Where to Apply
Consulate of Japan in Belgrade
- Address: Trešnjinog cveta 13, Beograd 11070 - map card, you can build a route
- Submission of documents: exclusively in person, each applicant must be present
- Passport collection: when submitted jointly, one of the spouses may collect them
- Appointment: only by email, phone calls - only for emergencies
Current Situation with Slots
- From mailing documents to receiving a slot: 5-14 days
- Slot is scheduled 4-7 weeks after the consulate's letter
- Spring (March-May) - peak, almost no free slots
- One month before the trip, booking is practically impossible
Required Documents
Main Package
- Application form - two copies, photos are attached only right before submitting the originals
- Passport - original + copy of the title page
- Боравак/лична карта - original + scan of both sides (no reading)
- Bank statement with balance (not older than one month)
- Travel itinerary - trip plan in English
- Air tickets - purchased, not just reserved (only to/from Japan)
Document Requirements
- Photo: 45×35 mm, colour, white background
- Form: filled in English, single-sided printing
- Bank statement: must contain the passport number (not JMBG)
- Translations: not required if documents are already in English or Japanese
What Changed in 2025
- Hotel bookings are no longer needed - just list them in the travel itinerary
- The bank statement is valid for one month for the preliminary check; it does not need to be updated at submission
Financial Documents
Bank Statements (accepted from)
- Raiffeisen Bank Serbia
- Poštanska štedionica
- Alta Bank
- AIK Bank (with passport number)
- Russian banks (Tinkoff, VTB) with passport number
Requirements
- Passport number is mandatory
- Currency indication - required field
- Bank stamp and employee signature
- Issue date not older than one month
Minimum amount - not officially specified, but in practice 1000-1500 EUR is sufficient.
For Sole Proprietors (ИП)
- Only a statement from a personal account is accepted; a business account does not qualify.
- ИП documents are not required for a tourist visa.
- Spouses: one spouse's statement + marriage certificate is enough.
- Unmarried partners: notarised statement of the relationship + account statement from your partner's account.
- Not in a relationship: each person shows their own account.
Fees and Timelines
Fees
- Visa fee: FREE
- Service fees: none
- Additional costs: only for document preparation and, if needed, translation
Timelines
- Pre-check: 5-14 days
- Slot receipt: 4-7 weeks after the letter
- Visa processing: 7 days after submitting the originals
- Total time: 1.5-2 months from the first letter to receiving the visa
Procedure
- Send scanned documents by email.
- Receive the date for submitting the originals.
- Appear at the consulate in person.
- After a week, collect the passport with the visa.
Types of Visas
Tourist (C)
Multi-visa
- Requires proof of stable income.
- For ИП - a document confirming tax payments is needed.
- Issued rarely, mainly for repeat visits.
- A work-place certificate is mandatory.
Work/Study Visas
- Submission only with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
- Required set: form, passport, боравак, COE.
- Processing time - 7 days.
Hacks and Tips
How to Increase Approval Chances
- Apply at least 1.5 months before the planned trip.
- Purchase tickets in advance - the consulate requires actual tickets.
- Create a detailed travel itinerary: addresses, hotel phone numbers, day-by-day schedule.
- Keep 1000 EUR or more in the account.
Practical Details
- Photo in the form: attach only right before submitting the originals.
- Two passports: indicate the one that needs the visa.
- Residence permit: must be valid for the entire trip period.
- Air tickets: only tickets to/from Japan are needed.
Bank Statements
- At Raiffeisen request a potvrdu, not a regular statement.
- Indicate the purpose "for Japanese consulate".
- Alta Bank statements may be bilingual.
- Russian banks must include the passport number.
Travel Itinerary
- Use the updated form from the consulate website.
- List dates only for the days of stay, excluding flight days.
- List all hotels, even if no booking exists.
- Detail plans for each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hotel bookings required?
Since 2025 - no. It is enough to list them in the travel itinerary.
Can I apply without purchased tickets?
No, actual purchased tickets are required at the time of original submission.
Will a statement from a Russian bank be accepted?
Yes, if it contains the passport number and has the bank's stamp.
How long is a bank statement valid?
One month for the preliminary check; no need to update it at submission.
Is the passport retained during processing?
Yes, the consulate holds the passport for about a week (since 2025).
Can I submit documents on behalf of someone else?
No, each applicant must be present in person.
What if the statement lacks the passport number?
Go to another bank branch or ask for a re-issued statement - without the passport number the document will be rejected.
Is a translation of the боравак needed?
No, a scan of both sides is sufficient.
Do they reject visas?
Practically never, if all documents are submitted correctly.
Can I change plans after receiving the visa?
Yes, there is no strict requirement to follow the exact itinerary.
Important: before traveling, check the current requirements on the official consulate and eUprava websites.