Japan Visa Guide for Bangladeshi Citizens — Tourist and Work
Planning Japan from Bangladesh? Here’s the simple, updated guide you need. Learn where to apply (VFS Dhaka), who qualifies, documents, fees, timelines, and the main work pathways (COE, SSW, Engineer/Humanities). Plus, 2025 rule changes to watch and practical checklists.
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Quick answer first
- Tourist trips: Apply through VFS Global Dhaka (not the Embassy counter) and expect about 5–7 working days if your file is complete. There’s no Japanese visa fee for Bangladeshi nationals, but VFS charges BDT 1,900 per application.
- Work stays: You (or your employer in Japan) must first get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), then submit your visa application at VFS Dhaka. Typical COE processing is about 1–3 months before you apply for the visa.
- eVISA: Japan’s eVISA is not available to residents of Bangladesh. It’s limited to residents of specific places (e.g., India, UAE, USA, UK, Canada, etc.).
Who needs a visa from Bangladesh
Bangladeshi passport holders must obtain a visa before travel. Short-term “Temporary Visitor” visas cover non-paid activities (tourism, visiting family/friends, meetings) up to 90 days.
Note: In visa talk you’ll often hear “visa” and “status of residence.” Your entry visa lets you travel to Japan; your status of residence (granted on arrival for long stays) controls what you can do there. For work and other long stays, the status of residence is key.
Where to apply in Bangladesh
From 3 November 2024, Japan entrusted VFS Global with visa facilitation in Bangladesh. The Embassy no longer accepts walk-in visa applications. Book appointments through VFS; slots for the “month after next” typically release around the 15th of each month. If urgent, VFS may accept same-day submissions only if a cancellation opens.
VFS Japan Visa Application Centre (VAC) Dhaka
Delta Life Tower, 4th Floor, Road 90, Plot 37, Gulshan-2, Dhaka-1212
Tel: 09606-777-910 | Email: [email protected]
Fees and processing times
- Visa fee: Free for Bangladeshi nationals.
- VFS charge: BDT 1,900 per application (cash), plus optional services (SMS, courier, premium lounge, etc.).
- Processing time (tourist/short-term): VFS indicates ~5 working days; the Embassy notes a standard 7 working days to earliest issuance and warns complex files can take several months. Apply early.
2025 watchlist: Japan has raised the capital requirement for the Business Manager status from ¥5m to ¥30m; check if this affects you or your sponsor. Authorities have also discussed adjusting some travel-related fees. Always confirm the latest local fee notes at VFS.
Tourist visa from Bangladesh — step by step
What you can do on a Temporary Visitor visa
- Sightseeing, visiting friends/relatives, short business meetings, conferences, and other non-paid activities up to 90 days.
Documents you’ll usually prepare (tourist)
The Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh lists the following (summarized for sightseeing). Bring A4 copies and arrange in the order of the checklist:
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Visa application form | Fill completely and sign |
| Passport + copies | Current and old passports |
| Photo | 2″ x 1.4″ taken within 6 months |
| Flights and hotel | Round-trip booking and all hotel bookings |
| Trip schedule | Day-by-day plan in Japan |
| Financials | Bank statement (latest 6 months); tax docs if available |
| If invited/guaranteed | Invitation + guarantee letter; proof of relationship; guarantor’s tax/bank records if they cover costs |
Application flow
- Book a VFS appointment online.
- Prepare documents using the Embassy list and VFS checklist; photo size 2″ x 1.4″.
- Submit at VFS Dhaka, pay the VFS charge, opt for courier/SMS if you like.
- Track and wait (~5–7 working days if complete).
- Collect passport (or receive by courier).
