Japan

If the applicant is a resident of Geneva, Vaud, Valais and Ticino, please send the documents to our office in: Geneva

Applicants from all other cantons, please send the documents to our office in: Bern

From 11.10.2022 citizens who did not need a visa before the pandemic are again exempt from the visa requirement. The list of citizens who are exempt from the visa requirement can be found on the PDF list. All other citizens need a visa and the documents according to the Business/Tourist list are required.

1 Application form
Completely filled out and original signature (download)

Original passport
Validity of more than 6 months beyond the return date

1 passport photo
Biometric and in color(see photo criteria)

Prepared by the sponsor/inviter in Japan

• Invitation letter (download) or one of these documents to explain activities in Japan
  - A contract of transactions between companies:
  - Meeting materials
  - Material on trading goods
• Itinerary during stay in Japan (download)

If the sponsor in Japan will guarantee all expenses for the trip, including travel to and from Japan

• Letter of Guarantee (download)
• A certified copy of the incorporat ion register or An overview of Company/ Organization

Original Letter of introduction
From the Swiss employer on company paper, with stamp and signature. The letter must contain, among other things, the following:

• The nature o f the business in Japan
• The name and address of the business contact in Japan
• An itinerary for the proposed trip
• That the company will guarantee all expenses for the trip, including travel to and from Japan (If the company in Japan covers the cost, it i s not necessary)
• That the company guarantees the applicant will abide by Japanese law and Japanese immigration regulations

Confirmation of employment
From the Swiss employer on company paper, with stamp and signature. The letter must include the following:

• Position
• Since when employed by the company
• Annual income

Travel confirmation
Copy of flight confirmation for entry and departure

Residence permit
If necessary, a copy of the applicant´s residence permit valid for Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

Authorization
In order for AVS to be authorized to obtain the visa, we need authorization from the traveler - Letter of Proxy (see template)

1 Application form
Completely filled out and original signature (download)

Original passport
Validity of more than 6 months beyond the return date

1 passport photo
Biometric and in color (see photo criteria)

Proof of liquidity, one of the following:

• Bank statements for the last 3 months
• Salary statement of the last 3 months
• A certificate of income issued by a public agency
• A tax declaration certificate issued by a public agency

Travel confirmation

• Flight confirmation for entry and departure
• Hotel booking confirmation

Schedule of the stay
Completely filled from entry to departure (download)

Residence permit
If necessary, a copy of the applicant´s residence permit valid for Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

Authorization
In order for AVS to be authorized to obtain the visa, we need authorization from the traveler - Letter of Proxy (see template)

7 - 15 working days

Application through the embassy in Bern
Every traveler must visit the Japanese Embassy in person once. We recommend that you pick up your passport as soon as the visa is issued. So you can send us the documents, we will check the documents first and then submit them to the embassy. We will then inform you as soon as the visa is ready and you can pick up the passport with the visa in person at the embassy in Bern.