Visiting Japan

Visa Information

Customs & Quarantine Information
Immigration Procedures

The Consulate General of Japan processes visa applications for non-Japanese citizens who need a visa to enter Japan, for short-term visits and/or extended stays.
Citizens of countries which maintain a visa exemption agreement with Japan are not required to obtain an entry visa for short term visits (generally up to 90 days, however, some countries are exempt for up to six months).
Citizens of the United States do not need a visa for visits of less than 90 days involving purposes such as tourism, business trips, and some educational programs.

For visits involving most other purposes or for long-term stays, all non-Japanese citizens are required to obtain a visa prior to entering Japan.
If you are unsure if you need a visa or not, based on your nationality or the purpose of your trip, please contact the Consulate for details. Please see below for general requirements for short and long term visa applications.
Additional documentation may be requested with your application, depending on your particular status or circumstances.

Visa services are available Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm and 1:30pm to 4:30pm.

Visa application forms are available at the Consulate, or upon request by sending a letter with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Also, they can be downloaded from following links;
- Visa application form(Acrobat Reader 6.0 or higher is required to view this document)
- Example Form

Applications may be submitted in person or by mail from within our four-state region.
Typically, applications take approximately five business days to process, although applications involving certain circumstances may take longer.

Depending on your nationality, a short-term visa may be necessary in order to visit Japan for tourism and other non-paid activities such as business trips/education/athletics, etc. A short-term visa is good for such visits not exceeding 90 days in length.

If you are traveling through Japan in transit to another country, and will not be involved in any activity other than rest and relaxation (not a business trip, etc.) in Japan, you may apply for a short-term transit visa. A transit visa is good for only 15 days.

For stays longer than 90 days, or for any activity involving profit or pay in Japan, another type of visa is required and you can not apply for a short-term visa.
To apply for a short-term visa, a person wishing to travel to Japan must submit the following documents.

1 Valid passport

* If not a US passport,
[ ALSO / OR ]
-USA Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)
-USA I-94 Card issued & attached to passport by US Immigration

2 Visa application form (Form No. 1-C)

Download the application form from below;
- Visa application form(Acrobat Reader 6.0 or higher is required to view this document)
- Example Form

3 Passport-size photograph (1 piece)

The photo should be taken within the last 6 months, 2x2", front face view.

4 Official or reliable document confirming the dates of arrival and departure in Japan;

cf. itinerary issued by the airline company or a reliable travel agency.
(Please note that the Consulate is not responsible for tickets, which are unusable due to delay or denial of visa.)

5 Visa fee

Visa fee varies by country. (No fee for US citizens)
For further information, please call the Visa Section at (303) 534-1151. Cash or Money Order only, payable to the Consulate General of Japan. (Personal or corporate checks, credit cards not accepted.)

6 A letter from your employer/company,

regarding your trip to Japan, stating the purpose, length of stay, and a guarantee of complete financial responsibility for all expenses of the trip.
In addition, this letter must state the name/address/telephone of the company you will visit in Japan, and the name of a contact person there.
* Additional documents may be requested by the Consulate as necessary.

For stays in Japan longer than 90 days, or for any activity involving profit or pay in Japan, a long-term visa is required to enter and stay in Japan. There are many reasons for going to Japan to stay long term, and accordingly there are several types of long-term visa. Normally these involve various types of work, education, or family relationships of some kind in Japan. In order to obtain a visa, you will need to submit certain documents to verify your particular circumstances.

In most typical cases, your employer or other contact in Japan must submit these documents to immigration authorities in Japan. You will then receive a document called a Certificate of Eligibility to submit with your visa application. In general, this certificate is sufficient evidence to obtain a long-term visa, however the Consulate may ask for additional documentation as necessary. Alternatively, you may submit all of the documents together with your visa application. As a general rule, all supporting documents must have been issued within the last six months and they must be originals. Copies are acceptable for certain original documents, such as a birth or marriage certificate, but they must be notarized or otherwise officially certified as copies of the original.

Also, please be certain to remember that you must travel to Japan within three months of the issue date noted on your Certificate of Eligibility, regardless of any time limits noted on the actual visa you receive.
To apply for a long-term visa, a person wishing to travel to Japan must submit the following documents.

1 Valid passport

* If not a US passport,
[ ALSO / OR ]
-USA Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)
-USA I-94 Card issued & attached to passport by US Immigration
(In order to receive a long-term Japanese visa here in the US, you must have a long-term US visa.)

2 Visa application form (Form No. 1-C)

Download the application form from below;
- Visa application form(Acrobat Reader 6.0 or higher is required to view this document)
- Example Form

3 Passport-size photograph (1 piece)

The photo should be taken within the last 6 months, 2x2", front face view.

4 Original and photocopy of Certificate of Eligibility (zairyu shikaku nintei shomei-sho) obtained from immigration authorities in Japan. Additional documents noted below may also be requested.;

OR

Two completed application forms with passport photos, and documents to verify your situation and circumstances for a long-term stay in Japan

Normally these will include at least a letter of guarantee : mimoto hosho-sho (Click to see sample) from the employer or other sponsor in Japan, along with supporting documents to provide evidence of sufficient financial means for your support and other details of your situation.

* Please confirm exact requirements per your particular case, additional documents may be required as necessary.

5 Visa fee

Visa fee varies by country. (No fee for US citizens)
For further information, please call the Visa Section at (303) 534-1151. Cash or Money Order only, payable to the Consulate General of Japan.
(Personal or corporate checks, credit cards not accepted.)

Re-Entry Permit Extension

Visa for Medical Stay

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