Applying for an eVisa Japan for UK families requires each passport holder, including children of any age, to submit a separate application via the Family Application feature. British citizens are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days, but non-exempt family members must obtain an eVisa at ¥15,000 per person.
Last verified: 9 September 2026. This is an independent editorial guide for the eVisa Japan for UK families process, not a UK or Japanese government website. Always confirm current requirements at the MOFA eVisa portal and the UK gov.uk Japan travel advice before applying.
What Is the Japan eVisa and Do UK Families Need One?
British citizens holding a full “British citizen” ordinary passport are visa-exempt for Japan stays up to 90 days (extendable to less than 6 months at a Japanese immigration office). Non-British family members with non-exempt passports need an eVisa. The eVisa Japan for UK families process covers single-entry, short-term stays for tourism, and each passport holder, including children of any age, must submit a dedicated application through the eVisa portal using an ordinary passport.
For mixed-nationality families, the eVisa Japan for UK families eligibility check is per person: a child holding a British citizen passport needs no eVisa. A child with a non-exempt passport must apply and can be included in the Family Application feature alongside a non-exempt parent. British dual nationals must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement to return to the UK. Non-residents in the UK are ineligible to apply through UK jurisdiction.
eVisa vs. Visa Exemption for UK Family Members
| Passport Type | Visa Requirement |
|---|---|
| British Citizen (ordinary passport) | Visa-exempt up to 90 days; no eVisa needed |
| British Overseas Citizen | eVisa required prior to travel |
| British Subject | eVisa required prior to travel |
| British Overseas Territories Citizen | eVisa required prior to travel |
| Convention Travel Document holder | eVisa required prior to travel |
Step-by-Step Family Application Process
The eVisa Japan for UK families process lets one parent create an account, add family members via the Family Application feature, and pay a single combined fee in one transaction.
Create an account
on the Japan eVisa portal. One account per principal applicant; children do not need separate email addresses.
Complete the principal applicant’s form
with personal data, passport scan, itinerary, and accommodation details.
Add family members
via the Family Application feature. The principal applicant’s information is partly copied to family members’ forms. All members must share the same itinerary and consular jurisdiction.
Upload individual documents
for each member, including passport scans and photos (max 50 pages, max 2 MB per file).
Make a single combined payment
by credit card only. The cardholder must match the applicant, except for minors, where a parent can pay on the child’s behalf.
Monitor application status
through the portal dashboard.
Consular jurisdiction: the Embassy of Japan in London (101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT) covers England and Wales; the Consulate-General in Edinburgh covers Scotland and the north-east of England, including Sunderland. The eVisa Japan for UK families process requires all members to reside in the same consular district. Applicants must remain in the UK during processing; incomplete applications are cancelled without examination, and applicants may be called for an in-person interview. For general visa inquiries, the Japan Visa Information Hotline is available 24/7 in English at 0844-986-4968; the Consular Section can be reached at 020 7465 6565 (09:30-18:00).
Withdrawal is only possible in “Temporarily received” status; no in-place modification is permitted. Accounts auto-deactivate after 365 days of inactivity, and five wrong passwords trigger a 30-minute lockout.
Required Documents for Children and Family Groups
Every child needs their own passport scan, a digital photo, a birth certificate, and, if only one parent travels, a signed parental consent letter. The eVisa Japan for UK families document requirements apply equally to adults and children, with additional guardianship documents for minors.
Documents for All Family Members
- Digital photo: taken within 6 months, plain background, face centered, no hat, no eyeglasses; formats JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, HEIC; under 2 MB; dimensions 4.5 × 3.5 cm; photos from ID documents prohibited.
- Passport data page scan: must include MRZ; formats PDF, TIF, JPG, PNG; minimum resolution 640 × 480. UK passports must be valid for the length of stay with at least one blank page for a visa stamp.
- Flight or ship itinerary (confirmed ticket not required).
- Accommodation confirmation.
- Detailed daily travel schedule.
- Proof of financial means (bank statement). Parents or guardians can provide a financial sponsorship declaration for non-earning dependants.
- Supporting documents: maximum 50 pages, max 2 MB per file.
Additional Documents for Children and Special Circumstances
- Birth certificate or proof of relationship to the accompanying adult; non-English certificates require certified English translations.
- One parent travelling: signed parental consent letter from the non-accompanying parent (full names, passport numbers, travel dates, destination, signature).
