Consulate-General of Japan in New York

Welcome to the Visa Information page. The Visa Section of the Consulate General of Japan in New York takes care of the issuance of visas to foreign nationals who wish to enter Japan. Whether you need to obtain a visa in order to enter Japan differs according to the purpose of visit, length of your stay, your nationality, etc. So please read the following instructions carefully to determine if you need a visa.

Window Hours:

9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Monday - Friday (except holidays).
Visa applications may be submitted at the visa window during those hours.
No appointment is necessary for visa applications. However, please be in the 18th floor at least 15mins before closing time.

Visa Fees:

Visa fees will be required for pick up time only, except for those citizens of the countries are exempt from visa fees.
http://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/d/06.html

Group Visa Applications:

Applications must be brought in mornings between the hours of 9:30 and 12:30 for those submitting 5 or more entertainer visa applications. Tour mangers are encouraged to bring in one photocopy of the face page from each passport.

Copies of documents:

The Consulate General of Japan will not make copies. A good rule of thumb: If you want the document back, bring the original AND a photocopy.

Processing Time:

If all requirements are met, most visas can normally be issued within 4-7 business days.
However, there are certain cases that require referral to the Ministry in Japan. These cases may take 1-2 months.

Applying by Mail:

Those residing outside of the 5 boroughs of New York City are welcome to apply by mail. Please refer to the following link for instructions:

Temporary Visitor Visa: http://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/d/03.html.
Visas for Work and Long Term Stay: http://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/d/04.html

Those applying by mail also have the option of picking up the passport when it is ready. Those applying in person at the window can prepare a USPS self-addressed stamped envelope with completed express mailing label and the postage stamps and Release of Liability Form. We can mail visas only within our jurisdiction and outside of the 5 boroughs of New York City. For security reasons, this must be done by the owner of the passport, and cannot be done by proxy. At the discretion of the Consul, some cases may require an interview in person.

Mailing address:
    Consulate General of Japan in New York
    Visa Department
    299 Park Ave., 18th floor
    New York, NY 10171.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Visa applications should be made at the Japanese embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over applicant's place of permanent residence. You may apply for a visa at this Consulate if you live, work, and are currently within the area covered by this Consulate. That area consists of New York State, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, The U.S. Virgin Islands, and West Virginia. If you live and work in Connecticut, you may apply for a visa here, but only if you live and work in Fairfield County. If you are not located within the area covered by this Consulate, please contact the Japanese Consulate or Embassy that handles visas for your area. We may decline visa applications from areas outside our jurisdiction.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Visa Section at 212-888-0889 or visit Visa Window which open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may also to send a request for visa information by email.

E-mail: visainfo@ny.mofa.go.jp
Fax: (212)755-2851

IMPORTANT: We can only respond to questions regarding visas at this address. The information that will be needed from you is:

Your nationality / citizenship
Your visa status in the United States
Detailed purpose of your trip to Japan
Your intended length of stay in Japan
Your occupation
Your current place of residence & telephone number

ATTENTION
Due to the large volume of inquires by email, we are not able to respond to all of them. If you do not hear from us, please write to us or call us to obtain information. Thank you.