Do Qataris need a visa for Japan?
Only with a registered ePassport. Qataris who hold an ICAO-compliant ePassport and have registered it in advance at a Japanese embassy or consulate can enter Japan without a visa for up to 30 days.
Everyone else needs a visa. Source: Japanese foreign ministry list, revised 1 September 2025.
The rule for Qatari passports
What the Japanese foreign ministry lists for Qatar.
- Short-stay visa
- Not needed
- Visa-free stay
- 30 days
- Passport
- Registered ePassport
- Japanese missions
- 1
- Visa for a short stay
- Not required with the passport below
- Longest stay granted
- 30 days
- Passport
- ICAO-compliant ePassport, registered in advance at a Japanese mission
- What a short stay covers
- Tourism, business, visiting friends or relatives. No paid work.
- Group on the ministry's list
- Middle East
- 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 State of QatarIt is the arrangement which allows Qatari nationals to enter and stay in Japan up to 30 days for the purpose of Short-Term Stay (tourism, business and visiting friends etc.) … simply by registering your e-Passports
Visa Waiver Passport Registration for Qatari Nationals
Other passports from Middle East
Passport conditions
The exemption for Qatar depends on the kind of passport you hold.
You must hold a valid passport to enter Japan (Immigration Control Act, Article 3).
MOFA: note 9 to the listFor nationals of Qatar (since April 2, 2023), visas are not required only for those who have registered ICAO-compliant ePassport to diplomatic missions of Japan (the embassy, consulates-general, or the consulate). Validity of the registration is three years period or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)
An ePassport carries an IC chip and shows the ePassport symbol on its front cover.
MOFA: visa exemption listePassport in compliance with ICAO standards has ePassport’s symbol on the front cover of the passport.
Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)
Embassy of Japan in the State of QatarThe registration is valid for 3 years or until your passport expires … Whichever comes first. … When your registered passport expires, you must register your new passport.
Visa Waiver Passport Registration for Qatari Nationals
Embassy of Japan in the State of QatarPlease book an appointment and visit the Embassy with the following documents. … Passport (ICAO compliant e-Passport) … Passport Copy in Colour (the page of status items) … Application Form for Passport Registration
Visa Waiver Passport Registration for Qatari Nationals
Embassy of Japan in the State of Qatar(B) Online/JAVES Application (No Appointment Required) … Please start the online application from JAVES System
Visa Waiver Passport Registration for Qatari Nationals
Embassy of Japan in the State of QatarApplication Fee … Free of Charge
Visa Waiver Passport Registration for Qatari Nationals
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.
Digital nomad status
Qatar 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 Qatar 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 Qatar, so applications go to the embassy or consulate, or to the channel it names.
What the Embassy of Japan in the State of Qatar says
Embassy of Japan in the State of QatarVisa applications must be made in person at the embassy by appointment. … appointments must only be made through the online booking system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Embassy of Japan in the State of QatarIt normally takes 3 or 5 working days from the date of acceptance depending on your nationality and circumstances. … There is no priority service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Embassy of Japan in the State of QatarYou can start the process 3 months prior to your departure date by securing an appointment through our Online Booking System … We cannot accept your application if your intended departure date is more than 3 months away, as the visa would expire before your entry date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visa fees at the Embassy of Japan in the State of Qatar
Japanese embassy for Qatar
The missions the foreign ministry lists for Qatar. 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 Qataris need a visa for Japan?
Only with a registered ePassport. Qataris who hold an ICAO-compliant ePassport and have registered it in advance at a Japanese embassy or consulate can enter Japan without a visa for up to 30 days. Everyone else needs a visa. Source: Japanese foreign ministry list, revised 1 September 2025.
How long can Qataris stay in Japan without a visa?
Up to 30 days. That is the period of stay the foreign ministry lists for Qatar on its visa exemption list, revised 1 September 2025.
Can Qataris 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.
Do Qataris 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.
Read more
Sources for this page
Show all 16
- Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- VISAMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Visa Waiver Passport Registration for Qatari NationalsEmbassy of Japan in the State of Qatar
- 外国人の入国の要件 (Japanese)Immigration Services Agency 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
- Frequently Asked QuestionsEmbassy of Japan in the State of Qatar
- VISA FeeEmbassy of Japan in the State of Qatar
- 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