Official websites
If you are travelling to Japan as a tourist, the good news is that nationals of most Western countries do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. There are, however, conditions you should know about, and if your trip is longer or for a purpose other than tourism, the process changes. This guide covers it all.
Visa exemption for tourists
You only need a valid passport, a return ticket and sufficient funds.
Japan has visa-exemption arrangements with more than 70 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and the entire EU/Schengen area. Citizens of those countries holding a valid ordinary passport can enter Japan as tourists without a prior visa, for a maximum of 90 days. Always confirm that your country is on the list before travelling.
What you need to bring
- A valid passport, ideally with at least 6 months of validity from your date of entry (Japan does not formally require those 6 months, but it is the usual recommendation to avoid problems).
- A return ticket or onward ticket out of Japan (immigration may ask for it).
- Sufficient funds — it is advisable to be able to show at least the equivalent of around 50,000 ¥ per week. If you are unsure how much cash to bring, read our guide to money in Japan.
- Purpose of travel: tourism, family visit, short-term business or transit.
If this is your first trip, it helps to have the rest of your planning already sorted before you fly — see our first-time guide to travelling to Japan. Although it is not a legal entry requirement, taking out travel insurance is strongly recommended: Japanese healthcare is excellent but expensive for non-residents.
What the exemption does NOT allow
Visa-free entry does not authorise you to work or receive payment in Japan. It also does not allow you to study for more than 3 months or to reside permanently. If that is your case, you need a specific visa — see the Visa types section.
You also cannot do a "visa run" (repeatedly leaving and re-entering to chain stays together). Immigration may deny entry if it detects this pattern.
Visa-free entry by country
Japan grants visa-free entry to nationals of more than 70 countries. Most can stay up to 90 days; a few may apply to extend to 180 days. This table summarises the situation for major source countries as of 2026:
| Country | Visa needed | Maximum visa-free stay | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | No | 90 days | Visa exemption in force |
| Canada | No | 90 days | Visa exemption in force |
| United Kingdom | No | 90 days | May apply to extend to 180 days from within Japan |
| Ireland | No | 90 days | May apply to extend to 180 days from within Japan |
| Australia | No | 90 days | Visa exemption in force |
| New Zealand | No | 90 days | Visa exemption in force |
| EU / Schengen area | No | 90 days | Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland may extend to 180 days |
| Singapore | No | 90 days | Visa exemption in force |
| South Africa | Yes | — | Must apply at a Japanese embassy or consulate |
| India | Yes | — | Must apply at a Japanese embassy or consulate |
If your country is not exempt, you must arrange a short-stay visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country before travelling. Always verify the current status on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, as arrangements can change. The official list is at mofa.go.jp.
Visit Japan Web: register before you fly
Visit Japan Web is the Japanese government's official system for completing the disembarkation card and the customs declaration online before you fly. It is not a visa and it is not compulsory, but with the QR codes it generates you get through immigration and customs much faster. How to register step by step, what to expect when you land and the customs limits, in the Visit Japan Web guide.
Visa types for Japan
If the tourist exemption does not cover your case, these are the visas available:
For all these visas the process is carried out in person at a Japanese embassy or consulate. Check the exact requirements and necessary documentation on the official embassy website for your country.
How to apply for the visa at the embassy
Visas are applied for in person at the Japanese Embassy or Consulates General in your country. There is no direct online application.
General documents required
- Original passport with at least 2 blank pages and 6+ months of validity.
- Application form (available on the embassy website), completed and signed.
- Recent photo with a white background (4.5 × 4.5 cm).
- Proof of address.
- Bank statement for the last 3 months or a tax return.
- Detailed itinerary (dates, cities, accommodation).
- Return flight reservation.
- Hotel bookings or a letter of accommodation.
Specific visas (student, work, Working Holiday) require additional documentation.
Processing times and fees
- Tourist visa: 5–7 working days · roughly the local equivalent of 3,000 ¥ (single entry) or 6,000 ¥ (multiple entry).
- Long-stay visas (student, work): several weeks or months, depending on the CoE.
Apply well in advance, especially if you depend on the Certificate of Eligibility arranged by the Japanese side.
JESTA: will Japan have an ESTA like the United States?
The JESTA system is approved by law, but it is not yet operational.
A very common question: unlike the United States (ESTA) or the future European ETIAS, Japan does not currently require any prior electronic travel authorisation for tourists from visa-exempt countries. You arrive with your passport and enter directly under the 90-day exemption.
It is worth not confusing two different things:
- Visit Japan Web is not a visa or an ESTA. It is only a system to complete the disembarkation card and customs declaration online in advance. It is optional and free — see the Visit Japan Web section.
- The visa exemption is automatic. For tourism of up to 90 days there is nothing to apply for in advance and no fee to pay.
What JESTA is and when it comes into force
JESTA (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is the future electronic pre-screening system that Japan intends to introduce for travellers from visa-exempt countries, in the style of the US ESTA. The Japanese parliament passed the law creating it on 29 May 2026, but the system is not yet operational.
According to official projections, JESTA will launch during Japan's 2028 fiscal year (between April 2028 and March 2029). When it starts, it will be mandatory for tourists from the 70-plus visa-exempt countries: you will have to arrange the authorisation online and pay a fee before travelling. A guideline figure of 2,000 to 3,000 ¥ was discussed in parliament, but the final amount is not yet set.
In short, for any trip in 2026 and 2027 you do not need to arrange JESTA: you enter with your passport alone. As the launch date approaches, the official portal, the exact fee and the validity will be published. Always verify the up-to-date status before travelling on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.