Japan is preparing to introduce a new digital travel authorisation system that will soon be required for most tourists entering the country. The planned introduction of the scheme in 2028 comes amid a series of visa updates, with the country recently rolling out an expanded e-visa system allowing travellers from much of the Gulf, India and South Africa to apply online instead of visiting an embassy, plus a new digital nomad permit that lets high-earning remote workers stay for up to six months. Here’s everything you need to know.
Until the new JESTA system is rolled out in 2028, existing visa rules apply
Getty ImagesWhat has changed in Japan’s tourist visa rules in 2025?
For now, not much has changed for most travellers, but a major shift is coming soon when the country launches the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (JESTA) in 2028. Until then, Japan’s existing visa exemption and e-visa systems remain fully in place, meaning citizens from 74 countries and regions can continue to enter visa-free for short-term stays (usually up to 90 days), and those who require a visa can apply online through a system that has recently expanded to cover most of the Gulf as well as India, South Africa, and parts of Europe and Asia, replacing the traditional paper-based process.
What is Japan’s new electronic travel authorisation system (JESTA), and why is it being introduced?
The Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, or JESTA, is a digital pre-clearance system that will soon be required for all visa-exempt travellers entering Japan. It’s essentially Japan’s version of the US ESTA or the EU’s upcoming ETIAS programme, and it’s set to be implemented by 2028, though technical trials could begin sooner.
Once live, JESTA will require travellers from 74 visa-exempt countries and regions – including the UK, EU states, Australia, Singapore, and much of the Gulf – to complete an online application before flying. Travellers will submit passport details, travel history and background information, and pay a small processing fee. In exchange, they’ll receive a multi-entry approval valid for up to two years, allowing visits of up to 90 days at a time without re-applying.
Officials say the system is being introduced to strengthen border security, detect irregular migration, and reduce wait times at major airports. But for visitors, it means visa-free travel won’t be entirely frictionless anymore.
AloJapan.com