- Sole custody: UK court order or statutory declaration confirming sole legal custody.
- Legal guardian or adoptive parent: legal guardianship documents or adoption order.
- Grandparent or non-parent adult: letter of authorisation from both parents or legal guardian.
- Proxy application for minors: letter of authorization required; proxy must provide the applicant with a PDF or printed copy of the Visa Issuance Notice with QR code.
- Term-time travel: UK families should carry proof of travel dates; a school leave letter may be helpful.
- Photo tips for infants: same technical standards apply (plain background, face centered), but no strict expression requirement for very young children. Practical tip: scan the passport MRZ in daylight for best results, as low-contrast scans may be rejected.
For the eVisa Japan for UK families process, physical copies of consent documents are recommended at immigration even though the eVisa is digital.
eVisa Fees and Processing Time for UK Families
The eVisa Japan for UK families fee is ¥15,000 per person from 1 July 2026, applied equally to adults and children with no reduced rate for minors (GBP equivalent depends on exchange rate). The previous fee was ¥3,000, marking Japan’s first visa-fee increase since 1978.
| Item | Detail | Note for Families |
|---|---|---|
| Fee per person | ¥15,000 (adults and children equally) | Previous fee was ¥3,000; Japan’s first increase since 1978 |
| Payment method | Online credit card only (cash prohibited) | Parent may pay on behalf of a minor; cardholder exception applies |
| UK processing time | ~2 weeks average | Peak periods may exceed 1 month |
| Validity | 3 months from issuance, single-entry | Cannot be extended |
| Application window | Up to 3 months before travel | Minimum 1 week recommended prior to departure |
Stay duration options are 15, 30, or 90 days. The eVisa Japan for UK families cannot be extended once issued.
Using Your Family’s eVisas at the Airport
At the departure gate, display each traveller’s Visa Issuance Notice online; printed copies, PDFs, and screenshots are prohibited. The eVisa Japan for UK families process requires each notice to be shown separately, but a parent can cycle through multiple family members’ notices on a single device by logging into the eVisa portal. Ensure stable internet at the gate; bring at least one smartphone per adult travelling.
Critical for the eVisa Japan for UK families process: renewing a child’s passport after submission invalidates the eVisa. Enter Japan with the exact same passport used in the application. Families can also use Visit Japan Web for CIQ registration, which speeds up immigration via QR code but is not related to landing permission.
FAQ: eVisa Japan for UK Families with Children
Can I submit one eVisa application for my entire UK family?
Yes. One principal applicant can add family members and pay a single combined fee. All members must share the same travel dates, accommodation, and consular jurisdiction.
Do babies and children under 6 need their own Japan eVisa?
Every passport holder needs a separate application regardless of age. Children under 6 may have relaxed photo requirements, but a photo must still be uploaded.
How much does the Japan eVisa cost per child for UK families?
¥15,000 per person from 1 July 2026 for the eVisa Japan for UK families, no reduced rate for minors. Family fees are paid in one credit-card transaction; a parent can pay for a child.
What if my child’s passport is renewed while the eVisa is being processed?
The eVisa is invalidated upon passport renewal. If in “Temporarily received” status, withdraw and reapply with new passport details; if already approved, the eVisa cannot be transferred.
Does my child need a separate email address for the eVisa account?
No. The principal applicant (a parent) manages all family members’ applications through a single account via the Family Application feature.
How do I display my child’s eVisa at the airport if they don’t have a phone?
A parent can display the child’s Visa Issuance Notice on their own smartphone by logging into the eVisa portal and selecting the child’s application.
Can I apply for a Japan eVisa for my non-British child who lives with me in the UK?
Yes, if the child holds a non-visa-exempt passport. Include them in the eVisa Japan for UK families Family Application feature as long as they reside in the same consular jurisdiction.
What happens if one family member’s eVisa is refused but others are approved?
Approved members can still travel. A refused member must wait 6 months before reapplying; refusal reasons are not disclosed and the fee is not refunded.
Is there a limit on how many family members can be included in one Family Application?
The system allows multiple family members under one principal applicant, but no widely published cap exists. Apply well in advance for large family groups.
Can I travel to Japan using the eVisa if I also plan to visit another country en route?
The Japan eVisa is single-entry only. If you leave Japan and wish to re-enter, you need a separate visa or visa exemption. Permitted transport modes include air or international scheduled ferry.
