VISA - FAQ

2022/10/11

General Questions

Q1: Do foreigners need a visa to enter Japan?

A1: 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 waiver measures are in effect for the U.S. and other designated countries and regions. U.S. citizens do not need to obtain a visa for stays of 90 days or less for the purposes of business, meetings, sightseeing, or visiting relatives or acquaintances, etc.

Q2: Am I eligible for visa waiver?

A2: Japan has visa exemption arrangements with 68 countries and regions, including the United States. U.S. citizens are eligible to visit Japan without a visa to stay in Japan for 90 days or less for the activities allowed as Temporary Visitors such as business, meetings, sightseeing, or visiting relatives or acquaintances.
For information on countries and regions covered by visa exemption arrangements please see "Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)".

Q3: I need a visa to enter Japan. How do I apply?

A3: If you do not qualify for a visa waiver and wish to apply for a visa, please come to our office counter during the following hours with the application form and required documents.
Monday - Friday, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. / 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. (Excluding office holidays)
If you live in a remote area, you may also apply by mail. Please see "How to Apply for a Visa" for details.

Q4: What documents are required for visa application?

A4

To apply for a visa, you will need to submit a valid passport, visa application form, passport-sized photo, and other documents required according to the purpose of your stay. Please read the "Visa" page carefully, and if you have any questions, please contact ryojiportland@se.mofa.go.jp and provide the following information.

Your nationality
Your visa status in the United States
Purpose of your trip to Japan
Your intended length of stay in Japan
Your occupation
Your telephone number

How to Apply for a Visa

Q5: Do I need an appointment to apply for a visa?

A5: No appointment is required to apply for and receive a visa at our office. Please come to our office counter during the following office hours.
Monday - Friday 9:30 - 11:30 am / 1:00 - 4:30 pm (except office holidays)

Q6: Can I apply for a visa online?

A6: We are preparing a system for online visa application. Until it is ready, applications are accepted only at the office counter.

Q7: Can I apply for a visa by mail?

A7: We accept applications by mail from those who live in remote areas within our jurisdiction (approximately 100 miles or more from our office). Applicants are responsible for postage costs. Please note that we are not responsible for any accidents, loss, etc. during the mailing process.
Please read the "Applications by Mail" section of the "How to Apply for a Visa" page carefully and send the necessary documents by mail.

Q8: Can a proxy apply for a visa?

A8: Applications are accepted only from the applicant him/herself. The issued visa can be picked up by the applicant or his/her representative.

Visa application by purpose

Q9: I plan to stay in Japan for a short period of time to conduct business (for research, to attend a conference or event, for tourism, etc.). How do I apply for a visa?

A9: If you plan to stay in Japan for 90 days or less for business or other purposes, you may be eligible to apply for a visa. Please read the "Visa" page carefully and follow the instructions on the "How to Apply for a Visa" page.

Q10: I would like to visit my relatives (friends, acquaintances) in Japan, how do I apply for a visa?

A10: If you plan to stay in Japan for 90 days or less for the purpose of visiting relatives and others, you may be eligible to apply for a visa.
Please read the "Visa" page carefully and follow the instructions on the "How to Apply for a Visa" page.

Q11: I plan to stay in Japan for a long period of time to study (or work in Japan). How can I apply?

A11: If you are planning to stay in Japan for a long period of time to work or study and have obtained a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)*, you may be eligible to apply for a visa. Please read the "Visa" page carefully and follow the instructions on the "How to Apply for a Visa" page.
*NOTE: It is not necessary to obtain the CoE in cases designated by the Japanese government, such as Japanese Government Scholarship students.

Q12: I plan to stay at a Japanese airport for a connecting flight. Do I need a visa?

A12: Foreign nationals who do not enter Japan, but only stay in transit in the airport and transfer directly to a third country do not need to obtain a visa. In the following cases, however, entry into Japan is required and you must obtain a transit visa in advance.
- Transit between Haneda Airport and Narita Airport or Kansai Airport
- Transit at Narita Airport on or after the next day

Visa receipt and validity period

Q13: When will I receive the visa I applied for?

A13: Visas in our office are usually issued after the fifth business day counting from the business day following the day the application is received. If the visa cannot be issued on schedule due to incomplete or missing documents or for any other reason, we will contact the applicant. In all other cases, we will not contact you again. Please pick up your visa according to the schedule that will be provided to you when your application is accepted.
If you apply by mail, we will issue and ship your visa within 5 business days after we receive your complete and correct application documents.
Please refrain from inquiring about the expected date of issuance or receipt of your visa during the application process.

Q14: I am applying for a visa. Will you inform me when the procedure is completed?

A14: If the visa cannot be issued on schedule due to incomplete or missing application documents or for any other reason, our office will contact the applicant. In other cases, we will not contact the applicant again.

Q15: I have obtained a visa, but do I have to enter the country before the visa expiration date?

A15: Please be sure to pass an immigration inspection in Japan within the validity period of your visa. Single visa, which is valid for one entry only, will expire when you pass an immigration inspection or when the validity period expires, whichever comes first.

Other

Q16: I have a status of residence in Japan. Can I enter Japan without a visa if I have a residence card?

A16: Foreign nationals re-entering the country with a valid re-entry permit do not need to obtain a visa. All other foreign nationals are required to obtain a visa to enter the country unless a visa waiver applies.

Q17: I am a dual national with both a U.S. and Japanese passport. Do I need a visa to enter Japan?

A17: Japanese nationals in possession of a valid Japanese passport do not need to obtain a visa to enter Japan.

Q18: Do I need to take the Covid-19 pre-departure inspection before leaving for Japan?

A18: All persons (including Japanese nationals) entering Japan are required to submit a certificate of a test taken within 72 hours prior to departure (negative result certificate) unless they hold a valid vaccination certificate. Holders of a valid vaccination certificate will not be required to submit a pre-departure inspection certificate.

Q19: Where can I get a pre-departure test for Covid-19?

A19: Pre-departure inspections can be performed at any laboratory that can issue a certificate that covers all of the requirements for a certificate specified by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).
Please see this page (in Japanese) for information on laboratories in the Portland area that may be able to issue a certificate in accordance with the prescribed format provided by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.