Real-world approval is the harder hurdle here than the visa rules themselves.
- DPRK / North Korean passport: widely refused entry
Shore Pass / Transit Without Visa — Japan
- Max stay
- 3days
- Processing
- 0–0days
- Fee
- —
Difficulty7/10·Realism2/10Why? ▾
Difficulty
Moderate paperworkSome paperwork and processing time. Start a few weeks ahead.
Why this score?
- —Visa-free entry — no advance authorisation needed
- -2.5Entry generally refused at baseline — long-stay routes correspondingly harder
- -0.25Onward / return ticket required
- -0.5Moderate documentation list (5 items)
Approval realism
Approval is uncertainReal-world approval is the harder hurdle here than the visa rules themselves. Treat with caution and consider alternatives.
What drives this score?
- —No visa needed — entry is granted at the border given valid documents
- -3Refused baseline access — long-stay routes face the same scrutiny
- -5DPRK / North Korean passport — DPRK / North Korean passport: widely refused entry
Step-by-step checklist
Your application checklist
- 1
Check your passport validity
30+ days beforeMost countries require 6+ months of validity beyond your travel dates and at least one blank page. If it's close, renew before applying.
- 2
Book refundable flight + accommodation
7+ days beforeUse a refundable booking (or a free hold/itinerary service) until your visa is approved — embassies want to see real plans, but you don't want to lose the money on a refusal.
- 3
On the day of travel
day of travelCarry: passport (printed visa if applicable), onward ticket, proof of accommodation, proof of funds, travel insurance. Border officers retain discretion regardless of visa status.
Show full requirements, fees, and source
What you need
- Shore Pass: up to 72 hours (3 days) for travellers transiting Japan with a valid onward ticket — even visa-required nationalities can use this
- Apply at the immigration counter on arrival (no advance application)
- Valid passport, onward ticket, proof of accommodation
- Cannot work or change to another visa during the shore pass period
- Most major-economy nationalities enter Japan visa-free for 90 days so don't need a Shore Pass — it's for visa-required nationals (Russia, China, India, etc.)
