5. Q&A (Frequently Asked Questions)
2023/8/29
A. VISA Application
(Q1.) “Issuing Authority” – what does it mean?
(A1.) It means which government entity has issued your passport:
― Kuwaiti Passport: Ministry of Interior (MOI), KUWAIT
― Other Passports: kindly check your passport or the Embassy of your respective country.
(Q2.) “Intended Length of Stay in Japan” – how can I count it?
(A2.) The counting starts from the NEXT DAY you arrive in Japan (※NOT the same day as your arrival), until the day you leave from Japan.
[Example]
Arriving in Japan on 1st April and leaving on 15th April
→ Intended Length of Stay in Japan: 14 days
(※the calculation starts from 2nd April until 15th April)
(Q3.) “Names and Addresses of Hotels” – how can I fill it out when I am staying at more than 1 hotel in Japan?
(A3.) Write the full information (name and address) of your first hotel, then mention the rest of hotel names and located cities respectively.
[Example]
Name: （1）Sakura Hotel （2）Japan Hotel （3）Hotel Kyoto
Address: （1）1-2-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo / （2）Osaka / （3）Kyoto
(Q4.) “Signature of Applicant” - child should sign by his/her own?
(A4.) If the child is already reaching the age of attending school, he/she must sign by his/her own.
(Q5.) I cannot open the PDF file of VISA application form listed on the Embassy's website.
(A5.) In case of such trouble, try to open the file from another device, or another browsers. Or, we will give you the printed form at the Embassy on the day of your appointment.
(A1.) It means which government entity has issued your passport:
― Kuwaiti Passport: Ministry of Interior (MOI), KUWAIT
― Other Passports: kindly check your passport or the Embassy of your respective country.
(Q2.) “Intended Length of Stay in Japan” – how can I count it?
(A2.) The counting starts from the NEXT DAY you arrive in Japan (※NOT the same day as your arrival), until the day you leave from Japan.
[Example]
Arriving in Japan on 1st April and leaving on 15th April
→ Intended Length of Stay in Japan: 14 days
(※the calculation starts from 2nd April until 15th April)
(Q3.) “Names and Addresses of Hotels” – how can I fill it out when I am staying at more than 1 hotel in Japan?
(A3.) Write the full information (name and address) of your first hotel, then mention the rest of hotel names and located cities respectively.
[Example]
Name: （1）Sakura Hotel （2）Japan Hotel （3）Hotel Kyoto
Address: （1）1-2-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo / （2）Osaka / （3）Kyoto
(Q4.) “Signature of Applicant” - child should sign by his/her own?
(A4.) If the child is already reaching the age of attending school, he/she must sign by his/her own.
(Q5.) I cannot open the PDF file of VISA application form listed on the Embassy's website.
(A5.) In case of such trouble, try to open the file from another device, or another browsers. Or, we will give you the printed form at the Embassy on the day of your appointment.
B. Documents
(Q6.) My Marriage/Birth Certificate is issued in a language other than Arabic and English – do I have to attach the translation?
(A6.) In such case, English translation from any OFFICIAL translation company is required.
※There is NO specific translation company in Kuwait that is appointed by the Embassy of Japan.
(Q7.) I need to travel to other country while my application is processing - can I keep my passport?
(A7.) Your passport can be temporarily returned after your application is received.
Submitting a proof of such travel during the assessment is required, such as your flight reservation.
However, as soon as you return to Kuwait from this trip, your original passport must be returned to us in order to continue the assessment.
＜Note＞
VISA CANNOT BE DELIVERED ON THE SAME DAY AS YOU RETURN YOUR PASSPORT TO THE EMBASSY – it will be delivered on the NEXT DAY or after, if 3 working days for Kuwaiti national and 6 working days for Non-Kuwaiti natioal have already passed since the date of acceptance.
(Q8.) Do I have to submit the certificate of international insurance as VISA requirement?
(A8.) No. Getting a travel insurance is personal choice/decision.
(Q9.) Do I have to submit my vaccination certificate as VISA requirement?
(A9.) It is not our VISA application requirement. However, we recommend you to bring a hard-copy when entering Japan.
(A6.) In such case, English translation from any OFFICIAL translation company is required.
※There is NO specific translation company in Kuwait that is appointed by the Embassy of Japan.
(Q7.) I need to travel to other country while my application is processing - can I keep my passport?
(A7.) Your passport can be temporarily returned after your application is received.
Submitting a proof of such travel during the assessment is required, such as your flight reservation.
However, as soon as you return to Kuwait from this trip, your original passport must be returned to us in order to continue the assessment.
