Luxembourg Short-stay Schengen Visa (Type C) — Applying from Japan

Who this page is for

This page is for people who live in Japan and are applying for a Luxembourg short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) — a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Only persons residing in Japan may submit an application at the Embassy in Tokyo. Japanese nationals with a valid ordinary passport do not need a visa for short stays, so this guide is mainly for other residents of Japan whose nationality requires one.

Long-stay visas and residence permits follow a different process on the Luxembourg immigration pages and are not covered here. If Luxembourg is the sole destination, the main destination (longest stay), or — on a tie in days — the first Schengen country of entry of a multi-country trip, you apply to Luxembourg.

Where to apply and how to book

The Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Tokyo (Luxembourg House 1F, 8-9 Yonbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) is the single receiving post for all of Japan; there is no residency-based jurisdiction split. The Luxembourg MFA missions list states that applications for short-stay visas from Japan should be sent to the Tokyo embassy, and the honorary consuls in Kyoto and Tokyo do not receive visa applications. There is no VFS Global or other external service provider on the Japan route.

Applications must be submitted on appointment at the embassy by the applicant in person; appointments for visa applications are generally set to Monday to Friday 15:00-16:30, and the embassy asks you to contact the consular section before applying (tel 03-3265-9621 ext.1 / [email protected]). Applications must be lodged at least 15 working days before the planned departure date and no earlier than six months before it, so plan the appointment window accordingly.

Photo, documents, and fee

The photograph: one coloured ID photo at 35 × 45 mm (height 45 mm × width 35 mm) on a white background with a head height of 32–36 mm — and, in the embassy's own words, "Please bring the picture separately, do not attach it to the application form". For the full shooting rules see the global Luxembourg visa photo page, and re-check the embassy's list before your appointment.

The document list: a completed application form; the colour photo; a valid passport or travel permit recognised by the Schengen countries (valid 3 months past departure) with a copy of the first page; a Japanese residence card valid for at least three months after your return from the Schengen area, original and copy; travel medical insurance for the whole stay covering repatriation, emergency medical treatment, and hospitalisation, with a minimum cover of 30,000 EUR; purpose-of-travel documents (invitation, round-trip flight reservation, hotel reservation or a formal financial support pledge approved in Luxembourg); a guarantee letter in English (employment or enrolment certificate); pay slips or bank statements for the previous 3 months; a detailed day-by-day itinerary; and previous Schengen visas if applicable. Documents must be in English or French (or translated) and submitted on unstapled A4 sheets in order.

The fee: Visa C (short-term) application fee of 90 EUR (45 EUR for children aged 6-12), to be paid in euro bank notes at the time of application — no other form of payment is accepted. Prepare euro cash in advance; the fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.

Biometrics and children

The Tokyo embassy page does not spell out the biometric procedure. Under the common Schengen rule (European Commission), fingerprints are collected when you lodge an application (10 fingers), applicants under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting but must still appear, and fingerprints collected within the last 59 months may be reused. The live capture at the counter is separate from the colour photo you bring for the file. Confirm the current procedure with the consular section when you book.

Children need the same 35 × 45 mm colour photo with a head height of 32–36 mm on a white background (Luxembourg publishes no child-specific photo rules), and the fee is reduced to 45 EUR for ages 6-12. A child's application follows the same appointment and in-person submission route; confirm any consent-document requirements with the consular section.