Temporary Visitors Visa Requirements

There are two main steps to obtaining your visa:

1. We will work with you to compile all of the necessary documents for your visa application (outlined on this page and/or available through the JCMU Application Portal).
• Most of the materials will be documents you must submit to our JCMU East Lansing office (unless you plan to apply for your visa on your own and/or somewhere other than Detroit -- if so, contact us as soon as possible).
• JCMU will create some support documents necessary for your visa.
2. All of the documents and your passport must be submitted for processing at a Japanese consulate or embassy.
• If you will be in the U.S. up until your departure for Japan, we usually have time to submit everything to the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit (CGJ-Detroit) on your behalf. It typically takes about 2 weeks to process and return your passport after we send it to Detroit.
• If you will be outside of the U.S. before attending JCMU or if you prefer to apply in person at CGJ-Detroit (or another nearby consulate in the U.S.), we will ask you to keep your documents instead of submitting them to our office. We will send you the JCMU support documents and you will need to make arrangements at the Japanese consular office of your choice to apply in person.

To ensure you receive your visa in time for the program, it is important that you complete all requirements as soon as possible.

In order to apply for your visa, we must submit financial document(s) showing access to at least a minimum set amount based on the visa term:

• For one semester / 6 months or less: $3,500

While you may intend to use additional or other funds to support yourself while in Japan, this process shows you have an ability to access at least the set minimum level of support required for Japanese immigration purposes.

To the extent possible, all documents (regardless of type) should be official original documents (i.e., screen caps or printouts of your web browser view are NOT acceptable). Documents with original signatures or official markings from the issuing office/institution are preferred, but we might be able to accept PDF versions at our discretion.

Multiple documents can be used so long as the combined total meets or exceeds the required amount.

The following types of documents are typically acceptable:

• A recent account statement (for checking, savings, or investment account(s) from which withdrawals can be made)
• Only the 'current available balance' listed will be considered toward the required amount.
• If you prefer not to disclose your full account details, some financial institutions may be able to provide an account verification letter (or "Bank Letter"): JCMU Sample Bank Letter (for COE)
• If you are NOT listed as either the primary or a joint account holder, you must also submit a signed Statement of Financial Support (for COE) for the account holder(s) named on the document.
• PDFs of statements are acceptable as long as they are official (i.e., downloaded directly from the financial institution's website-- we cannot accept screen caps or scans of printed statements).
• Financial Aid Award Letter / Financial Aid Summary from your current home institution​​​​​​​
• The letter or statement must indicate:
• your name as the recipient
• the name of the institution and/or office that provided the letter/statement (ideally on their official letterhead)
• the academic year / semester the financial aid applies to (which must match the time you will be attending JCMU).
• Scholarships and grants are generally considered toward the total required amounts. Loans might be considered, but may require additional documentation. Work study benefits or similar types of support tied to your home campus are generally NOT considered.
• Scholarship or Grant Award Letter
• If you have been awarded a specific scholarship or grant through your home institution or an external organization, it may be possible to count that toward the required amount so long as it meets the same criteria listed for a Financial Aid letter listed above.

You must submit at least (1) printed 2" x 2" photo similar to what is used to apply for a U.S. passport (see the guidelines outlined on the U.S. Department of State - Passport Photos page for additional details). 

The photo should be:

• Taken recently (within the last 3 months)
• in color on quality photo paper
• Have a final size of 2 inches x 2 inches when cut (NOTE: If the place taking your photo does not cut it down to 2" x 2" for you, you can submit it to us as is and we can cut it for you). 

There are a number of locations where you can have passport photos professionally taken. Past students have recommended stores like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc. Most post offices also generally provide passport services, including photos. Your home institution campus may also offer passport photo services (often through the campus library).

You will need to provide a copy of your current U.S. visa or Green Card to show that you have permission to re-enter the U.S. after departing Japan.

If you will be departing for another country after Japan before (or instead of) returning to the U.S., then you must also show valid visa or national passport of the country you will be traveling to. 

US visa holders (except B1/B2 visa*):

• From the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website, a printout of the "most recent I-94".
• NOTE: When printing, click the PRINT box located in the lower right corner of the page, instead of your computer's print command, to ensure proper formatting. "Travel History" is not needed.
• A copy of I-20 (pages 1 and 2 both) for F visa holders and DS2019 for J visa holders
• A copy of I-797 (Notice of Action), if applicable

*NOTE: In principle, applications are NOT accepted from those visiting the US with B1/B2 visa.

US permanent residents:

• A copy of valid green card
• A copy of I-797 (Notice of Action) or I-512, if applicable

You must provide a round-trip flight itinerary, to/from Japan. An E-ticket or a printout from a travel agency, airline, or other travel website is also acceptable.

The printout must include:

• Flight numbers, all departure and destination cities, dates and times
• Complete flight itinerary, starting from and returning to the US, including any stops in other countries

NOTE: This is not a ticket purchase requirement. The Consulate is not liable for voided, expired, or unusable tickets due to denial or
delay of visa issuance.

You must complete an Itinerary in Japan form (from the CGJ-Detroit Temporary Visitor Visa page) for any travel dates NOT included in the official JCMU program itinerary (i.e., any days before the program arrival/move-in date and after the program move-out/departure date).

If you are required to get a TVV to enter Japan, you will also likely need to pay a visa fee to the Japanese government office processing your visa.

See the Visa Fee section of the CGJ-Detroit General Visa Information page for a link to current fees and details on acceptable payment methods (NOTE: The fees typically change on April 1).

If JCMU will be submitting your documents and passport to the CGJ-Detroit on your behalf, you will need to submit all of the following to our East Lansing office. If you will be applying on your own, you might still need several of the following items (but double-check with your local/chosen Japanese embassy or consulate for their requirements).

Submit to JCMU: 

• Your valid signed passport (i.e., not a copy, but your ACTUAL CURRENT PASSPORT; double-check that your passport is signed on the signature line before sending!)
• Visa Application Form to Enter Japan (JCMU pre-filled)
• Portions of this form should already appear completed with JCMU-specific details-- please do not change these fields.
• Please review the JCMU Visa Form Directions (PDF) while filling out your form and contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
• JCMU Passport Return Address and Release Form
• The address you provide on this form is where your passport will be returned via FedEx once your visa is issued (unless you live in the following Michigan counties: Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne). Please list an address that you will have access to as late as 1 week prior to your JCMU program arrival date (which can be your address, or that of a trusted family member or friend). 
• Please do NOT use a PO Box (as FedEx will be unable to deliver)
• CGJ Authorization Form 
• CGJ Release of Liability Form (if the link isn't working, please see the CGJ-Detroit website Long-term Visa page for current form)

*This list includes the standard forms/requirements. If there are any changes or additional forms needed, details (and attachments) will be included in the message from our office.

Submitting Your Passport and Documents

To Submit via Delivery Service:

We recommend using a trackable expedited delivery service option (such as FedEx or UPS) insured for at least $200 to ship your passport and completed documents to the JCMU East Lansing office: 

JCMU
MSU International Center
427 N Shaw Lane, Rm 5
East Lansing, MI 48824-1035

*Most trackable parcel services already include some amount of insurance coverage. The cost to increase this coverage to $200 should not be more than a few dollars extra.

To Submit in Person:

If you prefer to submit your passport and documents in person at the JCMU East Lansing office, please use the advising scheduling tool provided on the Advising page of the JCMU website to set up an in-person appointment. 

We will strive to accommodate all requests Monday - Friday during our regular advising hours. If you need to arrange a time outside of those hours, please contact us to see if another time can be arranged outside these hours.