Visa Renewal

Repeat travelers to the United States may qualify to renew their visas without appearing for an interview. This process allows qualifying applicants to submit their application via mail (except for those apply at Naha Consulate) if they meet the following qualifications:

• The last visa was issued on or after November 1, 2007. 
• All ten fingerprints were captured at a prior interview.
• The previous visa is currently valid, or has expired within the last twelve months. 
• The applicant is applying for the exact same type of visa. 
• The applicant is applying to the same location where his/her last visa was issued. The previous visa will state the issuing post in the top left corner. (Note that if you applied in Sapporo your visa was issued in Tokyo, if you applied in Fukuoka, your visa was issued in Osaka/Kobe). You have to send applications to these posts. 
• The visa does not have “Clearance received” written on it.

If the above conditions are not met for the specific circumstances the applicant should request an interview. See here.

Important Note: The use of the mail-in service does not guarantee visa issuance. In some cases, applicants may still be required to appear for a visa interview at the Embassy or Consulate. Examples of this include incomplete and/or inaccurate applications.

Requirements for Submission:

• All regular visa application instructions apply. Please follow the instructions found on our website 
• In addition, all applicants must send the passport with the prior visa in it with their application in accordance with the instructions on our website.
• Fees for Blanket L visas, can be submitted with an international postal money order, which can be issued by a Japanese post office. It should be made payable to "American Embassy, Consular Section, Visa Branch, Unit 9800, Box 114, APO AP 96303-0114." 
• If reciprocity fees are required, please do not pay the fee until you hear from us. We will contact you when your visa is approved. 
• Applications must contain a self-addressed LetterPack 500 envelope for the return of the passport. 
• All applicants must be present in Japan. An application cannot be sent by international mail to be processed.