What is a medical stay visa?
A medical stay visa is a visa issued to a foreign patient who visits Japan for the purpose of receiving medical treatment in Japan (including those who undergo a medical checkup) and accompanying persons.
The length of stay is determined in consideration of the condition of the foreign patient’s illness, etc., and there are three types of short-stay visas within 90 days, 6 months or 1 year.
You can enter the country on a short-stay visa only if your stay is less than 90 days. In this case, if the host medical institution deems it necessary, a visa with multiple validity may be issued to foreign patients and others. However, in this case, a “Treatment Schedule” must be submitted by the doctor.
Hospitalization is a prerequisite if the expected duration of your stay exceeds 90 days. Please note that in this case, you will need to obtain a visa for specific activities.
The scope of medical care and the range of companions are as permitted on a medical stay visa:
Scope of medical care
In addition to treatment at medical institutions in Japan, all acts under the direction of medical institutions (such as human docks, medical examinations, and medical treatment (including hot spring cure within 90 days) are eligible.
Range of companions
Not only relatives such as foreign patients, but also non-relatives can accompany as companions. Companions also need to obtain a specific activity visa if their stay exceeds 90 days.
A medical stay visa can be used, for example, if you have a status of residence such as a spouse of a Japanese national and wish to have your parents examined at a Japanese medical institution.
