Japan Visa for US Citizens and Residents
Important: Only US residents of certain nationalities can apply for the eVisa. US passport holders cannot apply as they are visa-exempt for Japan.
Japan’s eVisa policy is based on your nationality and country of residency. You must hold the correct passport AND residence permit to be eligible.
This page explains Japan’s eVisa policy for both US citizens and residents, so you can plan your trip accordingly.
Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Japan?
US passport holders do not need a visa for Japan. They are part of the country’s visa-exemption program, which allows certain nationalities to enter without a visa for 90 days.
If you have a US passport, you’ll only need a Japan visa if you plan to stay in the country for more than 90 days, or for a reason other than tourism.
You can contact your nearest Japanese embassy to find out which Japan visa for US citizens you need.
Note: The Japan eVisa is valid for 90 days. As US citizens are already exempt for 90 days, the only long-term visa type available is through an embassy.
Japanese eVisa for US Residents
The electronic visa system for Japan allows certain US residents to apply for and obtain a Japanese visa online for short-term stays.
The eVisa is a single-entry tourist visa that allow the holder a maximum stay of 90 days in Japan.
Which US residents are eligible for the Japan eVisa?
The eligibility criteria for applying for a Japan eVisa is based on your nationality AND country of residence. If you live in the US, you must have a US residence permit AND a passport from one of the following countries:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Congo
- Ivory Coast
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guernsey
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia (no e-passports)
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Macau
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mali
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestine
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
- Samoa
- São Tomé and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Swaziland
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Japan Visa Requirements for US Residents
You must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for a Japan eVisa:
- Eligible passport (listed above)
- US residence permit (or from Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom)
- Applicant photo
- Travel itinerary
Other Types of Japanese Visas for US Travelers
The long-term Japan visas for US citizens 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.
- 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.
All of these visa types for Japan for Americans must be applied for from a Japanese embassy or consulate in the US.