Japan e-Visa for citizens of South Africa: online application, fees and processing time 2026
Yes, an e-Visa is required: citizens of South Africa apply online before departure.
Data updated on
Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Official fee
15,000-30,000 JPY
Processing time
5 business days
Our guide to the Japan visa from South Africa
Travellers holding a South Africa passport must obtain an e-visa for Japan online before departure. Apply through the official Japanese portal or contact the competent embassy for official instructions.
Before travelling to Japan from South Africa, South African passport holders must submit their electronic visa application before boarding. Follow the official Japanese portal instructions and ensure that all information matches the travel documents exactly.
Is a visa required?
Yes. An e-visa obtained online before departure is required for travellers holding a South Africa passport who are travelling to Japan. Do not travel until you have followed the procedure published by the Japanese authorities on their official portal or by the competent embassy.
How much does an e-visa for Japan cost from South Africa?
15,000-30,000 JPY
Official government fee only. Providers and visa centres add their own service charge on top.
What does a visa for Japan really cost?
- Government fee15,000-30,000 JPY
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
What documents are required for an e-visa for Japan?
Documents required for an e-visa for Japan:
- Completed application form
- One passport-size photo
- Flight itinerary
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Invitation letter (if applicable)
- Visa fee payment
Documents and fees
Check the exact list of documents to upload, accepted file formats, and any applicable fees directly on the official Japanese portal or with the competent embassy. Upload only the documents specifically requested and keep copies of the materials you submit.
How to apply for an e-visa for Japan from South Africa
- 1Fill in the form on the destination’s official portal.
- 2Upload the required documents (passport, photo, supporting papers).
- 3Pay the fee online by card.
- 4Receive the authorisation by email, usually without a consular visit.
- 5Show the authorisation, printed or on your phone, at boarding.
How to apply
Submit the application through the official Japanese portal when it is available for travellers from South Africa. Create an application, enter the requested information, upload the required documents, and follow the official instructions until a decision is issued.
Where do you apply for a visa for Japan from South Africa?
An e-visa for Japan is filed entirely online: there is no counter to visit and no file to hand in. The only address that matters is the official portal.
- The application, the supporting documents and the payment all go through the official portal, from any country.
- Lookalike sites copy the portal’s name and layout, then resell the same application with a margin. Check the domain before you type in a passport number.
- The authorisation arrives by email. Keep a printed copy, some airlines ask for it at boarding.
You live in South Africa on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in South Africa but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.
Pick your nationality to see the rule
How long does an e-visa for Japan take?
5 business days
Indicative time, counted from a complete file. Peak season can be longer.
Processing and advice
No specific processing time is stated here, so check the official Japanese portal or the competent embassy before arranging departure. Submit the application well in advance and carefully review passport details, contact information, and uploaded files.
Before you fly, and at the border
Passport validity, border checks, minors, overstays: the rules common to every trip are gathered on our travel tips page. Formalities before you leave
Common mistakes
Avoid unofficial intermediary websites, which may charge additional service fees or provide incomplete information. Do not assume that requirements, documents, or application status are the same as for another traveller: rely on the official Japanese portal.
Plan your trip
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eSIM data (Saily)
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Other visa types for Japan
A tourist stay is not the only purpose. These are the other permits the destination issues and that your nationality is eligible for, each with its own fee and processing time.
Official sources
Guide generated automatically on October 8, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
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Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Other visas from South Africa
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