Document checklist
São Tomé and Príncipe → Japan: Short-stay tourist
What you need before you submit, checked against official requirements, not guesswork.
Checked by our automated verification on 20 Oct 2026: every source on this page resolves and the data is structurally complete. This does not confirm a person re-read the source text for accuracy.
Required documents
8 itemsIdentity
Completed application form
RequiredThe visa application form for the Japanese Embassy, Consulate-General, or Consular Office with jurisdiction over where you live, the exact form and process can vary by location.
Photo
RequiredA recent passport-style photo meeting the requirements of the embassy or consulate you apply through.
Valid passport
RequiredA passport valid for the length of your stay in Japan.
Financial
Proof you can afford the trip
RequiredEvidence you (or a sponsor) can cover the costs of your stay.
Purpose of travel
Invitation or guarantee letter
RequiredIf you're visiting family or friends, a letter from your host in Japan inviting you and, in many cases, a separate guarantee letter covering your costs, sent to you directly by the inviting person, not to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Employment
Proof of employment, business, or study
RequiredEvidence of your job, business, or studies at home.
Travel
Travel itinerary
RequiredYour planned entry and exit dates and a rough plan of your trip.
Other
Proof of ties to your home country
RequiredEvidence you're expected back home, property, family, or a job.
Why applications on this route get refused
Incomplete documentation
Requirements vary by the specific embassy or consulate you apply through, and missing something they specifically ask for is a common cause of delay or refusal.
How to avoid it: Check the exact requirements of the Japanese embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over where you live before applying.
Weak or insufficient financial proof
Unclear evidence of funds, or of your sponsor's ability to cover costs, raises doubts about the trip.
How to avoid it: Provide clear, recent evidence of funds or a complete guarantee letter from your sponsor.
Purpose of visit not clearly supported
An unclear itinerary or missing invitation/guarantee letter (for family/friend visits) can leave your purpose unsupported.
How to avoid it: Make sure your itinerary and any invitation or guarantee letter clearly and consistently support your stated purpose.
Sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Visa · checked 9 Sept 2026
Check your documents against this list before you pay the Japan application fee.
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