Visa / Visiting Japan

2024/4/1

eVISA　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Online visa application is now available.
Please check JAPAN eVISA website
 
(Note 1) If your application is incomplete, you need to satisfy required documents. Once cancelled, you should make a new application and submit it again. Entering incorrect information and/or uploading the required documents inadequately could lead to a delay of examination or cancellation of your eVISA application, which may affect your travel plans.
 
(Note 2)Please beware of fraud websites looking alike the JAPAN eVISA website.
 
(Note 3) From June 1, 2024, the payment method for an eVISA will be limited to online payment. We will only accept the payment by your credit card and you will not be able to pay in cash at the Japanese overseas establishment.

(Note4) From July 23, 2024, at 16:00 JST (0:00 PDT) online visa application from residents within the jurisdiction of Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle, Denver, Houston, Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage and Portland will be submitted to the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles.
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/visaonline.html




 

Visa Information Hotline

For general visa information, please call JAPAN VISA INFORMATION HOTLINE.
TEL: +1-202-499-1468 or URL（https://comm.brdg.site/visa_japan.html）
(24 hours/7 days a week. For U.S. citizens, English only)*

* The applicant(s) should contact the Consular Office directly regarding the pending case(s). The Hotline will not connect you to the Consular Office.


Re-entry Permit/Special Re-entry Permit or COE inquiries:
Immigration Services Agency of Japan
TEL: 81-570-013904

Who Needs a Visa to Enter Japan?

In general, all foreign nationals are required to apply for a visa to enter Japan, unless they enter with a valid re-entry permit or are eligible for visa waiver measures. Currently, visa exemptions apply to certain countries and regions, including the United States. Passport holders from these visa waiver countries/regions do not need to apply for a visa for a short stay for the purpose of business, meetings, sightseeing, or visiting relatives or acquaintances. However, those who intend to engage in remunerated activities in Japan or to stay longer than the short-stay period set for each country will need to obtain a visa.

Please refer to "Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)" (MoFA: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website) for visa exemption measures, countries/regions to which the measures apply and eligible passport types.

Visa-related measures related to COVID-19 have been repealed. For more information, please refer to the following page.

How to Apply for a Visa

All foreign nationals to whom visa waiver measures do not apply are required to obtain a visa to enter Japan, unless they are re-entering the country with a valid re-entry permit.

Types of Visas & Application Documents

Please refer to our "Visa" page for details about visas, types of visas, required documents, etc.

General Rules for Visa Applications

Our office accepts visa applications and visa inquiries from residents of Oregon and Southern Idaho (including Adams, Valley, and Lemhi counties and areas south of those counties). We also accept visa applications from residents of Clark County, Washington on an exceptional basis. You may apply for a visa at this office if you live, work, and are currently within the area covered by this office. For residents in other states or areas, please refer to the List of Embassy/Consulates in the U.S. (JICC, Embassy of Japan in the U.S. website)

As a rule, the applicant himself/herself should come to our office counter during the following hours to apply for a visa.
Monday - Friday, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. / 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. (Excluding office holidays)
The visa can be picked up by the applicant or a person acting on his/her behalf.

Applications by Mail

For those living in remote areas within our jurisdiction, we also accept applications by mail. In case of application by mail, the following additional documents are required in addition to the application documents.

  • Self-addressed stamped envelope (Pre-paid, pre-addressed envelope with a tracking number, ready to drop off)
  • Release of Liability Form

Send documents to:

Attn: Visa section
Consular Office of Japan
1300 SW 5th Ave. Suite 2700
Portland, OR 97201

Processing Time

In our office, it takes a minimum of 5 business days to issue a visa after receiving a complete application with no missing or incomplete documents. It may take longer if a large number of applications are received. Please apply well in advance, as the processing time cannot be shortened, except in cases of compelling humanitarian reasons.
For details, please visit:

Fees

Visa Fee
 

More Information

If you have any questions about visas, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions ("VISA - FAQ") page first.

Inquiries can be made at the following e-mail address. Please understand that it may take several days to respond to a large number of inquiries.

IMPORTANT: If you have any questions regarding visas, the following information must be provided:

  1. Your nationality
  2. Your visa status in the United States
  3. Purpose of your trip to Japan
  4. Your intended length of stay in Japan
  5. Your occupation
  6. Your telephone number

Visiting Japan

Information for Visitors

Driving in Japan

In order to drive in Japan, the driver must have a driver's license. For information on the types of driver's licenses that are accepted for driving in Japan and how to obtain one, please refer to the following linked website.

Foreign nationals residing in Japan may apply for a Japanese driver's license. In principle, applicants are required to take a knowledge and skill verification test. However, holders of a driver's license from a designated country or region, including the State of Oregon, are exempt from the knowledge and skills tests. The applicant must have stayed in a country or region for a period of 3 months or longer in total after he or she was granted a driver's license of the country or region.
For details, please contact the police or the Driver's License Issuance and Examination Center of the prefecture in which you reside. For reference, information on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government can be found at the following website.

Please refer to the following links for Japanese traffic rules.

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