Japan flag — visa destinationTransitVerified 2026-04-20

Japan Transit Visa

The Japan Transit Visa allows travellers to transit through Japan en route to another destination. Requires a valid visa of the main destination country plus confirmed onward travel booking. The cheapest Japan visa at ₹50 for Indian nationals.

Heads up — Japan Visa Checklists Vary by Jurisdiction

This info is per the Embassy of Japan, New Delhi jurisdiction.

Japan splits visa decisions across the Embassy of Japan, New Delhi + four consulates (Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru). Each has slightly different document checklists, photo specs, and processing times. The requirements on this page match the New Delhi jurisdiction.

Embassy of Japan, New Delhi jurisdiction covers

DelhiHaryanaHimachal PradeshJammu & KashmirPunjabRajasthanUttar PradeshUttarakhandChandigarhArunachal PradeshAssamManipurMeghalayaMizoramNagalandSikkimTripuraAndaman & Nicobar IslandsLakshadweep

SureshotVisa helps Indian applicants across all states (and Indians abroad) — not just New Delhi jurisdiction. If you reside elsewhere, reach out and we'll confirm the exact checklist + VFS centre for your consulate.

Processing

Minimum 5 working days from the day the application is submitted at the Embassy of Japan, New Delhi

Stay Duration

Transit-only (short stopover)

Starting Fee

₹50

Apply At

9 VFS centres

Special Instructions — Read Before Applying

These requirements apply to ALL Japan visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.

  • 1Embassy of Japan, New Delhi jurisdiction covers: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh. Other states go to Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, or Bengaluru consulates with slightly different checklists.
  • 2ALL photocopies must be on A4 size paper only.
  • 3Photograph must be 45mm × 35mm, white background, colored, ≤6 months old, 70-80% face visibility, good quality paper.
  • 4Passport must have more than 2 blank pages. Submit OLD passports too, if any.
  • 5VFS Global is involved only in the non-judgmental task of visa processing — does NOT play any role in the decision. All visa decisions are the prerogative of the Embassy of Japan, New Delhi.
  • 6Documents submitted will NOT be returned (except for the passport).
  • 7The Embassy may request an interview or additional documentation depending on personal circumstances.
  • 8For Gurugram / Chandigarh / Lucknow Drop-Off offices: payments via SEPARATE Demand Drafts (one per category) in favour of 'VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.' — NOT cash/card.

Who Can Apply

  • Indian citizens transiting Japan en route to another country
  • Applicants with valid visa of main destination country
  • Confirmed onward flight within short timeframe

Not eligible under this visa:

  • Travellers without a visa for the final destination
  • Tourism purposes — apply for Tourism visa

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Fees (in INR)

ItemAmount
Indian — Single/Double Entry Transit₹50
Other Nationals — Transit₹400
VFS service charge₹800
Courier return (optional)₹550

Visa Fee is refunded ONLY if the visa is NOT approved by the Embassy. There is a VFS Service Charge of ₹800 (inclusive of all taxes) per application — this applies even if the visa fee itself is exempted. Courier return service charge (optional): ₹550 per application (₹2,650 for Bhutan office). All charges are paid in cash/card only in INR at New Delhi VFS. For Gurugram, Chandigarh, and Lucknow Drop-Off offices: separate Demand Drafts in favour of 'VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.' — one per applicant for visa fee, service charge, and courier charge.

Documents Required

Core Documents

  • !
    Valid passport (2+ blank pages) + old passports
  • !
    Photocopy of Bio Data Page (First + Last Page)
  • !
    Completely filled and signed Visa Application Form
  • !
    One photograph (45×35mm, white bg, ≤6 months old)
  • !
    Confirmed Travel Booking (flight + hotel info)
  • !
    Copy of visa of the MAIN DESTINATION country

    Without this, application cannot be processed.

! = mandatory · = optional / if applicable

🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process

1

Get valid visa for main destination FIRST

Japan Transit visa requires valid visa of the country you're ultimately travelling to.

2

Book onward travel + transit stay

Flight showing Japan as transit + onward + any short hotel/airport stay details.

3

Submit at VFS Japan

Pay only ₹50 + ₹800 VFS. Processing 5+ working days.

Download Official Forms

Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.

