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Applying Japan Multiple Visit as F1 Student in St. Louis

I've applied for the Japan Visa in St. Louis, MO with the Chicago Consulate. There are various factors that they consider when processing your application, and there is no guarantee that you will be granted a multiple visit visa. Different consulates have different policies, and the Chicago consulate is known to be more lenient than others (but you can't apply in consulates other than the one that serves your state).

I have visited Japan once before with shorepass (23hrs-ish) and I was issued with five-year multiple visit visa.

Documents

Note If any of the forms are outdated, you can find them on their website https://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa.html

  1. Application form

    You can find it on their website. You don't have to stick your photo onto the form.

  2. Travel itinerary

    Just fill out their form, and don't include any plan to visit your friends or family in Japan.

  3. Reason for MultiEntry Visa

    I just said I wanted to visit Japan multiple times in the future, and I have a good reason to do so. Also they had provided a form.

  4. Release of Liability Form if you are mailing

  5. W2/Employment letter

    I'm employed in WashU as a RA and I got my employment letter from https://theworknumber.com

  6. Immigration documents (if you are a US citizen, I don't think you need to apply for JP Visa for tourism)

  7. I-20 or DS-2019

  8. I-94

  9. Passport

  10. 2x2 in passport photo

    Just take a selfie, crop it, merge them into 4x6 and print it at Walgreens or CVS. Then cut it into 2x2. Remember to write your name on the back of the photo.

  11. Flight itinerary and hotel reservation

    The flight itinerary does not have to be purchased, but it must have your name on it. You can just use booking.com to show your trip and don't make any payment.

  12. Bank statement

    I provided less than $50k for around 5Mo and it was sufficient in my case.

  13. Proof of residence

    I provided my lease agreement and my driver's license.

  14. USPS prepaid envelope

    If you are mailing your application, you need to provide a prepaid envelope (USPS Express mail or Priority mail) for them to return your passport. I bought it online via USPS, click-n-ship, and print the label. You can also buy it at the post office, but I found it easier to do it online.

  15. Visa fee

    Just put two $20 bills in the envelope. That's the only method that they accept.

Application

Pack everything, including a returning envelope with the return labeled sticked onto it (folded in half) and mail it to the consulate. The address is:

Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago Attn: Visa section 737 North Michigan Ave, Olympia Centre Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60611

Timeline

Note Mine took much longer than usual for whatever reason and I have no way of getting in touch with them to check the status of my application. I had to wait until they mailed it back to me.

  • June 2 Afternoon: Mailed the application
  • June 3 Morning: USPS delivered the application to the consulate
  • June 11: USPS return package picked up by the consulate
  • June 13: Received the passport with the visa in it