Japanese Visa Photo
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Japanese Visa Photo - Requirements & Size
Height: 45 mm
- Head height: 34.5 mm
- Top of the Photo to Top of the Hair: 3 mm
How to take a photo?
There are an endless number of reasons to visit Japan. Firstly it is very clean and one of the safest countries in the world with the lowest global crime rates. Secondly, it is worth it to see their castles alone as they come with unique history and heritage, which dates back to the Edo, and even Sengoku, period, which was hundreds of years ago. Some of their castles, including Matsue and Kōchi, remain in their original form, with the two mentioned having been built all the way back in 1611, such remarkable craftsmanship. When choosing to travel to Japan you should look at going during cherry blossom season to see the gorgeous cherry blossoms coming to life and showing their beautiful pink colours, which usually occurs from mid-March to early May. You can even visit Himeji Castle at the same time, where 1000 cherry blossom trees bloom, and get the best of both worlds by seeing the true beauty of Japanese nature and getting to experience a truly amazing and historical castle, which stands out as both the largest castle in Japan and the prototypical form of Japanese architecture.
Have you made up your mind already? Then you should consider applying for a visa because you might need one! Carefully read our Japan Visa Photo Guide to know everything about the visa photos you need and eliminate the risk of your visa application being rejected.
Japan visa photo guidelines
If you have already discovered that you might need a visa to Japan, we present you with a complete Japan visa tourist photo guide, with which you will be able to prepare the correct photo and increase your chances of obtaining your visa to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Japan visa photo size
The required dimensions for a Japan visa photo are 45mmx45mm in height and width (2x2 inches). You may also find that this size might be 50mmx50mm, 45mmx35mm or 40mmx30mm. Regarding the digital photo size and resolution, the required size, for a digital image that is to be used for a Japan visa application, is 240kb, whilst the minimal resolution is 300 dpi, in pixels this will be 1062 pixels in width and 1062 pixels in height.
However, please contact the Japanese embassy in your country to check the needed photo size in advance as different embassies have different requirements. Though, If you use a visa photo resizing app, you do not have to be worried about the correct size as resizing will be done for you automatically. Read on to find out how to do it.
Colours
Embassies and consulates will only accept photos in color. The picture that is to be submitted for use with the visa document (not only Japanese) must represent your natural skin tones and eye color. This means that a red eye effect will cause the picture to be rejected. Any form of digital manipulation with the picture is strictly forbidden, this includes things such as: retouching or editing your picture, correcting colors or using any filters.
Lighting
It is recommended that you take your photograph in the daylight because it helps to avoid skin reflections and the red eye effect. Red eyes are caused by a flash lamp so, in order to avoid it, you should take the picture with natural light. You must also ensure that your face is evenly lit on both sides. Any shadows on your face or background are unacceptable.
Head position
In the photo for your Japan visa, you need to look straight at the camera lens, which must be positioned at eye level. This must be a front facing view only. Your shoulders must also be straight and you cannot tilt your head in any direction or look to the side.
Facial expression
You are not allowed to smile, frown or grimac as a neutral facial expression is a requirement. Showing teeth, opening your mouth, tightening your jaw, and closing your eyes is not allowed. The best idea is just to relax your facial muscles and wait one second with open eyes.
Background
The only accepted background color is white. Any other colors, patterns or shadows are unacceptable and will cause the application to be rejected. However, using a plain, solid white background in the picture may not be that easy. We recommend using a dedicated visa background remover which removes an incorrect background and changes it into the correct color.
Head coverings
If you are wearing a head covering for religious or medical reasons, it should be dark in color and against a white background in order to obtain a proper contrast. If you keep on your head covering (turban, hijab, yarmulke or any other religious attire) make sure that it does not cover or cast any shadow on your face. Any other head coverings such as hats or baseball caps are not allowed.
