Visiting Japan (Visa for Short-Term Stay)

July 1, 2026

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Please check our jurisdiction before you apply.

 

 

+ WHO CAN USE A VISA FOR SHORT-TERM STAY?

 

For those who intend to stay in Japan for 90 days or less for such purposes as follows.
(This category excludes profit-making operations and paid activities.)

○ sightseeing; recreation; sports
○ visiting relatives, friends, or acquaintances; visiting a sick person; attending a wedding or funeral ceremony
○ participating in athletic tournaments; contests etc. as an amateur
○ business purposes (such as market research, business liaison, business consultation, signing a contract, or providing after-sale service for imported machinery)
○ inspecting or visiting plants, trade fairs etc.
○ attending lectures, explanatory meetings etc.; academic surveys or research presentations
○ religious pilgrimages or visits
○ friendship visits to sister cities, sister schools etc
○ or other similar activities during a short period of stay in Japan

Persons planning to travel to Japan for a different purpose, such as students, workers, journalists, entertainers etc., must apply for a different visa in the appropriate category.

 

+ WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS NEEDED FOR THE VISA?


Please note:
○ The Consulate declines incomplete documents; additional documents may be requested during the course of application/examination.
○ Do NOT staple your application.
○ The Consulate will not make copies.
 

Each applicant for a Visa for Short-Tern Stay must submit the following basic documents.

No. Documents Purpose of the trip
For Pleasure Business Conference Visiting Family/Friends
1 Visa Application Form ○ ○ ○ ○
2 Valid Passport ○ ○ ○ ○
3 One Photo ○ ○ ○ ○
4 Proof of your legal status in the U.S. ○ ○ ○ ○
5 Proof of residency in New England ○ ○ ○ ○
6 Travel Itinerary (Day by day schedule) ○ ○ ○ ○
7 Flight Reservation ○ ○ ○ ○
8 Bank Statement ○ ○ ○ ○
9A An Invitation letter from Japanese institution   ○ ○ ○
9B A Letter from the home (U.S.) instiution   ○ ○  
9C Conference brochure     ○  
10 An Inviter's Passport       ○
11A
11B		 Guarantor’s Residence (Zairyu) card
Guarantor’s Jumin-hyo		       ○

* Additional documents maybe requested during the course of application/examination

 

Details of necessary documents (No.1-8)

 
application form 1. Visa Application Form

Signed by the applicant (Form)(Sample)

 

  • A digital signature is invalid
  • Chinese citizens must write their names in Chinese characters as well as in Roman letters
 Original
passport 2. Valid Passport with at least 1.5 blank pages left

*If, instead of a national passport, you submit a PERMIT TO REENTER THE UNITED STATES or a REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT issued by the U.S. government, it must have a validity date at least 6 months beyond the day of application.

*If you already have a valid Japanese visa in your passport: A signed Consent form
 		 Original & 1 Copy
Photo 3. One 2”x 2”  or 2" x 1.4" Photo
  • Must be taken in front of a plain background and within the past 6 months
  • Do NOT use filters
  • Passport type photo only (We do not accept photos on regular printer paper) 
  • The image should be straight looking, centered with neutral expression
 Original
U.S. Visa 4. Valid U.S. Visa sticker (Proof of lawful presence in the US) / Green card
  • F-1 visa holders must present the original and submit one photocopy of an endorsed I-20 form (ALL school attestation, student attestation, and travel endorsement must be signed)
  • J-1 visa holders must present the original and submit one photocopy of an endorsed DS-2019 form

*If you will be entering a third cuntry after leaving Japan: You must show a valid visa to enter to the country (or a national passport of the country) as well as a U.S. visa.

 Original & 1 Copy
Proof of Residency 5. Proof of Residency in New England
  • Driver’s license card, State ID card, lease documenrs or Utility Bill etc (Form I-20 is acceptable for students on F-1 visas)
  • We can only accept applications from those residing within our jurisdiction.
 Original & 1 Copy
Daily Schedule 6. Travel Itinerary (Form)
  • Your plans during the trip that include dates, main activities, activity locations, reachable contact number in Japan, and your accommodations. 
  • Please write as detailed as possible. We do not accept activities such as “sightseeing in Tokyo” without a more detailed explanation. 
 Original
Flight ltinerary 7. Flight Reservation
  • With confirmation number, passenger name and travel itinerary
  • The dates must match those on your Travel Itinerary (see above)
  • Must include the entire trip (both departing from New England area and ending in the U.S.)
  • We do not require the purchase of tickets.
The Consulate is NOT responsible for tickets which may be unusable due to the delay or denial of a visa.		 1 Copy
Bank Statement 8. Bank Statement
  • Most recent, one month
  • We can only accept a bank statement in US dollars

If your company will cover your business trip expense, 

  • A letter from the institution/business firm (US) indicating that it will defray the travel expenses
If the Japanese company will cover your business trip expense,
  • A letter of reason for invitation (Form: Japanese/English)
  • A letter from the institution/business firm (Japan) indicating that it will defray the travel expenses
If your family will cover your trip expense, please submit ALL Documents listed below.
  • Guarantor’s ID (e.g., passport, driver's liscense)
  • Guarantor’s bank statement
  • A letter from the guarantor
 1 Copy
 


Additional Documents (No.9-11)

For Business trip

 
Invitation Letter 9A. An Invitation Letter from the inviting company (Japan) which indicates applicant's name, purpose of the trip, name and address of a business reference in Japan If the company will be covering your trip expenses, then your letter must explain it. 1 Copy
Official Letter 9B. A Letter from the home institution/business fim (US) which indicates applicants employment status (position, length of employment etc.), purpose of the trip, intended length of stay

If the company will be covering your trip expenses, then your letter must explain it.		 1 Copy
 

For Attending conference

 
Invitation Letter 9A. An Invitation Letter from the inviting company (Japan) which indicates applicant's name, purpose of the trip, name and address of a business reference in Japan If the person/organization will be covering your trip expenses, then your letter must explain it. 1 Copy
Official Letter 9B. A Letter from the home institution/business fim (US) which indicates applicant's employment status (position, length of employment etc.), purpose of the trip, intended length of stay
Or A Confirmation Note sent by the conference organizer

If the company will be covering your trip expenses, then your letter must explain it.		 1 Copy
Printed Document 9C. Printed Document explaining explaining the conference from the conference’s website or information pamphlet 1 Copy
 

For Visiting Family/Friends

Invitation Letter 9A. An Invitation Letter from a relative/friend either in Japanese or in English 1 Copy
Inviter's ID Card 10. Inviter's Passport 1 Copy
Gurantor's juminhyo or zairyu card 11A. Guarantor’s Residence (Zairyu) card (if the guarantor is a foreign national)
11B. Guarantor’s Jumin-hyo (if your guarantor is a Japanese)		 1 Copy

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