Visiting Japan (Visa)

2023/3/27

Online visa application for Tourism

Japan Visa Information Hotline

JAPAN VISA INFORMATION HOTLINE (24/7 365 a Year, English)

1-888-704-4459

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.

[Please Check the Home Page for Important Notices Related to Novel Coronavirus(English)] (Japanese)

●Starting from October 11, 2022 at 0:00 AM (JST), foreign nationals who meet ALL of the criteria below are no longer required to obtain a visa.

U.S. citizen or foreign nationals of Visa Exemption countries (See "the list of visa exemption countries and regions")
Short-term stay (less than 90 days)
Purpose of the visit is either tourism or business/conference/study
*The visa waiver arrangement with the United States does NOT apply to COE: Certificate of Eligibility holders, travel to Japan for news media related activities, attending depositions taken by U.S. Consul, or U.S. Federal Government employees on diplomat/official business or transit to/from official mission.

●Starting from October 11, 2022 at 0:00 AM (JST), the temporary suspension of validity of single entry visas and multiple entry visas (including APEC Business Travel Cards) issued before December 1, 2021 will be lifted.

Your visa or APEC card must not be expired when you enter Japan.
*As of October 4, every entrants including people from visa waiver countries are still required to upload either a pre-departure COVID-19 testing result or a valid vaccine certificate through Fast Track/My SOS.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Required documents for the Visa for Work & Long Term Stay, Visa for Short-Term Stay, or Multiple-Entry Visa can be found here.

Be aware of fraudulent website, social media, emails in an attempt to extract payments from visa applicants

+ VISA INQUIRIES

Monday through Friday (except for holidays) (Please note: we are only accepting walk-ins.)

Phone: 617-973-9772 from 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM, then 1:15 PM to 5:00 PM
In-Person Visits: 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM, then 1:15 PM to 4:00 PM

+ VISA OVERVIEW

General Information

Generally, a national of a foreign country who wishes to enter Japan must possess a valid passport and a visa obtained from an embassy or consulate.

Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into Japan. The Ministry of Justice (the Immigration Office) has the authority to deny admission. A visa is used solely to make application for "Landing Permission", which defines the period for which a foreign national is authorized to remain in Japan, and the "Status of Residence", which determines the activities a foreign national is authorized to engage in in Japan. Landing Permissions are determined by the immigration official at the port of entry, not the consular official.

Criteria of Visa Issuance

A Japanese visa will be issued to an applicant when he/she meets all of the following requirements and if the issuance is considered to be appropriate.
(1) The applicant possesses a valid passport and is entitled to the re-entry to a country of his/her nationality or a country of his/her residence.
(2) All submitted documents are authentic, completed and satisfactory.
(3) The activities to be engaged in in Japan/ the civil status or the position of the applicant/ the period of stay meet the requirements for the status of residence and the period of stay stipulated in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No.319 of 1951. Hereinafter referred to as the "Immigration Control Act").
(4) The applicant does not fall under any of the items of Article 5, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Control Act.

Processing Time
* It takes 5 business days to receive a visa in-person. Receiving it by mail takes more.

VISA Fees

Standard Fees: Single Entry: 28 USD
Indian Passport Holder Fees: Single Entry: 8 USD
Extension of Re-entry Permit: 28 USD

US citizens are exempt from visa fees.
(Some countries are also exempted from visa fees. Please check the visa exempt countries list to find out if your visa fee is waived. )
Payment is due at the time of PICKUP.
* We accept CASH only (Please prepare cash in the exact amount). We DO NOT accept personal checks and credit cards.

Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)

U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries which have a reciprocal visa exemption arrangement with Japan may be eligible to visit Japan without a visa for a short-term stay. (This visa category excludes profit-making operations and paid activities). For more information please check the visa exemption arrangements

Do you need a visa to visit Japan?

Your circumstances			Answer
If you will remain in the airport to catch the flight leaving Japan	→→→	→→→	You don't need a visa.
If you have to move from Narita to Haneda and vice versa or if you have to stay overnight to catch the flight leaving Japan	and if you are a U.S. citizen or citizen of the countries and regions exempted a visa for Short-Term Stay,	→→→	You don't need a visa.
	and if you are not a citizen of the above mentioned countries or regions	and if you will not stay overnight,	You need a Transit Visa.
		and if your hotel is located around the airport,	You need a Transit Visa.
		and if you are planning activities other than transit	You need a Visa for Short-Term Stay.
If you will stay in Japan for 90 days or less for purposes not for paid activities or profit making operations	and if you are a U.S. citizen or citizens of the countries and regions exempted Temporary Visitor visa,	→→→	You don't need a Visa.
	and if you are not a citizen of the above mentioned countries or regions,	→→→	You need a Visa for Short-Term Stay.
If you will stay in Japan longer than 90 days	→→→	→→→	You need a Visa for Long-term Stay.
If you will work in Japan (for paid activities or profit making operations)	→→→	→→→	You need a Work Visa.
If you are not sure if your activities in Japan are condidered as paid activities or profit making operations,	Please check "Who can use a Visa for Short-Term Stay?" before you ask our Visa Office.
If you are a spouse or child of Japanese national or if you are a spouse or child of permanent resident	→→→	→→→	You need a Specified Visa.

+ CAN YOU APPLY FOR A VISA AT THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN BOSTON?

Jurisdiction

○ Visa applications should be made at the Japanese embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over applicant's place of residency.
○ The Consulate General of Japan in Boston serves Connecticut (except for Fairfield County, which is under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Japan in New York), Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Residency

○ We do NOT accept the following:
----- visa applications from B-1 or B-2 visa holders,
----- visa applications from those who reside areas outside our jurisdiction,
----- visa applications by mail from areas outside our jurisdiction.

○ Those who need to renew your U.S. visa should be aware that the Consulate considers that the a petition / I797B / I20 / DS2019 does NOT guarantee issuance of a U.S. visa. Accordingly, we do not accept visa applications of those who arrange a U.S. visa interview at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate in their home country before the visit to Japan.
［Examples］（◎：eligible for application×：not eligible for application）

+ OTHER INFORMATION FOR TRAVELING TO JAPAN

Be aware of traffic rules in Japan

Dear travelers to Japan:It is recommended to take out an overseas travel insurance

An overseas travel insurance makes you feel secure, even in emergencies, and you can enjoy your trip. 
Medical expenses can be very high in Japan. If the travel insurance you purchased offers sufficient coverage of treatment costs, you can receive treatment without concern. 
It is recommended to have an overseas travel insurance with travel support for hospital referrals, medical interpretation, and cashless medical service.

Heat Illness Related Information

Useful links to the relevant information provided by the Japanese Government.

The next steps

STEP 2: How to apply Fees
STEP 3: Visa for Short-Term Stay Transit Visa Visa for Work and Long Term Stay Multiple Visa