PHOTO GUIDE
Estonia Short-stay Schengen Visa (Type C) — Applying from Japan
Applying from Japan for an Estonia short-stay Schengen visa (Type C): since 27 January 2021 the Estonian Embassy in Tokyo directs all short-term C-visa applications to the VFS Global visa application centre in Tsukiji, Tokyo — appointment required, the online form filled in beforehand, and biometrics (10 fingerprints and a photograph) captured at the counter. Long-stay (D) visas follow a different process and are not covered here. Photo size and quality rules are on the global Estonia visa photo page.
Last Updated: 2026-08-15
Quick requirements
- Scope: this page is for residents of Japan applying for an Estonia short-stay Schengen visa (Type C). Japanese nationals do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period (Estonian MFA exemption list); this page is mainly for other residents of Japan whose nationality requires a visa. Long-stay (D) and residence visas are not covered.
- Single receiving channel: since 27 January 2021, the Estonian Embassy in Tokyo requires short-term Schengen (C) visa applications to be submitted at the Estonian Visa Application Centre VFS Global in Tokyo (Hamarikyu Parkside Place Bldg. 8F, 5-6-10 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku; phone 050-5433-7978, weekdays 9:00–15:00). An appointment is required, and the embassy directs visa inquiries to VFS Global.
- Form: fill in Estonia's online visa application form before the appointment, print and sign it, and gather all required documents in advance — the embassy page asks for exactly this. All visa applications must be submitted in person.
- Copies: the VFS guidance for the Japan centre asks for one recent colour photograph (not more than 6 months old) taken against a light (white or off-white) background, full face, glued on the visa application form. The 35×45 mm size and framing rules are on the Estonia photo-requirements page; a photo booth meeting the requirements is available at the centre.
- Fee: 90 EUR (children 6–11 45 EUR, under 6 free; facilitation-country nationals 35 EUR) plus a VFS service charge of about 12 EUR per application, payable in yen cash only. Fees are non-refundable; confirm the current yen amounts with VFS when booking.
- Timing: the embassy's page asks for applications at least 15 calendar days before travel and no earlier than three months before; the Estonian MFA's page states the Visa Code window of six months. The two official pages differ — confirm the accepted window with VFS before booking.
- Biometrics: 10 fingerprints and a photograph are collected at the time of the application. Fingerprints given within the last 59 months are copied, and children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting — but every applicant, including children, attends in person.
Who this page is for
This page is for people who live in Japan and are applying for an Estonia short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) — a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Japanese nationals appear on the Estonian MFA's list of citizens who do not need a visa for such stays, so this page is mainly for other residents of Japan whose nationality requires a visa and who legally reside in Japan.
Long-stay (D) visas and residence permits use a different procedure and are not covered here. If Estonia is your only destination, the main destination (longest stay) of a multi-country trip — or, on a tie in days, the first Schengen country of entry — you apply to Estonia.
Where to apply: VFS Global Tokyo
There is no residency-based split and no embassy counter for ordinary C-visa applications: since 27 January 2021 the Estonian Embassy in Tokyo has required short-term Schengen (C) visa applications to be submitted at the Estonian Visa Application Centre VFS Global in Tokyo, Hamarikyu Parkside Place Bldg. 8F, 5-6-10 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku (phone +81-(0)50-5433-7978, weekdays 9:00–15:00). An appointment is required for submitting an application, and the embassy directs all Schengen visa inquiries to VFS Global.
The embassy itself only receives diplomatic and official visas, Working Holiday visas, and Digital Nomad visas. Long-stay (D) visa applications have also been accepted at the VFS Tokyo centre since 19 July 2021, but they follow a separate process outside this page's scope. VFS Global is the external service provider the Estonian MFA contracts in 15 listed countries (including Japan) for receiving applications; the decision itself is made by the Estonian authorities, not by VFS.
Application form and required documents
Estonia uses an online visa application form: fill it in before your appointment, print it, and sign it. The embassy's page asks that the online form be filled out and all required documents gathered prior to the appointment, and the MFA confirms that all visa applications must be submitted in person.
