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Updated January 2024

Japan, a captivating country known for its rich culture and breathtaking landscapes, welcomes millions of tourists every year. Despite its modest size, Japan offers an abundance of tourist attractions that cater to diverse interests. Whether you seek traditional art, serene nature, world-class shopping, or delectable cuisine, Japan promises an unforgettable experience.

If you have set your sights on this enchanting destination, you may find yourself pondering, “Do I need a visa for Japan?” Rest assured, the answer is favorable for the majority of travelers. Japan extends visa-free entry to visitors from numerous countries, making it easily accessible and enticing for globetrotters seeking to explore its wonders.

Here is everything you need to know about visa-free travel in Japan.

Table of Contents

There are currently no formalities related to Covid that need to be fulfilled to enter Japan. Being vaccinated against Covid or providing a negative Covid test result is not required to enter Japan.

The following countries are eligible for visa-free travel to Japan for up to 90 days. However, the period of stay granted for visa-free travel to Japan will be 14 days for Brunei, 15 days for Indonesia and Thailand, and 30 days for the United Arab Emirates.

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Europe

Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom

North America

Canada
United States

Latin America and the Caribbean

Argentina
Bahamas
Barbados
Brazil
Chile
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico
Suriname
Uruguay

Africa

Lesotho
Mauritius
Tunisia

Asia

Brunei
Indonesia
Israel
Malaysia
Republic of Korea
Singapore
Thailand
Hong Kong
Macao
Taiwan
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
Qatar

Oceania

Australia
New Zealand

Japan visa-free requirements for specific countries

Travellers from the following specific countries will have to meet some additional requirements before qualifying for visa-free entry to Japan:

Indonesia: Nationals must have an ICAO-compliant ePassport registered at a Japanese diplomatic mission in Indonesia.
Malaysia, Thailand, and Serbia: Visa-free travel is only possible for holders of e-Passports in compliance with ICAO standards. Others are advised to obtain a visa in advance.
Hong Kong: Visa-free travel is only possible for holders of Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports or British National Overseas (BNO) passports with the right of residence in Hong Kong.
Macao: Visa-free travel is only possible for holders of SAR passports issued by the Macao SAR of the People’s Republic of China.
Barbados, Turkey, and Lesotho: Visa-free travel is only possible for holders of Machine-Readable Passport (MRP) or e-Passports in compliance with ICAO standards. Others are advised to obtain a visa in advance.
United Arab Emirates: Nationals must have an ICAO-compliant ePassport registered at a Japanese diplomatic mission.
Peru and Colombia: Nationals are advised to obtain a visa in advance.
Mexico, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, the UK, and Switzerland: Visa exemptions allowing stays up to six (6) months require an extension of stay application if staying longer than 90 days.
Taiwan: Visa exemption is limited to passport holders with a personal ID number.

Please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan webpage for more details.