Visitors to Japan must obtain a visa from one of the Japanese diplomatic missions unless they are citizens from one of the visa-exempt countries or transit within 72 hours.
Visa policy map
Visa exemption
Ordinary passports Citizens of the following countries and territories may enter Japan without a visa for the following period:
90 days All European Union member statesEPM PB
1PM E 2 PB
E
PB
PB PB PBPB
E 3
PM PB E 430 daysR+PB15 daysR+PBPB
E - Citizens of Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland and the United Kingdom may apply for an extension of stay (up to a maximum of 6 months) at the Ministry of Justice. R - Passport must be registered for visa waiver online or at a Japanese diplomatic mission. The registration is valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. PB - Biometric passport required. PM - Machine-readable passport required. 1 - For holders of Hong Kong SAR passports or British National (Overseas) passports who have the right of abode in Hong Kong. 2 - For holders of Macau SAR passports. 3 - For holders of Taiwan passports that include a personal identification number. 4 - For British citizens only.
Date of visa changes Unknown: Barbados; 1 July 1955: West Germany (continues to apply to Germany) 1 December 1955: France 15 January 1956: ItalyExchange of notes between Italy and Japan for the abolition of visa on passports, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy, 9–11 January 1956 . 10 June 1956: Greece 14 June 1956: Tunisia 15 August 1956: Belgium and Denmark 28 August 1956: Netherlands 1 September 1956: Norway and Sweden 15 April 1957: Liechtenstein and Switzerland 19 April 1957: Dominican Republic 5 January 1958: Turkey 1 April 1958: AustriaExchange of notes between the Austrian Federal Government and the Japanese Government on the lifting of the visa requirement between Austria and Japan, Legal Information System of Austria, 25 April 1958 . (previously also from 1 September 1928 to 13 March 1938Exchange of notes between Austria and Japan on the lifting of the visa requirement, National Library of Austria, 6 July 1928.) 1 February 1959: Finland 1 August 1960: Luxembourg 1 January 1962: Argentina 2 December 1962: United Kingdom 20 September 1964: Canada 15 April 1965: Spain 1 September 1966: IrelandUnder Agreement concerning Reciprocal Waiving of Passport Visas on 1 September 1966. 20 November 1966: IcelandExchange of Notes concerning the Waiver of Visas, between Iceland and Japan, Government of Iceland, 15 November 1966 . 1 June 1967: Yugoslavia (may continue to apply to Croatia and Slovenia)Verbal note, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 15 May 1967. 15 February 1968: San Marino 15 November 1969: Chile 15 June 1970: New Zealand 1 October 1971: Israel 1 January 1972: Singapore 10 April 1972: Mexico 25 February 1973: El Salvador 1 March 1973: Malta 1 April 1973: Cyprus 1 March 1974: Portugal 2 May 1974: Uruguay 27 May 1974: Suriname 1 June 1974: Honduras 16 September 1974: Costa Rica 1 January 1976: Guatemala 15 July 1977: Lesotho 1 July 1980: Mauritius 1 October 1981: Bahamas 20 June 1986: Brunei (14 days) 15 December 1988: United States 11 November 1996: Andorra 1 April 1997: North Macedonia 21 June 1997: Hungary 10 September 1998: Czech Republic 1 December 1998: Australia 14 February 1999: Poland 23 September 1999: Monaco 1 December 1999: Estonia 1 April 2000: Latvia and Lithuania 22 March 2002: Slovakia 1 April 2004: Hong Kong and British Nationals (Overseas) 1 March 2005: South KoreaExtension of the Term of Visa Exemption Measures for Nationals of the Republic of Korea, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 20 September 2005. 25 March 2005: Macau 1 May 2005: Bulgariaブルガリアへの入国・滞在に必要な手続き, Entry into Bulgaria: Necessary procedure for stay, Bulgarian Embassy in Tōkyō 26 September 2005: Taiwan 1 September 2009: Romania 1 May 2011: Serbia 1 July 2013: Malaysia (previously also from 1 March 1983 to 1 June 1993Japanese note, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 25 January 1983.) and Thailand 1 December 2014: Indonesia (for pre-registered passports) 1 November 2022: United Arab Emirates (30 days;Important Notice for Visa Applicants, Embassy of Japan in the United Arab Emirates, 14 October 2022. previously also from 1 July 2017 for pre-registered passports) 2 April 2023: Qatar (for pre-registered passports) 30 September 2023: Brazil 1 April 2024: Panama 10 December 2024: Brunei (extension to 30 days) 1 June 2025: Paraguay, United Arab Emirates (extension to 90 days) 1 July 2025: Peru (previously also from February 1972 to 15 July 1995Verbal note, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 27 December 1971.) 1 September 2025: Montenegro
Cancelled: Pakistan: 1 January 1961 to 15 January 1989Exchange of notes between the government of Japan and the government of Pakistan concerning reciprocal waiving of passport visas and passport visa fees, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 25 November 1960. Bangladesh: 20 August 1973 to 15 January 1989Verbal note, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 20 July 1973. Iran: 1 October 1974 to 15 April 1992Verbal note, |} of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 25 June 1974.
Electronic Travel Authorization (JESTA) In June 2024, the Japanese government announced future plans to try and introduce an online travel authorization system called JESTA for visa-exempt visitors, as part of a migration legislative reform by the year 2030.
