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Do Canadians need a visa for Japan?

No. Canadians do not need a visa for a short stay in Japan of up to 90 days. Canada 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.

Updated

90days visa-free
Since 1986working holiday programme
688,019visitors to Japan in 2025

No visa for short stays

The rule for Canadian passports

What the Japanese foreign ministry lists for Canada.

Short-stay visa
Not needed
Visa-free stay
90 days
eVISA where you live
Online
Working holiday
Since 1986
Japanese missions
5
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 CanadaNationals of visa-exempt countries/regions (including Canadians) visiting Japan for a short period of time for tourism, business, visiting relatives or acquaintances, … without being engaged in remunerated activities do not need a visa. Others need to apply for a visa before visiting Japan.FAQ

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)
PassportShort-stay visaVisa-free stay
CanadaNot needed90 days
United StatesNot needed90 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 Canada.

What the Embassy of Japan in Canada says

Embassy of Japan in CanadaQ.12 My Canadian passport will expire within six months. Do I need to renew my passport? It is not necessary under Japanese immigration law. Your passport must be valid at the time of entry. … Please note that airline company polices and restrictions may differ.FAQ

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 Canada since 1986. Visas issued per year: 6,283. It is for young people whose main purpose is a holiday, with work allowed to top up travel funds.

Programme since
1986
Visas per year
6,283
Age
18 to 25 when you apply (30 where both governments agree)
Second participation
Allowed
MOFAStarting from 1 December, 2024, the nationals of Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Denmark, and Austria are allowed to participate in the Working Holiday Programmes twice in lifetime ((1) two consecutive years of stay/two inconsecutive one-year stays in total for nationals of Canada and the United Kingdom, or (2) two inconsecutive one-year stays in total for nationals of New Zealand, Denmark and Austria).The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan

Apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate in Canada.

Digital nomad status

Canada 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 Canada 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 Canada 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 CanadaSingle-entry Tourism Purpose ONLY … You are a resident of Ottawa. … You hold a long-term legal status in Canada other than the Temporary Visitor Record. … You hold a passport issued by the government of your home country, not a Travel Document.Japan e-Visa Application for residents in Ottawa
Embassy of Japan in CanadaOnly visas for short-term TOURISM can be applied for through the eVISA system. … The processing time for an eVISA is the SAME as that for a traditional sticker visa (4-7 business days). … In the eVISA system, you can only select scheduled dates of entry into Japan after 7 days from the submission date.FAQ

What the Embassy of Japan in Canada says

Embassy of Japan in CanadaConsular service is available by appointment only for submitting an application. … An appointment is not required to pick-up documents. … TEL: 613-241-8541領事窓口の予約制について / Appointment Required for Consular Service / Rendez-vous requis pour le service consulaire
Embassy of Japan in CanadaPlease note that matters related to visas are handled locally according to the jurisdiction of each Consulate-General. … If you reside elsewhere in Canada other than the Ottawa region, please direct your inquiries to the office of the respective Consulate-General that takes care of the area where you reside.Visa and Consular Section
Embassy of Japan in CanadaSingle-entry Tourism Purpose ONLY … You must meet ALL the following requirements: You are a resident of Ottawa.Japan e-Visa Application for residents in Ottawa
Embassy of Japan in CanadaIf all requirements are met, most visas can normally be issued within 4-7 business days. … These cases may take 1-2 months. We do NOT offer expedited service.FAQ
Embassy of Japan in CanadaYou can apply up to three months prior to the date you will enter Japan. … Generally, a temporary visitor's visa is expires three months after the date of issue.FAQ

Visa fees at the Embassy of Japan in Canada

Visa fees published by the Embassy of Japan in Canada (checked 5 October 2026)
VisaWhoFee
Single entryGeneral140.00 CAD Source
Single entryIndian Passport8.00 CAD Source
Multiple entryGeneral280.00 CAD Source
Multiple entryIndian Passport8.00 CAD Source

Canada and Japan in numbers

688,019 visitors from Canada came to Japan in 2025, 10th among the markets JNTO counts separately. That was up 18.7% on 2024.

Japanese embassy and consulates in Canada

The missions the foreign ministry lists for Canada. 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 Canadians need a visa for Japan?

No. Canadians do not need a visa for a short stay in Japan of up to 90 days. Canada 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 Canadians stay in Japan without a visa?

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

Can Canadians 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 Canadian nationals who want to work while travelling.

Do Canadians 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 Canadian passport be valid for Japan?

The Embassy of Japan in Canada states: “Q.12 My Canadian passport will expire within six months. Do I need to renew my passport? It is not necessary under Japanese immigration law. Your passport must be valid at the time of entry. … Please note that airline company polices and restrictions may differ.”

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Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 5, 2026