Japan's Immigration Process Step by Step: Visit Japan Web, Fingerprints and Photo, Residence Card and Customs

When you first arrive in Japan, what do you do at the airport, and in what order? Immigration inspection is the first procedure when you begin your studies in Japan. This guide explains the steps a new international student goes through at the airport, and what to prepare, using official information.

We checked the official pages listed at the bottom on 8 November 2026. Equipment, operating hours and procedures differ by airport and over time, and can change. Use this guide as a rough guide, and before you leave, confirm the details with your airline, your school and the latest guidance of the Immigration Services Agency. The result of the inspection is decided by the immigration officer, and we cannot guarantee it.

The whole flow

0. Before you leave: register on Visit Japan Web

Foreign nationals newly entering Japan are asked to submit the "Foreign National Entry Record" (the ED card). The Immigration Services Agency recommends submitting it electronically using Visit Japan Web. You can also submit on paper.

What Visit Japan Web is

It is a free web service run by the Digital Agency. You register in advance the information needed for immigration inspection and for the customs declaration, and it creates a 2D code (QR code). At the airport you show this 2D code.

• To use it, you need to register an account on Visit Japan Web. After registering, you enter the information from the "Foreign National Entry Record" menu on the website.
• If you finish entering it before you reach the immigration inspection area, the inspection goes more smoothly.
• You can also show the 2D code as a screenshot.
• If you correct your registered information, you need to create the 2D code again.
• If family members enter with you, each person enters the information and creates their own 2D code.
• Even after you submit electronically, you still go through the immigration officer's inspection.

Beware of fake websites

Customs has warned that there are fake websites pretending to be "Visit Japan Web," and agent websites run by private companies, that charge fees. Visit Japan Web is free, and customs does not charge a fee for entry procedures. The official site is:

• https://services.digital.go.jp/visit-japan-web/

Do not pay if you are asked for a fee anywhere other than the official site.

The paper ED card

If you are not used to smartphones, for example, you can submit a paper ED card. Fill it in in English or Japanese. As a reference for filling it in, versions with translations in nine languages, including Nepali, are published as PDFs. If you are unsure where paper cards are handed out or how to fill them in, also check the guidance of your airline and the airport.

1. The integrated kiosk (only at some airports)

Some airports have an integrated kiosk where you can go through immigration and customs procedures together (Immigration Services Agency). You scan the 2D code you made on Visit Japan Web and your IC passport at the kiosk, and follow the on-screen instructions. You can provide your passport information, a photo, fingerprints for foreign nationals, and your declaration information together.

According to the Immigration Services Agency and customs pages, integrated kiosks are installed at Narita (Terminals 1, 2 and 3), Haneda (Terminals 2 and 3), Kansai (Terminals 1 and 2) and Fukuoka airports. The start dates and hours differ by terminal and may change with the passenger flight schedule. You need to complete your Visit Japan Web registration before using a kiosk.

When you finish at the kiosk, marks such as letters of the alphabet appear on the screen. Follow those marks to immigration and customs. Foreign nationals go through immigration in a booth reserved for people who used the integrated kiosk. If your passport is not an IC passport, you can use the kiosk but cannot use the electronic gate (facial recognition) afterwards.

2. Immigration inspection

In principle, foreign nationals go through landing inspection by an immigration officer at designated airports and ports (Immigration Services Agency).

What to show

• Your passport, and a valid visa issued by a Japanese consulate or similar office.
• Keep any documents your school told you to carry, for example about the Certificate of Eligibility (COE), where you can reach them quickly in your hand luggage. Show them when the officer asks (the official page does not say when the COE is shown).
• The 2D code of your entry record (ED card), or a paper ED card.

Fingerprints and a photo

Foreign nationals must provide personal identification information (fingerprints and a photo) to the immigration officer, except where exempted by law. If you refuse, you are treated in the same way as someone found not to meet the conditions for landing, and are subject to a hearing.

