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Japan eVISA Requirements for United States Nationals

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Citizens of the United States are not currently eligible to apply for the Japan eVISA. We will update this page if the online visa becomes available for your nationality.

Citizens from the United States are required to obtain a visa to travel to Japan, regardless of the intended length of stay and the purpose of the visit.

It will soon be possible for US citizens to easily obtain a single-entry visa for tourism, once the upcoming eVISA for Japan has been implemented.

The United States is one of the countries which will be eligible for this upcoming visa once the electronic application process is launched, providing they meet the Japan eVISA requirements when submitting an online form.

This eVISA for US nationals is being implemented by the Japanese government in order to make it easier for American citizens to visit Japan for tourism, as well as to expedite the application process and reduce the need to process paperwork at Japanese embassies and consulates.

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Japan from the United States?

All US passport holders visiting Japan require a visa, matter how long they plan to stay or the motive for the trip.

It used to be the case that US nationals would have to visit their local Japanese embassy or consulate several weeks before their trip to apply for a travel visa for Japan in person, and endure long processing times.

However, Japan recently changed its visa policy, and citizens of around 180 countries, including the USA, will soon be able to apply for a Japanese tourist visa exclusively online.

Once the online system is implemented, Citizens of the United States will be able to obtain an approved single-entry visa for short stays by filling out a simple electronic application form, eliminating the need to apply at a diplomatic mission in person.

How to Apply for a Japan eVISA from the United States

United States passport holders planning a visit to Japan should apply online for a Japan eVISA before arrival in the country. The application process is expected to take less than 10 minutes to complete in total.

The electronic visa for US nationals will grant the holder entry to Japan for an as-yet-undetermined amount of time. The length of validity is yet to be confirmed, but once it is,  the updated information will be posted online on the Japan Visa Policy page.

Americans wishing to visit Japan for periods of stay not permitted with an eVISA will still be required to organize a visit to a Japanese embassy or consulate to apply for a consular visa, whether they are traveling for tourism, business, to study or work, or for another motive.

Japan eVISA Requirements for United States Citizens

Applying for a Japan eVISA is straightforward and only takes a few minutes. The application now takes place entirely online, and requires the applicant to have certain documents to fill in the form correctly.

To apply for an eVISA for Japan, you will be required to have a valid United States passport. You should check it is fully up-to-date, and has at least six months’ validity from the expected date of arrival in Japan. If it does not, you will have to apply for a new replacement passport before applying for your electronic visa.

You will be required to input specific information from the passport into the online application form as part of the application process, including the number of the document and the issue and expiry dates.

It will also be necessary to provide basic biographical information on the Japanese eVISA form, such as full name, country of birth, and current address.

US applicants will also be required to answer a few security-based questions, as well as to supply a few details of the trip to Japan, such as accommodation, flight details, and arrival and return dates.

You will also need a valid credit or debit card. This is required to pay the Japan eVISA processing fee.

US travelers are also advised to take time to double-check the details on the form before submitting it for approval. This is to avoid delays caused by incorrect or missing information being uploaded as part of your application.

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.

Application Steps

STEP 1
Complete online application
STEP 2
Confirm Payment
STEP 3
Receive approved Visa

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Japan Visa Policy

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Handyvisas.com is not owned by, or affiliated with any government agency. We are a private, online agency that provides assistance in submitting applications for tourist visits to different countries around the world. Applications can also be made directly through government websites.