Visa Exemptions
Nationals of the countries listed below holding valid passports can apply for landing permission for short-term stays without obtaining visas as long as they hold valid ordinary passports during the period of the stay. There is no minimum period of passport validity required. Their purposes of travel are restricted to non-paid activities such as sightseeing, sports, convalescence, visiting relatives, friends, or acquaintances, amateur participation in athletic meetings or other contests, business trips (such as market surveys, business liaison, business talks, signing contracts, and after-sale service for machinery imported into Japan).
6 Months or Less *| Austria | Germany | Ireland | Liechtenstein | Mexico |
| Switzerland | UK(UK Citizens) |
3 Months or Less
| Argentina | Bahamas | Belguim | Canada | Chile |
| Costa Rica | Croatia | Cyprus | Denmark | Dominican Rep |
| El Salvador | Finland | France | Greece | Guatemala |
| Honduras | Iceland | Israel | Italy | Lesotho ** |
| Luxembourg | Macedonia | Malta | Mauritius | Netherlands |
| Norway | Portugal | San Marino | Singapore | Slovenia |
| Spain | Surinam | Sweden | Tunisia | Turkey |
| Uruguay |
90 days or Less
| Andorra | Australia | Barbados ** | Bulgaria | Czech Rep |
| Estonia | Hungary | Cyprus | Hong Kong (SAR, BNO ***) | |
| Rep of Korea | Lotvia | Lithuania | Macao | Monaco |
| New Zealand | Poland | Romania | Slovakia | Taiwan |
| USA **** | ||||
14 days or Less
| Brunei |
* Those nationalities permitted to remain for 6 Months or Less shall initially be granted a stay for 90 days. Whilst in Japan they may then apply to immigration for an extension of a further 90 days, although such an extension is at the discretion of the immigration authorities in Japan and may not be granted.
** In case of nationals of Barbados and Lesotho, the above measure only applies to those who possess Machine-Readable passports commencing on April 1st, 2010.
*** Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport and British National Overseas (BNO) passport who have a right of residence in Hong Kong and who wish to enter Japan with the intention of staying there for a period not exceeding ninety(90) consecutive days.
**** Journalists who have US passports must obtain a visa to travel to Japan on business, regardless of the intended length of stay.
For Australian Citizens
Australian nationals who hold a valid Australian passport can apply for landing permission for short-term stays for such purposes as sightseeing, business trips , visiting relatives, friends, amateur participation in athletic meetings or other contests, attending lectures or trade fairs, academic surveys and research presentations or other similar activities without obtaining a visa.
The length of stay is not to exceed 90 days. There is no minimum period of passport validity required, however, paid activities in Japan are prohibited for short term stays. Also, the waiver of visa requirements are not applicable in the case of stays exceeding the period of time stipulated in each arrangement. In such cases, it is necessary for foreigners to obtain a visa.
A visa is required if your purpose of travel is as a long term resident, for long term study, or for employment or for other remunerative activities.