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Immigrant Visas

Introduction to Immigrant Visas

Notice to Immigrant Visa Applicants

If you are a spouse of a U.S. citizen and apply for an immigrant visa, please DO NOT pay the K-visa (fiance) application fee ($240). Immigrant visa fees should be paid to the National Visa Center (NVC) or at the Embassy/Consulate cashier. Please follow the instructions here to prepare your immigrant visa application.

Go to FAQ

Persons wishing to reside permanently in the United States will need an immigrant visa. The most common categories of Immigrant Visas are:

Family-based Immigrant Visa:

For spouses of US citizens and US lawful permanent residents applying for family-based immigrant visas, please peruse “Information on the Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence in the United States and Facts about Immigrating on a Marriage-Based Visa”. This information is available in English and 14 other languages including Japanese.

Employment-based Immigrant Visa

Diversity Visas for winners of the DV lottery 

Note: After reading all the information available on this website and its links, if you still need addition information, see Contact Us page.

Due to security considerations, there is no longer an information window for walk-in visitors. Only those with appointments or with business, such as reporting a lost greencard, will be admitted to the Visa Section.

Please also see the information for U.S. military members stationed in Japan.

 

USCIS Immigrant Fee

  • Effective February 1, 2013, all individuals issued immigrant visas overseas must pay a $165.00 USCIS Immigrant Fee to USCIS after receiving their visas and before traveling to the United States.

    The only exemptions to this fee are children adopted under the Orphan (IR-3s/IR-4s) or Hague Processes (IH-3s/IH-4s), Iraqi or Afghan special immigrants who were employed by the U.S. Government, returning residents (SB-1s), and those issued K visas.

    For additional information on the fee and how to pay it, please visit the USCIS website: www.USCIS.gov/immigrantfee

Video Instructions

  • Visa Video Instructions Watch this handy video showing how to get an immigrant visa. [Video]

NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES

  • Warning Phone Logo

    Please remove and place all electronic devices such as cell phones, USB memory stick iPod, PDAs, laptops, portable game devices, metal objects, and etc. into the plastic tray prior to arriving at the Embassy.