Travelers who, unfortunately, haven’t yet learned that you always need to check the entry rules for each country for each trip are really going to have to start doing this very basic step. After the UK earlier this year and the majority of European countries soon, another extremely popular country is adding an entry requirement: Japan!
It’s called JESTA (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Yes, you’re going to have something to do before your trip, and you’re going to have to pay for the privilege of going there.
It was announced a long time ago, but it’s making the rounds in many media outlets these days, so we’re making this post in case you’re one of those who are inexplicably stressed about having to fill out a very simple form… or if you just want to be well-informed.
Here are the details of Japan’s electronic travel authorization (JESTA).
Few details are known, so I’m just sharing this overview for now, so you have the most important information.
Here are the basics of Japan’s electronic travel authorization:
- Requirement to apply for an electronic travel authorization
- Called JESTA
- A kind of electronic visa
- Must be obtained before doing your check-in for your flight
- Like all requirements of this kind
- It’s not a visa on arrival
- Should come into effect in fiscal year 2028
- Typical government speed
- It was supposed to be even worse (2030)
- It was moved up (exact date to be determined)
- For all visitors from visa-exempt countries
- Including Canadians, Americans, Brits, etc.
- Complete list on the official site
- Should cost around 0
- Exact price to be determined
- The UK ETA doubled in 6 months, so…
- Some important details still unknown
- Processing time to obtain it
- Validity period for the authorization
- Will be extremely easy to apply for (as always)
- You literally just need to know how to read
- To fill out a simple form online
- Will be available on the official government site
- Don’t get fooled by a very common scam
- No other changes to entry rules
- Like the maximum length of stay
- Or literally everything else
Don’t worry: as soon as more information becomes available, we’ll improve this guide like the one we have for the UK electronic travel authorization (UK ETA) already in effect and for the European electronic travel authorization (ETIAS) coming soon.
But anyway, if you do the ONLY mandatory step to do for each trip, which is to check the country entry rules, everything will always be fine. A pretty simple concept! 😉
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Summary
Japan will add an electronic travel authorization requirement (JESTA) before the end of its fiscal year 2028. There’s clearly a strong trend toward this type of requirement, so you might as well get used to doing the mandatory step of checking entry rules.
What would you like to know about the Japan electronic travel authorization? Tell us in the comments below.
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