iVisa | Updated on Feb 13, 2023
Citizens of 68 countries can travel to Japan without needing a visa. All you need is your valid passport and two blank pages for stamping. Check out the full visa-free countries list below. If you do not find your country on the visa exemption list, then you will need a visa to enter Japan. Through Japan’s e-Visa program, you can skip going to the embassy and apply online instead! You can also obtain a temporary visa for business purposes. Simply click the button below and our team will help you complete your application.
Japan’s e-Visa program is a convenient alternative to applying at an embassy. But you might feel a bit lost about where to begin and how to make sure you have all of the right documentation. That’s why we’ve created a simple application process that guides you the whole way. Our expert team will review your Japan e-Visa application to ensure you’ve made no mistakes.
Countries that are Visa Exempt from Requiring a Japanese Visa
Visa exempt means that if you are a citizen of one of the following countries, you can temporarily go to Japan visa-free for vacation or business purposes up to 90 days.
| Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Andorra | Argentina | Australia |
| Austria* | Bahamas | Barbados** |
| Belgium* | Brunei (Only 15 days) | Bulgaria* |
| Canada | Chile | Costa Rica |
| Croatia* | Cyprus* | Czech Republic* |
| Denmark* | Dominican Republic | El Salvador |
| Estonia* | Finland* | France* |
| Germany* | Guatemala | Greece* |
| Honduras | Hong Kong^^ | Hungary* |
| Iceland | Indonesia (Only 15 days) | Ireland* |
| Israel | Italy* | Latvia* |
| Lesotho** | Liechtenstein* | Lithuania* |
| Luxembourg* | Macao^^^ | Malaysia*** |
| Malta* | Mauritius | Mexico* |
| Monaco | New Zealand | Netherlands* |
| North Macedonia | Norway | Poland* |
| Portugal* | Romania* | San Marino |
| Serbia | Singapore | Slovakia* |
| Slovenia* | South Korea | Spain* |
| Suriname | Sweden* | Switzerland* |
| Taiwan^ | Thailand^ (Only 15 days) | Tunisia |
| Turkey** | United Arab Emirates (Only 30 days) | -- |
| United Kingdom* | United States | Uruguay |
Need an extension on your stay? These countries can apply for an extension with the Ministry of Justice. UK citizens: only British citizens & British Nationals (Overseas) citizens are visa-exempt.You will need either an ePassport or a Machine-Readable Passport (MRP) to get visa-free entry.Only ePassport holders will receive visa-exempt travel to Japan.^Taiwan passports that display a personal ID number will be allowed to enter visa-free.^^You’ll need an SAR passport from China or a BNO passport to be visa-exempt.^^^You’ll need an SAR passport from China to be visa-exempt.
What to Pay Attention to if You are Visa-Free | Japan Visas
Always be sure to carry your passport with you at all times so you do not lose it. You can also take a picture of your passport or use a scanner app to upload a digital copy of your passport. If you do this, do not lose your phone!
Do you need more time in Japan? You may be able to apply for an extension with the Ministry of Justice.
When in doubt, get a visa. Rules and regulations change with the events of the world.
North Korean citizens are not permitted to enter or to have connecting flights to or from Japan.
The e-Visa for Japan
What’s great is that wherever you are in the world, you will be able to apply for an e-Visa online with your smartphone, computer, or tablet.
The Japanese e-Visa program will be released in April 2020. Considerations of which countries will be accepted first are not announced at this time.
How do I get the e-Visa for Japan?
What’s great is that wherever you are in the world, you can apply for an e-Visa online with your smartphone, computer, or tablet. At iVisa.com, we have developed a user-friendly application process that includes careful review by our team of immigration experts. We offer 24/7 customer support should you have any questions along the way.
FAQs
Which 4 countries need visa to Japan? ›
- China.
- Russia.
- Philippines.
- Vietnam.
- CIS countries and Georgia.
Currently, tourists with U.S. passports do not need visas for short-term visits (up to three months). Passengers who have been fully vaccinated and boosted with vaccines approved by the Japanese government and who are arriving in Japan after October 11, 2022, will not require a pre-travel COVID-19 test.
How many visas are free in Japan? ›Japan Passport Visa-free Travel 2023
The Japan passport ranking is 1; the number of visa-free destinations accessible with a Japan passport is 193.
Let's Look At The US Passport Visa-Free Countries
Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vatican City.
- Canada.
- Mexico.
- Costa Rica.
- Georgia.
- The British Virgin Islands.
- Aruba and Curaçao.
- The Balkans.
- Singapore.
