Japan visa guide: eVisa, visa-free entry and long-stay routes
Japan visa requirements in 2026 — who enters visa-free, how the Japan eVisa works, documents, fees, processing times and long-stay routes.
Around 70 nationalities enter Japan visa-free for 15–90 days of tourism. Everyone else needs a tourist visa, and travellers from a growing list of countries can use the Japan eVisa, filed online and issued in roughly 5–7 working days. Consular tourist visas cost about ¥3,000 single entry.
Visa-free entry
Citizens of most of Europe, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore and dozens of others enter visa-free for tourism, typically 90 days, with some nationalities limited to 15 or 30. Visa-free entry never permits paid work, and officers routinely ask for onward tickets and hotel bookings.
The Japan eVisa
The eVisa replaces the sticker for eligible nationalities: register online, upload passport and itinerary details, pay, and receive a digital single-entry tourist visa valid 90 days from issue for a stay of up to 90 days. Print or screenshot the issuance notice — airlines check it at boarding.
Consular tourist visas
If neither route applies, you file with a passport, form, photo, a day-by-day itinerary on Japan's own template, flight bookings, hotel confirmations and bank statements. A Japanese guarantor is required for some nationalities, adding an invitation letter and a letter of guarantee.
Longer stays and work
Work, study and spouse routes begin with a Certificate of Eligibility obtained by a sponsor in Japan, taking 1–3 months, after which the consulate issues the visa in days. Japan's digital nomad visa allows a 6-month stay for remote workers earning at least ¥10 million a year.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Japan?
Not if you hold one of roughly 70 visa-exempt passports and travel for tourism up to 90 days. Otherwise you need an eVisa or consular tourist visa before departure.
How long does a Japan eVisa take?
Usually 5–7 working days once submitted and paid. Apply at least two weeks before travel.
Can I work in Japan on a tourist visa?
No. Any paid activity requires a status of residence obtained through a Certificate of Eligibility.