Visa Requirements
Visa requirements – Japan 2026
International participants planning to attend the 1st Asia-Pacific Bronchiectasis & NTM Conference in Tokyo (November 13–15, 2026) may require a visa to enter Japan. We strongly recommend checking requirements for at least two to three months prior to your travel dates.
To assist you, here is a general overview of visa options for visiting Japan.
Who needs a visa?
Japan maintains specific entry requirements based on nationality and the purpose of the visit:
- Exempt Nationalities: Citizens of over 70 countries and regions can enter Japan visa-free for short-term stays (typically up to 90 days) for “Business Affairs” (which includes conferences).
- Non-Exempt Nationalities: If your country does not have a visa waiver agreement with Japan, you must obtain a visa before departure.
- Purpose of Visit: For this conference, participants should generally apply for a Short-Term Business Affairs visa category (not a “Tourist” visa).
Official Resource: Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Visa Exemption List
Types of visas
1. Short-Term Stay (Business Affairs)
This is the most common category for conference attendees. It covers participation in conferences, workshops, and business meetings.
- Validity: Generally up to 90 days.
- eVISA Option: Certain nationalities (e.g., Brazil, Canada, South Africa, Taiwan, UAE, UK, USA, and others) may be eligible to apply via the The JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa) | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
2. Long-Term Stay
This category is not applicable for conference attendance. It is reserved for those moving to Japan for employment, long-term research, or study (Certificate of Eligibility required).
How to apply
Required Documentation
While requirements vary by consulate, the following are standard for a Short-Term Business Affairs visa:
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| Passport | Must have at least 6 months validity and two blank pages. |
| Application Form | Completed and signed with a recent passport-sized photo. |
| Invitation Letter | Issued by the Organising Secretariat (see below). |
| Letter of Guarantee | Some nationalities require this from the Japanese host organization. |
| Itinerary | A brief "Schedule of Stay" form (standard MOFA format). |
| Registration Proof | Confirmation of your paid conference registration. |
Important: Please visit the website of the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your specific region to confirm the exact checklist.
Conference invitation letters
The Organising Secretariat can provide a Letter of Invitation to assist with your visa application. Please note the following:
- Payment Requirement: Letters will only be issued after full payment of conference registration fees has been confirmed.
- Processing Time: Please allow 5–7 business days for the Secretariat to process your request.
- No Guarantee: An invitation letter does not guarantee a visa grant; the final decision rests solely with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Scope of Assistance: The Organising Secretariat will not be able to help you with the visa procedure itself. Each participant is responsible for contacting his/her embassy. The Secretariat cannot contact embassies on behalf of participants or intervene in the adjudication process.
Important notes & policies
- Processing Time: Standard processing is 5–10 business days once the application is accepted, but we advise starting the process 60 days in advance to account for appointment wait times. Please make sure that you start the procedure soon enough to have time to provide the requested documents and have your application completed before departure.
- Visa Rejections: In the event of a visa denial, the conference refund policy will apply. You will be required to submit an official notice of refusal from the Embassy. Please contact the Organising Secretariat at the following email address: info@apb-conference.org
- Fraud Prevention: The Secretariat reserves the right to refuse invitation letters to any individual suspected of providing false information or misusing conference documents.
- For the most accurate and detailed information on entry requirements and visa procedures for Japan, please refer to the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan visa information page: VISA | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan or contact your nearest Japan consulate or embassy.