What countries do not accept U.S. passport? The only destination where it is forbidden for US citizens to travel to is North Korea, due to its closed border status for both US citizens and citizens of other countries.
What is the strongest passport in the world? ›No. 1 most powerful passport in the world: Japan
As of 2023, Japanese passport holders can visit 193 of 227 destinations visa-free, which is 85% of the world, according to data from the International Air Transport Association compiled by Henley & Partners.
Individual tourists may visit Japan starting October 11, 2022, subject to vaccine or testing requirements as further described in the U.S. Embassy's “Information for U.S. Citizens Traveling to Japan” webpage. Tourists with U.S. passports no longer need a visa to stay up to three months.
How long can US citizen stay in Japan without visa? ›Entry & Exit:
You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket for tourist/business "visa free" stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are staying in Japan.
Yes, you can travel abroad as a green card holder — that's one of the many benefits of being a permanent resident. However, your trip must be temporary and you cannot remain outside the United States for more than 1 year.
How much is Japan visa for dollars? ›
Japan Visa Cost
In general, a single-entry visa will be about 3,000 JPY (30 USD). A multiple-entry visa is 6,000 JPY (60 USD).
Japan is one of the most popular tourist hotspots in the world, attracting millions of tourists every year. This island nation has a lot to offer, from culture to modern cities, to history and nature. This is why Japan has waived visas for citizens of several countries.
Is Japan visa hard to get? ›The Japan visa requirements for Indians have become pretty straightforward, with typically a processing period of 4 working days at VFS Japan – the official visa application centre for the Japan Embassy in India.
What are the 10 most powerful passports 2022? ›- United Arab Emirates: 180.
- Germany: 173.
- Sweden: 173.
- Finland: 173.
- Luxembourg: 173.
- Spain: 173.
- France: 173.
- Italy: 173.
As of 15 July 2022, holders of a United States passport may travel to 186 countries and territories without a travel visa, or with a visa on arrival.
How many American passports are visa-free? ›As of October 1, 2021, US citizens can travel visa-free to 185 countries and territories (though a few require a visa on arrival). Note, however, that some of these countries do implement stiffer requirements after one has stayed a certain length of time—typically 30, 60, 90, or 180 days.
Which passport allows the most visa-free travel? ›2023 Henley Passport Index
As of 2023, a Japanese passport offers its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a total of 193 countries and territories, with South Korean and Singapore passports each offering 192 visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries and territories to their holders.
All Indian citizens holding U.S. visas, green cards, U.K Resident Permits, or EU resident permits can receive entry visa upon arrival to UAE valid for 14 days for a charge of AED 100. They have the option to extend their stay only once for an additional 14 days for AED250.
Can I travel to Paris with a green card? ›US green card holders from countries exempt from a Schengen Visa can visit France visa-free. However, other US green card holders from countries that require a visa to enter the Schengen area must acquire a tourist visa to visit France.
Can a US Green Card holder travel to Germany without visa? ›Foreigners in US with a residence permit (US Green card holders) with validity shorter than three months beyond their planned date of leaving Germany will have to obtain a visa in order to be permitted to enter Germany.
What's the number 1 passport in the world? ›
- United Arab Emirates (181 destinations)
- Germany, Sweden, Finland, Luxembourg, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, South Korea (174 destinations)
- Japan (193 countries)
- Singapore and South Korea (192 countries)
- Germany and Spain (190 countries)
- Finland, Italy and Luxembourg (189 countries)
- Austria, Denmark, Netherlands and Sweden (188 countries)
The weakest passport, once again, is Afghanistan. Afghan people can only visit 27 countries without the need for a visa. Iraqi and Syrian passports rank similarly low.
How many countries give visa on arrival to Japan? ›Japan visa on arrival countries
Citizens of several eligible countries including Australia, Canada, the United States and European Union member countries can obtain a visa on arrival for Japan. Travelers simply need to meet the Japan visa on arrival requirements to get their visa at a port of entry.
A visitor who wish to enter Japan for short-term stay, must obtain a Temporary Visitor's visa prior to departing for Japan, except nationals and citizens of countries and regions with reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with Japan for the purposes of tourism, visiting friends/relatives, business, attending a ...
When can I go to Japan without visa? ›Japan has resumed its visa exemption scheme for short-stay tourism and business travel. You'll no longer need a visa to travel to Japan for up to 90 days. If you're travelling for any other reason, contact your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate to check if you need a visa, especially if you plan to work in Japan.
Is it hard to get Japan tourist visa? ›The Japanese visa application is very straightforward. You complete their list of requirements, submit them through an accredited agency, and wait for the result. The agencies assess the documents one by one to make sure that everything is in order.