＜Note＞
VISA CANNOT BE DELIVERED ON THE SAME DAY AS YOU RETURN YOUR PASSPORT TO THE EMBASSY – it will be delivered on the NEXT DAY or after, if 3 working days for Kuwaiti national and 6 working days for Non-Kuwaiti natioal have already passed since the date of acceptance.
(Q8.) Do I have to submit the certificate of international insurance as VISA requirement?
(A8.) No. Getting a travel insurance is personal choice/decision.
(Q9.) Do I have to submit my vaccination certificate as VISA requirement?
(A9.) It is not our VISA application requirement. However, we recommend you to bring a hard-copy when entering Japan.
(Q10.) Can I know the result of my VISA acceptance?
(A10.) We cannot make a decision about whether to issue or reject the visa application until the necessary examination has been completed. The result of your application can be only disclosed on the day of your next appointment, and never on the phone.
(Q11.) My departure date is approaching – can the Embassy issue the VISA faster?
(A11.) We CANNOT deliver the VISA earlier than our necessary assessment duration in any circumstances, neither to accept such application with flight schedule departing from Kuwait earlier than our VISA examination/issuance timeline (3 ~ 6 working-days or more ※ depends on the nationality) on your appointed day and time.
(Q12.) Can I receive my VISA earlier than “the Date of Appointment” mentioned on my receipt?
(A12.) We CANNOT deliver the VISA earlier than your appointed day in any circumstances. Even if you are travelling earlier than the appointed date, the Embassy does NOT bear any responsibility.
(Q13.) Can I receive my VISA in the morning instead of afternoon?
(A13.) We CANNOT deliver the VISA in the morning time or any other timing of the day, in any circumstances.
(Q14.) Can I receive my VISA without the receipt?
(A14.) The receipt functions as your entry permit to the Embassy on the written “Date of Appointment”. Therefore, please DO NOT LOSE IT nor to forget to bring it. Losing your receipt may result to the cancellation of your VISA in the worst case.
(A10.) We cannot make a decision about whether to issue or reject the visa application until the necessary examination has been completed. The result of your application can be only disclosed on the day of your next appointment, and never on the phone.
(Q11.) My departure date is approaching – can the Embassy issue the VISA faster?
(A11.) We CANNOT deliver the VISA earlier than our necessary assessment duration in any circumstances, neither to accept such application with flight schedule departing from Kuwait earlier than our VISA examination/issuance timeline (3 ~ 6 working-days or more ※ depends on the nationality) on your appointed day and time.
- We process the applications fairly in the order in which we received them.
- Apply for the visa as soon as possible once your travel plan has been decided.
(Q12.) Can I receive my VISA earlier than “the Date of Appointment” mentioned on my receipt?
(A12.) We CANNOT deliver the VISA earlier than your appointed day in any circumstances. Even if you are travelling earlier than the appointed date, the Embassy does NOT bear any responsibility.
(Q13.) Can I receive my VISA in the morning instead of afternoon?
(A13.) We CANNOT deliver the VISA in the morning time or any other timing of the day, in any circumstances.
(Q14.) Can I receive my VISA without the receipt?
(A14.) The receipt functions as your entry permit to the Embassy on the written “Date of Appointment”. Therefore, please DO NOT LOSE IT nor to forget to bring it. Losing your receipt may result to the cancellation of your VISA in the worst case.
E. Other Questions
(Q15.) Which countries/regions have VISA Exemption Arrangements with Japan (Short-Term Stay)?
(A15.) Check here.
(Q16.) I want to postpone my travel. Until when is my VISA valid?
(A16.) The period of validity of a single-entry VISA (that becomes invalid as soon as you enter Japan) is basically 3 months (or 6 months validity for “double-entry VISA”), and you must enter Japan within the written validity since the date of issuance. If you wish to postpone your travel for longer than 3 months (or 6 months for double-entry VISA), you will be required to apply for another VISA.
(Q17.) Is the International Driving License issued in Kuwait valid to drive in Japan?
(A17.) International Driving License issued in the State of Kuwait is NOT VALID to drive in Japan. Refer to the website of Tokyo Metropolitan Government for more details.
For any other questions, click here.
(A15.) Check here.
(Q16.) I want to postpone my travel. Until when is my VISA valid?
(A16.) The period of validity of a single-entry VISA (that becomes invalid as soon as you enter Japan) is basically 3 months (or 6 months validity for “double-entry VISA”), and you must enter Japan within the written validity since the date of issuance. If you wish to postpone your travel for longer than 3 months (or 6 months for double-entry VISA), you will be required to apply for another VISA.
(Q17.) Is the International Driving License issued in Kuwait valid to drive in Japan?
(A17.) International Driving License issued in the State of Kuwait is NOT VALID to drive in Japan. Refer to the website of Tokyo Metropolitan Government for more details.
For any other questions, click here.