Helpful reads for your trip:
- Japan Travel Insurance Made Simple
- Japan Budget Planner for First-Timers
- Buying a SIM and IC Card in Japan
Tourist vs Work at a glance
| Feature | Tourist (Temporary Visitor) | Work (various statuses) |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Tourism, family, short business (unpaid) | Paid work or stay over 90 days |
| First step | VFS appointment + docs | Employer in Japan secures COE |
| Can work? | No | Yes, within your status of residence |
| Where to apply | VFS Dhaka | VFS Dhaka (after COE) |
| Processing (typical) | 5–7 working days | COE: ~1–3 months; visa after COE: ~5–7 working days |
| Visa fee | Free for Bangladeshi nationals | Free for Bangladeshi nationals (VFS fee still applies) |
| eVISA option | Not available for Bangladesh residents | Not applicable |
Working in Japan from Bangladesh — your roadmap
1) Understand “status of residence”
For employment, Japan grants a status of residence (not just a sticker visa). The status defines what work you can do.
2) Secure a job offer and a COE
For work or any long-term stay, the standard route is:
Employer/school in Japan → applies at local immigration → receives COE → you apply at VFS Dhaka with COE. Typical COE processing: about 1–3 months.
Core COE points
- Only a sponsor in Japan can file the COE.
- COE validity is time-limited; travel soon after you get your visa.
3) Pick the right work category
Here are the most common work-related statuses used by Bangladeshi professionals:
| Status | Typical use | Core documents | COE needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services | Engineers, IT, business, marketing, translators, etc. | Degree or experience in relevant field; job contract | Yes |
| Specified Skilled Worker (SSW 1/2) | Mid-skill roles in designated sectors (see list below) | Skills exam + basic Japanese (often required) + contract | Yes |
| Skilled Labor | Jobs requiring proven specialized skills (e.g., chefs, craftworkers) | Evidence of years of experience; contract | Yes |
| Intra-Company Transferee | Transfer within same corporate group | Proof of corporate relationship, assignment letter | Yes |
| Instructor/Professor/Researcher | Teaching/research at schools, labs | Appointment/acceptance letters; academics | Yes |
| Highly Skilled Professional | Advanced points-based track | Proof to satisfy points criteria | Yes |
| Business Manager | Start or manage a company in Japan | Capital, office lease, business plan; new capital rules | Yes |
(See the official category pages and COE guidance for details.)
Heads-up for entrepreneurs (Business Manager): In 2025 Japan raised the minimum capital bar to ¥30 million (and tightened other criteria). If you’re building a Japan company to sponsor your stay, ensure your plan meets the new rules.
4) Specified Skilled Worker — sectors open in 2025
Japan’s SSW program now covers 16 fields. For SSW Type 1 you’ll pass a skills test (and basic Japanese) in that field; some tracks allow switching employers. The current fields are:
| SSW fields (Type 1 unless noted) |
|---|
| Nursing Care |
| Building Cleaning Management |
| Manufacture of Industrial Products |
| Construction Industry |
| Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Industry |
| Automobile Repair and Maintenance |
| Aviation Industry |
| Accommodation Industry |
| Agriculture |
| Fishery and Aquaculture Industries |
| Manufacture of Food and Beverages |
| Food Service Industry |
| Automobile Transportation Business |
| Railway |
| Forestry |
| Wood Industry |
The “Machine Parts and Tooling” field was renamed to Manufacture of Industrial Products in April 2024, and the total fields increased to 16.
5) Your work-visa document set (after COE)
When you apply at VFS with a COE, you’ll generally bring: application form, photo (2″×1.4″), passport(s), COE, contract, resume, academic and employment records. The Embassy’s Bangladesh page outlines typical items for work applicants.
6) Typical timeline to start a job in Japan
| Step | When |
|---|---|
| Job offer & employer prepares COE | Weeks 0–2 |
| COE review by Immigration in Japan | ~1–3 months |
| Visa filing at VFS Dhaka | Week 12–16 (example) |
| Visa decision | ~5–7 working days after submission |
| Travel to Japan & receive residence card at airport (long stays) | On arrival |
Related deep-dives:
- Find a Job in Japan from Bangladesh — Study & Work hub
- Opening a Bank Account and Taxes in Japan — Money & Finance hub
Documents — Bangladesh-specific Embassy guidance
The Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh publishes clear lists. Below is a condensed view; always match your purpose and add any extra papers requested.
