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Do Finnish citizens need a visa for Japan?

No. Finnish citizens do not need a visa for a short stay in Japan of up to 90 days. Finland 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 2023working holiday programme
34,805visitors to Japan in 2025

No visa for short stays

The rule for Finnish passports

What the Japanese foreign ministry lists for Finland.

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 FinlandIn accordance with a general visa exemption agreement between Japan and Finland, Finnish nationals can travel to Japan without a visa for short-term stays that does not include remunerative activities. … However, the stay in Japan should not exceed three months (i.e. 90 days).Visa Categories

Other passports from Europe

Short-stay visa rules for passports from Europe (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, exemption list revised 1 September 2025)
PassportShort-stay visaVisa-free stay
FinlandNot needed90 days
FranceNot needed90 days
GermanyNot needed90 days
ItalyNot needed90 days
SpainNot needed90 days
United KingdomNot 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 Finland.

What the Embassy of Japan in Finland says

Embassy of Japan in FinlandAccording to “Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act”, your passport must be valid at the time of entry to Japan. … However, we strongly recommend that your passport should be valid at least for the duration of your stay or even a few months after the trip to be prepared for unforeseable circumstances.Visas and Consular Services

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 Finland since 2023. Visas issued per year: From Japan to Finland: no limit From Finland to Japan: 200. 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
From Japan to Finland: no limit From Finland to Japan: 200
Age
18 to 30 when you apply
Second participation
Once in a lifetime

Apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate in Finland.

Digital nomad status

Finland 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 Finland 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 Finland, so applications go to the embassy or consulate, or to the channel it names.

What the Embassy of Japan in Finland says

Embassy of Japan in Finlandplease send all documents to take precheck by email … You will get an appointment after precheck in an email. … Please submit all the required documents at the Consular Section in person with your appointment.HOW TO APPLY
Embassy of Japan in FinlandYou can also apply for your visa by a registered mail, however, we do not bear any responsibility on the way of the transportation by mail … Please note that we cannot send the ready visa and passport back to you by post or any courier service.HOW TO APPLY
Embassy of Japan in FinlandThe visa process takes approximately 5 working days and may vary depending on the contents. … We do not have expedited services.HOW TO APPLY
Embassy of Japan in FinlandValidity of visa is 3 months from the date of issue and is not extendable. … we will not accept any visa applications more than 3 months before your scheduled departure date.HOW TO APPLY

Visa fees at the Embassy of Japan in Finland

Visa fees published by the Embassy of Japan in Finland (checked 5 October 2026)
VisaWhoFeeFrom
Single entryOrdinary90.00 EUR Source1 July 2026
Single entryIndian nationals5.00 EUR Source1 July 2026
Multiple entryOrdinary181.00 EUR Source1 July 2026
Multiple entryIndian nationals5.00 EUR Source1 July 2026

Finland and Japan in numbers

34,805 visitors from Finland came to Japan in 2025, 38th among the markets JNTO counts separately. That was up 20.9% on 2024.

Japanese embassy for Finland

The missions the foreign ministry lists for Finland. 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 Finnish citizens need a visa for Japan?

No. Finnish citizens do not need a visa for a short stay in Japan of up to 90 days. Finland 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 Finnish citizens stay in Japan without a visa?

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

Can Finnish 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. A working holiday visa is the route for young Finnish nationals who want to work while travelling.

Do Finnish 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 Finnish passport be valid for Japan?

The Embassy of Japan in Finland states: “According to “Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act”, your passport must be valid at the time of entry to Japan. … However, we strongly recommend that your passport should be valid at least for the duration of your stay or even a few months after the trip to be prepared for unforeseable circumstances.”

Related items

Sources for this page

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