Japan has tightened visa requirements for Russian citizens
Japan has tightened the requirements for the documents Russian citizens need to apply for visas. The changes pertain, in particular, to proof of employment and the applicants’ financial status.
According to information from the Japanese Embassy, working Russian citizens must now submit the original copy of a certificate from their employer, signed by an authorized representative and bearing a wet seal. If the document does not specify the salary amount, a 2-PIT form must also be provided.
In addition, all applicants must provide the original bank statement from a Russian bank showing the account balance, signed by a bank employee and bearing a “wet” seal. The list of required documents has also been expanded for minors, students, retirees, and their financial sponsors.
Tighter screening began back in the spring, when the Japanese visa center in Moscow started scrutinizing documents more closely. According to the Association of Russian Tour Operators, this has led to longer visa processing times. In some cases, each family member may be required to submit a full set of financial and personal documents, including proof of family ties.
Tour operators note that the Japanese visa procedure used to be much simpler, which contributed to the destination’s popularity among Russian tourists. Now the process has become more bureaucratic, complicating the work of travel companies and causing dissatisfaction among travelers.
These stricter requirements come amid a rapid increase in the number of Russians visiting Japan. In 2021, approximately 3,700 Russian citizens visited the country; in 2022, 10,400; in 2023, 42,000; in 2024, 99,300; and in 2025—already 194,900 people.
This growth continued into 2026. In the first half of the year, 104,400 Russians visited Japan, a 24.7% increase compared to the same period last year. In June, the number of visitors from Russia stood at 12,800—a 7.1% increase year-over-year and a record high for that month.
Source: Japanese Embassy in Russia
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