Vietnam Visa Requirements for Japanese Citizens

Planning a trip from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, or Fukuoka, or travelling on a Japanese passport from another country? Vietnam is welcoming, affordable, and easier to visit than many people expect, and for a trip of up to six weeks you may not need a visa at all. This guide covers the Vietnam visa requirements for Japanese citizens: when you can travel visa-free, when you need a visa, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to apply without the stress.

Quick Answer

Japanese passport holders can generally enter Vietnam without a visa for stays of up to 45 days. For longer stays, or for paid work, the easiest option is the Vietnam e-visa or another suitable visa. Always confirm the latest rules on the official Vietnam immigration and e-visa portals before you travel.

Do Japanese Citizens Need a Visa for Vietnam?

For a trip of up to 45 days, usually not. Vietnam has granted Japanese citizens a visa exemption under a government resolution, and it lets you stay up to 45 days from the date you enter. Japan’s own travel advice describes the conditions: your passport must have at least six months of validity on the day you enter, you must hold a ticket for your return home or onward travel, and you must not be subject to an entry ban under Vietnamese law. If your purpose, length of stay, or conditions don’t fit, you need to get a visa in advance.

There are two things to keep in mind. First, a visa-free stay generally can’t be extended once you’re in Vietnam, so plan to leave before your time runs out. Second, this kind of exemption is granted for a fixed period and may be renewed or changed, so confirm that it still applies when you book. The exemption is not meant for paid work, investment projects, or long-term stays, which need a different visa. Some older websites still describe the earlier 15-day stay, so rely on official sources.

The exemption depends on your passport nationality, not on the country where you live. If you’re a Japanese citizen living in Thailand, the United States, Singapore, or anywhere else, travel on your Japanese passport and don’t assume that a residence permit changes the rules. If you hold a Vietnamese visa or residence card, check the stay period recorded at passport control. If you hold more than one passport, tell us, because the rules follow the passport you travel on. Some special cases, such as diplomatic or official passports, may be treated differently. If you’re not sure what applies to you, contact us and we’ll help you check before you pay for anything.

Vietnam Visa Options for Japanese Citizens

1. Visa-free entry (stays up to 45 days)

For stays within the allowance, you don’t need to apply for anything in advance. You show your passport at immigration, along with any documents the airline or officers ask for, such as your onward ticket and accommodation details. Count your days from the date you enter, and plan your departure with a small buffer.

2. Vietnam e-visa (longer stays and other purposes)

If you plan to stay longer than 45 days, or you want more certainty, the Vietnam e-visa is the simplest route. It’s an electronic visa you apply for online, receive by email, and print before you fly. It’s valid for up to 90 days and available as single or multiple entry. A visa on arrival is another route some travellers use, but it adds a second fee and extra steps, and it only works at airports, so we recommend the e-visa.

3. Embassy or consulate visa

You can apply in person at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, which may be useful if you need a visa type the e-visa doesn’t cover, such as a work visa. Vietnam has an embassy in Tokyo and consulates general in Osaka and Fukuoka. Contact details and opening hours can change, so please check the official channels before you go. For most holiday and short business trips, the visa-free stay or the e-visa is quicker and saves you the trip.

Which one should you choose?

Vietnam E-Visa for Japanese Citizens: How It Works

You fill in an online form, upload a photo and a passport scan, pay the fee, and wait for approval. When it’s ready, you download the e-visa, print it, and show it at the border. You must enter and exit through approved international checkpoints, so check that your arrival airport or border crossing is on the list.

Single or multiple entry?

• Single entry: one way in and one way out. If you leave Vietnam, even for a day trip, the visa is used up.
• Multiple entry: leave and return within the visa’s validity, which is perfect for side trips to neighbouring countries.

Documents and Passport Requirements

Have these ready, whether you travel visa-free or apply for an e-visa:

• A valid Japanese passport in good condition, with blank pages. We recommend at least two blank pages to be safe.
• Enough validity. Your passport should have at least six months remaining on the day you enter Vietnam, not on the day you return home. Confirm the exact rule before you travel.
• A ticket out of Vietnam. Airlines and immigration may ask to see your return or onward ticket.
• Travel details. Arrival date, entry point, and first night’s accommodation.