Glasses
Tinted glasses and sunglasses are prohibited in the photo for a Japan visa. The only exception is when it comes to prescription glasses, which you may keep on when you take your visa photo. Just remember that your eyes must be clearly visible and the frames of the glasses must not cover your eyes or give off any reflection. Colored contact lenses are forbidden.
Jewellery and piercing
If you have a permanent facial piercing you do not have to remove it in order to meet the requirements for a Japan visa photo. You may wear it as well as any other jewellery, as long as these items do not obscure any part of your face.
Japan visa - photo tool
Check out the smart online visa photo editor on the PhotoAiD site or in the app. It has helped many people worldwide to take and prepare their visa or passport photos at any time and any place. This tool can resize and crop every photo as well as remove an unsuitable background and change it into the required one for your visa.
The photo editor is based on artificial intelligence - the same as used by embassies and consulates to verify photos of applicants. This means that if you want to be sure that the photograph attached to your application form is correct, just let our online photo app verify it. You will have a 100% guarantee of acceptance with our photo service!
How to take a photo for a Japan visa at home?
If you are considering taking photos by yourself for a Japan visa, you should read this. Thankfully there are no requirements about where and how to take a photograph for a visa to Japan. Instead of going to some professional photography studio and paying for a professional photo session, just try to make a photo studio at home. You can save your precious time and money by taking a Japan visa photo on your own. All you need are:
- a smartphone, tablet or digital camera (don’t use a webcam),
- someone to take a photo of you (selfies are not allowed) or a tripod if you prefer to do it alone,
- our visa photo requirements,
- a smart Visa Photo Online Maker.
The most common mistakes when taking photos for a Japan visa
If you have already met the official requirements and you know how to take the right photo for a Japan visa at home, you should know what NOT to do on visa photos. Here is a list of the most commonly made mistakes while taking photos for a visa:
- Submitting an old photo - the picture can’t be older than 6 months.
- Looking sideways - the eyes, as well as the head of applicant, have to be straight so you are only allowed to look directly at the camera.
- Wrong photo size - the required photo size is 45mmx45mm, 50mmx50mm, 45mmx35mm, or 40mmx30mm and these are the only appropriate dimensions.
- Blurred image - visa photos have to be in contrast and focus and blurred, grainy or pixelated images will be rejected.
- A different appearance - if you have changed a lot since the photo was taken, you should take another picture so that your photo is up to date.
- Submitting a selfie – selfies are not allowed as they alter the proportions of your natural face and don’t really fit official documents.
- Smile - smiling is not allowed in Japan visa photos, the facial expression has to be neutral and can not show the applicant’s teeth.
- Wearing hats − hats, caps, berets, etc. are forbidden as well as any head coverings which cover the face, except for religious or medical purposes.
Last update: 6/1/23
Frequently Asked Questions
💡 Do you need a photo for a visa to go to Japan?
You do need a photograph to get a Japan visa so if you are considering taking it by yourself, you have to meet the official requirements regarding correct size, head position, facial expression, the color of background, etc.
💡 Can I smile in my Japan visa photo?
It is required that you maintain a neutral facial expression as smiling, grimacing or frowning is not allowed, as well as showing teeth.
💡 Do I need to take my Japan visa photo professionally?
You can take a photo for a Japan visa by yourself. You can take it at home, in your garden or wherever you like, but you have to pay attention to the official Japan visa requirements, because then you will know which color the background must be, what to wear, and what not to do.
💡 What are the application requirements for a Japan visa?
To apply for a visa you need to attach: a completed visa application form, a valid passport, a recent passport photo in color, a certified copy of your birth certificate, a marriage certificate (if married), proof of financial capability, provide a certificate of your financial situation, etc.
💡 Do you need a visa to go to Japan?
There are 68 countries whose citizens can enter Japan visa-free for tourism or business. Other nationalities currently need to go to a Japanese embassy or consulate to apply for a visa.
💡 Can I edit my Japan visa photo?
