In general, tourist visas cannot be extended beyond the initial period of stay of 90 days granted to foreign nationals to travel throughout Japan or participate in any of the other allowed activities under that status.
The same applies for those granted the "visa exempt" status of "temporary visitor" for 90 days automatically upon entry to Japan and showing their passport (such visa exempt countries include the UK, USA, and Australia, among many others).
There are however, two ways for tourist visas or the visa exempt status to be extended:
- Foreign nationals from Ireland, Austria, the UK, Germany, Mexico and Liechtenstein may be able to extend their visa exempt temporary visitor status to 6 months in total upon making an application to the ISA prior to the expiration of the initial period of stay.
- For foreign nationals from all other countries, tourist visas or the visa exempt status will only be extended in exceptional circumstances, such as being involved in an accident or falling ill in Japan, and for other humanitarian reasons. A highly relevant example of a valid humanitarian reason for extension is the situation for foreign nationals on tourist visas or with visa exempt status in Japan in 2021 who are unable to return to their home country due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please refer to current ISA information and contact us for further details and assistance.