VISA INFORMATION

Who needs a visa?

		Types of Travel	Visa Requirements
U.S. Citizens		Short-term stay (less than 90 days) for the purpose of Transit, tourism, business (without paid activities), conference, or study purpose	NOT Required
		COE (Certificate of Eligibility) holders (stay in Japan more than 90 days), News media related activities, Attending depositions, or  Diplomatic/official mission or transit	Required

 
 

		Visa Requirement
Non-U.S. Citizens (Green Card holders & US Visa holders)		Required *except for citizens of Visa Exemption Countries and Regions (List) (Note)The Visa Waiver Program applies based on your passport country, NOT on your U.S. residence status (including green card)

 
 

Before you apply for a visa

 
Do you live in our JURISDICTION?
Visa Applicants may apply through the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco ONLY if they physically reside in our jurisdiction.

Do you have valid US Permanent Residence Card (Green Card) or hold a valid US Visa? B1/B2 holders cannot apply for visa 
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.

Do NOT apply too early
SINGLE-ENTRY visas are valid for 3 months once issued. You MUST apply within 3 months of the date you will enter Japan EVEN IF YOU WILL APPLY FOR A MULTIPLE-ENTRY VISA, since you may be granted a SINGLE-ENTRY visa upon examination.

What is the processing time?
The visa approval process takes a MINIMUM OF 5 BUSINESS DAYS with sufficient documents. Please be sure to give ENOUGH TIME FOR PROCESSING AND DELIVERY when applying for your visa. We are not responsible for tickets, which are unusable due to delay or denial of visa. Incomplete visa applications will be returned. OUR OFFICE DOES NOT PROVIDE EXPEDITED SERVICE. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Our windows are closed
The Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco is accepting visa applications by DROP-OFF or MAIL. WE will mail back your passport by mail. You cannot pick up your passport in-person!!!

SUBMIT BY DROP-OFF
Visa drop-off at the designated box (inside the San Francisco office) *Please put all visa applications in 1 envelope/package per family. Mon.-Fri. 10:00am-11:30am and 1:00pm-3:00pm (No weekend or holiday service) No appointment necessary.

SUBMIT BY MAIL
Please mail all applicable documents to:

Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco VISA Section 275 Battery Street, Suite 2100 San Francisco, CA 94111

Confirmation email
You will receive a confrimation email (from Sashou@sr.mofa.go.jp, may show as SASHOU) within 72 business hours after your visa application is delivered to us or dropped off in the drop box.
*Please check your spam/jank mail folder as well as your inbox. Incomplete visa applications will be returned.

No status check
Please refrain from calling or email us regarding your visa application status due to a high volume of applications.

Traveler(s) with a criminal record
Travelers with an arrest or criminal record may be refused entry into Japan. Decisions on allowing or refusing a traveler’s landing will be made during the immigration clearance process upon arrival.

If you have concerns about entering Japan with a criminal record, please contact below.
Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Email : info-tokyo@i.moj.go.jp
Tel: 0570-013904 or +81-3-5796-7112 (overseas)

*Denial of Landing of Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act could be found here (See Article 5, page 4-7).

Short-Term Stay (less  than 90 days)	Multiple-Entry	Visa for Nationals of China Visa for Nationals of India Visa for Nationals of Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines & Mongolia Visa for Nationals of Russia or Ukraine Visa for Business Purpose (Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Africa, Vietnam, Mongolia, Russia, NIS, and Georgia) *For other nationalities, please contact the Consulate regarding eligibility for applying for a multiple-entry short-term stay visa.
	Single-Entry	Visa for Tourism (For stays of more than 24 hours and NOT for visiting relative/friends) can be submitted by drop-off, mail, or ONLINE (eVISA) Visa for Visiting Relatives/Friends Visa for Business Visa for transit (For stays of less than 24 hours)
Work / Long-Term Stay		Visa for Work/Long-term Stay with Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

For all visa related inquiries:

Toll-Free & 24 Hour Hotline for Visa-related inquiries: 1-202-499-1468 (English only)

Email: sashou@sr.mofa.go.jp (We will try our best to respond to you quickly, normally within 24 business hours).
*Please include the following information in your email:

1. Nationality / Citizenship
2. Visa status in the U.S.
3. Purpose of your trip to Japan
4. Scheduled departure date
5. Intended length of stay in Japan
6. Current place of residence (city)

Tel: (415)780-6092 (Monday to Friday, 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m., and 1:00p.m. to 5:00p.m.)
For general questions about visa, please check Visa FAQ.

Re-entry Permit/Special Re-entry Permit or COE inquiries:
Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Email : info-tokyo@i.moj.go.jp
Tel:0570-013904 or +81-3-5796-7112 (overseas)
 

Information on Denial of Landing:
Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Email : info-tokyo@i.moj.go.jp
Tel:0570-013904 or +81-3-5796-7112 (overseas)