Do UAE nationals need a visa for Japan? 90 days visa-free

The rule for UAE passports

What the Japanese foreign ministry lists for the United Arab Emirates.

Short-stay visa: Not needed
Visa-free stay: 90 days
Passport: ePassport only
eVISA where you live: Through an agency
Japanese missions: 2

Visa for a short stay: Not required with the passport below
Longest stay granted: 90 days
Passport: ICAO-standard ePassport required
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

Other passports from Middle East

Short-stay visa rules for passports from Middle East (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, exemption list revised 1 September 2025)
Passport	Short-stay visa	Visa-free stay
Bahrain	Needed	No visa-free stay
Israel	Not needed	90 days
Kuwait	Needed	No visa-free stay
Oman	Needed	No visa-free stay
Türkiye	Not needed	90 days
United Arab Emirates	Not needed	90 days

Passport conditions

The exemption for the United Arab Emirates depends on the kind of passport you hold.

You must hold a valid passport to enter Japan (Immigration Control Act, Article 3).

MOFA: note 2 to the listFor nationals of Montenegro (since September 1, 2025), Peru（since July 1, 2025), Paraguay (since June 1, 2025), Panama (since April 1, 2024), Brazil (since September 30, 2023), United Arab Emirates (since November 1, 2022), Thailand (since July 1, 2013) and Serbia (since May 1, 2011), visas are not required only for holders of ePassport in compliance with ICAO standards. Those who do not hold such ePassport are requested to obtain a visa in advance, otherwise will be refused to enter Japan.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)

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 Arab Emirates 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 Arab Emirates 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.

For people living in the United Arab Emirates who need a visa, the JAPAN eVISA is handled through an accredited agency. It is a single-entry visa for tourism of up to 90 days.

MOFAAll foreign nationals/people residing in Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea (except jurisdiction over the Consulate General of Japan in Jeju), Singapore and United Arab Emirates, except those who are exempt from short-term visaThe JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa)

Embassy of Japan in the United Arab EmiratesALL visa/e-visa applications including short-term and long term for ordinary passport holders are being received at VFS Global application centre with an appointment.Visitng Japan

JAPAN eVISA: who can apply onlineBy country of residence

What the Embassy of Japan in the United Arab Emirates says

Embassy of Japan in the United Arab EmiratesThe Embassy of Japan in UAE has started visa operation in partnership with VFS Global since 1 st of August 2024. … ALL visa/e-visa applications including short-term and long term for ordinary passport holders are being received at VFS Global application centre with an appointment.Visitng Japan

Japanese embassy and consulates in the United Arab Emirates

The missions the foreign ministry lists for the United Arab Emirates. 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 UAE nationals need a visa for Japan?

No, if you hold an ePassport. Since 1 November 2022, UAE nationals with an ICAO-standard ePassport can enter Japan without a visa for up to 90 days. Without an ePassport you must get a visa in advance. Source: Japanese foreign ministry list, revised 1 September 2025.

How long can UAE nationals stay in Japan without a visa?

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

Can UAE nationals 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 UAE nationals 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.

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
Immigration Services Agency of Japan 外国人の入国の要件 (Japanese)checked 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 Arab Emirates Visitng Japanchecked 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