Short Term Visa (Tourism / Business / Conference / Visiting Friend, Relatives)

2025/4/1
  • This page is for person(s) visiting Japan for visiting relatives/friends, sightseeing, business trip (not involving paid activities), attending a conference or meeting, or studying within 90 days.
  • U.S. citizens or foreign nationals of Visa Exemption countries are not required to obtain a visa for short-term tourism/business/conference/study (See "the list of visa exemption countries and regions").

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR E-VISA, IN-PERSON, & APPLY BY MAIL APPLICATION


The eVISA (online application) is available ONLY for a short-term tourism visa (less than 90 days AND single entry).

For all other types of visa applications, including a short-term business visa, a short-term relatives/friends visiting visa, a transit visa, a double-entry visa, and a short-term tourism multiple-entry visa, you are required to apply at the Consulate in person or apply by mail.

We will not accept any visa applications more than 3 months before your departure date. We recommend that you contact us or apply for a visa approximately 1.5 months before your departure date.

Please note that in principle we do not accept an application from B-1 and B-2 U.S. visa status holders.


 
1 Visa Application Form

Signed by the applicant (Form / Sample)

  • a digital signature is invalid
  • Nationals of Russia and CIS countries are required to submit two application forms attached with a photo.
2 Valid Passport

with at least 1.5 blank pages left
3 One 2”x 2” Photo or 2”x 1.4”
  • 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) 

Use GLUE ONLY to attach the photo to the application, please do not staple or tape.
4 U.S. Visa: Proof of lawful presence in the US (if applicable)
  • F-1 visa holders must present an endorsed I-20 form
  • J-1 visa holders must present an endorsed DS-2019 form

Please note: The Consulate general of Japan does NOT accept any applications from B-1 and B-2 U.S. visa holders.
5 Copy of Proof of Residency

e.g., Driver’s license card, State ID card, or Utility Bill
6 Daily Schedule

Your plans during the trip that include dates, main activities, activity locations, and your accommodations. (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. 
7 Tentative Flight Itinerary
  • Must include the applicant’s name
  • The dates must match those on your schedule of the day
  • Must include the entire trip (both departing from the U.S. and returning to the U.S.)
*The Consulate is NOT responsible for tickets which may be unusable due to the delay or denial of a visa. 
8 Hotel Information
  • This must match with your schedule of the day
  • Must include the entire trip
9 Bank Statement (most recent, one month)

*If your company will cover your business trip expense, you do not need to submit your bank statement.

*If your family/friends will cover your trip expense, please submit ALL Documents listed below. 

  • Applicant's US bank statement (most recent, one month)
  • Guarantor’s Residence card or ID card
  • Guarantor’s bank statement
 
  • if you are apply for a short term multiple entry visa, please see HERE  for additional documents.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR BUSINESS TRIP

(This category cannot apply for E-VISA)
1 Invitation Letter (any format) from the inviting company in Japan with signature.
*If the company will be covering your trip expenses, then your letter must explain it.
2 Official Letter (any format) from your company in the U.S. with signature.
*If the company will be covering your trip expenses, then your letter must explain it.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR ATTENDING CONFERENCE


(This category cannot apply for E-VISA)
1 Invitation Letter (any format) from the inviting company in Japan with signature.
*If the company will be covering your trip expenses, then your letter must explain it.
2 Printed Document explaining the conference from the conference’s website or information pamphlet.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR VISITING FAMILY/FRIENDS

(This category cannot apply for E-VISA)
1 Invitaion Letter from a relative/friend (Form )
2 Invitor's ID card e.g., Japanese resident card or U.S. Military order
3 ALL Documents listed below if your family/friends will cover your trip expense:
  • Letter of Guarantee (Form)
  • Guarantor’s Residence card (if the guarantor is a foreign national)
  • Guarantor’s Jumin-hyo
  • Guarantor’s bank statement 
 

 eVISA

eVISA
Eligibility
  • The eVISA (online application) is available ONLY for a short-term tourism visa (less than 90 days AND single entry).
  • For all other types of visa applications, including a short-term business visa, a short-term relatives/friends visiting visa, a transit visa, a double-entry visa, and a short-term tourism multiple-entry visa, you are required to apply at the Consulate in person or apply by mail..
Required
Documents
  • Even for the online application, you still must submit all the "required documents" listed above that are required for in-person applications.
eVISA Issuance
&
Payment
  • After you have submitted all the required documents, it takes at least 5 business days to issue the eVISA.
  • If your visa is approved, you will receive an email of "Notice of visa fees".
  • Starting from June 1st 2024, all payments for the eVISA (online visa) application must be by credit or debit card. (Details)
  • Those who wish to pay by cash can no longer apply for an eVISA and must apply by mail or via in-person appointment at the Consulate-General of Japan. We DO NOT accept personal checks and credit card. Please prepare cash in the exact amount.
  • Download eVISA through your account: How to display “Visa issuance notice” at the airport. 
Notes
&
Tips
  • We do NOT accept any inquires about the status of your visa applications as you can check the status through your visa application account.
  • Even if you apply for a multiple-entry tourism visa through the online application, you only will be issued a single-entry visa.
Please be aware we may reject your applications:
  • Submitting a low resolution or blurry image of a required document or photo. (Screenshots taken on a mobile device tend to be low resolution. Please scan and upload your documents.)
  • The “Travel Itinerary” was missing or detailed information was not provided. We do not accept activities such as “tourism” or “sightseeing in Tokyo” without a more detailed explanation.
  • The return “Flight itinerary” was missing. You must also submit an itinerary for a return flight departing from Japan to the U.S. or a third country.
  • The “Bank Statement” was missing. We require at least a one month bank statement. We do not accept an employment certificate or earning statement in place of a bank statement.
***If you having difficulties with the online application process, then we strongly recommend you apply for a visa in person at the Consulate of Japan or apply by mail.
  • If your documents are not sufficient, you must withdraw your application then submit a new application again. *Please wait at least one hour for re-submitting a new application.  
Application
&
Related
Website
  • To apply for an eVISA, please visit "JAPAN eVISA" (This is the ONLY official website. You will see "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan" on the top left. Please beware of fraud websites looking alike the Japan eVISA website).
Related information
Contact: Inquiry about eVISA
  • United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii): 1-202-499-1468 (English)
  • Email: Japan Visa Information Hotline: japan-visa@bricks-corp.com (Available language: English)
  • List of Contacts
 

In-person Application

We are not accepting walk-in visits at this time.
If you need to apply for visa to enter Japan, you must call us to schedule an appointment.
 We DO NOT take appointments by email.
Please call us at the following number.
(615) 340-4300 (Mon- Fri 9:00am-12:30pm, 01:30-05:00pm (except holidays)

In general, it takes 5 business days to issue a visa. We do NOT have expedite services. 

Apply by Mail

Your visa application may be processed through the mail. Please enclose a self-addressed envelope and prepaid FedEX, UPS, USPS Priority Express Mail label with tracking number for return. Please include a Release of Liability Form. The Consulate-General of Japan is not responsible for your passport in case of its loss, damage, delay when sending through the mailing service for return.

Applicants who wish to apply by mail should send their documents to:
Attn: Visa Section
Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville
1801 West End Avenue Suite 900 Nashville, TN 37203

In general, it takes 5 business days to issue a visa. Please note that it may take up to one month due to COVID-related restrictions. We do NOT have expedite services. 
 

Visa Fee

  • Standard Fees: Single Entry: 20 USD
  • Double and Multiple Entry Visa : 40 USD
  • Indian Passport Holder Fees: Single Entry: 6 USD
  • Extension of Re-entry Permit: 20 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.
 

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