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| VISA INFORMATION |
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 Welcome
to the VISA INFORMATION page. The Visa Section of the Consulate General
of Japan in San Francisco takes care of the issuance of visas to foreign
nationals who wish to enter Japan. Whether you need to obtain a visa in
order to enter Japan differs according to the purpose of visit, length of
your stay or your nationality, etc. So please read following instructions
carefully to determine if you need a visa. If you have any questions, please
feel free to call the Visa Section at 415-777-3533 or send an e-mail . The
Visa window is open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 E-mail
inquiries |
E-mail inquiries should include the following information:
- Passport (or travel document) of the visa applicant
- Applicant's status in the U.S. (Alien Registration Card or visa status)
- Purpose of visit to Japan
- Length of stay in Japan
- Applicant's telephone number
Our E-mail Address: sashou@sr.mofa.go.jp
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INTRODUCTION |
Guidelines
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For U.S. citizens and nationals of other countries which have Reciprocal Visa Exemption Arrangements with Japan: You do not need to obtain a visa if you wish to enter Japan for a period of 90 days or less for the following purposes: Non-remunerative activities such as sightseeing, recreation, amateur sports, visiting relatives, taking inspection tours, participating in lectures or meetings, attending conferences, making business contacts or other similar activities. In order to enter Japan without a visa, you are required to present a confirmed round trip airline ticket to the immigration officer upon arrival in Japan. However, a visa is required if you intend to be a long term resident, a student, a news reporter or if you intend to engage in cultural activities for remuneration.
Exemption
of Visas
For nationals of all other countries:
You must receive from a Japanese Embassy or Consulate abroad,
a visa stamped in a valid passport corresponding to the purpose of
your visit. Upon arrival in Japan, immigration inspectors will stamp
your passport granting you permission to land. Please keep in mind
that a visa must be obtained before you enter Japan from a Japanese
Embassy or Consulate abroad.
For all foreign nationals
(including U.S. citizens): In addition, a visa is always
required if the purpose of your visit is to reside in Japan, to obtain
employment or to otherwise engage in any remunerative activity. |
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As the documents to be submitted to a Japanese Embassy
or Consulate when applying for a visa differ according to the purpose
of the visit, you are requested to inquire about the documents required
in your specific case at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate nearest you
before applying for a visa. Click here
for information on the Japanese Embassy and Consulate in the
United States. If you have any questions, please call the
Visa Section at 415-777-3533.
Sample
Business Letter  |
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Criteria of Visa Issuance |
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In principle, Japanese visa will be issued to an
applicant, when he/she fills all of the following requirements and
the issuance is regarded as reasonable. |
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The applicant possesses a valid passport and is entitled for the re-entry to
a country of which he/she is a national or citizen or a country of
his/her residence. |
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All submitted documents shall be authentic, completed and satisfactory. |
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The activities to be engaged in while in Japan, or the civil status or the position
of the applicant, and the period of stay shall meet the requirements
for the status of residence and the period of stay stipulated in
the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. (Cabinet Order
No.319 of 1951. hereinafter referred to as "the Act") |
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The applicant shall not fall under any of the items of Article 5, Paragraph1
of the Act. |
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CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY |
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An applicant who wishes to enter Japan under the visa categories of Employment /Working , General or Specified should obtain, in principle, a Certificate of Eligibility. The Certificate of Eligibility is a document issued by the Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Justice in Japan. To obtain a Certificate of Eligibility, you are required to have a sponsor in Japan such as an employer, a school, relative etc. The sponsor in Japan must contact the local immigration Office to apply for it on your behalf. For more information, please go to the website of the Immigration Bureau, www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/index.html or call the Tokyo Immigration Office at 03-5796-7112. |
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VISA APPLICATION |
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Visa applications from B-1/B-2 U.S. visa holders or those who are under the U.S. visa exemption status are not accepted by the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco. Their visa applications should be made at the Japanese Embassy or the Consulate in their home countries. For any visa application, additional documents may be requested according to the case. All documents must be original and issued within 6 months.
