You do not need a visa for Japan if you hold a passport from one of the 74 countries and regions on MOFA’s visa exemption list and your trip involves no paid work. Most can stay up to 90 days. Brunei and Qatar get 30 days, and Indonesia and Thailand 15. Choose your nationality below to check.
Last checked: 19 October 2026. The country list is taken from MOFA’s visa exemption page dated 1 September 2025, which lists 74 countries and regions.
Japan visa checker
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.
How the checker works
The checker uses MOFA’s list of visa exemptions for short-term stays. It lists 74 countries and regions, including every EU member state, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. If your nationality is on the list and your trip is a short stay without pay, you can enter Japan without a visa. If it is not, you need a visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate before you travel.
The second question matters because visa exemption covers only certain activities. Japanese embassies describe it as stays of up to 90 days without income-earning activities: tourism, business meetings, conferences and visiting relatives. Paid work, long-term study and other long stays need a visa, and often a Certificate of Eligibility first, whatever your nationality.
Some nationalities qualify only with a particular passport type. Indonesia and Qatar require the ePassport to be registered in advance. Brazil, Montenegro, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Serbia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates require an ePassport. Uruguay’s newest passport version is not recognised. The checker shows these notes when they apply to you. See Japan entry requirements for the full rules.
What visa-free entry does not guarantee
Visa exemption means you can travel without applying for a visa in advance. It does not guarantee entry. On arrival, an immigration officer checks that your passport is valid, that the purpose of your trip is genuine and that your planned stay fits short-stay limits. The officer decides whether to grant landing permission and for how long. Carry details of your accommodation and onward travel in case you are asked about your plans, and give a clear, honest answer about why you are visiting.
Visa-free stay lengths at a glance
| Maximum stay | Who | How to stay longer |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days | Indonesia, Thailand | Visa required for longer stays |
| 30 days | Brunei, Qatar | Visa required for longer stays |
| 90 days | The other 70 countries and regions | Visa required for longer stays |
| Up to 6 months | Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland, United Kingdom | 90 days on arrival, then apply for an extension at a regional immigration bureau before the 90 days end |
To find the last day of your permitted stay from your entry date, use the Japan stay calculator.
Visa-free does not mean JESTA-free later
Japan plans to introduce JESTA, an online travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, in fiscal year 2028. Once it starts, travellers from the 74 countries and regions will need an approved authorisation before boarding. A valid visa will still be enough on its own. JESTA is not required today, and no official application website exists yet. Read who will need JESTA for details.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries can visit Japan without a visa?
74 countries and regions, according to MOFA’s visa exemption list dated 1 September 2025. Some press reports quote a lower number, but MOFA’s own list shows 74.
Can I work in Japan on visa-free entry?
No. Visa-free entry covers short stays without pay, such as tourism, meetings and family visits. Paid work needs the right visa, applied for before you travel.
My country is not on the list. What do I do?
Apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate that covers where you live. For applications from 1 July 2026, MOFA lists fees of about ¥15,000 for a single-entry visa and about ¥30,000 for a multiple-entry visa, paid in local currency. Some nationalities pay different amounts.
Can I stay six months in Japan as a UK or German citizen?
Possibly. Nationals of Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland and the UK enter for up to 90 days. They can stay up to six months only if they apply for an extension at a regional immigration bureau before the 90 days end.