Japan eVisa for Indian passport — cost, timing, what to actually upload

Japan went visa-free in cost (₹0 fees) but not in process for Indian passports in April 2024. You still apply through evisa.mofa.go.jp, still upload documents, still wait 3-5 working days. But the ₹3,500 visa fee is now waived.

What to upload, in order of how often people miss them:

1. Bank statement (last 3 months) — must show balance of at least ₹1,50,000 minimum at any point in the last 3 months. If your salary deposits don't push your balance over this floor, you'll be rejected. Two fixes: get a stamped letter from your bank confirming a higher recent balance, OR add a fixed deposit. Don't try to use a friend's statement; consulates verify.

2. Hotel bookings — refundable Booking.com confirmations work. The visa officer doesn't need you to actually stay there; they need to see "you have a place to sleep on each night of your declared trip dates."

3. Day-by-day itinerary — this is where AI plans win. Generate one in 60 seconds on /architect, download the PDF, attach it. Hand-written itineraries get rejected for inconsistency.

4. Flight reservation (not ticket) — most travel agents will hold a reservation for 72 hours unpaid; that works. Don't pay for tickets until visa is approved.

5. Cover letter — explain your trip purpose in 100 words. NoMadYa's AI doesn't generate this yet (working on it).

Common rejection: travelling solo as a single woman under 30 with no prior international travel. Japan flags this for further checks. Workaround: include a parent/sibling itinerary if doing a multi-stop trip, or attach prior visa stamps from any easier country (Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam).

Process timeline: submit Monday → typically approved Friday → eVisa downloadable as PDF. Print 2 copies for arrival (immigration officer keeps one).

If approved, the visa is single-entry, 90-day stay. For cherry blossom (late March - early April), apply by mid-February. For autumn koyo (November), apply by mid-September.