Any digital manipulation in the picture is forbidden, such as retouching or editing your picture, correcting colors, removing scars, tattoos or putting on any filters.
💡 How to check if my Japan visa picture is correct?
It is as simple as using our online service, which allows you to verify your picture in just a few seconds. We can even offer you a 100% guarantee that your photo will be accepted.
💡 Can I take a photo for a Japan visa with my phone?
Of course! Just use our online service which allows you to verify your picture in just a few seconds. Your photo will be accepted, and we can say this with 100% certainty.
💡 Can I crop a Japan visa photo?
You can't edit photos by yourself, even with PhotoShop, so use an online service or photo mobile app to resize, edit or crop your picture. It will be approved by any institution that you plan on sending it to.
💡 What is the required size of a Japan visa photo?
There are different photo sizes required by different embassies. You need to check with the embassy in your country which size they will require. The most common Japan visa photo size is 45mmx45mm (height x width) but it may also be 50mmx50mm, 45mmx35mm or 40mmx30mm.
About the document
Japan Visa
Visitors to Japan must obtain a visa from one of the Japanese embassies before they visit, unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries. A tourist visa for Japan is a short-term stay visa for the purposes of sightseeing, visiting friends, or attending conferences or courses. The Government of Japan currently allows citizens of 68 countries/territories to travel to Japan for tourism or business without having to obtain a visa.
Who needs a visa in order to go to Japan?
To enter Japan you need a passport and a visa (unless you are from a country which is visa-exempt). There are a number of different types of visas which have been designed by the Japanese government for different purposes and lengths of time.
There are 68 countries whose citizens can enter visa-free for tourism or business. Other nationalities currently need to go to a Japanese embassy or consulate to apply for a visa.
Japan excludes several nationalities from having to comply with this requirement. For instance, citizens from most European countries, the United States, Australia, and Argentina do not require a Japan Tourist Visa since they are considered visa-exempt countries for tourism purposes. Nationals from any of those regions can stay in Japan for a maximum of 90 days visa-free and are assigned Temporary Visitor status.
Types of visas for Japan
The most popular visa for tourists is a Japan tourist visa which allows travelers to stay there for a short period of time and for the purposes of sightseeing, visiting friends, or attending conferences or courses. Under the single-entry regulation, tourists can remain in Japan for up to 30 days, but this tourist visa is valid for a period of up to 90 days. Tourists can also apply for a double-entry visa for 2 short trips within a 6-month period. It is important to note that the Japan tourist visa does not allow travelers to engage in paid work while in the country.
Another type of visa is a business visa, which allows for stays of up to 90 days, which can be a single or double-entry visa (if both trips are within a 6-month period). Business purposes include conferences, meetings, signing contracts, and market surveys.
And the last type of visa is a transit visa, which allows some travelers to have a stopover in Japan while traveling to a further destination. Many tourists do not need this as long as they stay within the allocated zone and do not leave the airport.
There are also other types of visas in Japan:
- Working visa
- Non-working visa
- Family Related Visas
Visa application requirements for Japan
To successfully apply for a tourist visa for Japan the applicants, who need a visa, must meet the following visa requirements:
- A completed visa application form.
- A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and 2 blank pages.
- A recent color passport photo.
- A certified copy of your birth certificate.
- If married, submit a marriage certificate (if issued within the last year).
- You must have the intention to leave Japan at the end of your authorized stay.
- Proof of financial capability, demonstrating that you can support yourself financially during your stay in Japan.
- Provide a certificate of your financial situation for the previous 6 months that was issued by your bank.
- Provide a schedule and travel plans for the trip.
- If applying without a sponsor, a copy of your Certificate of Employment must be submitted.
- Submit the applicant’s tax return.
Japan visa fees
The fees required in order to obtain a visa for Japan vary depending on whether you are applying for a single-entry visa, a double-entry or a multiple-entry visa, as well as the nationality of the tourist. In order to find out what the fees are you must speak with the embassy that you are applying for your visa with.
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