VISA INFORMATION
Who needs a visa?
| Types of Travel | Visa Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Citizens |
|
NOT Required | |
|
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).
Checklist for Required Documents
| Short-Term Stay (less than 90 days) | Multiple-Entry |
*For other nationalities, please contact the Consulate regarding eligibility for applying for a multiple-entry short-term stay visa. |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Entry |
|
||
| Work / Long-Term Stay |
Visa for Work/Long-term Stay with Certificate of Eligibility (COE) |
||
eVISA: Online Application
You may only apply online through eVISA for Single-entry Short-term Tourist VISA (stay of more than 24 hours) and (NOT for visiting relatives/friends, business, transit).
(Note) From August 29, 2024, eVISA (online visa) applications from residents within the jurisdiction of Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco will be submitted to and reviewed by the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles. (For more information, please see The JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa)
Currently, due to the high volume of eVISA applications, processing time is at least 2-3 weeks or longer. Please allow ample time for processing.
How to apply eVISA (YouTube)
For eVISA inquiries, please check eVISA FAQ
*Please note that you will receive an EMAIL once your visa fee is required and you will be directed to pay by credit card online.
How to pay online (YouTube)
For more information, please visit the eVISA website and for online payment procedure and system maintenance schedule, click here.
If you have already submitted an eVISA application and have decided to apply by mail or drop-off instead, we ask that you withdraw your eVISA application online first, before re-applying by mail or drop-off to avoid delays during visa application processing.
Contact
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:
- Nationality / Citizenship
- Visa status in the U.S.
- Purpose of your trip to Japan
- Scheduled departure date
- Intended length of stay in Japan
- Current place of residence (city)
For general questions about visa, please check Visa FAQ.
For all eVISA technical inquiries:
Email: japan-visa@bricks-corp.com (English only)
*Please mention your nationality or citizenship and place of residence in your email.
For all other eVISA inquiries:
Please consult with the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles
Please refrain from checking individual application status and await their notice.
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)
Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Email : info-tokyo@i.moj.go.jp
Tel:0570-013904 or +81-3-5796-7112 (overseas)