Do Latvians need a visa for Japan?
No. Latvians do not need a visa for a short stay in Japan of up to 90 days.
Latvia is on the Japanese foreign ministry's list of 74 visa-exempt countries and regions, revised 1 September 2025. The stay cannot include paid work.
The rule for Latvian passports
What the Japanese foreign ministry lists for Latvia.
- Short-stay visa
- Not needed
- Visa-free stay
- 90 days
- Working holiday
- Since 2023
- Japanese missions
- 1
- Visa for a short stay
- Not required
- Longest stay granted
- 90 days
- Passport
- Valid ordinary passport
- What a short stay covers
- Tourism, business, visiting friends or relatives. No paid work.
- Group on the ministry's list
- Europe
- List last revised
- 1 September 2025
The official wording
MOFA: visa exemption listThe period of stay granted upon landing permission will be "15 days" for Indonesia and Thailand, “30 days” for Brunei and Qatar, and "90 days" for other countries and regions.
Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)
MOFA(A stay of up to 90 days for tourism, business, visiting friends or relatives, etc. that does not include remunerative activities)
VISA
Embassy of Japan in the Republic of LatviaLatvian citizens(except stateless persons) as well as nationals from few other countries and regions can enter Japan without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days … (this includes: touristic travel, business trips, attending a conference, remote work for employer outside Japan, visiting relatives/ friends, attending language schools, unpaid internships, unpaid research work etc.)
Apmeklējot Japānu / Visiting Japan
Other passports from Europe
| Passport | Short-stay visa | Visa-free stay |
|---|---|---|
| France | Not needed | 90 days |
| Germany | Not needed | 90 days |
| Italy | Not needed | 90 days |
| Latvia | Not needed | 90 days |
| Spain | Not needed | 90 days |
| United Kingdom | Not needed | 90 days |
Passport conditions
A valid passport is the starting point for every traveller.
You must hold a valid passport to enter Japan (Immigration Control Act, Article 3).
The foreign ministry's list attaches no extra passport condition to Latvia.
What the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Latvia says
Embassy of Japan in the Republic of LatviaPassports need to be valid at least during the duration of stay incl. day of departure (except when applying and entering with a long-term visa).
Apmeklējot Japānu / Visiting Japan
Working, studying or staying longer
Visa-free entry covers short stays only.
Paid work is outside a short stay. To work for pay, or to stay more than 90 days, you need a visa. The foreign ministry says to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Services Agency first, in principle.
Working holiday visa
Japan has run a working holiday programme with Latvia since 2023. Visas issued per year: 100. It is for young people whose main purpose is a holiday, with work allowed to top up travel funds.
- Programme since
- 2023
- Visas per year
- 100
- Age
- 18 to 30 when you apply
- Second participation
- Once in a lifetime
Apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate in Latvia.
Digital nomad status
Latvia is on the Immigration Services Agency's list for Japan's digital nomad status: remote work from Japan for up to 6 months, with no extension.
At the airport in Japan
The same steps apply to every foreign visitor.
On arrival you complete the Disembarkation Card for Foreigner (online through Visit Japan Web, or on paper), give your fingerprints and a facial photograph, and an immigration officer decides whether you can land.
JESTA, Japan's travel authorisation
Not yet. JESTA is the electronic travel authorisation Japan is creating for visa-exempt visitors. The Immigration Services Agency gives its start only as a date set by Cabinet Order, no later than 31 March 2029.
Living in Latvia with another passport
Visa applications go by where you live, not only by nationality.
You can apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your own country or in the country where you live. You cannot apply while travelling in a third country.
The foreign ministry's eVISA list does not include residents of Latvia, so applications go to the embassy or consulate, or to the channel it names.
What the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Latvia says
- Applications are submitted at the mission's consular section. An appointment is required. Source
Embassy of Japan in the Republic of LatviaThe processing time is at least 5 working days (provided that all documents are complete and correct), sometimes it can take longer. Please submit your application in time.
Apmeklējot Japānu / Visiting Japan
Embassy of Japan in the Republic of LatviaApplications can be submitted a maximum of 3 months before departure.
Vīza
Visa fees at the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Latvia
Japanese embassy for Latvia
The missions the foreign ministry lists for Latvia. The rules on this page can change, so confirm with the mission before you book.
This page is compiled from the official pages below and was last checked on 5 October 2026. It is not legal advice. The embassy or consulate has the final word on your case.
Frequently asked questions
Do Latvians need a visa for Japan?
No. Latvians do not need a visa for a short stay in Japan of up to 90 days. Latvia is on the Japanese foreign ministry's list of 74 visa-exempt countries and regions, revised 1 September 2025. The stay cannot include paid work.
How long can Latvians stay in Japan without a visa?
Up to 90 days. That is the period of stay the foreign ministry lists for Latvia on its visa exemption list, revised 1 September 2025.
Can Latvians work in Japan on a visa-free stay?
No. A short stay does not include paid work. The Immigration Services Agency says Temporary Visitors cannot work in Japan in principle, apart from short business trips. A working holiday visa is the route for young Latvian nationals who want to work while travelling.
Do Latvians need JESTA to enter Japan?
Not yet. The law creating JESTA passed on 29 May 2026. It starts on a date to be set by Cabinet Order, no later than 31 March 2029.
How long must a Latvian passport be valid for Japan?
The Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Latvia states: “Passports need to be valid at least during the duration of stay incl. day of departure (except when applying and entering with a long-term visa).”
Read more
Sources for this page
Show all 17
- Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- VISAMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Apmeklējot Japānu / Visiting JapanEmbassy of Japan in the Republic of Latvia
- 外国人の入国の要件 (Japanese)Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- The Working Holiday Programmes in JapanMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Digital Nomad: eligible countries and regions (PDF)Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- Specified visa: Designated activities (Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad)Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- 入国審査時には「外国人入国記録」をご提出ください (Japanese)Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- 外国人の上陸手続 (Japanese)Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- 令和8年入管法等改正法について (Japanese)Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- 改正法の概要：JESTA（電子渡航認証制度）の創設 (Japanese, PDF)Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- Frequently Asked QuestionsMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- The JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa)Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Darba laiksEmbassy of Japan in the Republic of Latvia
- VīzaEmbassy of Japan in the Republic of Latvia
- Websites of Japanese Embassies, Consulates and Permanent MissionsMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- 出入国審査・在留審査Q&A (Japanese)Immigration Services Agency of Japan