Dependents of U.S. Military Personnel

If you are a member of the U.S. armed forces to be stationed in one of the bases in Japan (as defined by the SOFA), you will not need a visa to travel to Japan. Please be sure to take your military order and a military ID.

The civilian component of the U.S. armed forces and the dependents of members/civilian component of the U.S. armed forces

If you are a member of the civilian component of the U.S. armed forces or the dependents of members/civilian component of the U.S. armed forces to be stationed in one of the bases in Japan (as defined by the SOFA), you will not need a visa to travel to Japan. Please be sure to take your military order, military ID and a valid passport.

Dependents who are non-U.S. citizens

If you are a dependent accompanying military personnel mentioned above and are non-U.S. citizens, visa is actually not necessary but we can issue a SOFA visa to facilitate your entry into Japan. If you choose to apply for this visa, please bring:

1. Applicant's valid passport, properly signed by the bearer (Please make sure that there is at least 1 page left in your passport for a visa to be affixed to.) If 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 six months beyond the date of visa application.
      
2. "VISA APPLICATION FORM TO ENTER JAPAN" (available here), completely filled out and signed by the applicant
      
3. One recent photograph (2" x 2") attached to the visa application form (no staples or tape over the photo). The photo must be no older than 6 months and color print with photo paper.
      
4. A clear photocopy of his/her Military Dependent ID
      
5. Travel Order from the military explicitly stating the name of the applicant
      
6. Immigration documents showing your legal status and permitting reentry into the U.S., such as copy of permanent residency (green) card or I-94 and valid U.S. visa. (Students on a F-1 visa must present endorsed I-20 form and applicants on J-1 visa need to present endorsed DS-2019 form.) If you do not intend to return to the U.S., visa to next the destination (if required) must be affixed to your passport before you apply for Japanese visa. (Copy of Immigration documents is acceptable.)
   Please note that in principle the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville does NOT accept an application from B-1 and B-2 U.S. visa/status holders. Those holders need to return to their home country in order to apply for a visa to enter Japan.
      
7. Release of Liability form  (if your visa application is processed by mail)
      
8. A self-addressed return envelope with a prepaid overnight air bill (or Express Mail stamp)
      
9. Visa Fees

Contractor

If you are a military contractor traveling to the US bases in Japan, and will stay for less than 90 days, you usually will qualify as short-term visitor.

Some contractors are granted SOFA status by the Pentagon. If you qualify, you will not need a visa regardless of the duration of stay. Please refer the Pentagon Travel Office for details.