A Guide to Japanese Visas
XI. Inquiries Concerning Visas
The Foreign Nationals' Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo accepts inquiries concerning visas at the Visa Information Center and by the Visa Information Telephone Service System.
A. Visa Information Center
The Visa Information Center provides various consultations about visas, including general information about documents necessary for visa applications and specific information in reply to inquiries about the progress of applications that have been forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from an embassy or consulate. The address of the center is:
First Floor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8919
(Near the A4 and A8 exits of Kasumigaseki Station on the Chiyoda, Hibiya, and Marunouchi subway lines)
Open: 9:00-12:15 and 13:15-17:00
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Japanese national holidays)
B. Visa Information Fax and Telephone Service System
The Visa Information Fax and Telephone Service System provides fax (document) and phone (voice) services 24 hours a day. Please note that some callers from overseas may not be able to receive information through the fax service, depending on the country and/or fax machine where the call originates.
(1) The following information in Japanese is available by telephone (voice):
03-5501-8431
- How to request the mail delivery of some documents necessary for visa application
- Information about documents necessary for visa application
- Where to make inquiries concerning issues covered by regional immigration bureaus, such as Certificates of Eligibility and procedures for staying in Japan
- Information about visa application after acquisition of a Certificate of Eligibility
- Lists of countries by region with reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with Japan
- Information on the visa system
- Telephone numbers of overseas Japanese diplomatic establishments
(2) The following information sheets and forms for applications are available by fax (text) from fax machines equipped with handsets (since lines are busy during Japanese business hours, nighttime use is recommended):
FAX Number
03-5501-8490
(1) First, please dial the FAX number.
(2) Second, please select the nationality and visa type which suit for your application, and press the ID Code.
(3) Then, follow the instruction by the voice recorder.
ID Code and Information content
| ID Code | Information content |
|---|---|
| 44900# | Menu list of the visa information system |
| 44000# | Detailed information about Japan's visa system |
| 44010# | Procedure to apply for temporary visitor visa for the entry into Japan (except China, Russia and the New Independent States (NIS, and Philippines)) |
| 44020# | Procedure to apply for temporary visitor visa for the entry into Japan (except China, Russia and the New Independent States (NIS), and Philippines) (in English) |
| 44030# | Procedure to apply for temporary visitor visa for the entry into Japan by Philippines' nationals. |
| 44040# | Procedure to apply for multiple entry visa for the entry into Japan by Asian (except China), Oceania and Latin American countries |
| 44100# | Procedure to apply for temporary visitors' visa for the entry into Japan by Chinese nationals |
| 44120# | Procedure to apply for multiple entry visa for short-term stays by Chinese nationals |
| 44220# | Procedure to apply for multiple entry visa for short-term stays by Russian and the NIS nationals |
| 44250# | Procedure to apply for temporary visitor visa for the entry into Japan by Russian and the NIS nationals |
| 44500# | Working Holiday visa |
Inquiries about the progress of visa applications that have been forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by an embassy or consulate are also received by this telephone service system. Inquiries can be made in both Japanese and English. This service is available only on weekdays, 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00 (Japan time).
Back to Index