Exemption of Visas
Visas are not required for entry into Japan in the following cases.
(1) Nationals of Countries and Areas with Visa Exemption Arrangements with Japan
As of April 2010, Japan had taken measures concerning the waiver of visa requirements with 61 countries and regions, as shown in the accompanying table.
Nationals of these countries and regions are not required to obtain a visa to enter Japan when the purpose of their visit is commerce, a conference, tourism, visit to relatives/acquaintances, etc.
However, only in cases in which the foreign national engages in paid activities in Japan, and in cases in which the period of stay of the foreign national exceeds the period of stay stipulated in each arrangement, it is necessary to obtain a visa.
(2) Re-entry Permit Holders
If foreign nationals who already reside in Japan for the purpose of work or a long-term stay wish to leave Japan temporarily on business, etc. during the period for which they have received permission to stay in Japan, they can obtain a re-entry permit before departing from Japan. This permit enables them to re-enter Japan without having to obtain a new visa, as long as their re-entry is within the period of validity of the permit.
The Ministry of Justice (through the Regional Immigration Bureau) accepts applications for re-entry permits.
Re-entry permission is valid for only one time. However, foreign nationals who have to leave Japan frequently can apply for multiple re-entry permits.
When re-entry permission is granted, the permit is stamped on the foreign national's passport.
It is not possible to apply for re-entry permission at the Embassy or Consulate after departure from Japan. However, if a foreign national who has departed from Japan after acquiring re-entry permission is unable to return to Japan before expiration of the permit for unavoidable reasons, such as illness, the foreign national can apply at the Embassy or Consulate General for an extension of the re-entry permit's period of validity.
List of Countries and Regions That Have Visa Exemption Arrangements with Japan (61 countries and regions as of April 2010)
- Irrespective of the terms of residence in this list, the period of stay granted at the time of the landing permission shall be the shortest period out of "15 days," "30 days" or "90 days" that is long enough to cover the purpose of the stay of the foreign national. (15 days for Brunei)
- Nationals of countries and regions with visa exemptions recognizing stays of six months or less who wish to stay in Japan for more than 90 days must apply to the Ministry of Justice (Regional Immigration Bureau) for an extension of their period of stay.
(Asia)
| Countries and regions | Period of stay |
|---|---|
| Singapore | 3 months or less |
| Brunei | 14 days or less |
| Republic of Korea | 90 days or less |
| Taiwan (Note) | 90 days or less |
| Hong Kong (Note) | 90 days or less |
| Macao (Note) | 90 days or less |
(North America)
| Countries and regions | Period of stay |
|---|---|
| United States | 90 days or less |
| Canada | 3 months or less |
(Latin America and Caribbean)
| Countries and regions | Period of stay |
|---|---|
| Argentina | 3 months or less |
| Uruguay | 3 months or less |
| El Salvador | 3 months or less |
| Guatemala | 3 months or less |
| Costa Rica | 3 months or less |
| Surinam | 3 months or less |
| Chile | 3 months or less |
| Dominican Republic | 3 months or less |
| Bahamas | 3 months or less |
| Honduras | 3 months or less |
| Mexico | 6 months or less |
(Oceania)
| Countries and regions | Period of stay |
|---|---|
| Australia | 90 days or less |
| New Zealand | 90 days or less |
(Middle East)
| Countries and regions | Period of stay |
|---|---|
| Israel | 3 months or less |
| Turkey | 3 months or less |
(Europe)
| Countries and regions | Period of stay |
|---|---|
| Iceland | 3 months or less |
| Ireland | 6 months or less |
| Andorra | 90 days or less |
| Italy | 3 months or less |
| Estonia | 90 days or less |
| Austria | 6 months or less |
| Netherlands | 3 months or less |
| Cyprus | 3 months or less |
| Greece | 3 months or less |
| Croatia | 3 months or less |
| San Marino | 3 months or less |
| Switzerland | 6 months or less |
| Sweden | 3 months or less |
| Spain | 3 months or less |
| Slovakia | 90 days or less |
| Slovenia | 3 months or less |
| Czech Republic | 90 days or less |
| Denmark | 3 months or less |
| Germany | 6 months or less |
| Norway | 3 months or less |
| Hungary | 90 days or less |
| Finland | 3 months or less |
| France | 3 months or less |
| Bulgaria | 90 days or less |
| Belgium | 3 months or less |
| Poland | 90 days or less |
| Portugal | 3 months or less |
| Macedonia, former Yugoslavia | 3 months or less |
| Malta | 3 months or less |
| Monaco | 90 days or less |
| Latvia | 90 days or less |
| Lithuania | 90 days or less |
| Liechtenstein | 6 months or less |
| Romania | 90 days or less |
| Luxembourg | 3 months or less |
| United Kingdom | 6 months or less |
(Africa)
| Countries and regions | Period of stay |
|---|---|
| Tunisia | 3 months or less |
| Mauritius | 3 months or less |
(Note) These terms of residence may not apply to diplomatic and official passport holders in some cases.
(Note) In case of Taiwan, visas are not required for Taiwan passport holders with their own personal ID number stipulated in their respective passports.
(Note) In case of Hong Kong, visas are not required for Hong Kong SAR passport holders, and BNO passport holders (Hong Kong permanent identity card holders).
(Note) In case of Macao, visas are not required for Macao SAR passport holders.
(Note) Some of the countries that Japan takes measures concerning the exemption of visa requirements will be encouraged to obtain visas before entering the territory of Japan. Those nationals without visas would be strictly examined when entering Japan.
(Note) Nationals of Malaysia (since June 1st, 1993), Peru (since July 15th, 1995) and Colombia (since February 1st, 2004) are subject to above measure.
(Note) In case of nationals of Barbados and Lesotho, the above measure only applies to those who possess Non-Machine-Readable passports commencing on April 1st, 2010.
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