Japan to speed up expansion of e-Visa system
Japan's government is expanding its electronic visa service to simplify short-term visitor applications, supporting tourism recovery and reducing consular workload through digital processing.
The Japanese government plans to expand its electronic visa service to streamline short-term visitor applications for foreign tourists. This move comes as Japan’s tourism sector rebounds following the lifting of COVID-19 border restrictions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched the online service in March, initially covering 11 countries and regions, before adding China in June.
Eligible countries are: South Africa, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, China, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Benefits of Japan’s e-Visa System
One of the system’s key advantages is that eligible applicants can obtain short-stay visas without visiting a Japanese embassy or consulate. According to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization, about 15.19 million foreign tourists visited Japan in the first eight months of this year. The electronic visa system has helped accelerate document issuance and reduce administrative workloads, as noted by a government official.
Streamlined Processing and Reduced Staff Burden
As another official explained, digitizing the visa system has not only sped up processing times but also eased the workload on staff. Approved applicants may now present their visa approval notifications on their smartphones during check-in or entry, either on a flight or upon arrival, by accessing the system’s website.
Planned Expansion in 2024
The Japanese government aims to extend the system to more countries and regions this year, further simplifying entry for foreign tourists. With inbound tourism rising, current staffing levels may eventually struggle to keep up with demand.
Visa Fee Payments by Credit Card
Under the updated process, applicants from all eligible countries and regions—except China—will be able to pay visa fees by credit card. Once approved, travelers can retrieve their visa approval notices on their smartphones during check-in or entry via the system’s website.
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