How to Apply for a Japan Visa in El Paso

Japan – the “land of the Rising Sun – continues to draw record numbers of foreign visitors from American cities like El Paso who enjoy its unique blend of ancient traditions and modern amenities.  Japan drew 40 million-plus foreign visitors in 2025, a 17% increase that broke its previous record set in 2024.  The United States consistently ranks among its top five sources for visitors.

“Japan is a country where tradition meets the latest in technology and fashion, where serene temples contrast with neon-lit city streetscapes, and historic castles, cherry blossoms and futuristic attractions all captivate wide-eyed visitors,” Lonely Planet reported. “This blend of old and new make Japan one of Asia's best countries to visit.”

Lonely Planet also called Japan “a feast for visitors.  Mountain views of Fuji, beach-lined islands like Okinawa and buzzing megacities like Tokyo should all be on the menu.  You could spend a lifetime sampling the country’s delights, but some towns and sights are staples – core ingredients for a memorable Japan trip.” (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-japan)

A collection of more than 14,000 islands that stretch some 1,900 miles, Japan lies in the Pacific Ocean west of China, Russia, and the Koreas.  Its five main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa.  More than 122 million people live in Japan and enjoy the world’s second-longest life expectancy (closely trailing Hong Kong).  Two-thirds of the Japanese archipelago is covered by forested mountains and 14% of the land is used for agricultural purposes.  Most people live in its major cities, primarily in the eastern coastal areas.  As a result, Japan is the fourth most densely populated country in the world.

The islands of Japan have been inhabited for more than 36,000 years.  Between the Fourth and Sixth centuries, its various kingdoms were consolidated under an emperor.  Beginning in the 12th Century, however, actual power was held by a ruling class of feudal lords (daimyō) and military aristocrats (shoguns) supported by samurai warriors.  After centuries of isolation, a U.S. fleet came to Japan in 1853 that force the country to trade with the West, leading to the downfall of the shogun system and restoration of imperial power.  Since 1890, Japan has been a constitutional monarchy with an emperor and a legislative system. 

By the early 20th Century.  Japan had embraced trade, industrialization, and modernization.  However, an aggressive military expansion saw Japan annex Korea in 1910, invade China in 1937, and attack U.S. and European interests in 1941.  Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, brought the United States into World War II.  Post-war, Japan became one of the U.S.’s strongest allies as its economic expansion resumed.

Today Japan has the world’s fifth-largest economy with a GDP exceeding $4 trillion.  It is also the sixth-largest importer, eighth-largest exporter, and fourth-largest consumer market.  Its automobile industry is the third-largest in the world.  The United States is Japan’s top trading partner and export market, accounting for 20% of Japanese exports.  The U.S. is also its second largest import sources, trailing only China. (https://www.exportimportdata.in/blogs/japan-trade-partners.aspx)

In 2024, U.S.-Japan trade in goods and services totaled $317 billion, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) Japan is the fifth-largest export partner for the United States. “Top U.S. exports to Japan include liquified natural gas, pharmaceutical preparations, meat and poultry, industrial machines, medicines & medical equipment, civilian aircraft, engines and parts, and corn,” ITA stated. “Top U.S. imports from Japan are autos, auto parts, and electronics.” (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/japan-market-overview)

Opportunities for El Paso-based firms in Japan are being driven by such factors as an aging and shrinking labor force, which creates demand for pharmaceuticals, medical services, and industrial robots; dependence on foreign natural resources for energy and food; and a strategic defense alliance that powers demand for cybersecurity and aerospace.  ITA also noted “Japan’s large, broad-based, and sophisticated consumer economy, in which consumers with considerable purchasing power seek high-quality, trend setting, innovative goods and services.” (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/japan-market-opportunities)

While manufacturing, technology, and services account for large sectors of the economy, tourism is also a significant growing sector.  Travel and tourism contributed an estimated 7.5% of GDP in 2024 at US $317 billion – a $20 billion increase over 2023, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. (https://wttc.org/news/japans-travel-and-tourism-sector-to-surpass-previous-records-in-2024)  The 2024 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report ranked Japan third globally, citing such factors as cultural resources, business travel, and safety and security.  China is Japan’s top source of foreign travelers, with the United States ranking in the top five.