The MFA's document list asks for the signed application form, your travel document (issued within the last 10 years, valid at least three months beyond departure from the Schengen area, with two free visa pages), a photograph (linked to the ICAO photograph guidelines), travel medical insurance with at least 30,000 EUR coverage valid in all Schengen states, and documents on the purpose of the stay, accommodation, and means of subsistence — for Estonia the MFA sets sufficient means at 70 EUR per day of stay. Non-Japanese residents also prove their legal residence in Japan (e.g. Japanese residence card).
Photo requirements and the photo booth
The VFS guidance for the Japan centre asks for one recent colour photograph, not more than 6 months old, taken against a light (white or off-white) background, showing a full face with a non-smiling expression, and glued on the visa application form. The Estonian MFA's own page sets no millimetre dimensions for the C visa and delegates photograph quality to the EC ICAO guidelines (35–40 mm width, face 70–80%, plain light-coloured background, within 6 months); the 35×45 mm print size used across the official route checklists is explained on the Estonia photo-requirements page.
A photo booth meeting the requirements is available at the centre, so you can have a compliant photograph taken on site — but bring your prepared print anyway, because the checklist asks for the photograph to accompany the glued application form, and confirm booth availability and pricing on the day. The biometric photograph and fingerprints captured at the counter are collected separately from the print you bring.
Fees, timing and biometrics
The Schengen C visa fee is 90 EUR (children 6–11 45 EUR, under 6 free; nationals of EU facilitation-agreement countries such as Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro and North Macedonia pay 35 EUR). The VFS centre adds a service charge of about 12 EUR per application; fees are payable in yen cash only and are not refunded whatever the decision. Exchange rates move, so confirm the yen amounts with VFS when booking.
On timing, the two official pages differ: the embassy's page says applications should be lodged at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit and cannot be lodged earlier than three months before it, while the MFA's page states the Visa Code rule that applications cannot be lodged earlier than six months before the journey. Confirm the window VFS actually accepts when you book. At the appointment, 10 fingerprints and a photograph are collected as biometric identifiers; fingerprints given within the previous 59 months are copied instead, children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting, and minors also need a parental travel authorization.
Where to apply for an Estonia short-stay Schengen visa from Japan
Since 27 January 2021 the Estonian Embassy in Tokyo has required short-term Schengen (C) visa applications to be submitted, by appointment, at the Estonian Visa Application Centre VFS Global in Tokyo (Hamarikyu Parkside Place Bldg. 8F, 5-6-10 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku). The embassy receives only diplomatic and official visas, Working Holiday visas, and Digital Nomad visas. All applications are submitted in person with biometrics (10 fingerprints and a photograph) collected at the counter; the online application form is filled in before the appointment. VFS Global is the external service provider contracted by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 15 countries including Japan. Fees, the exchange rate, and the checklist can change, so confirm the latest information with VFS Global and the embassy pages before you book.
shoumei.org helps users prepare photo files based on publicly available requirements. It does not submit visa applications, and it is not an official government service, Schengen authority, embassy, consulate, VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International service. Please verify the latest requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or visa application center before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I submit an Estonia visa application in Japan?
At the Estonian Visa Application Centre VFS Global in Tokyo (Hamarikyu Parkside Place Bldg. 8F, 5-6-10 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku), by appointment booked through the VFS portal. Since 27 January 2021 this is the only receiving channel for short-term Schengen (C) visa applications from Japan; the embassy itself receives only diplomatic and official visas, Working Holiday visas, and Digital Nomad visas.
Is using VFS Global mandatory for an Estonia visa from Japan?
Yes, for ordinary short-stay (C) visas the embassy directs all applications to the VFS Tokyo centre — there is no embassy counter for them. VFS Global is the external service provider the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs contracts in 15 countries including Japan; it receives applications and collects biometrics, but the decision is made by the Estonian authorities.
How many photos do I need and what size?
One recent colour photograph, not more than 6 months old, on a light (white or off-white) background, full face, glued on the visa application form — that is what the VFS guidance for the Japan centre asks for. The print size is 35×45 mm; see the Estonia photo-requirements page for the full framing rules. Keeping a spare print is practical.
