Visiting/Meeting Person(s) Who Reside in Japan
[Definition] A foreign citizen traveling to Japan for visiting family/friends and staying at their residence, not including business, academic purposes. It is not permitted to perform activities to undertake revenue generating business operation or activities to receive remuneration.
REQUIREMENTS:
☐ VALID PASSPORT:
- Properly signed by bearer, must have at least one blank VISA page.
☐ COMPLETED VISA APPLICATION FORM:
- The applicant must complete the visa application form in black pen or typed.
- Signature must be wet signature (printed and digital signatures not accepted).
- On the application form, if there is a field not applicable, please write “N/A” or “None”.
- If the applicant is 6 years old or older (grade school and above), they must sign their name in the designated signature area. In the area below, a parent or guardian must print their name and indicate their relationship to the child (ex. father, mother or guardian).
☐ ONE PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOGRAPH
- One photo, taken within the past six months.
- Size: 35mm x 45mm (width x height) OR U.S. passport photo size (2in x 2in).
- The area from the top of the head to the chin must be no less than 32 mm, and no more than 36 mm high.
- Plain white background with no shadows, patterns or objects visible.
- Photo paper (glossy or matte). Regular thin copy paper is not accepted.
☐ PROOF OF YOUR U.S. IMMIGRATION STATUS: Please submit a copy of one or two of the following:
- Valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green card)
- Valid F1 Visa
- I-20 with valid travel endorsement signature
- Valid J1 Visa
- DS-2019 with valid travel endorsement signature
- Other U.S. valid Visa
- Valid OPT card
- Valid Work Authorization Card
- Any USCIS documents to prove the extension if your visa/green card is expired
☐ FLIGHT ITINERARY/RESERVATION:
- Must have the date along with the flight information
(STARTING FROM THE US AND COMING BACK TO THE US, INCLUDING THE FLIGHT TO/FROM JAPAN). - You do not need to purchase your airline ticket until the visa is approved, but you must make a reservation.
- To make a reservation without purchase, please consult with the airline or travel agency.
- You may want to consider adding trip protection or insurance should you need to cancel.
* Please Note: We are not responsible for tickets which are unusable due to delay or denial of visa.
☐ INVITATION LETTER AND PROOF OF RESIDENCY FROM PERSON LIVING IN JAPAN:
(Invitation Letter - Japanese)
- The person who resides in Japan must fill this form out in detail.
- The proof of residency can be either a copy of their Juminhyo (住民票) issued within 3 months by the local city hall OR a copy of Residence Card (在留カード).
- In case the person you visit is stationed in a US military base, a copy of the person’s military order (one page showing the name and the place of the base) can be submitted instead.
- Please also provide a document (ex. birth certificate, marriage certificate, Koseki Tohon, etc.) which proves the relationship between you and the inviter.
☐ MOST RECENT BANK STATEMENT:
- Bank statement must be issued by a bank in the U.S. under your name.
- If you have multiple bank accounts, you may submit combined statements. If the bank statement is in your spouse or parent’s name, please also submit a Marriage Certificate or Birth Certificate.
☐ VISA OR CLEARANCE FROM THE COUNTRY YOU INTEND TO ENTER BEFORE AND/OR AFTER JAPAN (ONLY if applicable):
- If you intend to enter a third country before and/or after Japan and a visa is required in that country, you must get that visa first.
☐ PROOF OF CURRENT ADDRESS:
- Please bring a copy of a valid Driver License, a utility bill, or any other documents with your name and current address.
☐ VISA FEE:
- Please refer to the Visa fee page.
- We only accept CASH (exact amount appreciated). We do not accept credit cards or personal checks.
- You must pay the fee at our office. Please DO NOT SEND cash, check, or money order by mail.
☐ PRE-PAID SELF-ADDRESSED RETURN ENVELOPE (ONLY if you wish to receive by mail when visa fee is not required)
- Please submit a PREPAID self-addressed return envelope. We strongly recommend you use a tracking service such as FedEx.
- If you need to pay, you (or your proxy) must pick up in person at our office.
☐ DISCLAIMER (ONLY if you wish to receive by mail when visa fee is not required)
- Each applicant must sign their own form in pen. Please note that we only accept wet signatures (printed and digital signatures are not accepted).
Additional documents may be requested when necessary.
