Can a tourist extend Temporary Visitor visa?

Temporary Visitor visa is most commonly used by foreign nationals who visit Japan for the purpose of sightseeing. Every year, a number of tourists visit Japan on this visa as it can be issued by very simple application, especially for tourists from visa-exempted countries. While it is easy to get, this visa has many restrictions. For example, you are not allowed to extend the period of stay if you are on Temporary Visitor visa in principle. There are only few exceptional cases that Temporary Visitor visa holders are allowed to extend their stay in Japan.

What can/cannot you do with Temporary Visitor visa?

A Temporary Visitor visa is for those who intend to stay in Japan for a temporary period of time for the purpose of holiday, visiting relatives, business meeting and other similar activities. While it is relatively easy to be granted, there are many restrictions accompanied with it such as prohibition of activities that involve remunerations, a short term stay up to 90days and many more.
As of June 2017, Japan has implemented the Visa Exemption Arrangements with 67 countries and regions as listed on the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Passport holders of those countries and regions are granted Temporary Visitor status of resident at the time of landing permission without obtaining visas in prior. Under this arrangement, passport holders of Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei are granted as a short term period as 15 days, and passport holders of the rest of the listed countries and regions are permitted 90days of stay.

※There are other rules and regulations for nationals of some countries such as a requirement to have ePassport in compliance with ICAO standards, or a requirement to register ICAO-compliant ePassport to diplomatic missions of Japan in their country. Make sure to check the conditions of the Visa Exemption Arrangements for your country on the website of Ministry of Foreign Affair of Japan or inquire an embassy or consulate of Japan in your area before travelling to Japan.
※Nationals of all countries other than those listed 67 countries and regions are required to obtain visas issued by embassies or consulates of Japan.

Special circumstances that Temporary Visitors visa is extended

Application procedures of Temporary Visitors visa are simple. Especially for passport holders of countries subject to the Visa Exemption Arrangements, there is no prior application to obtain Temporary Visitor visa. On the other hand, their period of stay cannot be extended unless there are inevitable reasons. The followings are examples of special circumstances that Temporary Visitor status holders are allowed to extend period of stay.

①When refusal of application is considered unfair from a standpoint of humanity

Temporary Visitor visa cannot be extended in principle, though, if there are inevitable circumstances from a standpoint of humanity, a visa holder might be grated extension of period of stay until such circumstances are settled. The most common example of such “Inevitable circumstances” include serious sickness or injury. When you apply for extension of period of stay for such reasons, you must provide a written proof that an applicant truly need to continue his/her stay in Japan (E.g. Medical certificate for sickness or injury). Note that Temporary Visitor visa holders are not allowed to stay in Japan more than 180 days in any circumstances with no exceptions.

②For preparation to depart from Japan

All Temporary Visitor visa holders are required to depart from Japan on or before the end of the period of stay granted. But, for example, you may have a trouble with booking of your returning flight and cannot depart from Japan by the time. In such a case, you will be allowed to stay in Japan up to 15 days after the end of period of stay only if you have definitely re-arranged your returning flight to depart from Japan.

③Passport holders of visa-exempted countries

Passport holders of the 7 countries below out of the 67 visa-exempted countries are allowed to stay in Japan up to 6 months on Temporary Visitor visa. However, the period of stay granted at the time of landing permission is 90 days at longest. If they want to continue their stay in Japan over 90 days, they must apply for an extension of period of stay at a local immigration office before the expiry date.

Countries of which passport holders are allowed to stay in Japan up to 6 months without visa
Ireland, UK, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Mexico, Liechtenstein

Required documents and how to apply

In principle, an applicant him/herself must visit a local immigration office to submit an application form and other documents. If an agent is submitting an application on behalf of you, the agent must present a written proof that he/she is an appropriate person to do so.

Required documents

Application form
Passport (to be presented)
Statement of reasons that reveals grounds to continue the currently committed activity
※For example, a medical certificate if an application is in order for receiving treatments for illness or injury.
Detailed statement explaining the activity committed in Japan (in any format)
Documents that proves the applicant has sufficient assets to make an independent living and cover transport departing Japan
※E.g. Bank statement, departing flight ticket
A document that proves the status (if a legal representative or agent submits the application form on behalf of the applicant)
※Authorization of agent, copy of family register

Fee

4,000yen upon approval of permission (Payment must be made with revenue stamps)

Assessment period

An application in order for preparation for departing Japan will be granted on the same day if all required documents are sufficiently submitted. Other than that, assessment period vary depending on the reason of application. You will be advised when to visit a local immigration office after your application is submitted.

It’s only an emergency treatment, most of the time

Temporary Visitor visa is easy to get but hard to extend the period. Almost all visitors enter Japan and depart the country with no problem. But if you need to stay in Japan after the end of your period of stay due to some unexpected reasons, you may be allowed to remain in Japan longer than that. Also note that, you must apply for an extension of period of stay if you are staying in Japan more than 90 days even though you are a passport holder of the countries that are allowed 6 months stay under the Visa Exemption Arrangements. If you are from those countries, don’t forget to extend your period of stay within 90 days from your first arrival in Japan.