JESTA: Japan's electronic travel authorisation for visa-free visitors

JESTA is not in force yet. Japan passed the law on 29 May 2026. It will require visa-exempt visitors to obtain an electronic travel authorisation before each trip. The start is a date to be set by Cabinet Order, no later than 31 March 2029. The fee has not been set.

Updated October 5, 2026

31 Mar 2029latest possible start

74visa-exempt countries and regions affected

Not setfee

Guide

What is decided

From the Immigration Services Agency's page on the 2026 amendment and its outline of the law.

Law passed: 29 May 2026
Promulgated: 5 June 2026 (Act No. 32 of 2026)
Start: A date to be set by Cabinet Order, no later than 31 March 2029
Who: Visa-exempt visitors on short stays for tourism and similar purposes, cruise ship passengers, and some transit passengers
How often: For each new entry
Fee: An amount to be set by Cabinet Order

Immigration Services Agency (translated from Japanese)The JESTA provisions take effect on a date set by Cabinet Order, no later than 31 March 2029.令和8年入管法等改正法について (Japanese)

Immigration Services Agency (translated from Japanese)Foreign nationals who do not need a visa and intend to stay in Japan for a short period for tourism and similar activities.改正法の概要：JESTA（電子渡航認証制度）の創設 (Japanese, PDF)

Immigration Services Agency (translated from Japanese)Foreign nationals who arrive on a cruise ship (a designated passenger ship) and wish to land for sightseeing, and some foreign nationals who enter Japan temporarily to change ships or aircraft.改正法の概要：JESTA（電子渡航認証制度）の創設 (Japanese, PDF)

Immigration Services Agency (translated from Japanese)For strict immigration control, authorisation is given for each new entry.改正法の概要：JESTA（電子渡航認証制度）の創設 (Japanese, PDF)

Immigration Services Agency (translated from Japanese)Having received authorisation becomes a condition for landing, and entry is prohibited for foreign nationals who have received neither authorisation nor a visa.改正法の概要：JESTA（電子渡航認証制度）の創設 (Japanese, PDF)

Immigration Services Agency (translated from Japanese)A fee in an amount set by Cabinet Order is collected.改正法の概要：JESTA（電子渡航認証制度）の創設 (Japanese, PDF)

What changes at the border

Holding an authorisation becomes a condition for landing. A foreign national with neither an authorisation nor a visa is barred from entering.
Carriers report passenger details to the agency when issuing tickets and must not carry a person the agency says should not enter.
For authorised short-stay visitors who meet the landing conditions, the landing stamp in the passport is omitted. The agency's outline says walk-through gates are used in practice.

The agency's outline gives the background: about 38.46 million people entered Japan as short-term visitors in 2025, and about 80% of them were visa-exempt.

Who will need it

Travellers who enter Japan without a visa.

JESTA is for nationals of the 74 visa-exempt countries and regions when they come for a short stay. A traveller who holds a visa is not entering under the exemption.

Visa-free countries for JapanThe full list and stay limits

What is not announced yet

The start date. The agency's page gives only the outer limit of 31 March 2029.
The fee. The law leaves the amount to a Cabinet Order.
Where to apply. As of 5 October 2026 the agency's page lists no application website.

Until the Immigration Services Agency opens an official site, any website that sells a JESTA for Japan is not an official channel.

Frequently asked questions

Is JESTA required to enter Japan now?

No. The law passed on 29 May 2026, but the JESTA provisions start on a date to be set by Cabinet Order, no later than 31 March 2029.

When does JESTA start?

The Immigration Services Agency gives only an outer limit: a date set by Cabinet Order, no later than 31 March 2029.

How much will JESTA cost?

The amount is not set. The law says a fee fixed by Cabinet Order will be charged.

Who will need JESTA?

Visa-exempt visitors on short stays for tourism and similar purposes, cruise ship passengers and some transit passengers. Authorisation is needed for each new entry.

Do travellers with a Japanese visa need JESTA?

JESTA targets people who enter without a visa. Under the law, entry is barred to a foreign national who has neither an authorisation nor a visa.