Latest status
As of 19 October 2026, JESTA is not required and no start date has been set. The law creating it (Act No. 32 of 2026) was promulgated on 5 June 2026, the government targets fiscal year 2028, and the provisions must take effect by 31 March 2029. Below is every official milestone so far, newest first, with related changes to Japan’s travel rules.
Last checked: 19 October 2026. We update this page when the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) announces the Cabinet Order that sets JESTA’s start date or fee. Each entry links to its official source.
Key facts
Not setJESTA start date and fee
31 Mar 2029Latest legal start date
¥3,000Departure tax per departure since 1 July 2026
1 Nov 2026Tax-free shopping becomes a refund system
Timeline, newest first
Coming up: 1 November 2026 – tax-free shopping becomes a refund system
From purchases made on 1 November 2026, Japan’s tax-free shopping changes to a refund system. Shoppers pay the tax-inclusive price; customs confirms the goods when the traveller leaves Japan, within 90 days of purchase; then the shop or a refund provider refunds the tax. The ¥500,000 cap on consumables is abolished. If any item in a purchase record is not carried out, that whole record loses tax-free treatment. Source: Japan Tourism Agency leaflet on the new tax-free system (PDF).
2026 – Ministry of Justice asks for a review of tax-free checks because of JESTA
In its FY2027 tax reform requests, the Ministry of Justice (ISA) asked for a review of how tax-free shops confirm eligibility, because some JESTA travellers will not receive a landing stamp. Source: MOJ tax reform request published by the Ministry of Finance (PDF, Japanese).
1 July 2026 – departure tax rises to ¥3,000
The International Tourist Tax rose from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per departure from Japan, for Japanese and foreign travellers alike. Departures under certain transport contracts concluded before 1 July 2026 keep the ¥1,000 rate. Transit passengers leaving within 24 hours and children under 2 are among those exempt. Source: Japan Customs: International Tourist Tax (Japanese).
1 July 2026 – new Japanese visa fees
For visa applications accepted from 1 July 2026, the fee is about ¥15,000 for a single-entry visa and about ¥30,000 for a multiple-entry visa, paid in local currency. Some nationalities and purposes are exempt or pay different amounts. Visa-exempt visitors are not affected. Source: MOFA: revision of visa fees.
19 June 2026 – Cabinet approves the visa fee revision
According to press reports, the Cabinet approved the amended Cabinet Order on consular fees, the first revision of visa fees since 1978. Source: Travel Watch report (Japanese).
5 June 2026 – JESTA law promulgated
The amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act was promulgated as Act No. 32 of 2026. The JESTA provisions take effect on a date set by Cabinet Order, no later than 31 March 2029. Source: ISA page on the 2026 amendment (Japanese).
29 May 2026 – Diet passes the JESTA law
The House of Councillors passed the bill, completing its passage through the National Diet. Source: ISA page on the 2026 amendment (Japanese).
28 May 2026 – no reasons and no appeal for refusals
In the House of Councillors, the government said refused applicants will not be told the reason and cannot appeal, but can still enter with a valid visa. It also said that using a go.jp address for the official site is among the anti-phishing measures under consideration. Sources: Diet record on refusals (Japanese) and Diet record on the go.jp domain (Japanese).
19 May 2026 – development schedule and airline checks explained
The ISA said design and development began in April 2026 and would take at least about 17 months, followed by about 8 months of integration testing and about 3 months of staff training. All airlines serving Japan will report bookings through iAPI. Sources: Diet record on the schedule (Japanese) and Diet record on iAPI (Japanese).
28 April 2026 – House of Representatives passes the bill
Source: Diet record of the plenary session (Japanese).
24 April 2026 – budget, fee approach and 30-year data retention
In the House of Representatives, the ISA said about ¥7.8 billion (FY2025 supplementary budget) and about ¥4.4 billion (FY2026 budget) fund system development. It described how the fee will be set and said data will be kept for 30 years. Sources: Diet record on the budget (Japanese), on the fee (Japanese) and on data retention (Japanese).
17 April 2026 – FY2028 target confirmed in the Diet
The ISA Deputy Commissioner confirmed the aim of launching JESTA in fiscal year 2028. Source: Diet record (Japanese).
April 2026 – system development begins
A contractor was selected and design and development of the JESTA system started, according to the ISA. Source: Diet record, 19 May 2026 (Japanese).
10 March 2026 – Cabinet approves the bill
The Cabinet approved the bill to amend the Immigration Control Act, including JESTA. Source: Impress Watch report (Japanese).
7 November 2025 – Justice Minister explains the purpose
In the Diet, the Justice Minister described JESTA as online advance screening to stop terrorists and people who plan to stay illegally from coming to Japan, and spoke of introducing it within fiscal year 2028. Source: Diet record (Japanese).
2025 – target brought forward from 2030 to FY2028
The ISA’s plan set the aim to introduce JESTA in FY2028, “ahead of the original schedule for introduction in 2030”. Source: ISA plan (PDF, English).
What we are waiting for
- the Cabinet Order setting the date on which JESTA takes effect
- the fee amount, also to be set by Cabinet Order
- the official go.jp application website
- detailed rules on transit passengers, validity and processing time
For background, read what JESTA is, the JESTA launch date explainer and how JESTA will work. Short answers are on our JESTA FAQ.
FAQ
Has the JESTA start date been announced?
No. As of 19 October 2026, the Cabinet Order setting the date has not been issued. The government targets fiscal year 2028, and the law sets 31 March 2029 as the latest start date.
Has the JESTA fee been announced?
No. The fee will be set by Cabinet Order. We will add it to this timeline as soon as the ISA publishes it.
Does the higher departure tax affect visitors?
Yes. The ¥3,000 International Tourist Tax applies to each departure from Japan for Japanese and foreign travellers alike, with exemptions such as transit passengers leaving within 24 hours and children under 2.
Do the new visa fees affect visa-exempt travellers?
No. Visa fees apply only to people who need a visa. Visitors from the 74 visa-exempt countries and regions do not pay them.
Japan ESTA Guide is an independent information website. It is not run by or affiliated with the Government of Japan. You cannot apply for JESTA here.