How to Apply for a Japan Visa in Atlanta

UPDATED September 21, 2022 (Please see message below regarding COVID-19 Restrictions)

Atlanta has a population of over 6 million people, making it the 9th most populous metropolitan area in the United States.  Atlanta is the capital of Georgia, which is the 8th most populous of the 50 states.  The city and surrounding area—known as the Atlanta metropolitan area—is also the commercial capital of the Southeast United States and has the third-highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the country.  The metropolitan area includes the municipalities of Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Chamblee, Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta, Duluth, Norcross, Tucker, Lithonia, Decatur, Mableton, Clarkston, Conyers, and others.  Atlanta is a diverse and international city that is home to about 7,000 Japanese, many of whom are highly skilled professionals working as executives for Japanese companies or working in an academic capacity at one of Atlanta’s 57 colleges and universities.  The Atlanta area and the state of Georgia have hundreds of Japanese companies doing business here, and there are at least 50 Georgia companies with operations in Japan.  Delta Airlines offers daily nonstop service from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Tokyo Haneda Airport.  Americans in Atlanta interested in learning more about Japan can makes plans to visit the annual JapanFest in Duluth.

Japan is a country in East Asia composed of nearly 7,000 islands located in the northwest Pacific Ocean east of China, the Korean Peninsula and Russia’s Far East.  Japan, known as the Land of the Rising Sun, is one of the most advanced nations in the world and its citizens enjoy the longest life expectancy on the planet due to their healthy diet, pristine natural environment, and low crime rates.  Despite the high quality of life and social harmony found throughout this island nation, Japan is also known for its high-intensity work environment and fast-paced economy, which is the third largest in the world.  First-time visitors to Tokyo who take the train ride from the airport to Shinjuku station—the busiest train station in the world—will feel the rush of humanity when the train doors open and they set foot into the streets of the city’s lively business, entertainment, and shopping district.  Tokyo is a feast for the eyes and tourists from Atlanta will love the bright lights and energy of this city, not to mention the peculiarities and strangeness of being in a new land with a unique culture.  Japanese cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, and Sapporo are also must-visit destinations.  Outside the cities, there are plenty of peaceful mountain villages and seaside resorts in Okinawa, Shirahama, and Shimoda.  

Obtaining a Japan Visa from Atlanta 

Visas for Japan are issued by the Japanese government in the United States.  The government of Japan is represented by their embassy located in Washington, D.C. along with sixteen consulates located throughout the United States.  To apply for a visa from Atlanta, you will fill out the visa application and bring your original passport and supporting documents to their office in Phipps Tower (next to Phipps Plaza) on Peachtree Road in Buckhead.  You can also send your application by US Mail or courier service using FedEx or UPS as long as you live at least 100 miles from the consulate and live in either Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, or North Carolina (otherwise the consulate expects you to appear in person at their office). 

When mailing in your documents to the consulate, you should include a self-addressed USPS (US Postal Service Express Mail or Priority Mail), FedEx, or UPS prepaid envelope so the consulate can return your passport and visa to your home or office.  Please also be sure to include a signed Release of Liability Form that is found on the consulate website.

Here is their address:

Consulate-General of Japan
Phipps Tower, Suite 850
3438 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30326 

Please Note: Visits to the consulate are now by appointment only – You must call 404-926-3031 or email ryoji@aa.mofa.go.jp to schedule an appointment.

It is important to review the requirements for visas on the Japan consulate website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate.  Here is the link to the consulate website with detailed information: Introduction | Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta (emb-japan.go.jp)

The government’s visa fees vary based on your country of origin (click on the following link to see the different fees: Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta (emb-japan.go.jp)) and the processing time takes about 2 weeks.  If you need the visa faster, please contact our company to inquire about expedited services.

** COVID-19 Restrictions **

Please be aware that ALL U.S. citizens now require a visa to enter Japan and visa-free travel for Americans has been suspended since April 8, 2022.  No transit or tourist visas are being issued; please review this link to know which type of visitors are permitted to enter Japan: https://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visitingjapan.html

Visitors are required to obtain an "ERFS Certificate" from their host in Japan.

Please email Michael at michael@visasupply.com if you cannot make a personal appearance at the consulate and require a proxy to submit your visa application.  

Visas for citizens of the United States can now apply for the visa online using the JAPAN eVisa System.  Please review this link for more details: https://www.evisa.mofa.go.jp/index

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Other things to consider: 

  • Travel to Japan for purposes of tourism and most other short-term purposes in still not permitted (this includes U.S. citizens). Visitors that are allowed to enter Japan must self-quarantine for 14 days.  Please visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in Japan for more information: COVID-19 Information - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan (usembassy.gov)
  • U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days if they are traveling for tourism, pleasure, short-term business meetings, or visiting family (visitors to Japan cannot perform work on a 90-day visa free entry and must obtain an appropriate visa if they plan to earn money in Japan).
  • U.S. citizens should have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket that shows they are leaving Japan within 90 days (if traveling to Japan without a visa).
  • It is recommended to purchase travel insurance before any international trip in case of medical emergencies.  We advise getting the Geo Blue Voyager Single Trip Plan.

Emergency Assistance for Japanese Citizens in Atlanta   

If you are a citizen of Japan living in the Atlanta area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the Japanese consulate in Atlanta by calling 404-240-4311.  You can also contact the consulate by email at this address: info@aa.mofa.go.jp 

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Atlanta or anywhere in the state of Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, or North Carolina and have difficulty applying for a Japan visa or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Japan visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Japanese government.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following Japan visa services for our customers in Atlanta:

  • Japan Tourist Visa
  • Japan Visitor Visa
  • Japan Business Visa
  • Japan Conference Visa
  • Japan Student Visa
  • Japan Work Visa
  • Japan Working Holiday Visa
  • Japan Journalist Visa
  • Japan Hotel Accommodations
  • Japan Organized Tours