Important Notices
As of November, 24, 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo has resumed routine nonimmigrant visa services for all visa categories except B visas. We have also resumed certain immigrant visa services including IR1, IR2, CR1, CR2 and K Fiancé(e) Visas.
As of December 7, 2020, the U.S. Consulate General in Osaka has limited capacity for nonimmigrant visa services for all visa categories except B visas. B visas are not being processed unless mission critical or involving urgent humanitarian circumstances.
As of November 24, 2020, the U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka and Consulate General in Sapporo have resumed routine nonimmigrant visa services for all visa categories except B visas.
As of October 30, 2020, the U.S. Consulate General in Naha has resumed K Fiancé(e) visas and certain immigrant visa services including IR1, IR2, CR1, and CR2.
While the Embassy and Consulates aim to process cases as soon as practicable, there is likely to be increased wait times for completing such services due to substantial backlogs. If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided online here to request an emergency appointment.
The U.S. Mission to Japan understands that many visa applicants have paid the visa application processing fee and are still waiting to schedule a visa appointment. We are working diligently to restore all routine visa operations as quickly and safely as possible. In the meantime, rest assured that the U.S. Mission will extend the validity of your payment (known as the MRV fee) until December 31, 2021, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment with the already paid fee. Please continue to monitor this site for information on when we will return to routine visa operations.
For more information about visa processing and Presidential Proclamations, please see travel.state.gov.
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
See our Directory of Visa Categories on travel.state.gov to determine which visa category might be appropriate for your purpose of travel to the United States.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Travel to the United States on a temporary basis, including tourism, temporary employment, study and exchange.
Immigrant Visas
For foreign citizens who want to live permanently in the United States.
What is a Visa?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States.
(Note: U.S. citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit.).
Contact Us
To contact a customer service representative, please visit the GSS Contact Us page or use the contact information below:
U.S. Embassy Tokyo Consular Section
Visa Branch
1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato ku, Tokyo, 107-8420
- Telephone: The call center features an automated message system. Please select the option that best suits your inquiry. You may choose to be connected to an operator at the end of the recorded message.
- Callers in Japan: 050-5533-2737
- Callers in the U.S: 703-520-2233
- Email: support-japan@ustraveldocs.com
- Skype ID: ustraveldocs-japan
For complete contact information click here.
Customer Service Statement
The Department of State manages the visa process strictly but fairly in order to best protect the United States. We are committed to the essential openness for which the United States has always been known. Travel to the United States is welcomed and encouraged.
We promise to you, the visa applicant, that:
- We will treat you with dignity and respect, even if we are unable to grant you a visa.
- We will treat you as an individual and your case as unique.
- We will remember that, to you, a visa interview may be a new or intimidating experience and that you may be nervous.
- We will use the limited time available for the interview to get as full a picture as possible of your travel plans and intentions.
- We will use our available resources to fairly assist all applicants to get appointments to allow travel in time for business, study, and other important obligations.
- We will post detailed and accurate information on visa requirements and application procedures on every Embassy and Consulate website.
- We will provide information on non-immigrant appointment waiting times at every Embassy and Consulate posted on http://travel.state.gov.
- We will explain the reason for any visa denial to you.
Furthermore, if you are a:
- Student, we will make every effort to ensure that you get an appointment and, if qualified, a visa in time to start classes.
- Medical and humanitarian emergency traveler, we will expedite processing for those dealing with life threatening emergencies.
- Business traveler, we will establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate business travel and expedite cases of particular concern to American business.
At the same time, we expect you, the visa applicant, to:
- Plan your travel and visa application as far in advance as possible.
- Complete your application fully and accurately.
- Be forthcoming about your purpose and plans.
- Prepare for your interview by being able to clearly and concisely describe your intentions.
Important Information for All Visa Applicants
Due to a variety of factors, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates are unable to guarantee the issuance of a U.S. visa before a fixed travel date. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
