With its pulsing, modern cities, beautiful rural landscapes and world-renowned cuisine, Japan is one of the top stops for travelers seeking a fully immersive Asian experience.
And there’s good news: travelers from most countries don’t need a visa to visit Japan.
Read on for a rundown of Japan’s latest entry requirements, and consult Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the most up-to-date information ahead of your travels.
Do you need a visa to go to Japan?
As of the most recent guidance, released in April 2024, residents of 71 countries can enter Japan for up to 90 days with a free tourist visa upon arrival (with a valid passport); this is considered a visa exemption. These countries include the UK, USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and most European countries. For a complete list of visa-exempt countries and visa durations, consult the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On entering Japan, all holders of foreign passports are photographed and fingerprinted. If asked, travelers arriving with a visa upon arrival should be able to provide proof of onward travel or sufficient means to purchase an air or ferry ticket out of Japan. In practice, this is rarely requested. Your passport should also be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. When returning home, if you have reported your passport as lost or stolen, you must apply for a new passport before travel.
How to apply for a visa
Travelers not from a visa-exempt country will need to apply for one via the nearest Japanese embassy in their home nation or organize one with an accredited travel agent approved by the Japanese Embassy.
You will need a visa to enter Japan if you’re a citizen of the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Russia, CIS countries, Ukraine, Georgia, and other countries.
For citizens of Hong Kong, visas are not required for visitors who hold either of these passports: the Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport issued by the Hong Kong SAR of the People’s Republic of China and the British National Overseas (BNO) passport.
The period of stay varies among the non-visa-exempt countries: 15 days for Indonesia and Thailand, 14 days for Brunei, 30 days for the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, and 90 days for other countries.
To apply for a visa, you’ll need to provide a valid passport, a visa application form, a copy…
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