Japan tightens visa rules for Russian travellers amid stricter checks
The Japan Visa Application Center in Moscow has tightened document checks, marking a significant shift from its previously more lenient policies, the Russian Union of Travel Industry (ATOR) has reported. Russians are now being asked to provide a greater number of financial and personal documents, leading to delays in visa processing.
The heightened scrutiny is particularly noticeable for family visa applications, according to ATOR. The center now requires each family member to submit full copies of all financial and personal documents, including proof of kinship.
Tour operator ITM Group noted that Japan's previously streamlined visa process had long been a key driver of demand for trips to the country. Last year, the embassy handled applications efficiently even during peak periods, but experts from the company now describe the procedure as overly bureaucratic, complicating operations for tour operators and frustrating travelers.
Corona Travel reported that previously, a sponsor letter was sufficient if the sponsor and the sponsored traveler were applying together. Now, however, the sponsored applicant must also submit copies of all the sponsor's documents. The process for correcting errors in documents has also changed. While corrections were once communicated in a single list and resolved quickly, the procedure has now become cumbersome and time-consuming. ITM Group confirmed that after receiving feedback, amendments cannot be made promptly—applicants must rebook an appointment through the electronic queue, further prolonging the process.
Additionally, the visa center now requires proof of active business operations from self-employed individuals and companies, ATOR noted. Sole proprietors must provide extracts from the Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs (EGRIP), while company directors and employees must submit extracts from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities (EGRUL) or 2-NDFL tax certificates with an official tax authority stamp. Market participants, however, observed that employment status checks were less stringent in February and March of this year.
Tour operators have stated that the processing time for a Japanese visa depends on the timely submission of documents. With proper preparation and no need for returns or additional verification, processing typically takes an average of five to six business days. If returns or reapplication are required, the timeline can extend to as long as three weeks.
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