VISA INFORMATION
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:- U.S. citizen or nationals of visa exemption countries/regions (see the list here)
- Short-term stay (less than 90 days)
- Purpose of the visit is tourism, business, conference, or study, AND NOT engaged in income-earning activities
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:
- 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 - Mailed to our office (Please be aware there has been an increase in lost mail)

Toll-Free & 24 Hour Hotline for Visa-related inquiries: 1-888-704-4459
COVID-19 Testing and Quarantine Information
- Visit Japan Web (Online service for quarantine, immigration and customs procedures.)
/ Visit Japan Web Information Leaflet
- Valid Vaccination Certificate
- Valid Format of “Certificate of Negative Test Result”
- Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare: Japanese Border Measures
/ Frequently Asked Questions
- Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Quarantine Inquiries Hotline: +81-3-3595-2176 (English and other languages)
General Travel Information to Japan
- Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
/ 新型コロナウイルス感染症に関する水際対策の強化に係る措置について
- Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel (English)
/ 国際的な人の往来再開に向けた段階的措置 (外国人の方が利用される際の査証の申請について)(日本語)
- Information related to New Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19) from Immigration Services Agency
VISA Application: Checklist for Required Documents
Short Term Stay (Less than 90 days)
Multiple-entry Visa- Multiple-entry Visa for Nationals of China
- Multiple-entry Visa for Nationals of India
- Multiple-entry Visa for Nationals of Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines
- Multiple-entry Visa for Nationals of Russia or Ukraine
- Multiple-entry Visa for Business (Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, South Africa, Vietnam, Russia, NIS and Georgia)
- Single-entry Visa for Tourism
- Single-entry Visa for Visiting Relative/Friends
- Single-entry Visa for Business
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
- Northern and Central California
- Nevada (All Areas)
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
- Applying by mail:
Visa applications must be submitted by mail.
Please be aware of fraudulent websites, social media and emails. - Processing time:
Normally, a visa can be issued within 5 working days if all the requirements are met. - We do not have expedited services, no exceptions.
- Visa fees:
No fee is required for U.S. citizens. For other nationals: visa fees page. - 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.
- Criteria of Visa Issuance:
- 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
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