Your personal appearance is usually required for the visa application. To review your application, it takes three to five business days. Some cases will take longer to review. For more information, please call the Visa Section at 415-777-3533(ext454) or send an e-mail to sashou@sr.mofa.go.jp |
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SHORT-TERM STAYS: Short-term stays refer to temporary visits of up to 90 days with non-paid activities for such purposes as business discussion, attending conference, sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends, etc. |
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< DOCUMENTS for SHORT-TERM STAY VISA>
- Valid national passport.
- Single visa application form. (Form 1-C, Visa Application Form )
- One photo taken within 6 months. (2"x2", front shot, white back ground)
- U.S. alien registration card (Green Card) or a valid long-term U.S. visa with I-94 card and all other documents related to your status in the U.S. If you have a F-1 or J-1 visa,
I-20 or DS-2019 form signed by a school advisor is also necessary.
- Confirmed airline tickets or a flight itinerary issued by the travel agency or the airline.
(Note) If the flight itinerary is submitted at the time of the visa application, the purchased airline tickets must be presented when the visa is granted. We are not responsible for unusable tickets due to delay or denial of visa application.
- Confirmation letter for the hotel reservation.
- According to your purpose of visiting Japan, the following documents must be submitted in addition to the above mentioned documents.
[For Business Meeting]
- A sending letter from the applicant's U.S. company. (Sample Letter )
- A letter of invitation from the company the applicant will visit in Japan.
- Materials showing the business outline of the U.S. company as well as that of the company in Japan.
[For Attending Conference]
- A sending letter from the applicant's U.S. company or organization.(Sample Letter )
- A letter of invitation from the conference committee in Japan.
- Materials stating the detailed information about the conference.
[For Visiting friends or relatives]
- Proof of the applicant's sufficient funds to defray all the expenses while in Japan.
- A letter of invitation from the friend or the relatives in Japan.
- A letter of guarantee from the friend or the relatives in Japan.
- Proof of residence from the friend or the relatives in Japan.
- Proof of sufficient funds from the friend or the relatives in Japan.
[For Tour or Sightseeing]
- Proof of the applicant's sufficient funds to defray all the expenses while in Japan.
- Confirmation letter or itinerary of the tour issued by the tour company.
- Day-by-day schedule with dates, activities and the lodging information during the applicant's stay in Japan.
[For Other purposes]
(Forms and Samples)To download the following documents (1)〜(6) in English, please go to www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html For Japanese version of these documents, go to www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/visa/index.html
(1)Visa application form. (2) Letter of guarantee. (3) Letter of reason for Invitation. (4) List of visa applicants. (5) Overview of company / organization. (6) Schedule of stay.
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Please click here for the Sample Letter for Business Meeting.[PDF] |
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Please click here for the Sample Letter for Attending Conference.[PDF] |
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Please click here for the Release of Liability.[PDF] |
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WORK/LONG-TERM STAYS: Working and long-term stays refer to the categories of Employment / Working, General or Specified Visas for such purposes as working, study or long- term residence. An applicant who wishes to apply for this kind of visa should obtain, in principle, a Certificate of Eligibility. This certificate is issued by the Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Justice in Japan. Please contact your employer or sponsor to apply for it on your behalf. For more information, please go to the website of the Immigration Bureau, www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/index.html or call the Tokyo Immigration Office at 03-5796-7112. |
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< DOCUMENTS for WORK/LONG-TERM STAY VISA >
- Valid national passport.
- Single visa application form. (Form 1-C, Visa Application Form )
- One photo taken within 6 months. (2"x2", front shot, white back ground)
- Certificate of Eligibility.
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VISA for MEDICAL STAY : "Visa for Medical Stay" is a visa issued to foreign patients who wish to visit Japan for medical purposes such as medical examinations, dental care, full medical check-ups and recuperation. The visa will be issued to their accompanying person(s) as well if necessary and as needed. For detailed information, please go to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html |
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Visa Fee Waiver for Visitors to Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate
For detailed information, please click here. |
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