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U.S. Dept. of State
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NON-IMMIGRANT VISA PROCEDURES
Non-immigrant Visa Application for Sapporo or Fukuoka

(日本語)


STEP 1   >    Step 2   >    Step 3


For Tokyo, Osaka, Naha procedures, see here.


SAPPORO/FUKUOKA Step 1
Complete the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) Online

Complete the Electronic Visa Application Form DS-156 (EVAF) online, print it out, and send a copy with your application. Do not staple the forms together or print on both sides of the paper.

All forms must be completed in English. Incomplete forms will not be accepted. If the question does not apply, write "none", "non-applicable", or "n/a".

IMPORTANT: Each electronic form will have a barcode used for scanning the application when you appear at the Consulate for your interview appointment.

Unacceptable barcodes (those that cannot be read by our scanner due to poor printer quality and other factors) will not be accepted. Applicants will be asked to exit the Consulate and return with a readable barcode.

Unreadable Barcode

 Readable Barcode

Before filling out the forms online, please read the system requirements carefully. If you do not have the listed system requirements, you may not be able to complete the form online.

Prepare documents on LIST A and LIST B required for your application.

LIST A

All applicants are required to mail the following documents to the Consulate-General.

The documents should be mailed to arrive one week before your interview. Write your appointment date and time on the back of the envelope.

Please arrange your application documents in this order before mailing them. We appreciate your cooperation.

  1. Copy of passport (Pages of your photo and personal information only)
  2. DS-156 (Attach photo on page 1 and ATM transaction receipt on upper right corner of page 3)
  3. DS-157 (if applicable)
  4. DS-158 (if applicable)
  5. Supporting documents(I-20/DS-2019/SEVIS receipt/I-797, letters, etc. Expack 500)
  6. Appointment letter

      U.S. Consulate General Sapporo

      Attn: Visa Service
      Kita 1-jo Nishi 28-chome
      Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0821

      		 U.S. Consulate General Fukuoka

      Attn: Consular Section
      5-26, Ohori 2-chome
      Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0052

  COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT: Send a photocopy of your current passport. Travelers are required to be in possessionof passports that are valid for six-months beyond the period of their intended stay in the U.S. Citizens of the countries listed here are exempt the six-month rule and need only have a passport valid for their intended period of stay.

  DS-156: Printout of DS-156 filled out online.
  PHOTOGRAPH: A 5cm x 5cm color photo with a white background, taken within the last six months. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 25 to 35mm with the head centered in the frame facing straight. Glue it to the DS-156. Do not staple the photo to the DS-156. Your eyes must not be covered by hair in a photo.
  PAYEASY ATM TRANSACTION RECEIPT: Send your PayEasy ATM transaction receipt with your application. See STEP 2 for payment instructions.

COMPLETED DS-157 APPLICATION FORM: Required for male applicants of all nationalities aged 16 to 45. Also required for all applicants over age 16, male or female, who are citizens of or born in Cuba, Iran, Sudan, or Syria. Select Special Processing Procedures to learn more.
Download in English, Japanese, or Spanish. (The form requires Adobe Acrobat version 5.0 or above.)
  COURT AND/OR POLICE RECORDS: Applicants with arrest/criminal records must provide a copy of their court and/or arrest record and copy of relevent Laws/Statutes (including cases that ended with an acquittal or pardon) and an English translation of those documents. In the event that there was no trial, bring a letter in English that explains the circumstances of the arrest. Japanese police ordinarily do not issue records without a letter from the Embassy/Consulate. If necessary, we will inform you at the interview and give you such a letter.
NOTE: Those who do not have arrest or criminal records do not need to provide any such documents.
  CLEAR PLASTIC FOLDER: Put all of the documents in a clear plastic folder. Also bring your appointment confirmation printout. If you are submitting an I-20, DS-2019 or I-797 place this document in the folder. Non-Japanese citizens should include a copy of their Japanese Alien Registration Card in this folder.
Tourist Visa (B-2) or Business Visa (B-1) applicants must also submit:
  PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT OR ENROLLMENT IN SCHOOL (IF APPLICABLE)

Non-Japanese applicants going to the U.S. to participate in a science or technology-related conference must bring a complete CV or resume, a complete list of publications (if applicable) and a letter of acceptance/invitation from the conference organizer.
Student Visa (F, M) or Exchange Visitor (J) applicants must also submit:

DS-158 APPLICATION FORM: All applicants (including dependents) aged 16 and above who are seeking F, M, or J visas are required to submit Form DS-158.
  I-20: F1 and M1 students must include the original SEVIS I-20 form. Family members seeking F2 and M2 status need their own I-20 form.

