JESTA vs ESTA, UK ETA, ETIAS and K-ETA: How They Compare

The main difference in one paragraph

Unlike the US ESTA ($40.62, valid two years) or the UK ETA (£20, valid two years), Japan’s JESTA has no announced fee or validity period yet. It is also not running: the government targets fiscal year 2028, with a legal deadline of 31 March 2029. The EU’s ETIAS is not operating either, while South Korea’s K-ETA is in force but temporarily waived for some nationalities until 31 December 2026.

Last checked: 19 October 2026. Figures for the US, UK, EU and South Korea were checked against official government sources on that date (for the US, the DHS fee notice in the Federal Register). JESTA facts come from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) and the National Diet record. Fees and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you travel.

Close-up of a world map with coloured pins marking destinations in Southeast Asia
Planning the route before applying for travel authorisation.

Key facts

Not setJESTA fee and validity: not announced

$40.62US ESTA fee since 16 Oct 2026 (DHS)

£20UK ETA fee (GOV.UK)

€20ETIAS fee once it operates (European Commission)

Comparison table

Japan JESTAUS ESTAUK ETAEU ETIASKorea K-ETA
Status (19 Oct 2026)Not required yet. Target FY2028; legal deadline 31 March 2029In operationIn operationNot in operation; the EU will announce the start date several months aheadIn operation; temporary exemption for certain nationalities until 31 Dec 2026
FeeWill be charged; amount not announcedUS $40.62£20EUR 20 (applies once ETIAS operates)KRW 10,000, plus an online payment charge of about 3%
ValidityNot announced; official summary says authorization is given “each time of a new entry”2 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first2 years or until the passport expires, whichever is soonerSee official site3 years or until the passport expires, if sooner
Multiple tripsNot announcedYes, during validityYes, as many times as you wantSee official siteYes, during validity
Stay per visitNo change announced (visa-exempt stay, usually up to 90 days)90 days or less under the Visa Waiver ProgramUp to 6 monthsUp to 90 days in any 180-day periodDepends on nationality’s visa-free stay
Stated decision timeNot announcedSee official siteUsually within a day, up to 3 working daysSee official siteUsually within 72 hours
Official websiteNone yet; expected on a go.jp domainesta.cbp.dhs.govgov.uk/etaeuropa.eu (see sources)k-eta.go.kr

Japan JESTA

JESTA was created by Act No. 32 of 2026. The ISA’s summary says a fee will be charged and the amount will be set by Cabinet Order. In the Diet, the ISA quoted foreign fees for comparison when explaining how the JESTA fee will be decided, together with processing cost, the benefit to travellers and related immigration costs. Those comparisons are not a JESTA price.

The key wording on validity is in the official summary: authorization is given “each time of a new entry”, from the viewpoint of strict immigration control. That differs from the multi-year model used by the US, UK and Korea, but how it will work in practice has not been detailed. For the full picture, see what JESTA is and how JESTA will work.

US ESTA

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization is used by travellers under the US Visa Waiver Program. Since 16 October 2026 the fee has been US $40.62, according to a DHS notice in the Federal Register: $10.62 is charged on every application, plus $30.00 if the application is approved (previously $40.27). Authorizations are generally valid for multiple trips over two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. The Visa Waiver Program allows stays of 90 days or less. Citizens of Brunei receive a maximum validity of one year.

UK ETA

GOV.UK states that an electronic travel authorisation costs £20 and lets you travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to 6 months per visit. An ETA lasts 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, and you can travel as many times as you want while it is valid. Applicants usually get a decision within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days. Each traveller, including children and infants, needs their own ETA.

EU ETIAS

The European Commission states that ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications are collected. The EU will announce the start date several months before launch. The fee has been set at EUR 20 and will take effect once ETIAS is operational. ETIAS will cover visa-free travellers visiting 30 European countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. For validity and exemptions, check the official EU site.

South Korea K-ETA

According to the official K-ETA site, the fee is KRW 10,000 per person, plus an online payment charge of about 3%. A K-ETA is valid for 3 years (or until the passport expires, if sooner) and can be used for multiple trips; processing usually takes up to 72 hours. Korea’s Ministry of Justice has extended a temporary K-ETA exemption for certain countries and regions, including the United States, until 31 December 2026. Check the official site to see whether your nationality is covered.

What Japan says it is learning from

In the Diet, the ISA named the systems in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the EU (ETIAS), South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, and said it will refer to foreign systems. It commissioned a study of foreign travel authorization systems in fiscal year 2020. Press reports often call JESTA a “Japanese version of ESTA”, but that is a media description, not an official one.

What this means for travellers

  • Today, you need ESTA, a UK ETA or (for some nationalities) K-ETA for those countries, but nothing comparable for Japan.
  • When JESTA starts, do not assume it works like ESTA. Fee, validity and processing time will be set by Japanese rules that are not published yet.
  • Always apply on the government’s own website. Many unofficial sites charge extra for all of these systems. For JESTA, no official site exists yet.

Until JESTA starts, visa-exempt visitors follow the current Japan entry requirements. Track the start date on our JESTA launch date page.

FAQ

Is JESTA the same as ESTA?

No. “Japanese ESTA” is press shorthand. The ISA says it is studying several foreign systems, and JESTA’s fee, validity and processing time have not been announced. The official summary also says authorization is given “each time of a new entry”.

Will JESTA cost the same as ESTA?

Nobody knows yet. The JESTA fee will be set by Cabinet Order. The ISA said foreign fees will be one factor, together with processing costs and the benefit to travellers, but no amount has been announced.

Does ETIAS apply today?

No. According to the European Commission, ETIAS is not in operation and no applications are collected. The EU will announce the start date several months before launch.

Do Americans need K-ETA for South Korea?

Not until 31 December 2026, under the temporary exemption Korea has extended for certain countries including the United States. Check the official K-ETA site for changes after that date.

Can I use my ESTA or UK ETA for Japan?

No. Each authorization is valid only for the country that issued it. Japan currently requires no travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors.

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.

Sources