Tokyo, the capital and largest city in Japan, is also the most visited destination in the country for El Paso-based travelers, drawing some 13 million tourists a year.  A major cultural, economic, and political hub, Tokyo is known for its blend of modern and traditional attractions, which range from skyscrapers and robot waiters to historic Asakusa Temple and performances of Kabuki Theater (the unique classic Japanese dance-drama). You can try fresh sushi at Tsukiji Fish Market, explore anime culture in Akihabara, enjoy the peace of Meiji Shrine and Ueno Park, ride the bullet train, or take a day trip to Disneyland Tokyo or Mount Fuji.

Osaka, the third-largest city and second most visited, features stately modern architecture, vibrant nightlife, ancient temples, and hearty street food.  The former center of global rice trade, Osaka is easy to reach domestically by rail or internationally by ferry.  Kyoto, a renown cultural center in the center of Honshu Island, is famous for its classical Buddhist temples, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines, colorful gardens, and traditional wooden houses.  Fukuoka on Kyushu Island features beaches, hot springs, 17th-century castle ruins, and a towering wooden Buddha.  Kobe is popular for its hot springs, walking tours, the Sake Brewery Museum, and the Earthquake Museum.  Hiroshima and Nagasaki, site of the 1945 atomic bomb blasts that ended World War II, draw visitors to their museums and shrines – including Hiroshima Genbaku Dome, the only structure to survive the explosion.

The Hiroshima dome is one of Japan’s 26 UNESCO World Heritage sites.  Cultural sites include the feudal-era Himeji Castle; iconic Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain; ancient rulers’ tombs at Mozu; the Sado Gold Mine; and the Iwami Ginzan silver mine.  Natural heritage sites include the Shirakami Sanchi mountain range; Shiretoko National Park, home to brown bears, foxes, and wintertime drift ice in the Okhotsk Sea; and the remote Ogasawara Islands.  Popular outdoor activities include hiking the Japanese Alps and Mount Fuji, diving and snorkeling in Okinawa’s crystal-clear waters, cycling the bridges and coastline on the Shimanami Kaido route, and winter skiing at Hokkaido.  You can also enjoy white-water rafting on Shikoku's Yoshino River, hike the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail, bird-watch at Kushiro Marshland, or kayak in the Sea of Japan.

 

Requirements for Obtaining a Japan Visa

Citizens of the United States and more than 70 other countries are not required to obtain a visa for most short-term visits to Japan.  Visa-free travel is available for those who plan to stay less than 90 days and are traveling for tourism, business, conference attendance, study, or family/friend visits.  The only requirements for the majority of El Paso-based travelers will be holding a valid passport and having a clean criminal record.

Visa eligibility rules are based on nationality, not country of residence.  Non-U.S. citizens who reside in the United States but are citizens of visa-exempt countries do not need a visa for short-term stays.  However, those living in the El Paso area whose nationality is from non-visa exempt countries and regions must obtain a visa for a short-term stay.  The list of visa-exempt countries and details on stay periods can be found on at https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html.

Travelers who do not qualify for the short-term visa exemption, who plan longer stays, or are traveling for other purposes must obtain a visa.  However, U.S. citizens and others who want to stay more than 90 days must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before applying for a visa.

The main requirement to obtain a Japan visa is holding a valid passport that contains at least one blank page.  While Japan does not require that your passport must be valid for at least six months before entering the county, the U.S. State Department recommends your visa should be valid for your entire stay. (https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/japan.html) The department advises that you should have a return ticket for your trip and you may be asked to demonstrate the financial ability to support yourself while in Japan.  The Japanese government also recommends you obtain medical insurance for your trip.  International medical insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒Order Now.

There are several options for obtaining a visa to visit Japan, including obtaining an electronic visa (eVISA) online, apply for a traditional visa through the embassy that serves your state, or using a third-party agency such as Visa Supply to handle the process.

 

OPTION 1: Obtaining a Japan eVISA

The easiest way to obtain a short-term visa to visit Japan is through the electronic visa (eVISA) program.  The eVISA is available for those living in the El Paso area who need a visa for a single entry, short-term visit for tourism purposes.  The eVISA option is currently available to residents of the United States, Canada, and several other countries.  Foreign nationals residing in eligible countries can also apply for the eVISA.  Details are at https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/visaonline.html, while the application can be found at https://www.evisa.mofa.go.jp/index.

