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Visa Information


NON-IMMIGRANT PROCEDURES

Apply for a Visa by Mail


As of July 1, 2004, most applicants need an in-person interview with a U.S. consul when applying for a visa. For the following applicants, however, a personal appearance and interview are not required:

  • Applicants seeking non-immigrant visas in the following classes: A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-2, G-4, NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6
  • Those 13 years of age or under
  • Those 80 years of age or older

For those who are exempt from the interview requirement, please apply for a visa by mail or through a travel agent.

  1. By Travel Agent:
        The agent will deliver your application to us and pick up the visa when it is ready.

  2. By Mail:
        Applicants who are living in eastern part of Japan and applying at the U.S. Embassy Tokyo, please send your application to:

        American Embassy Tokyo, Visa Branch
        1-10-5, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420

Applicants who are living in western part of Japan and applying at the U.S. Consulate General in Osaka, please send your application to:

    U.S. Consulate General Osaka, Visa Unit
    11-5 Nishitenma 2-chome, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8543
NOTE: If you apply for a visa by mail, be sure to enclose an A4 size self-addressed and stamped return envelope that we can use to send you your passport. Please DO NOT fold your application form or other documents.

Required Documents

For information on the documents required to apply for a visa, pleas see our application checklist.

Some nationals' passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay in the U.S, for more information click here.

You can download the application forms from the U.S. Embassy website (Adobe Acrobat Version 5.0 or above required).

Processing Time

Please allow at least 4 weeks for processing. Please be advised that visa processing time varies depending on the case. Some cases may take 6 to 8 weeks or more before your visa will be ready. In the peak summer and winter seasons, processing may take longer, so please be sure to plan ahead and apply for a visa well in advance of your travel date.

Special Visa Processing Procedures: Please note that nationals of Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria and Sudan require additional administrative processing. This cannot be waived, and we are unable to provide you with any guidance on how long it may take. Therefore, do not make any final travel plans until you have received your passport with visa.
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