Passport

Please ensure your passport has at least 6 months’ validity from the date of your return from Osaka, Japan.
Kindly refresh your passport if the expiry date expires before 17 April 2027.

Visa Eligibility

Citizens of the following countries do not require a Visa to enter Osaka:

• Singapore
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom
• Malaysia, Thailand, United Arab Emirates*
• Hong Kong**
• Indonesia***

* Visa exemption applies only to holders of ePassports that comply with ICAO standards.

** Passport holders with SAR or BNO passports in compliance with ICAO standards do not require a visa to enter Osaka.

*** Required to complete a Visa Waiver Registration prior to entering Osaka. You may submit your application here.

Citizens of the following countries will require a Visa to enter Osaka:

• China
• India
• Philippines
• Vietnam

For other Nationalities, please check if you require a Visa to enter Osaka here.

Start your Visa application for Osaka, Japan here.

It is recommended to apply for a Visa as early as possible, as processing times typically take 7 days but may extend up to 45 days or longer. The application fee is approximately 3,000 JPY ~ 6,000 JPY.

MFA & ROTI Registration

Guests travelling from Singapore or Hong Kong are encouraged to register their travel details with their respective government systems.

This allows the authorities to contact and assist you during any emergencies and provide travel alerts.

The standard consumption tax (VAT) rate in Japan is 10%.
A reduced rate of 8% applies to take-out food and non-alcoholic beverages (excludes dine-in meals and alcoholic drinks).

Tax-Free Shopping (VAT Refund) Eligibility

You may be eligible for a tax refund (consumption tax exemption) at the time of purchase in stores displaying the “Japan Tax-Free Shop” logo, if the following conditions are met:

• General Goods (e.g. clothing, electronics, souvenirs):
  • Total purchase must be ¥5,000 or more (tax-excluded) at a single store on the same day.
  • Items must be for personal use only and taken out of Japan.
• Consumable Items (e.g. food, cosmetics, beverages, medicine):
  • Total purchase must be between ¥5,000 and ¥500,000 (tax-excluded) at a single store on the same day.
  • Items must be sealed and not consumed before leaving Japan.

Important Notes

• General goods and consumables cannot be combined to meet the minimum tax-free threshold — they are calculated separately.
• In malls or department stores with a centralized tax-free counter, purchases from multiple shops within the same complex may be aggregated to meet the ¥5,000 minimum.
• The tax-free benefit is given at the time of purchase, not at the airport. You must show your passport and complete the required forms at the shop.

 No VAT Refund at Airport

Japan does not operate a refund system at the airport like in Europe. You must claim the tax exemption at the time of purchase in participating stores.