Japan · Not required yet
JESTAwhat’s official so far
You don’t need JESTA yet. Japan passed the law creating it in May 2026, and the government plans to introduce it during fiscal 2028 (April 2028 to March 2029), no later than March 31, 2029. Until then, U.S. citizens visit Japan visa-free for up to 90 days with nothing to apply for in advance.
Checked against official sources Oct 29, 2026 · Sources
- Status
- Not required yet. Japan plans to start JESTA during fiscal 2028 (April 2028 to March 2029); the law requires it to start by March 31, 2029.
- Valid for
- Per the law summary, authorisation is required for each new entry (新規入国の度に認証). Validity period not yet published.
Who needs it
Of the passports we cover: U.S. citizens, British citizens, Canadians, Australians, EU citizens. Once it starts: visitors from visa-exempt countries (including the U.S., the UK, Canada, Australia and the EU) coming for short stays, cruise passengers going ashore, and some transit passengers who temporarily enter Japan.
Who doesn’t
People who hold a Japanese visa. Other exemptions have not been published yet.
Not announced yet
The fee (the law says there will be one, set by Cabinet Order), how long an approval lasts, how far ahead to apply, and the official website or app. Any site taking JESTA applications or payments now is not the Japanese government.
Official sources
- 令和８年入管法等改正法について (Immigration Services Agency of Japan) ·
→令和１１年３月３１日までの間において政令で定める日
· checked 2026-10-29 - Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan for the Safety and Security of the Public (Ministry of Justice / ISA, English summary) ·
Aim to introduce JESTA in FY2028, ahead of the original schedule for introduction in 2030.
· checked 2026-10-29 - 改正法の概要（ＪＥＳＴＡ（電子渡航認証制度）の創設…）(ISA law summary PDF) - fee ·
認証を受けようとするとき（①②③）及び認証を受けるとき（①②）に政令で定める額の手数料を徴収する。
· checked 2026-10-29
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Get an email when these rules change
Only when an official entry rule we track changes: a new travel authorization, a fee, a start date or a passport rule. At most once a week, with the official source for every change.