For an e-visa application, you will also need:

• A clear passport data page scan. The whole page, with no glare or cropping.
• A recent portrait photo. Looking straight at the camera, with no glasses.
• A payment card and an email address you check often.

If your route to Vietnam includes a connection, check whether you need a transit visa for your connecting airport, because that is a separate requirement from your Vietnam visa.

Vietnam Visa Cost for Japanese Citizens

Visa-free entry costs nothing. If you need an e-visa, your total has two parts.

Government fee. US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry. It’s non-refundable, even if the visa isn’t granted. The fee depends on single or multiple entry, not on whether you choose 30 or 90 days.

Service fee. If you apply through us, our service fee depends on your visa type and speed. Normal processing is included, and faster options add a small surcharge. You can see our full price list on the Vietnam e-Visa fees page. Prices are in US dollars, so the amount in Japanese yen depends on the exchange rate on the day, and you’ll need a card that can pay in US dollars.

How Long Does the Vietnam Visa Take?

If you need an e-visa, official processing is about 3 working days. Our normal service allows 5 working days to leave a safe buffer, and faster options start from 3 working days. Working days exclude weekends and Vietnamese public holidays.

A good rule of thumb: apply at least two weeks before you fly.

In a hurry? We offer faster options, from 3 working days down to a few hours, plus emergency help.

A quick note on time zones. Our urgent services run on Vietnam time, which is 2 hours behind Japan (UTC+9). For example, a cut-off of 8:00 AM Vietnam time is 10:00 AM in Tokyo. Check the time difference before you rely on a cut-off.

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa From Japan

If you’re travelling visa-free, there’s nothing to apply for. If you need an e-visa, follow these steps:

1. Choose your visa. Pick your length of stay and single or multiple entry.
2. Enter your details. Copy everything exactly from your passport.
3. Upload your photo and passport scan.
4. Check and pay. Review every field before you confirm.
5. We review and submit. We catch small mistakes before they become delays.
6. Receive your e-visa by email. Download it, check the details, and print a copy.

The Date Mistake to Avoid

For an e-visa, your stay doesn’t begin when you land. It starts from the entry date you put on the application, even if you arrive later. Pick July 1 but fly in on July 6, and you lose five days. Set the entry date to the day you really plan to arrive.

If you travel visa-free, your 45 days are counted from the date you enter. Write down your arrival date and your last day in Vietnam, and leave a small buffer before your flight home.

Common Mistakes Japanese Citizens Make

• Counting passport validity from the wrong day. The six months are counted from the day you enter Vietnam, not from the day you return home.
• Travelling without a ticket out of Vietnam. Immigration and airlines can ask to see your return or onward ticket.
• Relying on outdated information. Some websites still describe the earlier 15-day stay. Check official sources for the current rule.
• Staying longer than the allowance. A visa-free stay generally can’t be extended inside Vietnam, so leave in time or get a visa first.
• Assuming the exemption covers paid work. It’s for visits, so ask us if your plans involve work or other activities that earn income.
• Using look-alike websites. Apply on the official portal or through a licensed provider.
• Typos in passport details. One wrong digit can make an e-visa unusable. Japanese names are written in Latin letters on your passport, and the spelling can differ from the one you use elsewhere, so copy it exactly as shown in the machine-readable lines at the bottom of your passport’s photo page, and ask us if you’re unsure.
• Forgetting your transit visa. A connecting flight can need its own visa, separate from Vietnam’s.
• Applying too late. If you need an e-visa, even fast options work best with a buffer.

Entry Checklist Before You Fly

• Passport with at least six months remaining on your entry date, and blank pages.
• Approved e-visa, printed, with a digital backup, if you need one.
• Pre-arrival declaration. Air travellers may need to complete Vietnam’s free online pre-arrival declaration before landing. Check the official government portal for current requirements, and avoid sites that charge for it.
• Return or onward flight ticket.
• First night’s accommodation details.
• Transit visas for any connecting country, if required.
• Travel insurance, which isn’t required for entry but is a smart idea.

Staying Longer Than Planned?

Neither the visa-free stay nor the e-visa can be extended on the spot inside Vietnam, so if you might stay longer, choose the 90-day e-visa from the start. Ask us about other options, such as a new e-visa after leaving the country.