Now it's official. Japan, which is experiencing a historic tourism boom with over 42 million visitors expected this year, is preparing to radically transform its entry conditions for visa-exempt travelers.
©️Andre Benz / unsplash.com
March 10, 2026, the Japanese government has approved an amendment to its immigration control law. The aim? To introduce JESTA (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization), a mandatory electronic travel authorization system for short-term travelers. This system will not be implemented immediately, however, because launch of the platform is scheduled to take place before march 2029. By March 31, 2027, a new reform is due to come into force.
What is JESTA and why is Japan adopting it?
Until now, nationals of many countries could fly to Tokyo or Osaka without any prior formalities, obtaining a short-stay stamp (usually 90 days) directly on arrival. From here fiscal year 2028 (before March 2029), the JESTA will operate on exactly the same principle as the American ESTA, the British ETA, or the future ETIAS European.
The Japanese government's twofold objective:
Safety and control : Prevent illegal residence and illegal employment by screening travellers before they even board the plane.
Airport fluidity : Relieve congestion in arrival terminals. Travelers approved by JESTA will no longer necessarily need to go through a face-to-face interview with an immigration officer. They will use automated digital kiosks (Integrated Kiosks) checking their fingerprints and faces.
Who will be affected by the JESTA?
JESTA will specifically target 74 countries and regions currently exempt from visa requirements for short stays (tourism, business, family visits). This includes a very large proportion of international customers:
- Europe : France, Spain, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, etc.
- The Americas : United States, Canada, Argentina, Chile, etc.
- Asia-Pacific : South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, etc.
According to the approved texts, foreigners making a simple stopover in Japan (transit) could also be required to obtain a JESTA before their flight.
How will the application work and how much will it cost?
Although the platform is not yet online, the procedure has already been validated by Japan's immigration services agency:
–Online data entry : Several days before departure, travelers must fill in a digital form detailing their identity, profession, reason for stay and accommodation address in Japan.
–Pre-boarding validation : Airlines will be linked to the system. If your JESTA status is not “Approved”, you will be categorically denied boarding at the check-in desk.
–Cost: The government plans to charge for this application. While the exact amount has yet to be determined by ordinance, the press reports that the fee will be aligned with that of the American ESTA, i.e. around 40 US dollars (nearly 6,000 yen / 35 euros).
Are you planning a trip to Japan between now and 2028? Enjoy visa-free travel for the time being, but keep an eye on our blog. We'll keep you informed as soon as the exact launch date of the JESTA is decided by the Japanese parliament. Until then, standard visa exemption rules remain in force.
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