Permission to land

If the inspection finds that you meet the conditions for landing, you receive a landing permission stamp in your passport. With this you can legally land in Japan. If you are found not to meet the conditions for landing, you are handed over to a special inquiry officer and go through a hearing.

3. Receiving your residence card

People who receive landing permission and become mid- to long-term residents are issued a residence card. According to the Immigration Services Agency, a residence card is issued at the airport at New Chitose, Sendai, Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Kobe, Hiroshima, Fukuoka and Naha airports. If you enter through another airport or port, a note saying "residence card will be issued later" is written in your passport, and in principle it is mailed later to the address you report.

When you receive the residence card, check on the spot that your name, status of residence and expiry date of the period of stay are correct. On residence cards issued on or after 14 June 2026, the "period of stay" is no longer printed on the card and is recorded only on the IC chip. What is printed is the "expiry date of the period of stay" (Immigration Services Agency). Within 14 days of deciding where you live, you must report your address at the municipal office. For details, see the guide to procedures after you arrive.

If you plan to work part-time, you can apply for permission to engage in other activities at the airport when you enter (for people with the "Student" status and a period of stay of more than three months). For details, see the part-time work guide.

4 to 6. Baggage, quarantine and customs

After immigration inspection, you collect your baggage and go to the customs inspection area.

• If you have meat products, animal-derived products, fruit, vegetables, seeds or other plants: Before customs inspection, you are checked at the animal quarantine and plant quarantine counters. Many meat products and animal-derived products cannot be brought into Japan. For details, see the guide to bringing food.
• Customs declaration: Declare what you have correctly. If you have meat products, animals or plants, unaccompanied articles, or items over the duty-free allowance, follow the staff's instructions.
• If no customs inspection is needed: You may be able to pass through the electronic gate by facial recognition. However, if your belongings exceed the duty-free allowance or you have unaccompanied articles, you may be directed to a customs inspection.

Customs does not charge a fee for entry procedures.

What to prepare before you leave

1. 1Register on Visit Japan Web. Through the official site, for free. For family members, one person at a time.
2. 2Save the 2D code as a screenshot. In case the signal is weak.
3. 3Put your passport, visa and any documents your school told you to carry where you can get them quickly.
4. 4Fully charge your smartphone. So you can show the 2D code.
5. 5If you are taking food, check the rules. See the guide to bringing food.
6. 6Check your plan for who meets you and how you get to school. Immigration inspection and quarantine can take time.
7. 7Ask your school about anything you are unsure of. Ask your school how your arrival day will go.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to use Visit Japan Web?

The Immigration Services Agency recommends submitting electronically with Visit Japan Web. It says you can also submit a paper ED card. To use an integrated kiosk, you need a Visit Japan Web registration.

Does Visit Japan Web cost money?

No. It is free. A site that asks for a fee may be a fake. Use it through the official site.

Are fingerprints and a photo always required at immigration?

Unless exempted by law, foreign nationals must provide fingerprints and a photo. If you refuse, you are subject to a hearing.

Will I always receive my residence card at the airport?

No. It is issued at New Chitose, Sendai, Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Kobe, Hiroshima, Fukuoka and Naha airports. If you enter through another place, it is mailed to your address later.

What if I enter with my family?

Each family member enters their information on Visit Japan Web, one person at a time, and creates their own 2D code. However, according to the Immigration Services Agency's Q&A, when the supporter is a student at a Japanese language institution, they are not eligible to bring family under the "Dependent" status. For details, see the guide to bringing family.

What will the officer ask me?

The official pages do not say what questions are asked. It helps to check your school's guidance so you can answer if you are asked, for example, the name of your school, your purpose in coming to Japan and where you will stay.

What to do next

Ask your school how your arrival day will go. For getting from the airport to your school, follow your school's guidance. Compare school support in How to Choose a Japanese Language School and the school list. For the full process, see How to Study in Japan from Nepal. You can contact us, but we do not guarantee admission or a visa. Individual decisions are made by the immigration officer. This site is free to use.