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The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and consulates in Japan have resumed routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services. Please click "Read More" for detailed information.
The U.S. Department of State has increased certain nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fees. These fee increases are effective as of May 30, 2023.
Please see here for detailed information on Covid-19 vaccine requirements for travel to the Untied States.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor visa purposes) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Not all countries participate in the VWP, and not all travelers from VWP countries are eligible to use the program.
VWP travelers are required to apply for authorization though the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to their travel to the United States.
VWP/ESTA Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA application process.
Diplomatic/Official/Government-Sponsored J visas
Detailed instructions for diplomats and government officials (A visas), employees of international organizations (G visas), and participants in government sponsored exchange programs (with program numbers starting with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 on Form DS-2019).
Treaty Trader and Treaty Investor Visas
Treaty Trader (E-1) and Treaty Investor (E-2) visas are available for citizens of countries with which the United States maintains treaties of commerce and navigation, including Japan, who work for companies that trade or invest in the United States.
Student, Employment-based, and other Visas
Complete information on applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa, including a directory of nonimmigrant visa categories.
Applicants for nonimmigrant visas may check the status of their visa cases online. All DS-160 forms created within the past year are available in the online CEAC Status Check.
U.S. citizens may sponsor their spouses, minor children, adult sons and daughters, parents, and siblings. U.S. lawful permanent residents may sponsor their spouses, minor children, and adult sons and daughters.
The K-1 visa permits a foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to travel to the United States and marry his or her U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival.
Employment-Based, Diversity, and Other Immigrant Visas
Complete information on applying for an immigrant visa, including employment-based immigration and diversity visas
Returning Resident Visas (SB-1)
A U.S. lawful permanent resident (LPR) who has remained outside the United States for longer than one year (sometimes shorter for conditional residents) or beyond the validity period of a Re-entry Permit must obtain a new immigrant visa to re-enter the United States and resume permanent residence.
Applicants for immigrant and K visas may check the status of their visa cases online.
Maintaining Permanent Resident Status
U.S. Immigration law presumes that a person admitted to the United States as an immigrant will live in the United States permanently. Remaining outside the United States for more than 12 months may result in a loss of lawful permanent resident status.
You are a conditional resident if you immigrated to the United States as the spouse of a U.S. citizen before the second anniversary of your marriage, or as the stepchild of a U.S. citizen before the second anniversary of the marriage between your non-U.S. citizen parent and your U.S. citizen stepparent. Special rules apply to conditional residents.
Re-entry Permit Receipt Status Check
Lawful permanent residents may request USCIS to send their re-entry permits to the Embassy in Tokyo or the Consulates in Sapporo, Osaka, Fukuoka, or Naha.
If your Green Card has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, you may be able to obtain a “Boarding Foil” to facilitate your return to the United States.
Abandoning Lawful Permanent Resident Status (I-407)
USCIS provides information about how to abandon your lawful permanent resident status by filing Form I-407.
Lawful Permanent Resident Child Born Abroad
Under U.S. immigration regulations, children who meet certain criteria do not need to obtain a visa to immigrate to the United States.
English- and Japanese-speaking customer service agents are ready to assist you 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Japan time Monday through Friday. The call center is closed for U.S. and Japanese holidays.
Submit an inquiry regarding a pending Nonimmigrant or immigrant visa application or a treaty trader/treaty investor E visa company registration request.
COVID-19 Restrictions on Accessing Consular Section
Applicants entering or returning to Japan from overseas are not eligible to visit the Embassy or Consulates until the quarantine period set by the Japanese government is completed. Additionally, please postpone your appointment if you are sick and/or displaying COVID-like symptoms such as coughing, fever, shortness of breath, etc. or have been exposed to individuals known to have tested positive for COVID-19.
The Embassy/Consulates do NOT store prohibited items for visa applicants. There is no facility at the Embassy/Consulates to store such items, so you must make arrangements to store these items elsewhere before you enter. If you arrive with a prohibited item, you will be turned away and asked to make a new appointment.
The Embassy/Consulates will close to the public in observance of United States and Japanese holidays.
Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers
The pamphlet linked below informs you of your rights as a nonimmigrant visa holder in certain employment- and education-based categories.
Rights and Protections for Immigrant Visa Applicants
The pamphlet informs applicants applying for K-1 visas, K-3, IR-1/CR-1 immigrant visas, and F2A immigrant visas of their legal rights relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
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A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship or nationality.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States. If you cannot find what you are looking for here, please visit Travel.State.gov for additional information.
Note: U.S. citizens do not need a U.S. visa for travel to the United States, but when planning travel abroad a U.S. citizen may need a visa issued by the embassy or consulate of the country they wish to visit.
For nonimmigrant visas, you can go directly to the online application for the DS-160; or for immigrant visas, directly to the USCIS site for the relevant forms. If you are unsure, please use the Visa Wizard below to help you determine your visa type.
Please call your nearest Consulate or Embassy:
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