The Japan e visa for UK work visa holders is available if your passport nationality qualifies and your travel purpose is tourism only. Eligibility depends on your passport, not your UK immigration status. Business meetings or work assignments require an in-person Temporary Visitor visa at the Embassy.
Published: 15 June 2026. Last updated: 9 September 2026. All fees and requirements verified against the MOFA eVisa portal (evisa.mofa.go.jp) and the Embassy of Japan in the UK.
Can UK Work Visa Holders Use the Japan eVisa?
Eligibility depends on passport nationality and tourism purpose, not Skilled Worker or Tier 2 status. The Japan eVisa is a single-entry short-term stay visa, up to 90 days, tourism only. Available stay durations are 15, 30, or 90 days. Business meetings, conferences, work, study, transit, and visiting acquaintances are excluded.
| Passport Nationality | Travel Purpose | Visa Route |
|---|---|---|
| British citizen | Tourism | Visa-free entry (up to 6 months) |
| British citizen | Work in Japan | Paper work visa with Certificate of Eligibility |
| Non-British UK resident | Tourism | Visa-free or eVisa by passport |
| Non-British UK resident | Work in Japan | Paper work visa with COE (always required) |
UK residence status, including a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or UKVI share code, does not determine Japan visa exemption. Only an ordinary passport governs eligibility. The Japan eVisa is unavailable to diplomatic and official passport holders. Permitted transport modes are air and international scheduled passenger ferries (Japan-Busan, Japan-Shanghai).
Why Your UK Work Visa Doesn’t Determine Your Japan Visa Needs
Japan’s visa exemption system is passport-based, not residence-permit-based. Your status of residence in the UK – whether Skilled Worker visa, Tier 2 visa, or UK business visa holder – is irrelevant to Japan eVisa eligibility.
What Japan accepts as proof of UK residence:
- Ordinary passport (primary document)
- BRP or UKVI share code (for application purposes only)
What Japan does NOT accept:
- UK residence status as basis for visa exemption
- BRP as a travel document
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for tourist eVisa applications
The Embassy of Japan in London confirms that residence permits are not accepted as travel documents. Only your passport nationality determines whether you need a Japan eVisa.
Japan Work Visa vs. eVisa: Business Travel vs Tourism
Working in Japan requires a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issued by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and a paper work visa. The Japan eVisa is valid for tourism only. Business meetings or employer-sponsored conferences require an in-person Temporary Visitor visa application at the Embassy of Japan in London (101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT; tel: 020 7465 6565) or the Consulate-General in Edinburgh.
| Your situation as a UK work visa holder | eVisa eligible? | Correct route |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday or sightseeing trip | Yes | Japan eVisa (single-entry, up to 90 days) |
| Business meetings with Tokyo office | No | In-person Temporary Visitor visa (business) at Embassy |
| Conference or trade event | No | In-person Temporary Visitor visa at Embassy/Consulate |
| Visiting friends or relatives | No | In-person Temporary Visitor visa |
| Work assignment in Japan | No | Work visa with COE from Immigration Services Agency |
| Transit through Japan | No | In-person consular visa application |
Required Documents for the Japan eVisa Application
Applicants need these documents for the Japan eVisa:
- Passport data page scan – Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) must be visible; minimum resolution 640×480 pixels; accepted formats: PDF, TIF, JPG, PNG.
- Passport-style photograph – taken within 6 months; plain untextured background; face clearly centered; under 2 MB; formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, HEIC. Photos taken from ID documents are not accepted.
- Round-trip flight or ship booking (confirmed ticket not required).
- Accommodation confirmation for the entire stay.
- Proof of financial means – bank statement accepted from digital-only banks (Monzo, Revolut, Chase).
- Detailed daily travel schedule.
- Proof of UK residence (BRP or UKVI share code).
Proving Your UK Residence for the Application
The UK is transitioning from physical BRPs to digital-only immigration status. Japanese missions accept a UKVI share code or eVisa status PDF as proof of UK residence for application purposes, but a BRP is not accepted as a travel document. Your ordinary passport remains the primary document for the Japan eVisa.
Minimum UK Visa Validity Required to Apply
Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your intended stay in Japan. No additional months are required beyond your planned stay (per gov.uk). Ensure at least 1 blank page for a visa stamp. Renewing your passport after Japan eVisa issuance invalidates the eVisa.
Document Upload Requirements
Supporting documents must not exceed 50 pages total and 2 MB per file. The Japan eVisa online portal enforces these limits strictly; incomplete applications are cancelled without processing, and incorrect information causes delays or cancellation.
