Do you need a visa to visit Japan for a short stay?
The short answer
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has visa exemption arrangements with 74 countries and regions for short-term stays. The period of stay is 90 days for most, with shorter periods for some. The page read is dated 1 September 2025.
Who is exempt
The list includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and most Schengen countries, among others. Check the full table on the official page.
How long you can stay
The ministry says the period of stay granted on landing is 90 days for most countries and regions.
- 15 days for Indonesia and Thailand
- 30 days for Brunei and Qatar
- Some nationals, for example from Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, have arrangements for up to 6 months. To stay more than 90 days you must apply for an extension from the Ministry of Justice (Regional Immigration Bureau) before your permitted stay ends.
Passport conditions
For some nationalities, visa exemption applies only to holders of an ICAO-compliant ePassport. The notes list Brazil, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Montenegro, Serbia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia.
Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan have their own passport conditions. Uruguay's newer passports without a place of birth are not recognised as valid.
The ministry page may change. Check the official site before you pay or travel.
Sources: Japan MOFA: Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay). Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How many days can I stay in Japan without a visa?
90 days for most exempt countries and regions. Indonesia and Thailand are 15 days, and Brunei and Qatar are 30 days.
Do Americans need a visa for Japan?
The United States is on the ministry's list of countries with visa exemption for short stays.
Can I stay longer than 90 days?
Only by applying for an extension from the Ministry of Justice before your permitted stay ends, for the countries the notes mention.
Does my passport type matter?
For some nationalities, yes. Visa exemption applies only to ICAO-compliant ePassport or machine-readable passport holders, as noted on the page.