is a summary of what will be required of you when applying for a Japanese visa:
- A valid Nigerian passport with at least 2 blank spaces for a stamp. for example, If you intend to stay in Japan for up to 3 months, the validity of your passport must cover that duration.
- A completed application form that is duly signed. Read on to see how to download the application form online.
- For a minor (underage person), the form should be signed by parents or guardians.
- White background passport photograph with dimensions 45mm x 35mm
- proof to show your financial strength e.g your bank statement or that of your sponsor
- Proof to show your flight return ticket
- Proof of accommodation letter
- Proof to show that you have ties with your country. This has been the undoing of so many visa applicants. You have to convince the visa officer that you have plans of coming back to your country. This can be achieved by either tendering your employer travel consent or having an established business in Nigeria.
- Proof to show that you have no criminal records. This can be gotten by visiting a police station close to you.
- Presentation of documents confirming your intent of travel letter e.g admission letter if for schooling, business documents if for a business trip, e.t.c
- A copy of the travel itinerary
Note: All visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant.
Now that you have known all that will be required from you to apply for a Japanese visa, the next step is how to go about getting the required form, filling it, and submitting to the right embassy consulate.
Putting your documents together and heading to the Japanese embassy consulate in Nigeria
After downloading the application form online and filling it, the next step is to gather every required document listed above and head to the Japanese embassy in Abuja (check the FAQ below for the address of the Japanese embassy in Abuja). After submitting your application, it usually takes some days to months (as the case may be in the type of visa you are applying for) before you get a notification about the status of your application.
Below is a summary of how long it takes to process a Japanese visa, and how long you have to stay in Japan with such visas.
Conclusion
Although there is no visa waiver for Nigerians when travelling to Japan, applying and getting a Japanese visa is straight forward and not too tiresome. If you may ask, what is there to do in Japan? You can visit Japan for various purposes - For tourism, business, education, or visit. Owning to the beautiful features present in Japan, it has been the holiday destination for people across the globe. If you decide to learn some Japanese before travelling to the country, Superprof has dozens of professional Japanese teachers that will help out. The good thing about Superprof learning platform is that you get your first one hour of lesson for free.
Read about the most famous emperors of Japan.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the address of the Japanese consulate embassy in Nigeria?
The embassy is located at No. 9 Bobo Street, Off Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria. You can reach them on phone via +234 (0)90-6000-9019
- Is there a Japanese visa waiver for Nigerians?
Unfortunately, Nigerians are not part of the countries that enjoy visa-free application to enter Japan. However, the application process is not too laborious.
- What is the flight duration from Nigeria to Japan?
Typically, it takes about 17 hours to fly from Lagos, Nigeria to Tokyo, Japan
- How long does the visa Japan process take?
Usually between 5 to 10 days. It might extend for more days in some cases.
- Can I get a Japanese visa on arrival?
As a Nigerian, you can't get a visa on arrival. You have to apply in your home country.
- Is there a visa application fee for applicants?
Yes, there is. As an applicant, you have to pay ¥3,000 for the services
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