A dummy ticket for Japan visa applications is a flight reservation with a PNR, held without paying the fare. The VFS checklist for a Japanese tourist visa asks for a "Document to show the flight/cruise schedule to/from Japan", not a paid ticket. Indian nationals pay an INR 500 visa fee (as of September 2026) and apply through VFS. Dummy Tickets Visa (DTV) charges US$15 (₹1,200) per passenger.
- The VFS checklist asks for a document showing your flight or cruise schedule to and from Japan. It does not use the word "ticket".
- The visa fee for Indian nationals is INR 500 for single or multiple entry, unchanged when Japan raised fees for other nationals on 1 July 2026.
- Applicants living in India can receive a single-entry tourist visa of up to 90 days as an eVisa. The file is still submitted at VFS.
- Applications are accepted from 3 months before travel. The Mumbai consulate gives a minimum of 5 working days to process.
- The arrival airport, dates and departure airport on your reservation should match your schedule of stay line by line.
On this page
- What Japan's visa checklist says about flights
- Matching your reservation to the schedule of stay
- Tourist visa or eVisa: which applies to you
- Japan visa fee and VFS charges in 2026
- Applying for a Japan visa from India, step by step
- Processing time and when to order the reservation
- Getting a dummy ticket for Japan visa files from DTV
- Mistakes that cause problems
- How Japan looks at your departure plans
- Common traveller profiles and what they should carry
- Group, family and business applications
- What happens if your plans change after the visa
- If you need a visa for Japan
- Choosing the onward flight
A dummy ticket for Japan visa applications is a flight reservation with a PNR, held in the airline's system without paying the fare. Japan's checklist does ask for a flight document, so you cannot leave it out. What it asks for is a document showing your flight schedule to and from Japan, not a paid ticket. The dates and airports on that document should match the schedule of stay you write for the consulate, day for day.
Indian nationals pay an INR 500 visa fee and apply at a VFS Global centre. Since 1 April 2024, people living in India can receive a single-entry tourist visa as an eVisa. Everything below is as of September 2026.
What Japan's visa checklist says about flights
The checklist asks for a "Document to show the flight/cruise schedule to/from Japan". That line comes from the VFS list for a Temporary Visitor visa for tourism without a guarantor. It does not say "ticket" or "confirmed ticket". A reservation shows the schedule, and its PNR can be checked in the airline's Manage booking section while the hold is live.
| Checklist wording | What to bring |
|---|---|
| Valid passport "with more than two blank pages" | Your current passport, plus any old passports |
| "Document to show the flight/cruise schedule to/from Japan" | A flight reservation or ticket showing both directions |
| "Itinerary in Japan (including hotel information, contact information while in Japan)" | Your schedule of stay, with a hotel or address for each night |
| "Latest Income Tax Return (if not available, bank statement of last 6 months)" | Your latest ITR, or six months of bank statements |
| "Covering letter (if any special explanation is needed)" | Only if something in your file needs explaining |
If VFS or the consulate asks what the flight document is, say it is a flight reservation held without payment. That is what it is, and it is what the checklist asks for.
Matching your reservation to the schedule of stay
Your reservation and your schedule of stay should show the same arrival airport, the same dates and the same departure airport. The schedule of stay is the day-by-day itinerary the checklist asks for; Japan's foreign ministry publishes a travel itinerary form for it. An officer can read the two side by side, and a flight that lands a day later, or at a different airport, is a mismatch they can query.
Two points are specific to Japan. Tokyo has two international airports, Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND), so write the one your reservation shows. If you arrive in Tokyo and leave from Osaka's Kansai airport (KIX), that is two one-way flights, which we book as a multi-city itinerary at US$15 (₹1,200) per passenger for the two flights.
| Date | Schedule of stay says | Reservation must show |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Dec 2026 | Arrive Tokyo Narita, hotel in Tokyo | Delhi to Tokyo Narita (NRT), landing 14 Dec |
| 18 Dec 2026 | Train to Kyoto, hotel in Kyoto | Nothing (no flight that day) |
| 21 Dec 2026 | Hotel in Osaka | Nothing (no flight that day) |
| 23 Dec 2026 | Depart Osaka Kansai | Osaka Kansai (KIX) to Delhi, leaving 23 Dec |
Our guide to filling in the schedule of stay covers the rest of the form.
