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U.S. Dept. of State
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NON-IMMIGRANT VISA PROCEDURES
Non-immigrant Visa Application

(日本語)


STEP 1   >    Step 2   >    Step 3


For Sapporo and Fukuoka procedures, see here.

Note: Please make sure to complete all three steps and read "Things to Think About When Coming for your Visa Interview" before you come to your interview.

Documents should be placed in the specified order. See here for details.

TOKYO/ OSAKA / NAHA Step 1
Complete the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) Online

Complete the Electronic Visa Application Form DS-156 (EVAF) online, print it out, and bring all three pages to your interview. Do not staple the forms together or print on both sides of the paper.

All forms must be completed in English. Incomplete forms will not be accepted. If the question does not apply, write "none", "non-applicable", or "n/a".

IMPORTANT: Each electronic form will have a barcode used for scanning the application when you appear at the Embassy/Consulate for your interview appointment.

Unacceptable barcodes (those that cannot be read by our scanner due to poor printer quality and other factors) will not be accepted. Applicants will be asked to exit the Embassy/Consulate and return with a readable barcode.

Unreadable Barcode

 Readable Barcode

Before filling out the forms online, please read the system requirements carefully. If you do not have the listed system requirements, you may not be able to complete the form online.

Prepare other documents required for your application.
Do not send documents to the Embassy or Consulate. Bring your documents to the interview.

English translations must be attached to all documents which are in a foreign language.

On the interview day, your documents will be checked at the entrance to the visa section. Please make sure documents are placed in the specified order. See here for details. Please do not use staples or put any stickers on the DS156 form, DS157 form and DS158 form as those forms will be scanned into the computer.

All applicants must present the following documents at the interview. Please make sure documents are placed in the specified order. See here for details.

PASSPORT: Current and previous passports issued in the past ten years. See Passport Validity Requirements

DS-156: Printout of DS-156 filled out online. Question#8, #9, #34, #41 must be completed. Please do NOT leave blank. If the question does not apply, write "None", "Non-applicable", or "n/a".

PHOTOGRAPH: A 5cm x 5cm color photo with a white background, taken within the last six months. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 25 to 35mm with the head centered in the frame facing straight. Glue it to the DS-156. Do not staple the photo to the DS-156.

  PAYEASY ATM TRANSACTION RECEIPT: You must submit your PayEasy ATM transaction receipt at the interview. See STEP 3 for payment instructions.

COMPLETED DS-157 APPLICATION FORM: Required for male applicants of all nationalities aged 16 to 45. Also required for all applicants over age 16, male or female, who are citizens of or born in Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria. The form requires Adobe Acrobat version 5.0 or above.
Download in English, Japanese, or Spanish.

SELF-ADDRESSED "EXPACK 500" ENVELOPE: Visas are not issued on the same day as the interview. Bring one self-addressed, prepaid "ExPack 500" envelope to the interview for the return of your passport and documents. The "ExPack 500" is available in convenience stores and post offices throughout Japan.

COURT AND/OR POLICE RECORDS: Applicants with arrest/criminal records must provide a copy of their court and/or arrest record and copy of relevent Laws/Statutes (including cases that ended with an acquittal or pardon) and an English translation of those documents. In the event that there was no trial, bring a letter in English that explains the circumstances of the arrest. Japanese police ordinarily do not issue records without a letter from the Embassy/Consulate. If necessary, we will inform you at the interview and give you such a letter.
NOTE: Those who do not have arrest or criminal records do not need to provide any such documents.

Appointment Confirmation Letter:See Step 2 for making an appointment. Please note that your appointment time printed on the confirmation letter is when you will be allowed to queue up outside of the Embassy gate to gain admission to the Embassy. It is NOT the time when you will be interviewed.

CLEAR PLASTIC FOLDER: Put all of the documents in a clear plastic folder. If you are submitting an I-20, DS-2019 or I-797 place this document in the folder. Non-Japanese citizens should include a copy of their Japanese Alien Registration Card in this folder. Please make sure documents are placed in the specified order. See here for details.
Non-Japanese applicants must also include:

VALID JAPANESE RE-ENTRY PERMIT: This can be obtained at the Regional Immigration Bureau.

PHOTOCOPY OF JAPANESE ALIEN REGISTRATION CARD (IF APPLICABLE): Copy both sides of the registration card.

FAMILY MEMBER PASSPORTS: Bring your family members' passports, even if they are not traveling with you or applying for a visa.


EVIDENCE OF MARITAL STATUS (IF APPLICABLE): Bring evidence of marital status, such as a family register or marriage/divorce certificate.

