(日本語)

Crew members should apply using passports or seaman's books along with a letter from the airline or shipping company confirming employment and arrival/docking dates in the United States. Crew members joining an airplane or ship in the United States are usually issued both transit and crew visas. See C visa information.

Application Procedures:

Airline Crew:
Apply at the U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Please come on Tuesdays through Thursdays between 14:00 and 15:00, except U.S. and Japanese holidays. No appointment is necessary. Please pay the application fee before you come for an interview.

Apply at the U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe: Please come on Mondays through Thursdays between 9:00 and 11:00, except U.S. and Japanese holidays. No appointment is necessary, however you may want to check the appointment calendar to see if the Consulate is open. We can accept up to ten applications from each airline per week (Thursday through Monday). You need to show your picture ID when you enter the Consulate.

Seaman:
Please see the checklist and bring necessary documents. You also need to bring an appointment letter on the day of your interview.

For how to pay the application fee, please see here.

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.