OR
  DS-2019: J1 applicants must include the original SEVIS DS-2019 form. Family members seeking J2 status must submit their own DS-2019 form.

DS-7002: DS-7002: J1 applicants under "trainee" or "intern" categories will be required to submit a fully completed and signed Form DS-7002 from the program sponsor if Form DS-2019 was issued after July 19 2007.
  I-901 FEE CONFIRMATION: Students and Exchange Visitors visa applicants need to pay the SEVIS fee before applying for visas.
  PROOF OF FUNDS TO COVER ALL EXPENSES: This could include bank statements or pay receipts. If you are applying for an F1 visa and planning to study for more than one year, bring proof of funds to cover the first year's expenses.
  SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS: If you have studied in the United States within the last five years, you must bring transcripts from the schools you attended during that time. If you have not attended school in the U.S. yet, you must provide transcripts of the most recent three years of study in Japan or abroad.
  SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-RELATED PROGRAMS OR STUDY:Applicants going to the U.S. to follow a science or technology-related course of study must bring a complete CV or resume, a complete list of publications (if applicable) and a letter of acceptance/invitation to the school or program.

If you are applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) you should bring the original Employment Authorization card together with your I-20 form.

Dependents: Submit a copy of the principal applicant's I-20 or DS-2019, together with a copy of the principal applicant's visa and birth or marriage records showing relation to principal applicant, if applying separately.
Temporary Work Visa (E, H, L) or Athletes and Artists Visa (O, P) applicants must also submit:
  ORIGINAL I-797 APPROVAL NOTICE: Applicants for H, L, O, P or R visas need to submit the Notice of Action.
  PHOTOCOPY OF I-129 PETITION (IF APPLICABLE)
  BLANKET L: Click here for necessary documents.
  PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT: Letter of job offer/contract and most recent pay statement from the U.S. Company.
  DS-156E: E-visa applicants need to submit an original DS-156E. Download the DS-156E.

Dependents: Submit a copy of the I-797, together with a copy of the principal applicant's visa and birth or marriage records showing relation to principal applicant, if applying separately.
Media Visa (I) applicants must also submit:
  EMPLOYMENT LETTER: Stating employment status, whether the position is permanent or temporary, purpose of travel and length of stay. The applicant must also bring proof of membership in a professional journalistic organization (such as a press card). Freelance media workers must also submit a valid contract of employment.
Transit Visa (C) and Crew Visa (D) applicants must also submit:
  DETAILED TRAVEL PLAN: Route and approximate dates.
  VISA: Valid visa for destination country, if required.



LIST B

All applicants are required to bring the following documents to the visa interview at the Consulate-General. Note: You cannot enter the building more than 15 minutes before your interview.

 
PASSPORT: Current and previous passports issued in the past 10 years.
 
  SELF-ADDRESSED "EXPACK 500" ENVELOPE: Please bring one self-addressed, prepaid "ExPack 500" envelope with the rest of your documents. The "ExPack 500" is widely available in convenience stores and post offices throughout Japan.
 
Non-Japanese applicants must also bring:
  VALID JAPANESE RE-ENTRY PERMIT: This can be obtained at the Regional Immigration Bureau.
 
  PHOTOCOPY OF JAPANESE ALIEN REGISTRATION CARD (IF APPLICABLE): Please copy both sides of the registration card.
 
  FAMILY MEMBER PASSPORTS: Even if they are not traveling with you or applying for a visa.
 
  EVIDENCE OF MARITAL STATUS (IF APPLICABLE): Please provide a copy of a family register or marriage/divorce certificate.
 

Depending on your nationality, you may be subject to additional fees or requirements. Click here for more information.

English translations must be attached to all documents which are in a foreign language.


Important Notices: Before Making an Appointment

Go to: Sapporo/Fukuoka STEP 2