Japan e-Visa portal is open once again
Japan’s government e-Visa portal has reopened, allowing online applications for travelers from eligible countries. Learn who can apply, the application process, and key travel requirements.
A new window of opportunity opens today: Japan’s government e-Visa portal is accepting applications again after a long pause. The online service was suspended on 11 October 2022 due to pandemic-era travel curbs and, at this stage, remains restricted to a small set of eligible nationalities.
This e-Visa system is still relatively young. It launched during summer 2022, giving travellers from a handful of countries the chance to secure an entry permit entirely online. The programme is still expanding, with more countries expected to join the list in the coming months.
Which nationalities can apply now?
For the time being, only 11 nationalities are eligible: South Africa, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Once issued, the single-entry e-Visa permits a maximum stay of 90 days and must be activated within three months of the day after the issue date. Travellers from European Union countries do not need any visa for stays of up to 90 days, so they are exempt. Japanese authorities have indicated that more countries may be added to the e-Visa roster in the near future.
How to file an application
The simplest route is to visit the official Japan e-Visa government portal, follow the guided steps, and complete the online form. Many applicants will be able to finalise the request online and pay the consular fee (about €22) straight from the form using a credit card. Others may receive instructions to visit a Japanese immigration office to settle the payment in person; the portal will specify this when the form is being filled out. You should receive confirmation within five working days; approval may arrive by e-mail sooner.
Current entry requirements
Fully vaccinated international travellers to Japan face no PCR-test obligation. Those who have received fewer than three doses—or none at all—must present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure. The certificate must be translated into English or Japanese and meet standards set by Japan’s Ministry of Health. These testing rules are set to be lifted on 8 May subject to public-health conditions.
Remember to pre-register on the Visit Japan Web portal a few days before departure.
A specialist in regulatory monitoring and a content destination expert, she analyzes daily changes in entry formalities to turn complex administrative processes into practical guides. Her role blends ground-level expertise with technical precision to ensure the reliability of the information provided to travelers.
