Japanese Embassy London - Visa Services, Address and Appointments 2026

Address and Contact Details

The Embassy of Japan in the United Kingdom is at 101-104 Piccadilly, London, W1J 7JT. The consular section is the entry point for visa applications, passport renewals and notarial services for Japanese nationals.

The main switchboard number is +44 (0)20 7465 6500, with separate extensions for the consular and visa sections published on the embassy website. The official site at uk.emb-japan.go.jp hosts the visa pages, downloadable forms and the latest fee notices.

Public hours for visa submission and collection are split into morning submission and afternoon collection windows. The embassy closes on UK and Japanese public holidays including the Emperor's Birthday and Constitution Memorial Day, so check the calendar before any visit.

Visa Services Available

The Japanese Embassy in London processes a broad range of visa categories, many of which feed into Japan's residence status system administered by the Immigration Services Agency. Visa categories handled at the London mission include:

• Tourist Visa: for travellers from countries that do not benefit from short-stay visa exemption.
• Business Visa: for meetings, conferences, training and short-term commercial activity.
• Student Visa: linked to a Certificate of Eligibility issued by a Japanese educational institution.
• Working Holiday Visa: for British citizens aged 18 to 30 under the UK-Japan working holiday scheme.
• Spouse and Dependent Visa: for family members of Japanese nationals or long-term residents.
• Specified Skilled Worker (SSW): for foreign workers under the SSW system in designated industries such as nursing care, construction and food service.
• Highly Skilled Professional and Engineer/Specialist in Humanities: for qualifying professionals with a Certificate of Eligibility.

British citizens visiting Japan for tourism, business or family visits up to 90 days do not need a visa. Anyone planning to work, study or stay longer must apply for the appropriate category.

How to Book an Appointment

Appointments and pre-application checks are routed through uk.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa.html. The embassy operates a Visa Online Application Service for many categories, where the form is completed digitally and then submitted at the embassy or by post depending on category.

Slot availability tightens during peak periods such as the spring tourist surge and the run-up to the Japanese academic year in April. Working Holiday allocations operate within an annual quota, so applicants should check current availability before paying for flights.

Applicants based outside London may be able to submit through the Japanese Consulate in Edinburgh for certain categories. The embassy publishes a current jurisdictional map indicating which mission processes which postcode area.

Documents and Requirements

Each visa category has a published checklist on the embassy website. Common documents include:

• A passport valid for the intended period of stay with sufficient blank pages.
• The completed visa application form printed from the online service.
• One recent passport-style photograph against a white background, taken within six months.
• The original Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Japanese host where required, plus a clear photocopy.
• Proof of UK residence status such as a Biometric Residence Permit, share code or visa endorsement for non-British applicants.
• Flight bookings, accommodation details and an itinerary for short stay visas.
• Bank statements covering the last three months and proof of employment or studies for tourist or business applicants.
• A working holiday plan, CV and certificate of funds for working holiday applications.
• For spouse and dependent applicants, marriage and birth certificates with apostille where required.

Documents issued in languages other than English or Japanese should be translated and certified.

Processing Times and Fees

Standard visa processing at the embassy is typically five working days from acceptance of a complete application. Categories tied to a Certificate of Eligibility tend to be faster because the eligibility check has already been completed in Japan. Working holiday and specified skilled worker categories may take slightly longer due to additional checks.

Consular fees are set in pounds sterling and published on the embassy fee schedule. Single entry, double or multiple entry and transit visa fees differ, and certain categories such as working holiday carry no fee at all under bilateral arrangements. Payment is typically required in cash or by card on collection.

Always confirm the latest fee at the consular cashier desk before submission, as the fee table is reviewed annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do British citizens need a visa for a holiday in Japan?

British passport holders can enter Japan visa-free for stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business meetings or visiting friends and family. Stays longer than 90 days, or any work or study activity, need a visa secured before travel.

What is a Certificate of Eligibility?

A Certificate of Eligibility is a document issued in Japan by the Immigration Services Agency confirming the applicant's intended status meets requirements. For most work, study and family visas, the Japanese host or sponsor obtains the certificate first, then sends it to the applicant for use in the London visa application.

Who can apply for the Working Holiday Visa?

British citizens aged 18 to 30 inclusive at the time of application can apply for the working holiday visa, subject to the annual quota. Applicants must show funds for support, a basic plan and a passport that covers the visit.

Can I apply by post or do I have to attend in person?

The embassy accepts certain straightforward categories by post with a tracked return envelope, while others including most work and family categories generally require an in-person appointment. The category page on the embassy website confirms which method applies.

Where is the Japanese Consulate in Edinburgh?

A consulate-general operates in Edinburgh and serves applicants living in Scotland and parts of northern England. Jurisdiction is set by postcode, and applicants should use whichever office covers their UK address.

How We Verified This

Details were cross-checked against the Embassy of Japan in the UK website, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, and GOV.UK travel advice for Japan. Working holiday and specified skilled worker information reflects current bilateral arrangements and published quotas.

Sources

• Embassy of Japan in the UK: uk.emb-japan.go.jp
• Immigration Services Agency Japan: moj.go.jp/isa
• GOV.UK Japan travel advice: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan