Japanische Botschaft in der Schweiz
在スイス日本国大使館

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Travel Information - English

Visa Information

Please refer to the latest list in the homepage of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 日本語はこちら

Please note that all information given here is of a general nature. Application procedures vary according to nationality and the purpose of the projected journey to Japan. When applying for a visa, the applicant may be asked to provide documents which are not mentioned here. To avoid confusion, please contact the consular section by telephone to confirm the application procedure.

Visa Information for Swiss Passport Holders / Passport Holders of the principality of Liechtenstein

A visa is not required for Swiss passport holders and passport holders of the Principality of Liechtenstein who wish to enter Japan for a period of 6 months or less for the following purposes:

sightseeing; recreation; visiting relatives or friends; attending a conference; business purposes (such as market surveys, business liaison, business talks, signing contracts and after-sale service for machinery imported into Japan); amateur participation in athletic tournaments or contests; or other similar activities during a short-term stay in Japan.

Nationals of countries that have concluded agreements with Japan for stays of a maximum of 6 months in principle are granted permission to stay in Japan for 90 days must apply at their nearest immigration authority in Japan for an extension of their period of stay.

When entering Japan a traveler should possess a fixed-date, confirmed return or onward journey ticket, and any supporting documents which can serve as evidence of the purpose of the trip. Furthermore, a traveler may be asked to show evidence of sufficient funds for the proposed period of stay in the country.

A visa is required if the purpose of your journey is long-term residency, long-term study, or employment of other remunerative activities. Please note, that there is no visa agreement regarding working holidays between Japan and Switzerland.

NOTE : We are neither able to help you to find employment in Japan, nor for your Japanese acquaintance who would like to work in Switzerland.

Young Professional Programme

The Government of Japan and the Swiss Federal Council established a programme concerning the exchange of young professionals who go to the other country for a limited period of time to take employment within the field of their previously acquired professional technology or knowledge, in the hope of familiarising themselves with business, professional and technical practices in the country and improving their linguistic knowledge. The young professionals will be granted a permit for a temporary stay to take employment within their respective field, notwithstanding the situation in the labour markets.

You can download more detailed information on Young Professional Programme and application form.
Additional Info: Flow Chart

Countries That Have Visa Exemption Arrangements With Japan

Short-term Stays (Excluding Work)

In general, every person has to come to our embassy in person to apply for a visa bringing the following required documents:

• a valid passport
• 1 photograph (passport size)
• a return flight ticket or confirmation from a travel agency
• a credit card or document showing that the person concerned can cover all expenses in Japan
• for foreigners living in Switzerland :original residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung) and Swiss employer's letter
• for a business visa, please add a letter of guarantee from the company and a letter of invitation from Japan

According to individual cases, other documents may be required (e.g. hotel reservation, etc.) and the provision of a visa can take 3–4 working days or even several weeks. The fee for a visa is according to nationality. The passport will be sent back by registered mail.

You can download our visa application form.
For further information, we recommend that you call our embassy.

Changes to the Basic Resident Registration Law

09-12-2011

～Foreign residents will be subject to the Basic Resident Registration Law～

With the soaring number of foreign nationals entering and residing in Japan each year, the establishment of a legal system by which municipalities can provide basic public services to both foreign and Japanese residents has become an urgent concern.

In order to address such concern, the law for partial amendments to the Basic Resident Registration Law was enacted at the 171st session of Diet and promulgated on July 15, 2009. This will make the Basic Resident Registration Law applicable to foreign residents and help improve their convenience and streamline municipalities' operations. This amendment will come into effect within three years after the promulgation date (exact date is to be determined by the Cabinet).

In addition, the bill to abolish the Alien Registration Act and revise *concerned immigration laws was passed and enacted at the 171st Diet session. This will replace a certificate of alien registration with a new form of identification, called residence ("zairyu") card which will be issued at the airport to foreign nationals with legal status of residence.

*The law Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those who have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan

http://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/jichi_gyousei/c-gyousei/zairyu_english.html

Useful Information for Visiting Japan

Registration Procedure at lodging facilities in Japan to be changed as of April 1, 2005
Please refer to the homepage of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Customs

Please refer to the homepage of Japanese Customs.

Driving License

For switching overseas driver's license to Japanese license and special condition of Swiss driver's license, please refer to the homepage of Japan Automobile Federation.
For a translation of Swiss driver's license into Japanese language, you can also apply at the Embassy of Switzerland in Tokyo.

Animal Quarantine Service

Please refer to the homepage of Ministry Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Online Yellow Page

You can search TEL No. in Japan (not for private phone numbers)

Contact

If you wish to inquire about visa requirements for visiting Japan, please click on the e-mail link below and provide the following information:

• Name, address and telephone No.
• Nationality
• Purpose of visiting Japan in detail
• Intended duration of stay in Japan

If you do not provide the complete information as listed above, we might be unable to process your inquiry. Inquiries by e-mail will not be answered immediately. Email to Consular Section : consularsection@br.mofa.go.jp

If you need a reply urgently, please contact us by telephone (031 300 22 22).

Note: If your residence is in one of the following cantons, please contact the Consulat du Japon à Genève (022 716 99 00) : Geneva, Vaud, Valais, Ticino