Tourist visa or eVisa: which applies to you
If you live in India and want a single-entry tourist visa for up to 90 days, it can be issued as an eVisa. The Embassy of Japan says the application still goes through VFS; only the visa itself is electronic. The checklist, including the flight schedule, is the same.
At the airport you must open the visa issuance notice on your phone with an internet connection. Japan's foreign ministry says "PDF data, screenshot and printed copy will not be accepted." Check your roaming or buy a data pack before you leave India.
A multiple-entry visa, a business trip or a visit to relatives uses the regular visa in your passport, with extra papers such as an invitation letter or a company letter. The flight line on the checklist does not change. Our business visa and family visit visa pages cover what else goes in those files.
Japan visa fee and VFS charges in 2026
Indian nationals pay INR 500 for a single or multiple-entry visa. The Mumbai consulate says the current rates apply to applications between 1 July 2026 and 31 March 2027. Japan raised fees for other nationalities on 1 July 2026 and dropped the separate transit visa, but the fee for Indians stayed at INR 500.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa fee, Indian nationals, single or multiple entry | INR 500 |
| Visa fee, other nationals living in India, single entry | INR 8,650 |
| Visa fee, other nationals living in India, multiple or double entry | INR 17,350 |
| VFS service charge (New Delhi) | INR 800 per application |
| VFS courier, optional (New Delhi) | INR 550 |
The service charge figures come from the VFS New Delhi page. Check your own centre's page, as charges at Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru were not confirmed for this page. You pay all of these at the VFS centre. None of them go through Dummy Tickets Visa (DTV).
Applying for a Japan visa from India, step by step
Fix your dates and write the schedule of stay
Decide your arrival and departure airports and dates first. Everything else follows from them.
Get the flight and hotel documents to match
Order the flight reservation and any hotel reservations for exactly those dates and airports, for delivery the day before you submit.
Gather the rest of the checklist
Passport, photo taken within 6 months, signed application form, ITR or six months of bank statements, and a covering letter if something needs explaining.
Submit at VFS and pay
The Embassy says no prior appointment is needed. Pay the INR 500 visa fee and the VFS service charge at the centre.
Collect the passport or the eVisa notice
Collect the visa in person or by courier. For an eVisa, keep the issuance notice ready to open live on your phone.
Processing time and when to order the reservation
There is no fixed processing time. The Mumbai consulate gives a "minimum 5 working days following the date of receipt of application". The VFS Mumbai page gives 10 working days for Mumbai and 12 for Pune, Ahmedabad and Goa, but treat those as a rough guide, since that page was written before the July 2026 fee change. You can apply from 3 months before your travel date.
Order the reservation for the day before you submit, not the day you plan the trip. Say you fly on 14 December and submit at VFS on 10 November: ask for delivery on 9 November. A reservation is a temporary hold, and how long it stays live depends on the airline. Our guides on when to book and how long a reservation stays live explain the timing.
Getting a dummy ticket for Japan visa files from DTV
DTV makes the reservation in the airline's system for the names, route and dates you enter on the booking form. You enter the route, so name the airport (NRT or HND) rather than just Tokyo. Our booking desk chooses the airline and flight; you can name a preferred airline in the notes box, and we treat it as a request. You receive a PDF itinerary, laid out like our sample dummy ticket, by email or WhatsApp, typically 10 to 20 minutes after payment is confirmed.
It costs US$15 (₹1,200) per passenger, one-way or return, and one order covers up to 9 passengers on the same itinerary. It is a reservation, not a paid ticket, and it cannot be used to board. DTV is not affiliated with VFS Global, the Embassy of Japan or any airline, and no document can promise a visa decision. For other countries' rules, see our visa guides by country.
