Visiting Japan

2023/7/7

Visa Information

*The window service hours are as follows:
  9:15am - 12:30pm & 1:30pm - 4:15pm
*An appointment is for drop-off the visa application or pick up the passport and pay the fees. Please click here for scheduling an appointment online.
 

Who needs a visa?

Foreign nationals who are required to obtain a visa.
*The Visa Waiver Program applies based on your nationality, NOT on your U.S. residence status (including green card).

 
  Types of Travel Visa Requirements
U.S. Citizens
  • Short-term stay (less than 90 days) AND
  • Tourism, business (without paid activities), conference, or study
 NOT Required
  • COE (Certificate of Eligibility) holders (stay in Japan more than 90 days),
  • News media related activities,
  • Attending depositions, or 
  • Diplomatic/official mission or transit
 Required
Non-U.S. Citizens Visa Exemption Countries and Regions (List)
  • Short-term stay (less than 90 days) AND
  • Tourism, business (without paid activities), conference, or study
 NOT Required
Non-Visa Exemption Countries and Regions Required
  

NOTICE: Due to the large volume of inquiries we receive by email and phone call, the response from us may take longer than usual.

General Rules for Visas

  • The Consulate General of Japan only accepts visa applications and visa inquiries from residents of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, or South Carolina.
    Please click here if you do not live in one of the above US states.
  • In principle, visa applicants should apply for a visa in person. However, applicants within our jurisdiction can apply for a visa by mail. Please see "Applying By Mail" under "Applying for a Visa" below for more details.
  • Applicants may designate a proxy. To authorize a proxy for application drop off/pickup, the applicant MUST fill out this authorization form and have the proxy submit the original form to the Consulate along with their ID card (electronic signatures are invalid).
  • We do not accept any applications from U.S. B-1 and B-2 visa holders.
  • Applicant's passport must have at least 1.5 blank visa pages left.
  • No 6 months rules. As long as your passport is valid during the time of your stay in Japan, it should not be a problem.
  • Please do NOT staple the visa application documents.
  • Please note that we will keep passports while processing visa applications.

Type of Visas and Visa Application Documents

  • Please click on the applicable box below to see application documents on each visa. 
  • If you intend to stay in Japan more than 90 days, please click on the "COE Holders" box.
  • The online application for a short-term tourism visa (single entry only, and only for the purpose of tourism) is available. For more information, please click on the “Short-term Tourism/Business/Study” box below.  
 
Short-Term Tourism, Business, Study Transit COE Holders Other Visas
 

Visa Validity

Type of Visa Validity Note
Single Entry 3 months You must enter Japan within this time frame. We will not accept any visa applications more than 3 months before your departure date.
Double-Entry Transit 4 months It can be used twice (once on the way to your destination and once on the return trip) to complete a round trip.
Double-Entry  6 months It can be used twice. 
Multiple Entry 1 to 5 years depending on the visa Multiple entry visas can be issued to citizens of countries that Japan has bilateral agreements with. Maximum stay at a time is decided as either 30 days or 90 days depending on the visa.

Applying for a Visa

Applying In-Person

Consular Section has modified several operations and services.

  • Visa Application drop-off & Passport Pick-up: 9時15分am to 12時30分pm / 1時30分pm to 4時15分pm
      (An appointment is required. Please click here for scheduling an appointment online.)
  • All other Consular Services: Appointment required. Please contact the Consular Department at (404) 240 4300 or at ryoji@aa.mofa.go.jp to schedule an appointment.
    • Extension for Japanese Visa or Extention of Re-entry Permit services: 3031
    • Extension for Japanese Passport services: 3033
    • Extension for Japanese Citizenship services: 3032
    • Extension for Other Documentation services: 3029 / 3032

We are anticipating longer than usual wait times at the consular office. Longer wait times are also expected when contacting us by phone or email, therefore, please also consider contacting the Japan Visa Information Hotline (available 24/7) if your visa-related matter is urgent.

Our window is open Monday thru Friday except during office holidays. Please click here for directions to our location.

Applying by Mail

In addition to your visa application documents, if applying by mail, please also include the following:

  1. Release of Liability Form
  2. Proof of Residence (such as copy of Applicant's Driver's License/ID card or utility bill etc. showing current address)
  3. A pre-paid self-addressed for Certified, Priority, and Express Mail (USPS) or a prepaid mailing label with an envelope for UPS Express must be submitted for return.
    (*Your name and address must be both sender and recipient on the return envelope.)

Mailing Address
ATTN: Visa Section
Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta
Phipps Tower, Suite 850
3438 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30326

NOTE: We only ship to addresses within our jurisdiction (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina). The Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta is not responsible for your passport in case of its loss when sending through the mailing service for return.

Processing Time

In general, it takes 5 business days to issue a visa. We do NOT have expedited services.

*The Consulate recommends applying for a visa within three months prior to your arrival date in Japan, but no earlier than 3 months prior to your arrival.

Visa Processing Timeline  

Visa Fees

Type of Visa (For applications on and after April 1st, 2025)

  • Single Entry Visa: 20 USD
  • Double and Multiple Entry Visa: 40 USD
  • Transit Visa (Including Double Entry Transit): 5 USD
  • Indian Passport Holder Fees: 6 USD (for Single,Double, Multiple Entry); 1USD (for Single and Double Transit)
  • Extension of Re-entry Permit: 20 USD

*US citizens are exempt from visa fees.
(Some countries are also exempted from visa fees. Please check the visa fee exempt countries list to find out if your visa fee is waived. )
* Payment is due at the time of PICK-UP.
* Applicants who have applied for eVisa (online visa) are eligible for online payment (Details / Video).
* We accept CASH only (Please prepare cash in the exact amount). We DO NOT accept personal checks and credit cards.

 Cash Only
  

Additional Information:

Related Links

Recommended Information

Japan National Tourism Organization
  • Mailing Address
    ATTN: Visa Section
    Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta
    Phipps Tower Suite 850
    3438 Peachtree Road NE
    Atlanta, GA 30326
  • Contact Information for Japan Visa
    (404) 240-4300 ext. 3031
    visa-atl@aa.mofa.go.jp
    M-F 9:00am- 5:00pm
  • Window Service Hours
    M - F 9:15am - 12:30pm & 1:30pm - 4:15pm
  • Japan Visa Information Hotline[24 hour/7 days]
    (English available)
    +1 202-499-1468
  • Visit Japan WebOpen a new window

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