Japan has announced the launch of a new electronic travel authorisation system (JESTA) along with visa-free entry for citizens of 71 countries, with the system now set to be introduced in 2028, two years earlier than originally planned.
Initially scheduled for 2030, JESTA’s launch has been expedited to better manage the growing influx of international travellers.
The announcement was made by Japan’s Minister of Justice, Ryuji Suzuki, during a parliamentary session on April 23. “We aim to implement our system by 2028, modelled after the US ESTA, to better manage the increasing number of international tourists,” he stated.
The introduction of JESTA is aimed at strengthening border security, enabling pre-travel passenger screening, expediting and simplifying immigration processes, reducing airport congestion, and allowing faster processing through advanced automation.
Under the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (JESTA), travellers from visa-exempt countries will be required to complete an online application before departure. They must provide key details such as the purpose of travel, duration of stay, accommodation information, and personal identification data.
Upon approval, travellers will receive a digital authorisation valid for short stays of up to 90 days. Applicants who are denied authorisation will not be permitted to board flights bound for Japan.
JESTA will apply to citizens of 71 countries and regions currently enjoying visa-free access to Japan.
These include:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Uruguay.
The JESTA system promises several advantages for travellers, including faster immigration processes through automated systems, significantly reduced congestion at airports, enhanced security through pre-departure screening, and the availability of standardised data to inform tourism policies.
This move is part of Japan’s broader vision to welcome 60 million foreign visitors annually by 2030 and to solidify its position as a top global tourist destination.
