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.