How to Apply for the Japan eVisa from the UK
UK work visa holders apply through the JAPAN eVISA website; the fee is ¥15,000 (~£77), payable by card only. The system is available 24/7. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your travel date. The Japan eVisa is valid for 3 months from issuance. Applicants must remain in the UK during the entire process.
Check
Required documents by entering your nationality and country of residence on the portal.
Create
An account, enter personal and passport details, upload documents, and submit.
Receive
The examination result via registered email or your online account.
Pay
The visa fee online by credit or debit card following the notification email.
Display
The Visa Issuance Notice live on a smartphone or tablet at the airport – PDFs, screenshots, and printouts are prohibited.
Note: UK applicants apply directly online. Residents of China, Philippines, Vietnam, and UAE must use an accredited agency route. A registered visa agent is permitted for in-person Embassy applications (except Spouse/Child of Japanese National visas). Account lockout occurs after 5 incorrect password attempts (30-minute lock); accounts are terminated after 365 days of inactivity. Applications cannot be modified after submission; you must withdraw (only in “Temporarily received” status) and reapply.
Japan eVisa Fees 2026
| Visa Type | Fee from 1 July 2026 | Fee before 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Single-entry eVisa | ¥15,000 (~£77) | ¥3,000 |
| Multiple-entry paper visa | ¥30,000 (~£154) | ¥6,000 |
Payment: credit/debit card only (online). No cash. No refunds after issuance. The credit card holder must be the applicant (minors excepted).
Processing Times for UK Applicants
Visa processing time takes 5 business days (MOFA standard) or up to 2 weeks (Embassy of Japan in the UK estimate). Peak periods may exceed 1 month. The clock starts when the embassy confirms your application is complete, not on submission date.
Arrival in Japan – Showing Your eVisa at the Airport and Common Mistakes
Japan eVisa holders must display the Visa Issuance Notice live on a smartphone or tablet at the airport. PDFs, screenshots, and printouts are prohibited. Internet access (roaming or WiFi) is required upon arrival in Japan. The Japan eVisa is single-entry only.
Common mistakes and fixes:
- Wrong travel purpose (business vs tourism) – apply for Temporary Visitor visa instead
- Insufficient financial proof – provide clear bank statements
- Unclear itinerary – submit detailed daily schedule
- Blurry passport scans – ensure MRZ visible, minimum 640×480 pixels
- Wrong photo format – use JPG/PNG/GIF/BMP/HEIC, under 2 MB
- Files exceeding size limits – keep under 2 MB per file, 50 pages total
- Applying for business travel via eVisa – use in-person Embassy application
FAQ: Japan eVisa for UK Work Visa Holders
Part A: Eligibility, Documents & Application
Can I apply for a Japan eVisa if I’m changing jobs or on my notice period?
Japan does not cross-check UK employment status. Eligibility = passport nationality + tourism purpose + financial means, not your notice period.
Do my dependants need separate eVisa applications?
Each family member needs their own ordinary passport and application. The family application feature allows batch submission if travelling together on the same itinerary, living in the same consular jurisdiction, and paying the visa fees in one transaction.
Where can I check the Japan eVisa website?
The MOFA portal is www.evisa.mofa.go.jp – available 24/7 for ordinary passport holders. Verify the URL; fraudulent websites exist.
What are the passport validity requirements for the Japan eVisa?
Your ordinary passport must be valid for the entire duration of your intended stay in Japan. No additional months are required beyond your planned stay. Ensure your passport has at least one blank page for a visa stamp if applicable.
Do I need my Certificate of Sponsorship for the Japan eVisa application?
No. CoS applies only to UK immigration. The Japan eVisa requires tourism purpose, financial means, and a valid passport – never a CoS.
Can I apply for a Japan eVisa if I hold a UK Graduate or Health & Care Worker visa?
Yes, if your passport nationality qualifies and travel purpose is tourism. UK visa type (Skilled Worker, Graduate, Health & Care Worker, Global Talent) does not affect Japan eVisa eligibility.
Part B: Business Travel, Refusals & Jurisdiction
Which Japanese mission processes my online eVisa application?
The eVisa system assigns processing based on the applicant’s country of legal residence. UK residents are processed by the Embassy of Japan in the UK. Hotline: 0844-986-4968 (24/7, English).
What if my eVisa is refused?
You must wait 6 months before reapplying. The reason for visa refusal is not disclosed. Consider applying in person at the Embassy for a different visa route.
Can UK work visa holders get a visa on arrival for Japan?
No. Japan does not offer visa on arrival for UK residents who require a visa. The Japan eVisa or an in-person consular application is the only route. British citizens can enter visa-free for tourism/business up to 90 days.