- Arrival airport, dates and departure airport identical on your reservation and your schedule of stay
- Narita or Haneda written correctly, if you land in Tokyo
- Reservation delivered the day before you submit, and the PNR checked on the airline's website
- A hotel or address for every night on the schedule of stay
- For an eVisa, a phone with data at the airport to show the notice live
Mistakes that cause problems
The same handful of errors appears again and again in Japan visa files and at check-in.
A schedule that does not match the flights
Arrival or departure dates on the schedule differ from the reservation. Always compare the two side by side.
An onward date outside the permitted stay
If you are allowed a certain number of days, your onward date must fall within them. Count the days carefully, including the arrival day.
Relying on a cancelled booking
Some travellers book a refundable ticket, cancel it immediately, and submit the confirmation. A cancelled booking can be seen as cancelled if anyone checks, which looks worse than a genuine reservation.
Leaving documents in checked luggage
Keep your onward booking and accommodation details in your hand luggage or on your phone. You will not have access to checked bags at the immigration counter.
How Japan looks at your departure plans
Japan has a reputation for orderly, document-driven processes, and its entry system is no exception. Whether you hold a visa or enter visa-free, officials expect a short-term visitor to have a clear plan and a date of departure. Understanding where that expectation shows up makes it easy to prepare.
In the visa application
For travellers who need a visa, which includes Indian citizens for most short visits, the application is where your travel plan is examined first. Applicants commonly submit a flight reservation and a day-by-day schedule of stay that lists where they will be on each date. The flight dates and the schedule must agree. A plan that leaves Japan on a date not shown in the schedule invites a query.
At airline check-in
Airlines flying into Japan check that passengers hold the right visa or are eligible for visa-free entry. On one-way tickets, staff may ask how you plan to leave. If you have a visa, they will usually see your plan reflected in it, but carrying the onward booking is still wise.
At the immigration counter
Japanese immigration officers can ask about the purpose and length of your visit, where you are staying and when you are leaving. Many visitors are not asked for documents, but the officer is entitled to ask. A booking out of Japan within your permitted stay answers the question cleanly.
Common traveller profiles and what they should carry
Different travellers face slightly different questions. The notes below help you prepare for yours.
First-time tourist
Carry your visa, return booking, hotel confirmations and schedule of stay. Expect simple questions on arrival about where you are going and when you leave.
Business visitor
Carry the invitation letter, your company letter and the return booking. Be ready to name the company you are visiting and the dates of your meetings.
Visitor staying with family or friends
Carry the invitation or guarantee documents your host provided, the host's address, and your return booking. Officers may ask about your relationship with the host.
Backpacker on a long Asian route
Carry a booking out of Japan to the next country, and make sure that country's own entry rules are covered. Our list of countries that ask for onward travel proof can help you plan each stage.
Group, family and business applications
Applications for several people travelling together are easier to read when the documents show the group clearly.
Families
Put every family member on one reservation with the same flights. Each person's name should match their passport. Children's documents should follow the embassy's checklist, which may include birth certificates or parental consent.
Tour groups and friends
If friends travel together but apply separately, each file should show the same flights and hotels. Officers may compare files that list the same travel companions.
Business delegations
The inviting company in Japan often issues documents for each visitor. Keep the flight plan aligned with the meeting dates in the invitation. A delegation where one member returns days after the others should explain why.
What happens if your plans change after the visa
Plans change: a delayed flight, an extended business meeting, an illness. Japan's visa allows a stay up to a stated period, and changes within that period are generally not a problem as long as your purpose stays the same.
Leaving earlier
Leaving earlier than planned is rarely an issue. Buy or change your real ticket and leave on the new date.
Leaving later
Staying longer than your schedule but still within the permitted stay is usually acceptable. Staying beyond the permitted stay is not. If you need more time, contact the immigration bureau in Japan before your permitted stay ends to ask about options.
Changing the onward destination
If you decide to continue to a different country than planned, make sure you meet that country's entry rules, including any onward travel requirement of its own.