Can I take the photo at the visa centre instead of bringing one?
A photo booth meeting the requirements is available at the centre, so a compliant photo can be taken on site. Still bring your prepared print: the checklist asks for one photograph with the application, and booth availability and pricing should be confirmed on the day. The biometric photograph captured at the counter is separate from the print you bring.
How much is the Estonia Schengen visa fee in Japan?
90 EUR for adults, 45 EUR for children 6–11, free under 6, and 35 EUR for nationals of EU facilitation-agreement countries. The VFS centre adds a service charge of about 12 EUR per application. Fees are payable in yen cash only and are not refunded whatever the outcome; confirm the current yen amounts with VFS when booking.
When can I apply, and how early do I need to book?
The embassy's page asks for applications at least 15 calendar days before travel and no earlier than three months before; the Estonian MFA's page states the Visa Code window of six months. The pages differ, so confirm the accepted window with VFS when booking. Appointments can fill up, so book as soon as your trip is fixed.
Do children need to attend the appointment?
Yes. All visa applications must be submitted in person, including for children. Under 12s are exempt from fingerprinting, but a photograph is still collected, and a parental travel authorization is required for minors.
Do I have to give fingerprints again if I gave them before?
Not necessarily: fingerprints given in connection with a previous visa application less than 59 months ago are copied to the new application. You must still attend in person, and a new capture can be required if the stored prints are of insufficient quality.
Official and submission sources
- Estonian Embassy in Tokyo — Schengen (C) visa (2026-08-15 re-verified: since 27 January 2021 short-term Schengen C visa applications should be submitted at the Estonian Visa Application Centre VFS Global in Tokyo; an appointment is required; the online application form should be filled out and all required documents gathered prior to the appointment; biometric data (fingerprints, photograph) collected at the time of the application; applications lodged at least 15 calendar days before and not earlier than three months before the intended visit; VFS centre at Hamarikyu Parkside Place Bldg. 8F, 5-6-10 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) (used for: application channel, appointment system, application form, biometrics notes, processing time, jurisdiction notes) Checked: 2026-08-15
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia (vm.ee) — Application for a Schengen visa (2026-08-15 re-verified: fees Schengen visa 90 EUR / children 6-11 45 EUR / under 6 no fee, facilitation nationals 35 EUR; a photograph is a required supporting document linked to the EC ICAO photograph guidelines; all visa applications must be submitted in person; the MFA concludes reception contracts with VFS Global (VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd) in 15 listed countries including Japan; biometric identifiers — a photograph scanned or taken at the time of lodging and 10 fingerprints — are collected at the same time, fingerprints copied if given less than 59 months ago, under-12 exempt; applications cannot be lodged earlier than six months before the journey) (used for: visa fee, biometrics notes, fingerprint reuse, application form, processing time, visa-free entry for Japanese) Checked: 2026-08-15
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia (vm.ee) — Who does not need a visa to visit Estonia? (2026-08-15 re-verified: Japan is listed among citizens who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen area incl. Estonia for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period, with no biometric-passport annotation for Japan) (used for: visa-free entry for Japanese) Checked: 2026-08-15
- VFS Global — Estonia Visa Application Centre Japan one-pager (2026-08-15 re-verified: short-term C visa 90 EUR, children 6-12 45 EUR, transit A 80 EUR, long-stay D 120 EUR; VFS service charge of EUR 12 per application payable in JPY cash; fees payable only in cash; photo: one recent colour photograph not more than 6 months old, taken against a light background (white or off-white), full face non-smiling, stuck on the visa application form; a photo booth meeting these requirements is available at the centre) (used for: application channel, appointment system, visa fee, photo copy count) Checked: 2026-08-15
shoumei.org helps users prepare photo files based on publicly available requirements. It does not submit visa applications, and it is not an official government service, Schengen authority, embassy, consulate, VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International service. Please verify the latest requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or visa application center before submitting.
All guides
Prepare the photo for your Estonia visa Make an Estonia visa photo