NOTE: Under current restrictions, a visa is required to enter Japan as a tourist. We recommend you apply for your visa no later than one month before your departure date. Please contact your local consulate or embassy for more information.
The vast majority of travellers to Japan are able to enter the country without obtaining a visa in advance.
If you are a citizen of the USA, Australia, New Zealand or one of the 65 other nations listed below, you do not have to obtain a visa before visiting Japan. You will be automatically granted a temporary visitor visa on arrival, which is valid for up to 90 days (as long as you don’t plan to work while you’re in Japan). Even if you are from one of these visa-exempt countries, it is important that you have a passport that remains valid through the time you stay in Japan.
Countries that do not require a visa to enter Japan
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados (machine-readable passport or ePassport only), Belgium, Brunei (exemption valid for 15 days of travel), Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR passport and BNO passport only), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lesotho (machine-readable passport or ePassport only), Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao (SAR passport only), Macedonia, Malaysia (ePassport only), Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oceania, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Serbia (ePassport only), Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (passport must contain personal ID number), Thailand (ePassport only, exemption valid for 15 days of travel), Tunisia, Turkey (machine-readable passport or ePassport only), United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA.
Countries that require a visa to enter Japan
China, Russia, Philippines, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Pacific Islands, Colombia, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
How to apply for a Japan visa (if you need one)
- Check the above list or the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see if you qualify for visa exemption.
- Download the relevant visa application form for your country from the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Take this form, along with your passport and a recent photo, to your local Japanese embassy or consulate.
- Enter Japan within three months of visa being issued.
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