Visa

2025/2/6

NOTE: The following is a description of standard visa procedures. Procedures and required documents may differ in individual cases. Please also see "How to Apply for a Visa" for basic information.

1. Introduction

2. Visa Overview

3. Work or Long-term stay

4. Temporary Visitor Visa

5. More information

1. Introduction

The Visa Section of the Consular Office of Japan takes care of the issuance of visas to foreign nationals who wish to visit Japan. Whether you need to obtain a visa in order to enter Japan depends upon the purpose of visit, length of your stay, your nationality, etc. Please read the following instructions carefully to determine if you need a visa.

At the Port of Entry

A visa itself does not guarantee landing (status of residence) permission. A visa is a recommendation that a foreigner should be allowed to enter Japan. In other words, it is a kind of certificate issued by the ambassador or consul verifying that the foreigner's passport is genuine and valid and that the application for a stay in Japan for the purpose and period indicated on the visa has been deemed appropriate. Landing permission is stamped in a foreigner's passport by immigration officers at the airport or seaport where he or she goes through immigration procedures. It is this landing permission, not a visa, that serves as the legal basis for the foreigner's stay in Japan. A visa is only a recommendation and does not automatically guarantee landing permission.

2. Visa Overview

Generally, a national of a foreign country who wishes to enter Japan must first obtain a visa. Under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act of Japan (Cabinet Order No.319 of 1951. hereinafter referred to as “the Act”), it is stipulated that any foreigner wishing to enter or land in Japan must possess a valid passport and a visa obtained from an embassy or consulate. Travelers from certain countries may be eligible to visit Japan without a visa under visa exemption arrangements.

Criteria of Visa Issuance

In principle, Japanese visa will be issued to an applicant, when he/she fills all of the following requirements and the issuance is regarded as reasonable.

  • a) The applicant possesses a valid passport and is entitled for the re-entry to a country of which he/she is a national or citizen or a country of his/her residence.
  • b) All submitted documents shall be authentic, completed and satisfactory.
  • c) The activities to be engaged in while in Japan, or the civil status or the position of the applicant, and the period of stay shall meet the requirements for the status of residence and period of stay stipulated in the Act.
  • d) The applicant shall not fall under any of the items of Article 5, Paragraph 1 of the Act.

Categories of Visa

Before applying, visa applicants must first decide which kind of visa to apply for according to the purpose of their visit to Japan. The documentation required for application differs according to the kind of visa the applicant needs. Please check the following sections of this page.

4. Work of Long-term stay Visa

5. More information

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

Any Visa information given prior to an actual application is for informational purposes only. Specific Visa Requirements can only be determined after we see your documents.

For more information, you may inquire at the Consular Office Visa Section at the e-mail address ryojiportland@se.mofa.go.jp. 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

For general information on Japanese Visas, click the link below:

To "Visa ⁄ Visiting Japan"

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