VISA INFORMATION

2023/1/31

VISA NEWS

From October 11, 2022 at 00:00 AM (JST), foreign nationals who meet ALL of the criteria below are no longer required to obtain a visa: *The visa waiver arrangement with the United States does NOT apply to COE: Certificate of Eligibility holders, travel to Japan for news media related activities, attending depositions taken by U.S. Consul, or U.S. Federal Government employees on diplomat/official business or transit to/from official mission.

From October 11, 2022 at 00:00 AM (JST), the temporary suspension of validity of single entry visas and multiple entry visas (including APEC Business Travel Cards) issued before December 1, 2021 will be lifted.
Your visa or APEC card must not be expired when you enter Japan.

*Please note that each entrant, including people from visa exemption countries, is REQUIRED to submit either a pre-departure COVID-19 test result or a valid vaccine certificate. Please check the details of requirement here and pre-register via Visit Japan Web.
 

ATTENTION:


Until further notice, VISA applications submitted to the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco will only be accepted in the following ways:
  1. Dropped off at the designated box inside the Consulate during business hours.
    (Monday-Friday except holidays; 10:00am-11:30am;1:00pm-3:00pm)
    or
  2. Mailed to our office (Please be aware there has been an increase in lost mail)
Please follow the Instructions (click here).PDF

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

COVID-19 Testing and Quarantine Information

General Travel Information to Japan

VISA Application: Checklist for Required Documents

Short Term Stay (Less than 90 days)

Multiple-entry Visa Single-entry Visa

Work / Long Term Stay (More than 90 days) / Certificate of Eligibility

VISA INFORMATION

  *Please carefully read the following below for visa information.
 

I. Visa application are accepted only from residents in our jurisdiction.

Area of Jurisdiction

Proof of residence such as your California/Nevada Driver’s license/ID card, utility bill, etc. is required.

 

II. Only those with long-term resident status in the U.S. can apply for a visa

 

III. General Information

  1. Applying by mail:
    Visa applications must be submitted by mail.
    Please be aware of fraudulent websites, social media and emails.
  2. Processing time:
    Normally, a visa can be issued within 5 working days if all the requirements are met.
  3. We do not have expedited services, no exceptions.
  4. Visa fees:
    No fee is required for U.S. citizens. For other nationals: visa fees page.
  5. We accept cash, money order, or cashier's check which must be payable to "Consulate General of Japan". Personal checks and credit or debit cards are not accepted.
  6. Criteria of Visa Issuance:
  7. A Japanese visa will be issued to an applicant, when he/she meets all of the following requirements and if the issuance is considered to be appropriate.
    (1) The applicant possesses a valid passport and is entitled to re-entry to a country of his/her nationality or country of his/her residence.
    (2) All submitted documents shall be authentic, completed and satisfactory.
    (3) The activities to be engaged in Japan/the civil status or the position of the applicant /the period of stay meet the requirements for the status of residence and period of stay stipulated in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. (Cabinet Order No.319 of 1951. hereinafter referred to as the "Immigration Control Act")
    (4) The Applicant does not fall under any of the items of Article 5, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Control Act.

IV. Visa Requirement Chart

VISA CHART

Long Term Exemption Short Term

Important Notes

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

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