Frequently Asked Questions

2026/7/1

GENERAL VISA QUESTIONS

  • A. People from visa exempt countries and regions do not need a visa if their period of stay in Japan is 90 days or less AND they will not be engaged in income-earning activities. Refer to the List of Countries and Regions that have Visa Exemption Arrangements with Japan [LINK].
  • A. Your employer, school, or the party/individual inviting you to come to Japan should apply for the Certificate of Eligibility in Japan through the Ministry of Justice, Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Please visit their website for more information [LINK].
  • A. In general, a visa is only valid for a single entry. A visa is valid for 3 months from the day of issuance. Therefore, entry into Japan should occur within this time frame. You can stay in Japan for up to 15 days, up to 30 days, or up to 90 days from your day of entrance (per visit) depending on your visa.
    * A Double-Entry visa is valid for 6 months (a Double-Entry transit visa is valid for 4 months) and can be used twice (once on the way to your destination and once on the return trip) to complete a round trip.
    * A Multiple entry visa is valid for 1 to 5 years. Multiple entry visas can be issued to citizens of countries that Japan has bilateral agreements with and to visitors with business purposes.
  • A. No, as long as your passport is valid during the time of your stay in Japan, it should not be a problem. However, if you have a temporary travel document for emergency use, your travel document needs to be valid for 6 months from the visa application day.
  • A. The Visa Waiver Program applies based on your nationality, not on your U.S. residence status. If you are from NON-visa exempt countries or regions, then you need a visa to enter Japan [LINK].
  • A. If you do not go through the immigration office/passport control at the airport and you possess confirmed airline tickets to go to the third country, then you do not need a visa. Please confirm with your airline whether or not you will go through the immigration office before applying for a visa. [LINK]
  • A. It depends on the criminal charge. First, if you already have a deportation order from the Japanese immigration office explaining your entrance eligibility, then please follow that order. If you do not have such orders, please contact us.

VISA APPLICATIONS AND PICK UP QUESTIONS

  • A. No, an appointment is not required for visa applications or pick-up. However, visa applications are ONLY accepted in the morning from 9:15 am to 12:00 pm. Pick up is only in the afternoon from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm.
  • A. No, unfortunately, due to the limited space and large number of applicants, we ask visa applicants to find street parking near the Embassy.
  • A. No, only residents of D.C., Maryland or Virginia can apply for a visa at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C., as we only have jurisdiction over those three areas. Please visit the following link to find the Consulate-General of Japan with jurisdiction over your area of residence [LINK].
  • A. Visas are only valid for 3 months, therefore, 3 months prior to the date of your visit to Japan is the earliest that you can apply for a visa. In general, the Embassy needs 5 business days to issue a visa, however, issuing a visa could take a few months depending on certain conditions. We recommend applying for a visa at least 1.5 months before your departure date.
  • A. In principle, it takes 5 business days to issue a visa, however, it could take a few months depending on certain conditions. We recommend you applying for a visa at least 1.5 months before your departure date.
  • A. We do NOT have expedited services. We process the applications fairly and in the order in which we receive them. It is your responsibility to make sure you have enough time to apply for a visa.
  • A. No, we do not accept any applications by mail.
  • A. There are four ways to apply for a visa.
    1. The visa applicant visits the Embassy in person.
    2. The visa applicant completes an Authorization Form [LINK] and has a proxy visit the Embassy on his/her behalf.
    3. The visa applicant uses a travel agent. You will also need to submit an Authorization Form [LINK].
  • 4. For a single-entry tourism visa, you can apply online: [LINK]
  • A. Yes. The proxy needs to bring the application receipt, cash for the visa (if applicable), his/her ID card, and our designated Authorization Form [LINK].
  • A. Please bring a Letter of Guarantee from your parents explaining that they will be responsible for covering all costs associated with your trip. Also please include your parent(s)'s bank statement, a translation (into Japanese or English), and copy of their ID card(s) [LINK].

VISITING JAPAN QUESTIONS

  • A. There are no vaccination requirements to enter Japan.
  • A. Please visit the following page for more information on bringing medications into Japan [LINK].
  • A. Please visit the following page for more information on bringing your pet into Japan [LINK].
  • A. Getting international travel medical insurance is not mandatory but highly recommended as medical treatment in Japan can be very expensive. Additionally, foreign visitors who fail to pay their medical expenses may be denied entering Japan in the future. [LINK].
  • A. If you are traveling with a minor who is 16 years old or younger and without all of the minor’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s), then we strongly recommend obtaining a letter of consent from the minor’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and bringing that letter with you to Japan. A letter of consent should include a statement approving the trip and be signed and dated by all of the minor’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s). Letter(s) don't need to be notarized. 
  • A. Yes, you can travel to Japan by yourself. However, if you are 16 years old or younger, then we strongly recommend obtaining a letter of consent from all of your parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and bringing the letter with you to Japan.

Recommended Information

Japan Visa Information Hotline
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Consular Section: Embassy of Japan, 2520 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
  • Office Hours:Application Drop-off/ M-F 9:15am-12:00pm Visa Pick-up/ M-F 1:30pm-4:00pm
  • Contact Us:202-238-6800/ M-F 9:00am-5:00pm
  • Japan Visa Information Hotline (English available)1-888-704-4459 Domestic call fee applies, 24hours, 7days/week

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