PASSPORT: Current and previous passports issued in the past ten years. Travelers are required to be in possession of passports that are valid for six-months beyond the period of their intended stay in the U.S. Citizens of the countries listed on Six Month Club Update are exempt the six-month rule and need only have a passport valid for their intended period of stay.  

DS-160 confirmation page: A confirmation page with limited biographical information, a bar code, and Application ID will be provided once the DS-160 form is completed and transmitted electronically. Bring this confirmation page to the interview. Please see a sample of the Confirmation page(PDF 156KB).   To complete DS-160 form, see Complete the Online DS-160 page. 

PAYEASY ATM TRANSACTION RECEIPT: You must submit your Pay-easy ATM transaction receipt at the interview. See STEP 2 for payment instructions. Please tape the ATM transaction receipt to the DS-160 confirmation page.

SELF-ADDRESSED "LetterPack 500" ENVELOPE: Visas are not issued on the same day as the interview. Bring one self-addressed, prepaid "LetterPack 500" envelope to the interview for the return of your passport and documents. The "LetterPack 500" is available at post offices throughout Japan. Please make sure to write “documents” on the “Contents Description” field otherwise the delivery may be delayed.

EVIDENCE OF MARITAL/DEPENDENT STATUS (IF APPLICABLE): Bring evidence of marital/dependent status, such as a family register or marriage/divorce certificate. 

COURT AND/OR POLICE RECORDS: Applicants with arrest/criminal records must provide a copy of their court and/or arrest record and copy of relevant 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.

APPOINTMENT CONFIRMATION LETTER: See Step 3 for making an appointment. Please note that your appointment time printed on the confirmation letter is when you will be allowed to queue up outside of the Embassy gate to gain admission to the Embassy. It is NOT the time when you will be interviewed.

Non-Japanese applicants must also include:

VALID JAPANESE RE-ENTRY PERMIT: This can be obtained at the Regional Immigration Bureau.

PHOTOCOPY OF JAPANESE ALIEN REGISTRATION CARD (IF APPLICABLE): Copy both sides of the registration card.

FAMILY MEMBER PASSPORTS: Bring your family members' passports, even if they are not traveling with you or applying for a visa.

 Business Visa (B-1) applicants must also submit:

PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT OR ENROLLMENT IN SCHOOL (IF APPLICABLE)

 Tourist Visa (B-2) applicants must also submit:

INVITATION LETTER: If you are invited to visit someone in the United States, provide information about who is inviting you, purpose of travel, and planned itinerary or schedule. No invitation letter is needed if you are only sightseeing in the United States.

Student Visa (F, M) or Exchange Visitor (J) applicants must also submit:

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.  

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: 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.
Please note: Students/Exchange Visitors also need to pay the visa application fee. 

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.  

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

Dependents: Submit the dependent’s own I-20 or DS-2019, as well as birth or marriage records that provide evidence of the dependent’s relationship to the principal applicant.
If dependents apply for their visas at a later date, submit a copy of the principal applicant's visa in addition to the above documents.  

Temporary Work Visa (H, L), Athletes and Artists Visa (O, P), International Cultural Exchange (Q) or Religious Workers visa (R) applicants must also submit:

ORIGINAL or copy of I-797 APPROVAL NOTICE: Applicants for H, L, O, P, Q or R visas need to submit the Notice of Action.  

PHOTOCOPY OF I-129 PETITION (IF APPLICABLE)  

BLANKET L: See Intra-company Transferees page for necessary documents.  

PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT: Letter of job offer/contract and most recent pay statement from US Company.

Dependents : Submit a copy of the I-797, as well as birth or marriage records that provide evidence of the dependent’s relationship to the principal applicant.
If dependents apply for their visas at a later date, submit a copy of the principal applicant's visa in addition to the above documents.

NOTE: As of January 2008, DHS requires electronic confirmation of I-129 petitions for the issuance of worker visas. Petition approval is now verified in the Department of State's system called Petition Information Management Service (PIMS). During your interview, the consular officer will use the receipt number of your I-797 approval notice to verify petition approval, so please make sure you bring the I-797 to the interview. Please note that a visa will not be issued before this electronic confirmation is completed. Please apply for your visa well in advance of your travel date, and do not purchase plane tickets until you have received your visa.  

Treaty Trader/Investor Visa (E-1/E-2) applicants must also submit:

Company letter describing the enterprise, the applicant’s qualifications and number of family members intending to travel. This letter must address all requirements for E visa eligibility as defined by the Foreign Affairs Manual 9 FAM 41.51(PDF 242KB) and U.S. law. Specifically, the letter must address how the applicant will demonstrate that he/she meets all requirements under 9 FAM 41.51(PDF 242KB).  

Corporate organizational chart of your U.S. company showing how your position(highlighted) fits into the organization. Please describe your subordinate employees’ job titles and immigration statuses.  

Detailed resume

If your last submission of an annual report was more than 1 year ago, please submit an updated DS-156E(PDF 587KB), Form 1120 and Financial Statements.  

Dependents : Submit birth or marriage records that provide evidence of the dependent’s relationship to the principal applicant.
If dependents apply for their visas at a later date, submit a copy of the principal applicant's visa in addition to the above documents.

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.