Japan has reciprocal visa-waiver agreements with most Western countries — citizens of the US, UK, EU member states, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, South Korea, and 60+ others get up to 90 days as a "Temporary Visitor" automatically on arrival. No application, no fee, no embassy visit. The system is one of the most liberal among major destinations. The catch: you must be a tourist (not working), have a return ticket, and have enough money for your stay.
Visa-waiver countries (90 days, no paperwork)
- EU: All 27 EU member states get 90 days.
- UK, Ireland — 90 days; UK gets up to 6 months on application within Japan.
- USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand — 90 days.
- Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan — 90 days.
- Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay — 90 days.
- UAE, Israel, Turkey — 90 days.
Full list at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs site.
Countries that DO need a visa
India, China, Russia, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia (most Asian countries), most African countries, most Middle Eastern countries (except UAE/Israel/Turkey), and most former Soviet states. Apply at the Japanese embassy in your country; tourist visa typically processes in 5–10 working days. Required: passport, application form, photo, itinerary, accommodation bookings, return flight, financial proof (~¥50,000 per day of stay).
The new digital arrival card (since 2024)
Japan launched Visit Japan Web as the digital replacement for the paper arrival card and customs declaration. Pre-fill your details online before flying; you get a QR code to scan at immigration and customs. Saves 5–10 minutes at the airport. Not mandatory yet — paper forms are still accepted on the plane — but recommended.
What "Temporary Visitor" actually allows
- Yes: Tourism, visiting friends/family, attending conferences (passive), short-term sightseeing.
- No: Paid work, internship, freelance contracts, teaching English, performing professionally. Even unpaid work (volunteering at a startup, etc.) is technically a violation.
- Grey area: Remote work for a non-Japanese employer while in Japan. Officially not permitted on a tourist stamp; rarely enforced for short stays. The new "digital nomad visa" (launched 2024) is the legitimate route for stays beyond 90 days while remote-working.
Extending beyond 90 days
You cannot extend a tourist stamp from inside Japan (with rare exceptions like medical reasons). The trick used to be a "visa run" — leave to South Korea or Taiwan for a day, return for another 90 days. As of 2024 immigration is stricter about this; consecutive tourist entries totaling more than 180 days per year may be questioned at the gate. For longer stays use the digital nomad visa, working holiday visa (under-30s from 22 partner countries), or proper work/student visa.
Practical entry requirements
- Passport — valid for the duration of your stay (no 6-month forward rule).
- Return or onward ticket — sometimes asked for at the gate, rarely at immigration.
- Accommodation address — first hotel address required on Visit Japan Web / arrival card.
- Sufficient funds — no specific amount, but immigration may ask. ¥50,000 per planned week is a safe rough number.
- No mandatory health insurance for tourist entry — but get travel insurance anyway. Japanese hospital bills are reasonable but not free.