VISA INFORMATION

*Please read "Visa Information" before applying for a visa.

• Short-term Stay refers to temporary visits of up to 90 days with non-paid activities for the purpose of the trip.
• Visa applications must be submitted by mail or drop-off at the Consulate.
• You must live in our jurisdiction to apply for your visa. (Northern and Central California & Nevada)
  Please bring proof of residence such as your California/Nevada Driver’s license/ID card, utility bill, etc.
• Applicants must have a valid U.S. long-term visa status such as Permanent Resident, H1B, L-1, J-1, F-1 etc. F-1 Student and J-1 visa holders must have a valid travel signature on I-20 / DS2019.
• We take a minimum of 5 business days to process, so please apply for your visa ahead of time. For special circumstances, we may take longer.
  
  Applications from those who entered the U.S. with a B1/B2 visa or who are under a U.S. visa exemption status will not be accepted in this office.

Documents required for application

• Purpose of business and maximum stay of 90 days.
  
  • Checklist for Business purpose (for Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, South Africa, Vietnam, Russia, NIS and Georgia).
  For all other countries, please call us to see if you are eligible
• Purpose of tourism, visiting friends/relatives, and attending conference and maximum stay of 30 days, or 90 days for certain nationals.
  Multiple-entry short-term stay visas may be issued to applicants who have sufficient level of financial capability and their families for the following nationals.
  Please click the applicable checklist below:
  • Checklist for Nationals of China
  • Checklist for Nationals of India
  • Checklist for Nationals of Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines
  • Checklist for Nationals of Russia or Ukraine
  For other nationalities, please contact the Consulate regarding eligibility for applying for a multiple-entry short-term stay visa.

Single-entry Visas

Please carefully read the checklist that applies to you regarding all the required documents for your short-term stay visa application. Please click the link below to see the applicable checklist.

• Checklist for Tourism
• Checklist for Visiting Relatives or Friends in Japan
• Checklist for Business

To Attend Deposition taking by U.S. Consul

Landing Permission at the Airport
Although a visa is one condition that allows you to land at an airport or seaport, you should note that a visa does not guarantee landing permission. You must obtain landing permission during immigration procedures.

Criminal Record
An applicant with a criminal record must provide a copy of his/her court conviction or sentence, along with an English translation of those documents if they are in any language other than English. We would like to know about the charges, time served, fees paid, and probation (if any). If you have such a record, please call our office in advance.

Telephone Inquiries
Toll-Free & 24 Hour Hotline for Visa-related inquiries: 1-888-704-4459

Address and Telephone Number
Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco
Visa Section
275 Battery Street, Suite 2100
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: (415)780-6000 ext. 6092, FAX: (415)767-4200
For directions, please click here

Operating Hours
Telephone: Monday to Friday, except certain U.S. and Japanese holidays;
9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m., closed from noon to 1:00p.m.
* Due to the high volume of applicants, we may not be able to answer your call.
Window: Monday to Friday, 10:00a.m. to 11:30a.m., and 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. (except certain U.S. and Japanese holidays)

All visa inquiries should be addressed to the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco if you reside in Northern and Central California, and the State of Nevada