Do South Africa passport holders need a visa for Japan?

Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with 74 countries and regions listed in the table below.

Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, U.S.A.

All foreign nationals/people residing in these countries/regions, except those who are exempt from short-term visa, can apply for an eVISA through the JAPAN eVISA website.

Single-entry short-term stay visa for the purpose of Tourism (for a period of up to 90 days) (Note). Electronic visas will be issued to those who applied through JAPAN eVISA website.

(2) During the application process, the applicant may be requested to appear in person at the Japanese overseas establishment with jurisdiction over the place of the applicant’s residence for an interview.

All foreign nationals/people who need to obtain a short-term visa to Japan AND currently reside in the following countries/region, are eligible to apply for a visa online: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, U.S.A.

Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, U.S.A. (Only foreign nationals/people who are required to obtain short-term visa.)

If you meet the criteria above, please apply online for a visa on the JAPAN eVISA website.

Foreign nationals/people who wish to travel to Japan for tourism for a short-term period can apply for a visa online and receive an electronic visa (eVISA) through the JAPAN eVISA system. As of May 15 2026, the JAPAN eVISA system is available for nationals/people residing in the following countries/regions. Eligibility 1. Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, U.S.A. All foreign nationals/people residing in these countries/regions, except those who are exempt from short-term visa, can apply for an eVISA through the JAPAN eVISA websiteImage: Open a New Window. 2. Application should be made through an accredited agency in countries/regions below. For details, applicants are advised to check the website of the Japanese overseas establishment with jurisdiction over their place of residence. * (1) China Nationals of China, who reside in China * (2) The Philippines Nationals of the Philippines, who reside in the Philippines and participate in a packaged tour organized by designated travel agencies * (3) Viet Nam Nationals of Viet Nam, who reside in Viet Nam and participate in a packaged tour organized by designated travel agencies * (4) Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and United Arab Emirates All foreign nationals/people residing in Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea (except jurisdiction over the Consulate General of Japan in Jeju), Singapore and United Arab Emirates, except those who are exempt from short-term visa 3. Notes (for both 1. and 2. above) * (1) Japan eVISA is available for those traveling to Japan by air or sea (limited to international scheduled passenger ferries between Japan and Busan or Shanghai). * (2) During the application process, the applicant may be requested to appear in person at the Japanese overseas establishment with jurisdiction over the place of the applicant’s residence for an interview. * (3) Only ordinary passport holder is eligible to apply through JAPAN eVISA website.

Single-entry short-term stay visa for the purpose of Tourism (for a period of up to 90 days) (Note). Electronic visas will be issued to those who applied through JAPAN eVISA website. (Note: For nationals of China residing in China, electronic visas with a period of stay "15 days" or "30 days" will be issued. For nationals of Viet Nam residing in Viet Nam and Filipino nationals residing in the Philippines, the period of stay of electronic visas will be "15 days".)(Travelers with eVISA are required to display “Visa issuance notice” at the airport in the internet environment. PDF data, screenshot and printed copy will not be accepted.) If you wish to visit Japan for other purposes or for a long-term stay, please submit your application to the Japanese Embassy, Consulate General or Consular office with jurisdiction over your place of residence. (In some countries, applications must be made through travel agencies accredited by Japanese overseas establishment.) (For Taiwan, Taipei / Kaohsiung offices of Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association) In this case, you will have a visa sticker on your passport.

No. The entire eVISA application process can be completed online; You can submit your application, pay a visa fee and receive a visa in electronic form (eVISA) through the Japan eVISA system. However, you may be requested to visit the Japanese overseas establishment for an interview or to submit additional documents for examination.

Those who fall under the Eligible Applicants below are able to apply for a short-term stay visa for the purpose of Tourism on JAPAN eVISA website from March 27, 2023. Eligible Applicants All foreign nationals/people who reside in the following countries/region. Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, U.S.A. (Only foreign nationals/people who are required to obtain short-term visa.) (Applicants are required to log-in to the JAPAN eVisa website and display “Visa issuance notice” at the departure airport under the Internet environment. PDF data, screenshot or printout of the page will not be accepted.) Types of visa Short –Term Stay visa for the purpose of Tourism (for a stay of 90 days or less) If you meet the criteria above, please apply online for a visa on the JAPAN eVISA website. For those other than above, please apply for visa at the Japanese Embassy, Consulate General or Consular office in your country/region of residence. (If there is more than one, apply at the Japanese Embassy, Consulate General nearest from where you live. For Taiwan, Taipei / Kaohsiung offices of Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association)