Help with JP Tourist Visa

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Hi, I have a friend that holds a china passport and studying here in the UK with a student visa. He is planning to apply for a Japan Tourist Visa to go Japan for a holiday for a week or two.

I have seen the documents needed, but some of them are confusing such as these:

- Original Letter of Invitation from japan

- Original letter of guarantee from japan

- If guarantor is not Japanese, certificate of alien registration

- Guarantors Certificate of Employment

- Guarantors Income Certificate

From what I can see, it means you NEED to know someone in Japan? Before you can apply for a tourist visa?

How is that even possible as he doesn't know anyone in Japan?
 
It does not sound like the things needed for a tourist visa, more like a work visa, as it's the kind of info we have have to provide for people going over there to work.
With the past history of Japan and China he may need to meet different criteria from us Westerners. If Japan are like America then he will have to apply from his home country.
 
that sounds more like a working holiday visa he's going for, im not sure exactly what you need being from china but iv been to japan 3 times for a holiday with no visa required.

best thing he could do is contact the japanese embasy and double check if he even needs a visa for a holiday
 
You don't need a visa for Japan if you're only going to be in the country for 90 days or less. They just stamp your passport when you arrive, and you're good to go. Doesn't cost a penny.

:)
 
As above, sounds like he has the papers for a working holiday or working visa. I know for British tourists its just the usual form you fill out on the plane.
But he is best checking the japanese embassy.
 
Does no one bother reading the fact that he's asking for someone who holds a Chinese passport? :P

Best suggestion is to just double check the requirements, but I wouldn't be surprised if those were right. With my experience of applying for visas (on an Indian passport), those are the kind of things you need if he's going to visit someone rather than just for tourism. Proof of income in terms of last 3 months of bank statements should be ok instead of the gurantor's as should hotel reservations instead of a letter of invite.

Though I do remember last year when I called up the Moldovian embassy and asked them about some stuff, and they said that basically a letter of invitation is necessary, and to get that I would need to apply for one to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Was just too much hassle so I didn't go, but could well be what your friend needs to do for Japan.

If it's not one of those stupidly expensive automated systems that the schengen countries use and he could actually talk to a person, I would suggest calling and confirming.

Edit -

I just looked at their website. I'm afraid he does have a bit of a problem ahead. The requirements for people who need visas are different for chinese passport holders and everyone else. In others cases, hotel booking will do but chinese people seem to need taht in addition to the letters of invitation. 12 points of documents for them rather than the 8 for others. Best bet would be asking them directly how exactly to proceed.

Also - Other passport holders - application takes 5 working days
chinese passport holders - application referred to ministry of foreign affairs in tokyo and takes one month or more.

It does suck, but is it really worth all this hassle for him? I know a bunch of holidays I almost cancelled because it was just too much effort in terms of visas. 1 month is a long time.

Linky if anyone wants -

http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/visa/temp_visa.htm
 
Last edited:
hi,

yeah its true, i had to do this for my GF (she is Chinese). Japan is really strict with Chinese people travelling by themselves. Luckily i was able to get the documents done. Its much easier if your friend joins a Chinese tour group
 
Good grief, what does Japan have against Chinese people? :confused:

Apart from several major wars, of course.
 
Evangelion said:
I doubt that this would change anything.
Click to expand...

huh? There is a HUGE difference between passports from different countries. I've seen smartly dressed intelligent sounding people being interrogated and pulled out of lines, just because of what passports they hold. If you travel British, American, Aus or Canadian, you're pretty much home free.
 
regulus said:
huh? There is a HUGE difference between passports from different countries. I've seen smartly dressed intelligent sounding people being interrogated and pulled out of lines, just because of what passports they hold. If you travel British, American, Aus or Canadian, you're pretty much home free.
Click to expand...

Sad, but so true :( The only reason i'm tempted to stay here long enough to be able to get a passport is so travelling, which I love, will be a lot easier.

I remember a couple of years back when I wanted to travel to about 3 schengen countries. Was planning to fly out on 7th of June. Started making appointments in end april for various embassies. Italian embassy where I was planning to start the holiday from - earliest appointment - 9th June. French - no more appointments until something is freed up. Germany - 27th (finally did this). But having to book so far in advance when travelling with friends who don't need to at all is just a massive pain. Makes me feel bad as well for hurrying them up on plans just so I can go and apply :(

Though last year was just the most annoying one when the questions I was being asked just annoyed me.

"Why are you going to finland?"
"Tourism"
"There are places for tourism. why finland?" i mean, seriously, cmon! I need to prove why I want to visit the country? THey wanted a list of places i'm going to see and why.

When I mentioned a finnish friend said the place was beautiful, they wanted his details, how I met him, where he is now, etc etc.

Belgian embassy was no better - wanted a day by day itinerary of what i'm going to do there and how i'm going to travel between places. The answer "by train...the tickets of which i'l buy when I get there" wasn't good enough. (this is after showing plane tickets in and out of schengen countries)

And yet, these same documents were perfectly fine for the german embassy the year before.

Just got fed up and went to one in India. Had the visa in 3 days with no problems.
 
Fragalot said:
hi,

yeah its true, i had to do this for my GF (she is Chinese). Japan is really strict with Chinese people travelling by themselves. Luckily i was able to get the documents done. Its much easier if your friend joins a Chinese tour group
Click to expand...

How did you manage to get the documents done? Some of it requires you to know someone in Japan.
 
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