Travelling to Japan as a tourist has been straightforward for visitors from 71 visa-exempt countries, who currently do not need a short-stay visa before travelling. However, this is set to change as the Japanese government plans to implement a new travel authorization system, tentatively named JESTA.
JESTA: Japan’s Version of U.S. ESTA
JESTA will function similarly to the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which was introduced as an anti-terrorism measure. The Japanese system will require visitors to declare personal information online before entering the country.
Reducing Illegal Stays in Japan
JESTA aims to reduce illegal stays by screening travellers from visa-exempt countries before they enter Japan. Currently, stays of 14 to 90 days are allowed, but many visitors overstay, and screening after takeoff does not stop them from reaching Japan.
The Japanese government hopes that the new system will help identify potential risks before these individuals even board their flights.
How the System Will Work
JESTA will require Visitors from visa-exempt countries to declare their entry purpose and stay details online. Those flagged as potential risks will be denied authorization and advised to apply for a formal visa.
This information will be screened by the Immigration Services Agency. If there are concerns about the traveller’s intentions, they may be denied entry and advised to apply for a formal visa through their local embassy.
Countries Affected
Travellers from the following 71 countries and regions will need to use JESTA once it is implemented:
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Panama
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Republic of Korea
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
Also Read: Japan Unveils eVisa System for Tourists from 11 Countries
Timeline and Future Plans
The Japanese government plans to allocate research costs for JESTA in the next fiscal year’s budget, with a target to fully implement the system by 2030.
Additionally, a trial system is expected to be launched this fiscal year. This trial will involve airlines sending passenger information to the Immigration Services Agency after boarding procedures.
The data will be checked against a blacklist of travellers, including those with criminal records or other security concerns, allowing airlines to refuse boarding to flagged individuals.
Impact on Travellers
While JESTA is intended to enhance security for both Japan and its visitors, it may pose challenges for travellers accustomed to the current visa-free entry. More information about the application process, timelines, and personal information requirements will be released closer to the system’s launch date.
Final Words
Japan’s new travel authorization system aims to tighten border controls and ensure that visa-exempt visitors comply with entry regulations, enhancing the country’s safety and security measures.
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