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Do UK citizens need a visa for Japan?

No. UK citizens do not need a visa for a short stay in Japan of up to 90 days. The United Kingdom 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 2001working holiday programme
535,004visitors to Japan in 2025

No visa for short stays

The rule for UK passports

What the Japanese foreign ministry lists for the United Kingdom.

Short-stay visa
Not needed
Visa-free stay
90 days
eVISA where you live
Online
Working holiday
Since 2001
Japanese missions
2
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 the UKA British citizen who has a British ordinary passport does not need to obtain a “Temporary Visitor Visa” … as long as the purpose of stay is for the activities permitted within the status of residence of “Temporary Visitor” and the period of stay is 6 months or less, as the visa exemption agreement between Japan and the UK will apply.Visa: Frequently Asked Questions

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
FranceNot needed90 days
GermanyNot needed90 days
ItalyNot needed90 days
RussiaNeededNo visa-free stay
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 the United Kingdom.

What the Embassy of Japan in the UK says

Embassy of Japan in the UKQ: How much extra validity do I need to have on my passport at the time of entry to Japan? A: The relevant Japanese law does not have a specific regulation regarding this matter. … you are strongly recommended to enter Japan on a passport which will be valid for longer than your planned period of stay.Visa: 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.

Under the bilateral arrangement with the United Kingdom, stays of up to 6 months are possible. To stay beyond 90 days, apply for an extension at a Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan before your permitted stay runs out.

MOFA: note 8 to the listFor nationals of those countries with visa exemptions permitting stays of up to 6 months under the bilateral visa exemption arrangements, those who wish to stay in Japan for more than 90 days are required to apply for an extension of the period of stay to the Ministry of Justice (Regional Immigration Bureau) before the period of permitted stay is to expire.Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)

Working holiday visa

Japan has run a working holiday programme with the United Kingdom since 2001. Visas issued per year: 6,000. It is for young people whose main purpose is a holiday, with work allowed to top up travel funds.

Programme since
2001
Visas per year
6,000
Age
18 to 30 when you apply
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 the United Kingdom.

Digital nomad status

The United Kingdom 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 the United Kingdom 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 Kingdom 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 UKApply through Japan eVISA System … You may submit a visa application, receive your eVISA, and pay the visa fee by credit/debit card via the Japan eVISA system.Visa: General Information
Embassy of Japan in the UKYou may stay for up to 90 days for Tourism purposes. … Single-Entry Visa only.Visa information

What the Embassy of Japan in the UK says

Embassy of Japan in the UKPlease submit all the required documents for your visa category at the Consular Section in person. … An appointment must be booked in advanceVisa: General Information
Embassy of Japan in the UKCLICK HERE TO START ONLINE APPLICATION … In-person appointments at the Embassy are NOT required for the eVISA.Visa information
Embassy of Japan in the UKVisa applicants living in Scotland and the North of England (Cleveland, Cumbria, Tyne & Wear, Durham, Northumberland) should apply at the Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh. … When booking an appointment for a visa application, please ensure you use the Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh booking siteConsular Appointments
Embassy of Japan in the UKVisa applicants may use a registered visa agent to apply for a visa unless the application is for a Student visa, Working Holiday visa, or Spouse or Child of Japanese National visa.Visa: General Information
Embassy of Japan in the UKOnce a visa application submitted in person has been accepted as valid, in most cases it will take 5 working days. … eVISA(online application) processing normally take on average 2 weeks.Visa: General Information
Embassy of Japan in the UKNote 1: We cannot accept a visa application submitted more than 3 months before the date of arrival in Japan.Visa information

Visa fees at the Embassy of Japan in the UK

Visa fees published by the Embassy of Japan in the UK (checked 5 October 2026)
VisaWhoFeeFrom
Single entryIndian nationals4.00 GBP Source1 July 2026
Single entryOther nationals77.00 GBP Source1 July 2026
Multiple entryIndian nationals4.00 GBP Source1 July 2026
Multiple entryOther nationals154.00 GBP Source1 July 2026

The United Kingdom and Japan in numbers

535,004 visitors from the United Kingdom came to Japan in 2025, 14th among the markets JNTO counts separately. That was up 22.4% on 2024.

Japanese embassy and consulates in the United Kingdom

The missions the foreign ministry lists for the United Kingdom. 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 UK citizens need a visa for Japan?

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

Up to 90 days. That is the period of stay the foreign ministry lists for the United Kingdom on its visa exemption list, revised 1 September 2025. Under the bilateral arrangement a stay of up to 6 months is possible, but you must apply for an extension in Japan before the first 90 days run out.

Can UK 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 UK nationals who want to work while travelling.

Do UK 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 UK passport be valid for Japan?

The Embassy of Japan in the UK states: “Q: How much extra validity do I need to have on my passport at the time of entry to Japan? A: The relevant Japanese law does not have a specific regulation regarding this matter. … you are strongly recommended to enter Japan on a passport which will be valid for longer than your planned period of stay.”

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