What you need to know about Japan visa requirements

26.12.2023 - 09:15 / lonelyplanet.com

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 dreaming of a long-awaited trip to Japan need wait no longer – after establishing some of the world’s strictest border control policies during COVID-19, Japan has opened visa-free travel for visitors from most countries.

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.

Ahead of your trip, register at Visit Japan Web, where you can submit your documentation for customs and immigration, and then download your QR code to your smartphone.

When you arrive in Japan, simply show the QR code when requested during the entry process. 

Residents of 68 countries can enter Japan for up to 90 days for tourism purposes with a free visa upon arrival; this is considered a visa exemption. These countries include the UK, USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and most countries in Europe. 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.

Travelers not from a visa-exempt country will need to apply for one via their nearest Japanese embassy in their home nation or organize one with an accredited travel agent approved by the Japanese Embassy. The cost of visas is approximately 3,000 yen for a single-entry visa and 6,000 yen for a double- or multiple-entry visa. Fees are collected in the currency of the country in which the embassy is located.

The processing period for visas is five business days from the day after the acceptance of the application. For more information about the requirements of applying for a Japanese visa in specific countries, see the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Extending a visa is possible from within Japan for citizens of Austria, Germany, Ireland, Lichtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland and the UK; these travelers may be able to extend their temporary visitor visa once, for another 90 days. Visitors wishing to do this will need to apply at a regional immigration bureau in Japan before the initial visa expires. If approved, the extension fee is 4,000 yen.

For other nationalities, extending a temporary visa is difficult unless