Visa

・Visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for further information
　⇒https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
・Japan Visa Information Hotline Toll Free Call (WebRTC)
　⇒https://comm.brdg.site/visa_japan.html

Who needs a visa to enter Japan?

In general, all foreign nationals are required to apply for a visa to enter Japan, unless they enter with a valid re-entry permit or are eligible for visa waiver measures. Currently, visa exemptions apply to certain countries and regions, including North Macedonia. Passport holders from these visa waiver countries/regions do not need to apply for a visa for a short stay for the purpose of business, meetings, sightseeing, or visiting relatives or acquaintances.
However, those who intend to engage in remunerated activities in Japan or to stay longer than the short-stay period set for each country will need to obtain a visa.
 
Please refer to "Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)" (MoFA: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website) for visa exemption measures, countries/regions to which the measures apply and eligible passport types.

Eligible applicants at the Embassy of Japan in North Macedonia (Who can apply?)

(1) Visa applications are accepted only from residents in North Macedonia.
(2) Long-term residents of North Macedonia with a permanent residence visa, student visa, work visa, etc. can apply.
(3) We DO NOT accept visa applications from tourists visiting North Macedonia.
*If you have special circumstances that require you to apply in North Macedonia, please contact the Consular Section.

Necessary time for visa issuance

Generally, visas are issued within 5 business days from the date of application. More time may be required if documents are incomplete or there are problems with the examination process.

Activities without remuneration and shot-term stay (less than 90 days)

Example: company missions, business meetings, acquaintance/relative visits, tourism etc.
 
Foreign nationals NOT on the list HERE for a so-called “short-term visa exemption” MUST obtain a visa to enter Japan.
Click here for required documents depending on your nationality:

China	Russia	CIS countries, Ukraine and Georgia
Philippines	Viet Nam	Other Nationalities

 

Activities with remuneration or long-term stay (more than 90 days)

Example: employment, long-term residency, long-term studies etc.
 
ALL foreign nationals should obtain a “Certificate of Eligibility” prior to a visa application at the Embassy. The “Certificate of Eligibility” can be applied through a proxy/company/organization based in Japan at the local Immigration Bureau(Ministry of Justice) of the proxy residence/company base etc.
 
NOTE: Applications for a “Certificate of Eligibility” CANNOT be accepted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Embassies/Consulates.
 

Required application documents

1	Visa application form (filled through)
2	2 photos (45mm×35mm)
3	Valid Passport
4	Certificate of Eligibility  (COE, electronic form, original paper or copy is accepted.)
5	Resident permit issued by the North Macedonia Government  (※Non-North Macedonia nationals only)

(1) Applicant must apply for visa according to the purpose of your travel. Temporary visitor’s visa is visa for those who plan to stay for not more than 90 days for the purpose of activities such as sightseeing, commercial purpose, conference, and visit to relatives or acquaintances only. It is not allowed in Temporary visitor’s visa activities (employment, entertainment etc.) that earn compensation or training with training allowance or included On the Job Training.
   If the purpose is to stay longer than 90 days (to live with spouse or to study etc.) or to engage in activities (employment, entertainment etc.) that earn compensation even if stay is for 90 days or less; or if a training allowance is paid or included in the training, please consult with the nearest immigration office in Japan, obtain the appropriate Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and apply for a visa.
(2) Submission of requirements does not guarantee issuance of visa.
(3) If document submitted for application is verified by Embassy or Consular Office as fake or tampered, visa is not issued.
(4) Documents submitted for application will not be returned.
(5) Reason for the denial of visa will not be disclosed even if an inquiry is made. At the same time, if a visa application is denied, applicant may only re-apply for the same purpose after 6 months.

Q1: I am a North Macedonian passport holder. Do I need a visa to enter Japan?

A1: North Macedonian passport holders are NOT required a visa for a short term stay up to 90 days and for purposes without remuneration, such as company missions, business meetings, conferences, acquaintance/relative visits, or tourism.
North Macedonian passport holders who intend stay for a long-term (more than 90 days) and/or to carry out an activity with remuneration in Japan, should obtain a “Certificate of Eligibility” through their host person/organization in Japan at the local Immigration Bureau (Ministry of Justice) of the host’s base prior to applying for a visa at the Embassy.
 

Q2: I am a foreign national other than North Macedonian. Do I need a visa to enter Japan?

A2:  Foreign nationals with a so-called “short-term visa exemption” as on the list HERE are NOT required a visa for a stay up to 90 days and for purposes without remuneration, such as company missions, business meetings, conferences, acquaintance/relative visits, or tourism.
However, foreign nationals other than North Macedonian on the above LIST, who intend to stay for a long-term (more than 90 days) and/or to carry out an activity with remuneration in Japan, should obtain a “Certificate of Eligibility” through their host person/organization in Japan at the local Immigration Bureau (Ministry of Justice) of the host’s base prior to applying for a visa at the Embassy.
Foreign nationals NOT on the list HERE, who do NOT grant a so-called “short-term visa exemption”, MUST obtain a visa for any kind of purpose and length of stay in Japan.
Moreover, in case they intend to stay for a long-term (more than 90 days) and/or to carry out an activity with remuneration in Japan, they should obtain a “Certificate of Eligibility” through their host person/organization in Japan at the local Immigration Bureau (Ministry of Justice) of the host’s base prior to applying for a visa at the Embassy.
 

Q3: Does my passport need to have a minimum validity period to enter Japan?

A3: No. No minimum validity period of passport is required to enter Japan.
 

Q4: Are there COVID-19 related measures at the borders of Japan?

A4: As of 29th April 2023, 0 a.m. local time in Japan, the measure of presenting a COVID-19 booster vaccination certificate or a PCR negative test result at the Japanese borders has been lifted.
All travelers are recommended to register to "Visit Japan Web" for immigration and toll declaration prior to their journey (not obligatory).