If you need a visa for Japan
Indian citizens generally apply for a short-term stay visa through the Japanese embassy or consulate system, either directly, through accredited agencies or via an online system, depending on current arrangements. Checklists often ask for a schedule of stay and travel details. Check the official Embassy of Japan in India website for the current procedure and documents.
Schedule of stay
A schedule of stay is a day-by-day plan. Your flight reservation should match its first and last day. Hotels should match each night.
Flight reservation tips
- Arrive at the airport that fits your first city, such as Narita or Haneda for Tokyo, or Kansai for Osaka and Kyoto.
- Leave from the airport near your last city; open-jaw routes are common.
- Use passport spelling for names.
Choosing the onward flight
Japan's location makes onward options plentiful. Your choice should match your actual intentions as closely as possible.
Back to India
For most Indian visitors, the onward flight is the return home. Direct and connecting options exist from Tokyo and Osaka. A round-trip reservation shows both entry and departure in one document.
On to another country in Asia
Many travellers combine Japan with South Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia or the Philippines. If your next stop is Manila or Cebu, read our onward ticket guide for the Philippines, because the Philippines often checks onward plans strictly.
On to Europe or elsewhere
If you continue from Japan to Europe, the visa for the next destination will have its own requirements. For a Schengen visa, the Schengen reservation guide explains how to present the European part of the trip.
Already have the visa? Our Japan onward ticket guide covers what the airline desk and the landing examination check on the day you fly.
Frequently asked questions
Is a flight ticket required for a Japan visa, or is a reservation enough?
The checklist asks for a "Document to show the flight/cruise schedule to/from Japan". It does not ask you to buy a ticket. A reservation shows the schedule, with a PNR the airline can look up while the hold is live. The consulate decides how it reads your file. Our guide to flight reservations for visas explains what the document contains.
Should I buy my Japan flight before the visa is decided?
You do not need to. The checklist asks for your schedule, not a purchase, so you can wait. If you buy early and the visa is refused, or your plans move, you may lose part of the fare. You can file with a reservation and buy the ticket once the visa sticker or eVisa notice arrives, on the dates your schedule of stay shows.
Which VFS centres take Japan visa applications?
VFS Global runs the Japan Visa Application Centres in India. The VFS Mumbai page gives processing guidance for Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Goa, and the New Delhi page lists the INR 800 service charge. Which centre you use depends on where you live, so check the Embassy of Japan or your local consulate's page for your jurisdiction before you go.
Does the eVisa change which flight document I need?
No. The eVisa changes how the visa is issued, not what goes in the file. You still submit the same checklist at VFS, including the flight schedule and your itinerary. The difference comes at the airport: you show the visa issuance notice live on your phone, because Japan's foreign ministry says a PDF, screenshot or printout will not be accepted.
Do I also need a hotel booking for a Japan visa?
The checklist asks for an "Itinerary in Japan (including hotel information, contact information while in Japan)", so each night needs a place to stay. DTV can add a hotel reservation voucher for the city and dates you enter, at US$15 (₹1,200) per hotel, per passenger. If your trip covers several cities, message us on WhatsApp before ordering.
Does a flight reservation guarantee my Japan visa?
No. No document guarantees a visa. A reservation shows a concrete, checkable travel plan that matches your schedule of stay. The consulate still looks at your income tax return or bank statement, your ties to India and the purpose of the trip, and the Embassy may ask for an interview or more documents.
- VFS Global: Japan tourism visa documents required (PDF)
- Embassy of Japan in India: visa information and fees
- Consulate-General of Japan in Mumbai: visa information
- VFS Global: Japan visa services, New Delhi
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: short-term stay visa documents
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: eVisa, showing the visa issuance notice
- Embassy of Japan in India: eVisa for residents of India
- VFS Global: Japan visa information, Mumbai
Last updated by Girish A. Visa requirements change, so confirm the current checklist with the embassy, consulate or official application centre before you apply. A reservation supports a visa file and cannot guarantee a visa decision.