Tourist Visa (B-2) or Business Visa (B-1) applicants must also submit:

PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT OR ENROLLMENT IN SCHOOL (IF APPLICABLE)

CONFERENCE QUESTIONNAIRE: Non-Japanese applicants going to the U.S. to participate in a science or technology-related conference must bring a complete CV or resume, a complete list of publications (if applicable), a completed conference questionnaire, and a letter of acceptance/invitation from the conference organizer.
Student Visa (F, M) or Exchange Visitor (J) applicants must also submit:

DS-158 APPLICATION FORM: All applicants (including dependents) aged 16 and above who are seeking F, M, or J visas are required to submit Form DS-158.

I-20: F1 and M1 students must include the original SEVIS I-20 form. Family members seeking F2 and M2 status need their own I-20 form.

OR

DS-2019: J1 applicants must include the original SEVIS DS-2019 form. Family members seeking J2 status must submit their own DS-2019 form.

DS-7002: J1 applicants under "trainee" or "intern" categories will be required to submit a fully completed and signed Form DS-7002 from the program sponsor if Form DS-2019 was issued after July 19 2007.

I-901 FEE CONFIRMATION: Students and Exchange Visitors visa applicants need to pay the SEVIS fee before applying for visas.
Please note: Students/Exchange Visitors also need to pay the visa application fee.

PROOF OF FUNDS TO COVER ALL EXPENSES: This could include bank statements or pay receipts. If you are applying for an F1 visa and planning to study for more than one year, bring proof of funds to cover the first year's expenses.

SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS: If you have studied in the United States within the last five years, you must bring transcripts from the schools you attended during that time. If you have not attended school in the U.S. yet, you must provide transcripts of the most recent three years of study in Japan or abroad.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-RELATED PROGRAMS OR STUDY:Applicants going to the U.S. to follow a science or technology-related course of study must bring a complete CV or resume, a complete list of publications (if applicable), a completed conference questionnaire and a letter of acceptance/invitation to the school or program.

OPT applicants must also submit:If you are applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) you should also bring the original Employment Authorization card together with your endorsed I-20 form.

Dependents: Submit a copy of the principal applicant's I-20 or DS-2019, together with a copy of the principal applicant's visa and birth or marriage records showing relation to principal applicant, if applying separately.
Temporary Work Visa (H, L) or Athletes and Artists Visa (O, P) applicants must also submit:

ORIGINAL I-797 APPROVAL NOTICE: Applicants for H, L, O or P visas need to submit the Notice of Action.

PHOTOCOPY OF I-129 PETITION (IF APPLICABLE)

BLANKET L: Click here for necessary documents.

PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT: Letter of job offer/contract and most recent pay statement from US Company.

Dependents: Submit a copy of the I-797, together with a copy of the principal applicant's visa and birth or marriage records showing relation to principal applicant, if applying separately.

NOTE: As of January 2008, DHS requires electronic confirmation of I-129 petitions for the issuance of worker visas. Petition approval is now verified in the Department of State's system called Petition Information Management Service (PIMS). During your interview, the consular officer will use the receipt number of your I-797 approval notice to verify petition approval, so please make sure you bring the I-797 to the interview.
Please note that a visa will not be issued before this electronic confirmation is completed. Please apply for your visa well in advance of your travel date, and do not purchase plane tickets until you have received your visa.
Treaty Trader/Investor Visas Visa (E-1/E-2) applicants must also submit:

DS-156E: E-visa applicants need to submit an original DS-156E. Download the DS-156E.

Company letter describing the enterprise, the applicant’s qualifications and number of family members intending to travel. This letter must address all requirements for E visa eligibility as defined by the Foreign Affairs Manual 9 FAM 41.51 and U.S. law. Specifically, the letter must address how the applicant will demonstrate that he/she meets all requirements under 9 FAM 41.51.

Corporate organizational chart of your U.S. company showing how your position fits into the organization. Please describe your subordinate employees’ job titles and immigration statuses.

Detailed resume including references with contact information.
Media Visa (I) applicants must also submit:

EMPLOYMENT LETTER: Stating employment status, whether the position is permanent or temporary, purpose of travel and length of stay. The applicant must also bring proof of membership in a professional journalistic organization (such as a press card). Freelance media workers must also submit a valid contract of employment.
Transit Visa (C) and Crew Visa (D) applicants must also submit:

DETAILED TRAVEL PLAN: Route and approximate dates.

VISA: Valid visa for destination country, if required.


Important Notices: Before Making an Appointment


Go to STEP 2