Japan is a country that seems like the perfect place to unwind and soak in a culture that’s similar yet completely different from ours. The country, known for its discipline, advanced technology, and significant impact on global culture, is one of the most visited countries in the world. If you too wish to visit Japan but don’t know how to go to Japan from India, here’s us helping you out with all the information you need.
How To Go to Japan From India: Flights, Visa, And Job Guide
Reaching Japan: Flights, International Airports, And More
From India, you can reach Japan only by flights, and luckily, the two countries are well-connected to each other. There are both direct as well as connecting flights that connect major airports in India and Japan.
Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad International Airports run many flights to Japan’s two major international airports – the Haneda International and the Narita International.
These two international airports serve as major entryways for tourists in Japan. Although round-trip flight prices vary according to the season, general fares start as low as INR 35,000. Air India, IndiGo, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, SriLankan Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines are major airlines facilitating travel between India and Japan.
The India to Japan distance by air time can range anywhere between 8 hours and 21 hours, depending on the connectivity and layovers. This duration depends on the airline carrier, so prepare for a flight anywhere between just a few hours and an entire day!
Travel Visa Requirements And Process For Indians Visiting Japan
Now that you know how to reach Japan, it’s time to know in detail about the Japan visa for Indians for either travel or work. Starting April 2024, Japan has rolled out e-Visas for Indian tourists. This is a move towards improving India-Japan relations and making tourism in Japan more accessible for Indians.
You can directly apply for a single-entry visa through an online application and get it issued in about 10 working days. Plus, the visa is valid for 90 days, making it quite convenient for tourists who want to spend longer time exploring the country. There are both single-entry as well multiple-entry options, making the application more convenient for tourists making multiple entries and exits during this 90-day period. Here’s a step-by-step guide for you:
- Visit the official website.
- Determine your visa type to visit Japan. In this case, it will be a temporary/tourist visa.
- Begin your application and fill in all necessary details.
- Choose a visa application center and make an appointment.
- Pay your visa application fees.
- Attend the scheduled appointment at the visa application center.
- Track your application progress.
Here are the documents required for a temporary visa for tourism in Japan:
- A valid passport for at least the next six months. Keep your old passports handy as well, if any.
- Photocopy of the Bio Data page of the current passport (first and last page).
- A completely filled and signed visa application form.
- Passport-sized photographs taken within the last 6 months (on a white background)
- Flight tickets showing arrival and departure to/from Japan.
- A rough Japan itinerary highlighting the hotel information, contact information, and intended itinerary.
- Latest income tax returns or bank statements of the last 6 months.
Application fee for temporary visitor visa: INR 450 for Indians + INR 800 processing fee for VFS Global.
Business And Work Visa Requirements And Process For Indians Visiting Japan
With the third largest GDP in the world and one of the world’s most advanced economies, there are plenty of opportunities for Indians to work in Japan. The country offers a ton of opportunities in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, education, finance, hospitality, and others.
There are two kinds of visas for Indians visiting Japan – a short term business visa as well as a long term visa (with a Certificate of Eligibility/CoE).
Let’s understand the visa requirements for both the kinds of visa.
Short Term Business Visa
Applicable for: Business affairs, market research, conference, and cultural or sport exchange.
Required documents:
- A valid passport for at least the next six months. Keep your old passports handy as well, if any.
- Photocopy of the Bio Data page of the current passport (first and last page).
- A completely filled and signed visa application form.
- Passport-sized photographs taken within the last 6 months (on a white background).
- Travel order issued by the employer.
- Certificate of Employment.
- Flight tickets showing arrival and departure to/from Japan.
- Latest income tax returns (Optional, but required when requesting multiple entry visa).
Application fee for short term business visa: INR 450 for Indians + INR 800 processing fee for VFS Global.
Long-term Term Visa With CoE
Applicable for: Long-term stay in Japan for work or an educational programme.
Required documents:
- A valid passport for at least the next six months. Keep your old passports handy as well, if any.
- Photocopy of the Bio Data page of the current passport (first and last page).
- A completely filled and signed visa application form.
- Passport-sized photographs taken within the last 6 months (on a white background)
- Certificate of Eligibility. Original, photocopy, or e-CoE is acceptable.
Additional Documents for the work visa
- Experience certificate.
- Educational certificate from the last school/university attended.
Additional Documents for student visa for language schools
- Language certificate.
- Educational certificate from the last school/university attended.
- Financial document of parent(s)/sponsor (Latest Income Tax Return or Bank statement for last 6 months).
Note: All photocopies should be on A4 size only!
Work Visa Rejections
While there are less chances of your visa getting rejected if you provide all the information accurately. However, here are a few reasons why your work visa might get rejected.
- Errors or omissions in the submitted documents.
- Application made by a person without the qualifications to make a proxy application.
- Applicant does not qualify for the status of residence due to insufficient funds.
- Failed verification of documents.
- Fraudulent or mistaken information.
- Applicant has criminal records.
Understanding The Work Culture In Japan
Japan’s workforce, despite being one of the world’s most influential economies, is experiencing a crisis due to its ageing population and low birth rate. This is leading to severe workforce shortages across most sectors in the country.
In order to sustain and diversify the workforce, Japan is open to hiring international resources to compensate for the workforce shortage. And for Indians, this signals towards a golden opportunity to work in Japan.
There are many reliable and expat-friendly Japanese job websites that you can rely on finding job opportunities. These include Daijob, Gaijinpot, LinkedIn and Japan Dev. These are some of Japan’s top job portals for finding job vacancies for Indian professionals.
While you certainly do need educational qualifications to work in Japan, you also need to be proficient in the Japanese language. The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is most often used to gauge proficiency levels and is used as an important selection criteria for both working professionals and students.
When it comes to the work culture, India and Japan have very identical work cultures. Both the countries are known for emphasizing on hierarchy, discipline, and achievement-oriented performance in the workforce. While this kind of work culture has received criticism around the world, both India and Japan have fostered this work culture for many decades. Today, both the countries are slowly moving towards a more balanced work culture, where they are prioritizing more empathetic and inclusive work environments.
Summing Up
Even if you didn’t know how to go to Japan from India for work or job, we’ve provided you with all the basic information you need to know about. So, if you wish to visit Japan for either tourism or work, you have an entry-level guide. With a ton of opportunities in the country, it is very much possible for Indians to work and settle in the Land of the Rising Sun.
FAQs
Is Getting A Working Visa In Japan Hard?
Getting a work visa in Japan can be hard as it involves multiple verification processes.
Is Japan More Costly Than India?
Yes, Japan is costlier than India. The cost of living in Japan is higher than that in India due to the economic structure of both the countries.
How Many Hours Do Japanese Work?
Japanese are known to be very disciplined and dedicated to their work, with most Japanese employees working for about 8 hours on average. However, many Japanese employees work overtime, working about 80 hours per week!
