Visa (SOFA: Status of U.S. Forces Agreement)

This page is for members of the U.S. armed forces, contractors, and their dependents.

VISA REQUIREMENT CHART

Applicant		Visa	Immigration requirements *Documents required to present at the airport
Members of the U.S. armed forces stationed/will be stationed at a U.S. base in Japan		NOT Required	PCS orders Military ID card Valid Passport (optional)
Civilian component of the U.S. armed forces stationed/will be stationed at a U.S. base in Japan		NOT Required	Military orders or Letter of Employment [LOE] Valid passport Military ID card(optional)
Dependents of members/civilian components of the U.S. armed forces traveling to a U.S. base in Japan	U.S. citizens (spouse, child or parent)	NOT Required	PCS orders (your name MUST be listed) Military dependent ID card (not required for age 12 and younger) Valid passport
	Non-U.S. citizens (spouse, child or parent)	NOT Required, however, we can issue a SOFA visa.*
Civilian Contractor traveling to a U.S. base in Japan	Less than 90 days	If your nationality is listed on the visa waiver countries and regions, then a visa is NOT Required. If not, a visa is Required.	Letter of Authorization Valid Passport (with a Japanese visa, if necessary) Military ID card(optional)
Civilian Contractor traveling to a U.S. base in Japan	Over 90 days	Required	Valid Passport with a Japanese visa

*In some cases, the airline company may require that you have a visa in order to board. To facilitate your entry into Japan, we can issue a SOFA visa.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Some contractors are granted SOFA status. If you qualify, you will not need a visa regardless of the duration of stay. To check your status, please contact 1) your company contracting with the U.S. armed forces, 2) the U.S. authority (DOD).
If the name of dependent(s) of members/civilian components of the U.S. armed forces is NOT listed on the military orders, please contact the commanding office and/or the U.S. authority.
Agreement regarding the Status of United States Armed Forces in Japan

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR DEPENDENT WHO ARE NON-U.S. CITIZENS

The Embassy of Japan reserves the right to request additional documents if deemed necessary.
The Embassy of Japan will not make copies.
Please do NOT staple or fold any document.
If you are a dependent accompanying military personnel mentioned above and are non-U.S. citizens, a 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 all of the documents listed below.

	Visa Application Form Signed by the applicant (Form / Sample)	Original
	Valid Passport with at least 1.5 blank pages left	Original
	One 2”x 2” 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) Use GLUE ONLY to attach the photo to the application, please do not staple or tape.	Original
	U.S. Visa F-1 visa holders must present an endorsed I-20 form (ALL school attestation, student attestation, and travel endorsement must be signed) J-1 visa holders must present an endorsed DS-2019 form Please note: The Embassy of Japan does NOT accept any applications from B-1 and B-2 U.S. visa holders.	Original & 1 Copy
	Proof of Residency e.g., Driver’s license card, State ID card, or Utility Bill	Original & 1 Copy
	Flight Itinerary We do not require the purchase of tickets. *The Embassy is NOT responsible for tickets which may be unusable due to the delay or denial of a visa.	1 Copy
	Military Dependent ID	Present at the window
	PCS orders explicitly stating the name of the applicant	1 Copy

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR A CONTRACTOR WHO NEEDS VISA

The Embassy of Japan reserves the right to request additional documents if deemed necessary.
The Embassy of Japan will not make copies.
Please do NOT staple or fold any document.

	Visa Application Form Signed by the applicant (Form / Sample)	Original
	Valid Passport with at least 1.5 blank pages left	Original
	One 2”x 2” 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) Use GLUE ONLY to attach the photo to the application, please do not staple or tape.	Original
	U.S. Visa, if you are not a U.S. citizen F-1 visa holders must present an endorsed I-20 form (ALL school attestation, student attestation, and travel endorsement must be signed) J-1 visa holders must present an endorsed DS-2019 form Please note: The Embassy of Japan does NOT accept any applications from B-1 and B-2 U.S. visa holders.	Original & 1 Copy
	Proof of Residency e.g., Driver’s license card, State ID card, or Utility Bill	Original & 1 Copy
	Flight Itinerary The dates must match those on your Daily Schedule Must include the entire trip (both departing from DMV area and returning to DMV area) We do not require the purchase of tickets. *The Embassy is NOT responsible for tickets which may be unusable due to the delay or denial of a visa.	1 Copy
	Letter of Authorization (Contract) explaining the details of your activity in Japan and proves that your activities in Japan are requested by the U.S. armed forces	Original & 1 Copy
	Invitation Letter explicitly stating the name of the applicant	Original & 1 Copy
	Daily Schedule (Form) Plans such as dates, main activities, locations, and accommodations	Original

PROCEDURE INFORMATION

Please see our visa main page.