Residents of the United States and most other countries can stay in Japan for up to 90 days with an eVISA.  The steps in the process are:

  1. Verify your eligibility against the criteria at the application site.
  2. Fill out the online application and upload any required documents.
  3. Receive a “notice of examination” email notifying you whether your application has been accepted.
  4. If you are not a resident of a visa-free country, you will also receive an email with details on how to pay your visa fee with an online payment method (such as credit or debit card).

Upon approval, your eVISA will be issued electronically (or, if a visa fee is due, once your credit card is charged).  Unlike a traditional visa, you will not receive a sticker to affix to your passport. “You will be requested to display {the} ‘visa issuance notice’ on your device (e.g. smartphone, tablet) when checking in at the airport,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. “Other forms (e.g. PDF, screenshots) will not be accepted.”

 

OPTION 2: Obtaining a Japan Visa through an Embassy/Consulate

Visa applicants who need a conventional visa (such as long-term visa or work) must apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate that serves their state. For example, the consulate in Houston serves residents of Oklahoma and Texas.  

You can apply in person or through the mail (Option 3 below).  If you plan to visit the Houston consulate in person, no appointment is required https://www.houston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00621.html.  The consulate is open for visa application drop-offs and visa pickups from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily, except for these holidays: https://www.houston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/about_holidays.html.

Japan offers four types of visas.  The links below include detailed information and electronic application forms:

There are also several options for durations and number of entries into Japan:

  • Single-entry: valid for one entry to Japan and stays up to three months
  • Double-entry/transit (two transits through Japanese airports): valid for four months
  • Double-entry: two entries over a six-month period
  • Multiple-entry: good for stays of 30 or 90 days, with unlimited entries for entries over a one- to five-year period, depending on your nationality.

Processing time for visa applications is generally five business days.  The government recommends applying for a visa within three months prior to your arrival date in Japan, but no earlier than three months beforehand.

Fees also vary by your country of nationality.  U.S. citizens and those of many other countries are exempt from visa fees.  Fees must be paid in cash when your visa is picked up at the consulate.  For applicants who must pay a visa fee, they include:

  • Single Entry Visa: $20
  • Double and Multiple Entry Visa: $40
  • Transit Visa (Including Double Entry Transit): $5

Follow this link (https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html#visa1) to access the application for the type of visa you want.  Fill out and print the application, and bring all the necessary documentation with you to your appointment, along with cash to pay the visa fee. (Documentation requirements vary by nationality.)

The Houston consulate is located in 2 Houston Center in Downtown Houston.  Directions to the building are available at https://www.houston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/image/2013/Map.pdf.

 

OPTION 3: Obtaining a Japan Visa by Mail

You can also submit your application by mail to the consulate or embassy that serves your state.  Those living in the El Paso area and others throughout the state of Texas can mail their documents to the Houston consulate.  In addition to your passport and other documents required for an in-person visit, you will need to submit:

  • Applicant Liability and Responsiblity Form (https://www.houston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100710515.pdf)
  • Proof of residence (such as a copy of the applicant's driver's license, ID card, utility bill, or similar document showing your current address)
  • Pre-paid self-addressed envelope for Certified, Priority, and Express Mail (USPS) or a prepaid mailing label with an envelope for UPS Express for returning your passport and visa. (Your name and address must be both sender and recipient on the return envelope.) Or FedEx (applicant using FedEx should include a copy of payment receipt showing the airbill has been prepaid). 
  • Visa fee payment, if applicable, payable by cash https://www.houston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00108.html

The mailing address is:

Consulate-General of Japan
ATTN: Visa Section
909 Fannin Street, Suite 3000
Houston, TX 77010

 

OPTION 4: Using a Third-Party Agent

For residents of the El Paso area, Visa Supply can submit visa application to the Japanese consulate in Houston and pick it up for you.  We can also help you complete your application for your visa and answer your questions about visiting Japan.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans.  For more information, feel free to schedule a telephone consultation at https://www.timetap.com/book/BOOKVS1.

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

  • Japan Tourist Visa
  • Japan Business Visa
  • Japan Official or Diplomatic Visa
  • Japan Student Visa
  • Japan Medical Insurance
  • Japan Flight Tickets
  • Japan Hotel Accommodations