Visiting Japan (Visa: Application and Pick up)

[Processing Time]

• It should be noted that the Consulate does NOT provide visa expediting service.
• The time to process an application for visa depends on the applicant's circumstances.
• [ Applications in person ] In most cases, it takes three business days to a week (excluding the date of application), if the documentation is in order.
• [ IMPORTANT: Applications by mail ]: From one to three days after receiving a visa application by mail, the Consulate will call the applicant as one of the visa application procedures. If the applicant does not take the call, the Consulate will not process the application. Accordingly, the applications by mail usually take longer days than the applications in person, in addition to transit time between your place and the Consulate. If your visa application is pressing, you should apply in person (or by proxy) instead of application by mail.  
• The Consulate may make inquiries to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo. In such cases, over a few weeks or more are needed to process an application.

[Validity of a Visa / COE and Period of Stay]

(The processing time indicated above is an estimate for individual applications. Please expect longer time for group visa applications.)

○ You can apply and pick up in person during Visa Office hours.
○ Appointments are not required.

○ If you wish someone to apply for visa or pick up your passport, you must submit a completed and signed authorization form.
○ Persons authorized by applicants must bring their passport or driver's license.

[IMPORTANT: Applicants should be aware that the Consulate does not bear any responsibility for the delay or loss of envelopes or passports by the shipping companies.]
○ Applicants who reside outside of the City of Boston, Town of Brookline or City of Cambridge are eligible to apply by mail.
○ From one to three days after receiving a visa application by mail, the Consulate will call the applicant as one of the visa application procedures. If the applicant does not take the call, the Consulate will not process the application. Accordingly, the applications by mail usually take longer days than the applications in person, in addition to transit time between your place and the Consulate. If your visa application is pressing, you should apply in person (or by proxy) instead of application by mail.  

○ (in person) You can pick up in person during Visa Office hours.
○ (third party) If you wish someone to pick up your passport, you must submit a completed and signed authorization form.
○ (third party) Persons authorized by applicants must bring their passport or driver's license.
○ Appointments are not required.

[IMPORTANT: Applicants should be aware that the Consulate does not bear any responsibility for the delay or loss of envelopes or passports by the shipping companies.]
○ Applicants who wish to have their passports returned by FedEx Air or UPS can submit a pre-paid, self-addressed return envelope with application documents.
(FedEx Ground or US Postal Service (USPS) should not be used. Also, any services requiring direct hand-over to the shipping companies should not be used.)
○ We ship only to addresses within our jurisdiction (The New England region (except Fairfield County, CT)).

Visa fees are determined according to reciprocal arrangements between Japan and the country of the applicant's nationality.