General Visa Information

In general, a valid passport and visa obtained from a Japanese embassy or consulate is required for a non-Japanese person to enter Japan.  The type of visa is determined by the purpose of visit, length of stay, etc.  Visa requirements may be waived for certain types of travel by citizens of countries having reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with Japan.

1.   Window Hours (Appointment Required):

Monday through Friday, except Consulate Holidays
9:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Our office is operating on an appointment-only. We request visa-related guests visit our office on Tuesday or Thursday. Please contact the Visa Section at (313) 567-0120 Ext. 214, to make an appointment. 

Please read the Location and Directions page before visiting our office.


2.   Jurisdiction
The Consulate General of Japan in Detroit accepts visa applications from residents of Michigan and Ohio, with the exception of B1 and B2 visa holders visiting the USA. Residents outside of Michigan and Ohio should contact the embassy or consulate with jurisdiction in their region.  Visa applications submitted from outside our jurisdiction are likely to be returned.


3.   Categories of Visa
There are various types and categories of visas to enter Japan, requiring different documentation.  More information may be found here: Types and Categories of Visa.


4.   Visa Exemption
U.S. citizens, as well as citizens/nationals of certain other countries, may be able to travel to Japan for a short-term stay without a visa.  A list of countries having reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with Japan may be found here.

5.   At the Port of Entry
The issuance of a visa does not guarantee your entry into Japan, but is required for Landing Permission at the port of entry.  The Immigration Office of Japan’s Ministry of Justice has the right to deny entry to anyone if deemed it necessary.  Landing Permissions define the duration of stay and authorized activities in Japan; these permissions are only granted by the immigration official at the port of entry, not the consulate office.


6.   Visa Fees
Unless exempt, fees for visa issuance are due at time of pick up, and payable in cash, by cashier’s check or money order made payable to “Consulate General of Japan”.  Visa fees are based on each country’s reciprocal agreements with Japan.  Exempt countries and visa fees may be found here.


7.   Processing Time
If all requirements are met, most visas can be issued in five business days.  Certain cases, which require special referral to the Ministry in Japan, may take a few months.  Acceptance of an application is not a guarantee of visa issuance.


8.   Submission of Application
Residents of Michigan’s Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties must submit visa applications in person at the Consulate’s office in Detroit.

Signed authorizations must accompany visa applications presented by third party representatives.

Residents outside the above-mentioned tri-county area may submit applications by mail, if necessary.
         Mailing address:
         Consulate General of Japan in Detroit
         Attn: Visa Section
         400 Renaissance Center, Suite 1600
         Detroit, MI  48243
         ** The Consulate will not be responsible for any damage, delay or loss of mailed documents. **

A group of applicants (family or friends travelling together) may submit only one set of any shared information including, but not limited to, bank statement, flight itinerary or Schedule of Stay if names of all the applicants concerned are listed in them.


9.   Application Instructions 

• Temporary Visitor Visa
• Transit Visa
• Work and Long-term Stay Visa: Applicants with Certificate of Eligibility

10.   Retrieval of Passport
Passports and visas must be retrieved in person by residents of Michigan’s Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

Applicants outside the tri-county area may choose to have the passport sent by providing a pre-paid, self-addressed envelope with tracking system, along with a signed Release of Liability.  When submitted together as a group, all the passports may be returned in one envelope, however, a Release of Liability from each individual must be included.

• US Postal Service:  Priority Mail and Express Mail are the most common services used among visa applicants for the return of their passports. First class mail is not accepted unless tracking service is added to fulfill our shipping requirements described above. Return passports are hand delivered to a Post Office clerk by a member of the Consulate staff.

• FedEx:  Return shipping labels may be printed by the shipping company’s store or from their website. FedEx account holders may print labels directly from home computers. Hand-written shipping labels with credit card information are not considered pre-paid.
• Passports being returned by FedEx are deposited into the companies’ collection boxes located in the Renaissance Center. The pick up time for these boxes is generally 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (subject to change – confirm with the carrier of your choice if necessary). 

** The Consulate reserves the right to require any visa applicant to appear in person to retrieve their passport, if deemed necessary. **


11.   Inquiries
For an initial email inquiry, please include the following information:
            1.   Nationality / Citizenship
            2.   Current visa status in the United States (for non-U.S. citizens only)
            3.   Purpose of visit to Japan
            4.   Intended length of stay in Japan
            5.   Current address & phone number in the US

Contact:
              E-mail:  visa@dt.mofa.go.jp          This email address is for visa inquiries only.
              Phone:  (313) 567-0120                  Monday through Friday, 9a.m. – 5p.m. (Eastern Time)