Tourist Visa For Japan From Usa

The Tourist Visa for Japan is a multi-entry visa which allows its holder to enter, leave, and re-enter Japan multiple times while they hold the visa. This visa is good for seven days from the date of entry into Japan.

Travelling to Japan from the US is an exciting idea. However, it can be stressful preparing for a trip of this magnitude. This post will walk you through the steps of getting your tourist visa for Japan from the US.

Tourist Visa For Japan From Usa

Do you want to visit Japan? If yes, then you should apply for a tourist visa to Japan. The tourist visa is a special visa that allows the person to travel to Japan and spend time there for a limited period of time. It is important to note that this type of visa does not give you the right to work in Japan or study there. However, if you want to do either of these activities, then you will need another type of visa.

The first step in obtaining a tourist visa for Japan is by filling out an application form online and paying the fee required by the embassy or consulate where you live. You will also need to submit proof of funds such as bank statements or credit cards so that they know that you can afford your trip before leaving the country temporarily. They will also require documentation proving that you have been employed for at least six months before applying for this type of visa so that they know that you are able to support yourself financially while away from home temporarily without having someone else pay all of your bills while gone (unless they are willing).

Japan is one of the top tourist destinations of the world, attracting millions of tourists every year. The Japanese government has set a lofty goal of reaching 60 million visitors to the country by the year 2030.

People travel to Japan for a variety of reasons. Some people travel to go sightseeing, some to indulge in the local culture and yet others have business to attend to or need to make a trip to see friends and family. Each traveler has their own reasons for why they want to travel to Japan.

More than 1.5 million U.S. citizens visit Japan each year (2018), which represents almost 5% of the overall international travelers received by the island country. It is expected this figure increases even more with the introduction of the upcoming eVisa.

The Japanese government is currently developing an electronic visa authorization system which will allow travelers, including American citizens, to receive their Japanese visas online without having to resort to a local embassy or consulate.

Types of Japanese e-Visas for U.S. Travelers

The visas to Japan for U.S. citizens are divided into two main categories based on the traveler’s intended duration of stay in the country. The short-term visas offered by Japan are:

• The Japanese tourist visa: it allows for a maximum stay of 90 days in the country either as a single-entry or double-entry visa. This Japan visa is appropriate for individuals interested in touring the country, attend short business endeavors or meet friends/family in Japan.
• The Japanese business visa: created for business professionals arriving in the country for short-term business engagements. It can also be obtained either as a single- or double-entry visa contingent on the U.S. traveler’s intent to visit Japan twice within a 6-month period.
• The Japanese transit visa: available for individuals transiting through Japan on their way to another country.

The long-term visas offered by the Japanese government are more specific in nature as they have been designed with specific circumstances in mind. These include:

• General visa: allows individuals to stay in Japan from 3 months to up to 3 years. This type of visa requires a certificate of eligibility and allows travelers to participate in cultural activities.
• Working visa: granted to individuals with particular skill sets or qualifications covering a number of different professions.
• Specified visa: meant for the spouses and children of Japanese nationals. This type of visa can be valid from 6 months to up to 5 years and requires the appropriate documentation to be submitted along with the application proving Japanese ancestry.
• Diplomatic visa: granted to individuals who engage in activities as part of a diplomatic mission, consular office or embassy or any supportive role affiliated with such. The maximum length of stay is determined by the diplomatic mission requesting such a visa on behalf of the individual. Appropriate documentation certifying the individual’s role in the diplomatic mission needs to be submitted along with the application.
• Official visa: granted to businessmen, foreign governments or international organizations recognized by the Japanese government. The maximum allowable length of stay varies for this type of visa.

The Japanese eVisa for American Citizens

Once the Japanese government implements the new electronic visa authorization system, Americans will be able to apply for and obtain a Japanese visa online for short-term stays in Japan. It is designed for travelers seeking to engage in business, tourism and for meeting friends and family in the country.

To apply for the Japanese eVisa, Americans will have to fill out an online application with their personal, passport and travel details. A section of the application will require that the applicants to answer security questions related to past criminal history, immigration-related offences and drug offences.

Travelers are expected to answer these questions as truthfully as possible whilst ensuring that the information they provide on the form is accurate to the best of their knowledge. Erroneous or false information can negatively impact the traveler’s eVisa application, leading to travel delays and in some cases a visa denial at the discretion of the Japanese authorities.

Japan Online Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens

Foreign nationals traveling to Japan must meet certain criteria for submitting a successful visa application. The following documentation will need to be submitted as part of the Japanese visa application process:

• A valid passport with at least 2 blank pages and 6 months validity
• A completed visa application form
• A recent photo of the traveler taken against a white background
• A secondary identification document in the form of a driver’s license, birth certificate, etc.
• If the traveler is married, the marriage certificate will have to be submitted
• Travel itinerary, including travel dates, places of accommodation in Japan during visit, intended port of entry, etc.

Travelers who have a Japanese sponsor/guarantor must also submit the following documentation with their application:

• A letter from the sponsor/guarantor explaining the relationship between them and the traveler
• Proof of the relationship between the traveler and the sponsor/guarantor
• Sponsor/guarantor’s proof of sufficient income to cover the expenses of the traveler’s trip.

If travelers do not have a sponsor/guarantor, they need to submit their income tax returns and a recent bank certificate, so they can demonstrate they can cover the trip expenses.

How Will I Receive My Japan Electronic Visa as an American?

The eVisa application will be registered to an email address, so ensure that one you use is one you check regularly, as any updates, as well as a copy of the approved online visa for Japan once processed, will be sent there.

It is expected that the form will be processed within 2-4 business days, although US applicants will most likely be advised to submit the eVisa application at least a few days before the trip to allow for sufficient processing.

Although it is expected that the electronic visa for Japan will be electronically linked to the traveler’s passport, eVisa holders will most likely be advised to print out a paper copy or save a copy to their phone to present to officials upon arrival at Japanese border control.

Conclusion

A tour to Japan is always on the horizon. It is also one of the countries where you want to apply for a visa beforehand as it makes your travel smooth by avoiding long queues at the airport. An organized tour group usually takes care of this for you but you can also go solo and apply for a Japan tourist visa independently.