Important Visitor Information Regarding COVID-19
Visitors from Other States and Countries: Massachusetts COVID-19 Travel Order
(Effective March 22, 2021) All visitors and returning residents entering Massachusetts are advised to follow the Commonwealth’s new travel advisory as detailed: here.
Visitors to Japan from the US: Important Guidelines on Japan's Border Control Measures Related to COVID-19
- Modification of Border Measures
1. With the announcement that the COVID-19 will no longer be recognized as "a Novel Influenza Infection, etc.," the border measures will be modified as follows starting at 12:00 a.m. (JST) on April 29.
(1) All travelers and returnees will no longer be required to submit a certificate of negative result of COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure, nor will they be required to submit a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate of three doses or equivalent.
(2) Current provisional measures for all travelers and returnees arriving from China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) by direct flights, including on-arrival COVID-19 test to collect samples, will be replaced with an on-arrival test required only for travelers and returnees with COVID-19 symptoms. This is the same measure applied to all other travelers and returnees.
2. The current on-arrival test for travelers and returnees with COVID-19 symptoms, and treatment at designated facilities for travelers and
returnees with a positive test result, will be continued until 12:00 am (JST) on May 8. Genomic Surveillance of Infectious Diseases will begin at 12:00 a.m. (JST) on May 8.
▶ 1. Check and confirm eligibility (Immigration Office in Japan)
Make sure you are qualified through the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. The certificate of eligibility is issued before the visa application by a regional immigration authority.
Please do not submit your CoE application to the Boston Consulate. After you receive the CoE issuance, please include it with the other necessary documents when submitting your visa application to the Boston Consulate.
▶ 2. Submit visa application documents (Boston Consulate)
Once you have received the certificate of eligibity from the regional immigration authority, then you can e-mail the Consulate (visaboston@bz.mofa.go.jp) with the attached required documents for Work & Long Term Visa or Temporary Business Visa
▶ 3. Wait for follow up (E-mail Response)
Await reply for further instructions. Note: we have a 10mb maximium size limit for emails. If you do not receive a reply, this means we did not receive your e-mail.
Japan Visa Information Hotline
(24/7 365 a Year, English)
1-202-499-1468
JAPAN VISA INFORMATION HOTLINE TOLL FREE CALL
This hotline is designated for visa applicants residing in the U.S. to answer general questions regarding visas. Domestic call fees will be charged.
The Hotline will not connect you to the Consulate General of Japan in Boston Visa Section. If you need to directly contact the Visa Section, please call 1-617-973-9772 during office hours.
▶ Office Hours
Regular hours resume as of July 1st.
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM, 1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
(Please note: we are only accepting walk-ins.)
▶ Processing Times
Passports may take up to five business days. Visa Applications may take longer or be put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic effecting Cross-Border Travel eligibility.