Do US citizens need a visa for Japan? 90 days visa-free

The rule for US passports

What the Japanese foreign ministry lists for the United States.

Short-stay visa: Not needed
Visa-free stay: 90 days
eVISA where you live: Online
Japanese missions: 18

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: North America
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 United States of AmericaU.S. Citizens … Short-term stay (less than 90 days) AND … Transit, tourism, business (without paid activities), conference, or study purpose … NOT RequiredVisa and Travel Information

Other passports from North America

Short-stay visa rules for passports from North America (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, exemption list revised 1 September 2025)
Passport	Short-stay visa	Visa-free stay
Canada	Not needed	90 days
United States	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 the United States.

What the Embassy of Japan in the United States of America says

Embassy of Japan in the United States of AmericaNo 6 months rules. … As long as your passport is valid during the time of your stay in Japan, it should not be a problem.Visa and Travel Information

Embassy of Japan in the United States of AmericaMy passport does not have 6 months of validity from the time when I will enter Japan. Do I need a new passport? … No, as long as your passport is valid during the time of your stay in Japan, it should not be a problem. … if you have a temporary travel document for emergency use, your travel document needs to be valid for 6 months from the visa application day.Frequently Asked Questions

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

The United States 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.

Digital nomad visaEligible countries and requirements

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.

JESTA: what is decided so farDates, who it covers, what is not yet set

Living in the United States 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.

People living in the United States who need a visa can apply online through the JAPAN eVISA website. The eVISA is a single-entry visa for tourism of up to 90 days.

MOFAAustralia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, U.S.A. All foreign nationals/people residing in these countries/regions, except those who are exempt from short-term visa, can apply for an eVISA through the JAPAN eVISA website.The JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa)

Embassy of Japan in the United States of AmericaThe eVISA (online application) is available ONLY for a short-term tourism visa (less than 90 days AND single entry). … For all other types of visa applications, including a short-term business visa … you are required to apply at the Embassy in person.Visa (Short-term Visit: Tourism/Business/Conference/Study)

Embassy of Japan in the United States of AmericaEven if you apply for a multiple-entry tourism visa through the online application, you only will be issued a single-entry visa.Visa (Short-term Visit: Tourism/Business/Conference/Study)

JAPAN eVISA: who can apply onlineBy country of residence

What the Embassy of Japan in the United States of America says

Embassy of Japan in the United States of AmericaApplication drop-off/pick-up & payment Hours … No appointment required.Visa and Travel Information

Embassy of Japan in the United States of AmericaThe visa applicant uses a travel agent. … You will also need to submit an Authorization FormFrequently Asked Questions

Embassy of Japan in the United States of AmericaIt takes at least 5 business days to have your visa issued. … We do NOT have expedited services.Visa and Travel Information

Embassy of Japan in the United States of AmericaWe will NOT accept any visa applications (including double-entry and multiple-entry visa) more than 3 months before your departure date.Visa and Travel Information

Visa fees at the Embassy of Japan in the United States of America

Visa fees published by the Embassy of Japan in the United States of America (checked 5 October 2026)
Visa	Who	Fee	From
Single entry	Applicants not exempt from visa fees	101 USD Source	1 July 2026
Single entry	Indian passport holders	6 USD Source	1 July 2026
Double entry	Applicants not exempt from visa fees	201 USD Source	1 July 2026
Double entry	Indian passport holders	6 USD Source	1 July 2026
Multiple entry	Applicants not exempt from visa fees	201 USD Source	1 July 2026
Multiple entry	Indian passport holders	6 USD Source	1 July 2026

The United States and Japan in numbers

3,306,820 visitors from the United States came to Japan in 2025, 4th among the markets JNTO counts separately. That was up 21.4% on 2024.

Japanese embassy and consulates in the United States

The missions the foreign ministry lists for the United States. 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 US citizens need a visa for Japan?

No. US citizens do not need a visa for a short stay in Japan of up to 90 days. The United States 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 US citizens stay in Japan without a visa?

Up to 90 days. That is the period of stay the foreign ministry lists for the United States on its visa exemption list, revised 1 September 2025.

Can US citizens 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 US citizens 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 US passport be valid for Japan?

The Embassy of Japan in the United States of America states: “No 6 months rules. … As long as your passport is valid during the time of your stay in Japan, it should not be a problem.”

Related items

Sources for this page

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)checked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan VISAchecked October 5, 2026
Embassy of Japan in the United States of America Visa and Travel Informationchecked October 5, 2026
Immigration Services Agency of Japan 外国人の入国の要件 (Japanese)checked October 5, 2026
Embassy of Japan in the United States of America Frequently Asked Questionschecked October 5, 2026
Immigration Services Agency of Japan Digital Nomad: eligible countries and regions (PDF)checked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Specified visa: Designated activities (Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad)checked October 5, 2026
Immigration Services Agency 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)checked October 5, 2026
Immigration Services Agency of Japan 外国人の上陸手続 (Japanese)checked October 5, 2026
Immigration Services Agency of Japan 令和8年入管法等改正法について (Japanese)checked October 5, 2026
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)checked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Frequently Asked Questionschecked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan The JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa)checked October 5, 2026
Embassy of Japan in the United States of America Visa (Short-term Visit: Tourism/Business/Conference/Study)checked October 5, 2026
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Visitor arrivals by nationality and month: 2025 (finalised)checked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Websites of Japanese Embassies, Consulates and Permanent Missionschecked October 5, 2026
Immigration Services Agency of Japan 出入国審査・在留審査Q&A (Japanese)checked October 5, 2026