(日本語)

Frequently Asked Questions

Travellers wishing to visit the United States for pleasure may apply for a temporary visa. The visa symbol is "B-2".

Japanese travellers planning trips for fewer than 90 days may not need a visa. It is the responsibility of the traveller to ensure that he/she has the correct documents/visa for travel. If you are not eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program, or are not a national of a country where B-2 visa requirements are waived, you will require a visa. Failure to obtain a visa before travelling may result in being denied boarding by an airline. Please refer to the Visa Waiver Program page to see whether you can travel without a visa.

The holder of a B-2 visa may undertake any one of the following activities:

• Tourism
• Visit friend/relatives
• Undergo medical treatment
• Participate in conventions, conferences or convocations of fraternal or social organizations
• Amateur participation in musicals, sports, or similar events

To obtain a B-2 visa, you must show that:

• You have strong ties to a residence in foreign country to which you do not intend to abandon
• Your trip to the United States will be for a definite temporary period and that you will return upon the conclusion of your visit
• You have sufficient funds to cover the expenses of the visit and return passage.

There is no specific list of documents which must be submitted to prove each of these points.

As an example, however, to show residence in Japan, you must show that you have ties to this country. Proof of employment, family ties or other connections, or home ownership will often satisfy this requirement. Substantiating documents should be submitted with your application. Old passports containing previous visas are also useful.

Note: The length of the visa does not equate the length of stay. When you enter the United States, you will be inspected by an officer of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The officer will determine the amount of time you will be permitted to remain in the U.S. Extensions of stay will be approved only for unexpected or compelling humanitarian reasons. The maximum extension period of stay for travellers entering with a B visa is 6 months.

Application Procedures: For information on applying for this visa, please see the application checklist.

Documentation Needed - When Seeking to Travel for Medical Treatment

In addition to all of the documentation requirements listed on the above application checklist, the following documentation is also required, for persons seeking medical treatment in the U.S.:

• Medical diagnosis from a local physician, explaining the nature of the ailment and the reason the applicant requires treatment in the United States.
• Letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States, expressing a willingness to treat this specific ailment and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors’ fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
• Statement of financial responsibility from the individuals or an organization that will pay for the patient’s transportation, medical and living expenses. The individuals guaranteeing payment of these expenses must provide proof of ability to do so, often in the form of bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns.

Due to new security regulations, some applications may require additional clearance and longer processing. Since the application process cannot be accelerated, please apply well in advance of your travel date, and do not purchase plane tickets until you have received your visa. Applicants should refrain from calling the Embassy to inquire about the status of their application. Visa applicants should never assume their application will be automatically approved.