📋 How to download from VFS:

  1. Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
  2. Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
  3. Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
  4. Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device

VFS Application Centres

VFS Japan New Delhi (main jurisdiction centre)VFS Japan Gurugram (Drop-Off)VFS Japan Chandigarh (Drop-Off)VFS Japan Lucknow (Drop-Off)VFS Japan Mumbai (separate jurisdiction — West India)VFS Japan Chennai (separate jurisdiction — South India)VFS Japan Kolkata (separate jurisdiction — East India)VFS Japan Bengaluru (separate jurisdiction — South India)VFS Japan Bhutan office

Quiz not yet available for this visa type

We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Japan Transit Visa is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Apply 2–3 weeks before travel — 5 working days is the minimum, but Embassy can extend.
  • Japan has rolled out Multiple-Entry visas for Indian travellers with Japan travel history (Multiple 1-7). If you've been to Japan twice in 3 years, the Multiple visa is much easier to get than a fresh tourist visa.
  • Income Tax Returns (ITR) are always accepted; bank statements are the fallback. Submit both when applying for Multiple entry visas.
  • For Student/Dependent applicants: always include parent/spouse's ITR + consent letter.
  • Photocopies on A4 only — other sizes cause rejection at VFS counter.
  • Transit visa is the CHEAPEST Japan visa at ₹50 — but you NEED a valid visa for your final destination first.
  • Many airports allow international transit without visa (up to 72 hours in some cases) — check with your airline first before applying for Transit visa.

Common Rejection Reasons

  • 1.Main destination country visa not submitted
  • 2.Onward travel not confirmed
  • 3.Confusion between Transit and Tourism categories

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Japan Transit visa if layover is short?+
Depends — some airports allow international transit up to 72 hours without visa for Indian nationals. Confirm with airline before applying. For layovers where you leave the international transit zone OR need to stay overnight, Transit visa is needed.
Why is Transit visa so cheap (₹50)?+
Transit is considered a minimal service — no tourism/work — so Japan charges very low. VFS charge of ₹800 still applies though.
What counts as 'main destination'?+
The country where your trip ends or where you spend most time. Japan is just passthrough. Submit copy of that country's visa stamped in your passport.
Can I tour Tokyo during my transit?+
Not really — Transit visa is for short transit only. For tourism within Japan, apply for Tourism visa (₹500).
Can I convert Transit to Tourism once in Japan?+
No — Japanese visas cannot be converted/extended within Japan for short stays. Plan your visa type correctly upfront.
Double Entry Transit?+
Same ₹50 fee. Useful if your trip involves going to destination, returning to Japan briefly, then returning to India (e.g. Tokyo → LAX → Tokyo → Delhi).

Let us prepare your Japan Transit Visa application

Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.

Other Japan Visa Types

Short-Stay Tourism

Japan Tourism Visa (Short-Stay)

Short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting Japan for holiday or recreation — up to 90 days.

Short-Stay Tourism — Indian Students

Japan Tourism Visa for Indian University Students and Graduates

Single-entry short-stay visa for Indian university students — purpose: tourism for up to 30 days. Streamlined for students from eligible Indian universities.

Short-Stay Business

Japan Short Term Business Visa

Short-stay visa for business visits to Japan — conferences, negotiations, exploratory business visits — up to 90 days.

Short-Stay — Visiting Relatives/Friends

Japan Visit Visa — Relatives / Friends / Acquaintances

Short-stay visa for visiting family, friends, or acquaintances in Japan — up to 90 days.

Long-Term (COE-based)

Japan Long Term Stay with Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Long-term visa for work, study, or residency in Japan — requires Certificate of Eligibility (COE) obtained by Japanese sponsor.

Medical Stay

Japan Medical Stay Visa

Visa for patients travelling to Japan for medical treatment or consultations — requires registered Japanese guarantor (medical coordinator/travel agency).

Long-Term — Job Hunting / Entrepreneurial

Japan J-Find Visa (Future Creation Individual)

2-year visa for Indian graduates of top universities to engage in job hunting, entrepreneurial activity, or remunerative activity in Japan.

Multiple Entry — Travel History

Japan Multiple Entry Visa (Multiple 1) — 2+ Japan Visits in Last 3 Years

Multiple-entry short-stay visa for Indians with 2+ temporary visitor visits to Japan in the last 3 years — simple document pack.

Source & Disclaimer

Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Japan website and Embassy of Japan. Last verified 2026-04-20. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.