Japan allows nationals of 74 countries and regions with a reciprocal visa-exemption arrangement to enter for short-term stays — tourism, visiting family or friends, business meetings and contract negotiations, academic conferences, or similar activities — without applying for a visa in advance. Most of these nationalities, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, most EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, receive up to 90 days on arrival; a small number of countries receive shorter periods (for example, Indonesia and Thailand receive 15 days, Brunei and Qatar 30 days), and nationals of Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland, and the UK can apply for a one-time extension of up to 6 months in total. A visa is required for anyone intending to reside in Japan, take up employment, or otherwise engage in paid work.
All foreign nationals aged 16 and over (with limited exceptions for certain diplomatic passport holders and special permanent residents) are fingerprinted and photographed at the immigration counter on arrival — both index fingers are scanned and a photograph is taken automatically as part of the standard entry procedure. Since 2024, most travellers also complete their arrival declarations digitally in advance via the Visit Japan Web portal, which speeds up the physical immigration and customs process on landing.
For a country-by-country breakdown of exemption periods and any additional conditions, check the current list published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan before you travel, since exemption terms are set bilaterally and can change.