Sightseeing (summary)
- Application form; current & old passports; one photo 2″×1.4″; round-trip flight; hotels; schedule; 6-month bank statement (+ tax records if any). If a guarantor in Japan pays: guarantee letter, their tax/bank proof, residency details, and relationship evidence.
Work — example set (Engineer/Humanities/Skilled)
- Application; passports; 2″×1.4″ photo; COE; resume; contract; academic certificates; past employment records; airline booking; a short statement of hiring reasons by the guarantor in Japan.
Processing tips that save time
- Apply early in student seasons (mid-March–early June, mid-Sept–late Oct). Appointment demand peaks and slots may take over a month to secure.
- Use the VFS checklist and keep everything in A4 size; incomplete files delay or block submission.
- Photo rules matter (size, recent, no glasses). VFS can take photos onsite for a fee if needed.
- Travel insurance isn’t mandatory but is smart; bring proof for emergencies.
- Family visits: if relative in Japan pays your costs, include their guarantee letter and financial proofs.
Good to know: Certain nationalities must pass pre-entry TB screening, but Bangladesh is not on that list. If you’ve lived in a listed country recently, check the MOFA note.
FAQs
Can I apply online for a Japan eVISA from Bangladesh?
No. Japan’s eVISA is limited to residents of specific places (e.g., India, UAE, USA, UK, Canada, etc.). Bangladesh is not on the list. If you legally reside in one of the eligible places, you may qualify from there.
How much will I pay?
Bangladeshi nationals don’t pay a Japanese visa fee. You’ll pay the VFS service fee of BDT 1,900 and whatever optional services you choose (e.g., courier).
How long does it take?
Most short-term cases finish in ~5–7 working days after submission, but complex checks can take longer. For work, allow 1–3 months for COE first.
Can I work on a tourist visa?
No. Paid activities are not allowed on a Temporary Visitor visa. To work, you need a status of residence for employment plus a COE.
What are the main work choices if I’m in IT or business?
Most professionals use Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, while mid-skill roles in sectors like food manufacturing or care use SSW. Both require a COE.
I want to start a business in Japan. What changed?
From 2025, Japan raised the Business Manager capital threshold to ¥30 million. Plan funding and office requirements early and confirm the latest rules before you invest.
Step-by-step checklists you can follow today
Tourist checklist
- Book VFS slot.
- Complete application; print and sign.
- Prepare passport(s), 2″×1.4″ photo, flights, hotels, trip plan.
- Add 6-month bank statement (+ tax records if available).
- If invited: invitation + guarantee + proof of relationship.
- Submit at VFS; pay BDT 1,900; track; collect passport.
Work checklist
- Secure job offer.
- Employer applies for COE in Japan (1–3 months).
- After COE arrives, book VFS slot and prepare: application, photo, passport(s), COE, contract, academics/employment proof.
- Submit at VFS; track; collect visa; travel to Japan.
Helpful internal guides for your Japan move
- Japan Job Hunt from Bangladesh — Where to Search and How to Pass Interviews
- Opening a Bank Account in Japan as a Newcomer
- Japan Rental Basics for Foreigners
- Healthcare in Japan for New Residents
Final pointers
- Always check the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh and VFS Dhaka pages for the newest notices on appointments, processing, and fees—especially around student seasons and holiday peaks.
- Keep copies of everything on A4 paper; incomplete or mismatched data slows applications.
- For long-term stays, start months ahead so your COE and visa are ready in time.
Reference snapshots used in this guide
Key facts in this guide come from the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, VFS Global Dhaka, Japan’s MOFA and Immigration Services Agency, and official pages describing COE and SSW.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