The new system will require foreign visitors who are exempt from obtaining short-stay visas to declare information such as the purpose of their stay online before entering Japan.
This measure aims to prevent illegal stays and will be implemented by the Immigration Services Agency, drawing inspiration from the United States' Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Non-ordinary passports
Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of the following countries may enter Japan without a visa for a maximum period of 90 days each visit (unless otherwise stated):
All European Union member states
Holders of diplomatic and official passports of other countries to whom a visa exemption applies when using an ordinary passport are also exempted from a visa, but are granted the status of residence as temporary visitors under the same conditions and maximum stay as with an ordinary passport. This exemption does not apply to holders of diplomatic and official passports of Taiwan, and to those of the United States traveling for official purposes.
In addition, all nationals of selected visa-exempt countries and territories entering Japan with a United Nations laissez-passer may enter Japan visa-free for up to the periods stated varying between 30 – 90 days under current reciprocal agreements. In addition, all Interpol Passport Holders regardless of nationality may enter Japan visa-free for 90 days.
APEC Business Travel Card Holders of passports of the following jurisdictions who also hold an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) containing the code "JPN" on the reverse may travel to Japan without a visa for business purposes for stays of up to 90 days:
Visa-free transit Japan's transit without visa (TWOV) policy, as stipulated in articles 14 and 15 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, allows travellers to enter Japan for up to 72 hours under specific conditions. To qualify for this policy, travellers must transit to a third country via Japan, stay in the designated area in the vicinity of the port of entry and obtain an application form from the flight or vessel company.
The Ministry of Justice of Japan listed sightseeing, rest, making purchases and emergency as some of the permitted purposes. If a passenger departs at the same port of entry (, "Landing at a Port of Call"), the passenger will be issued a Shore Pass (, "Permission for Landing at a Port of Call"). If a passenger departs at a port different from the port of entry, the passenger will be issued a Transit Pass (, "Permission for Landing in Transit").
Immigration official may refuse to issue a Shore Pass or Transit Pass if a passenger fails to present a confirmed e-ticket leaving from Japan.
Ports of Entry Requirement for Transit Pass According to International Air Transport Association, passengers should arrive and depart at the same group of ports of Entry to be eligible for a Transit Pass.
Group A: Airports: Narita (NRT), Haneda (HND), Nagoya (NGO), Niigata (KIJ), Komatsu (KMQ) and Yokota (OKO) Seaports: Tokyo, Yokohama, Niigata, and Nagoya
Group B: Airports: Osaka (KIX), Nagoya (NGO) and Komatsu (KMQ) Seaports: Osaka, Kobe and Nagoya
Group C: Airports: Fukuoka (FUK), Nagasaki (NGS), Kumamoto (KMJ), Kagoshima (KOJ), Naha (OKA) and Kadena (DNA) Seaports: Hakata (Fukuoka), Shimonoseki and Naha (Okinawa)
Group D: Airport: Chitose (CTS) Seaports: Tomakomai, Otaru, Hakodate and Muroran.
Electronic visa (e-Visa)
Residents of the following countries, of any nationality, may apply online for an electronic visa (e-Visa), valid for a single entry for a stay of up to 90 days.
Certain other foreign nationals may also apply for single-entry eVisas through accredited agencies: Nationals of China residing in their own country may stay for up to 15 or 30 days Residents of Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Mongolia, Singapore, South Korea (excluding those under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Japan in Jeju) and United Arab Emirates, of any nationality, for a stay of up to 90 days Nationals of Philippines residing in their country may participate in package tours organized by designated travel agencies Nationals of Vietnam residing in their country may participate in package tours organized by designated travel agencies and stay for up to 15 days
The e-Visa holders must arrive in Japan by air or scheduled passenger ferry. They must use a mobile device to enter the designated website to display their e-Visa notice, as screenshots, files and printed copies are not considered valid proof of the e-Visa.
History Japan historically had special visa policies for citizens of countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States who could not provide their financial guarantees and obtain a visa independently. Instead, they had to apply through an approved travel agency or be invited by a resident or citizen of Japan. However, these requirements were gradually lifted, starting with citizens of Russia on 1 January 2017, followed by Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan on 5 June 2017. Armenia's requirements were lifted on 1 September 2017, Azerbaijan's on 1 December 2017, and those for Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine on 1 January 2018.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has also maintained special visa policies for nationals of China and the Philippines, requiring them to apply through an accredited travel agent or be invited by a Japanese citizen or resident. In 2014, a simplified process was introduced for nationals of the Philippines and Vietnam traveling in groups through registered travel agencies, allowing them to obtain entry visas for tourist visits up to 15 days with fewer required documents. Additionally, nationals of India, the Philippines, and Vietnam can obtain multiple-entry visas if they have previously visited Japan and other G7 countries or demonstrate "sufficient financial capability."
Starting in 2015, Chinese tourists traveling on approved cruise ships have been allowed to enter Japan without a visa, provided they embark and disembark the same specified ships. In 2016, Japan reportedly planned to further ease visa requirements for visitors from key markets such as India, China, and Vietnam. This new wave of visa liberalization policies began on 17 October 2016 for Chinese nationals and on 1 January 2018 for Indian nationals.