Visa requirements for Japanese citizens
Administrative entry restrictions From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Visa requirements for Japanese citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Japan.
From 2018 to 2022, Japanese citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to the most countries and territories,[1] making the Japanese passport rank first in the world in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.[2][3] It ranked 2nd in 2023, 2024 and 2025.[1][4]
Visa requirements map

Japan
Visa not required / ESTA / ETA
Visa on arrival
eVisa
Visa available either on arrival or online
Visa required
Visa requirements
Summarize
Perspective
Visa requirements for holders of normal passports travelling for tourist purposes:
Country / Region | Visa requirement | Allowed stay | Notes (excluding departure fees) |
---|---|---|---|
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Visa required[5] | ||
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Visa not required[6] | 90 days | |
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Visa required[7] | ||
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Visa not required[8] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[9][10] | 30 days |
|
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Visa not required[13] | 6 months | |
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Visa not required[14] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[15] | 180 days |
|
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Electronic Travel Authority[16] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[18] | 90 days |
|
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Free eVisa / Visa on arrival[19][20] | 30 days |
|
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Visa not required[21] | 3 months | |
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[22] | 14 days | |
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Visa on arrival[23] | 30 days |
|
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Visa not required[24] | 6 months | |
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Visa not required[25] | 30 days |
|
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Visa not required[26] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[27] | 90 days | |
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eVisa[28][29] | 30 days |
|
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eVisa[31][32] | ||
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Visa not required[33] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[34] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[35] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[36] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[37] | 30 days | |
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Visa not required[38] | 90 days |
|
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eVisa[39][40] | ||
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Online Visa / Visa on arrival[41][42] | 1 month |
|
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[44][45] | 30 days | |
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eVisa[46][47] | ||
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Electronic Travel Authorization[48] | 6 months | |
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Visa on arrival[51] | 30 days |
|
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Visa required[53] | ||
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eVisa[54] | ||
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Visa not required[55] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[56] | 30 days |
|
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Visa not required[60] | 180 days |
|
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Visa on arrival[61] | 45 days |
|
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Visa required[62] | ||
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eVisa[63][64] | 7 days | |
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Visa not required[65] | 180 days | |
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eVisa[66][67] | 3 months |
|
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Visa not required[68] | 90 days |
|
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eVisa[69][70] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[71] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[72] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[73] | 90 days |
|
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eVisa[74][75] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[76] | 6 months | |
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Visa not required[77] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[78] | 90 days | |
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[79][80] | 30 days | |
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Visa not required[81] | 3 months | |
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eVisa[82][83] | ||
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Visa required[84] | ||
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Visa not required[85] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[86] | 30 days | |
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[87] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[90] | 4 months | |
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Visa not required[91] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[92] | 90 days |
|
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eVisa[93][94] | 90 days |
|
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Visa required[95] |
| |
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Visa not required[96] | 1 year | |
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Visa not required[97] | 90 days |
|
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Visa required[98] | ||
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Visa not required[99] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[100] | 3 months | |
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Visa not required[101] | 90 days | |
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eVisa[102][103] | 90 days |
|
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Visa on arrival[104] | 90 days |
|
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Visa required[105] | ||
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Visa not required[106] | 3 months | |
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Visa not required[107] | 3 months | |
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Visa not required[108] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[109] | 90 days |
|
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[110][111] | 60 days |
|
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e-VOA / Visa on arrival[115] | 30 days[116] | |
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Visa not required[117] | 15 days |
|
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eVisa[118][119] | ||
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Visa not required[120] | 3 months | |
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Electronic Travel Authorization[121][122] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[123] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[124] | 30 days | |
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[125][126] | 30 days |
|
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Visa not required[127] | 30 days | |
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Electronic Travel Authorisation[128][129] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[131] | 90 days | |
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Visa required[132] | ||
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Electronic Travel Authorization[133] | 90 days |
|
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[135][136] | 3 months | |
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Visa not required[137] | 60 days | |
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Visa not required[138] | 15 days | |
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Visa not required[139] | 90 days |
|
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Free visa on arrival[140] | 1 month |
|
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Visa not required[141] | 90 days | |
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Visa required[142] | ||
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eVisa[143][144] | ||
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Visa not required[145] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[146] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[147] | 90 days |
|
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[148][149] | 60 days | |
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[150][151] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[152] | 90 days | |
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Free visa on arrival[153] | 30 days | |
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Visa required[154] | ||
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Visa not required[155] | 90 days |
|
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Visa on arrival[156] | 90 days |
|
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eVisa[157][158] | 30 days |
|
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Visa not required[160] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[161] | 180 days | |
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Visa not required[162] | 30 days | |
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Visa not required[163] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[164] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[165] | 30 days | |
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Visa not required[166] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[167] | 3 months | |
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Visa not required[168][169] | 30 days |
|
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[170][171] | 28 days / 30 days | |
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[173][174] | 3 months |
|
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Visa required[175] | ||
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Online Visa / Visa on arrival[176] | 90 days[177] | |
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Visa not required[178] | 90 days |
|
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Electronic Travel Authority[179] | 3 months |
|
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Visa not required[182] | 90 days | |
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Visa required[183] | ||
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eVisa[184][185] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[186] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[187] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required / eVisa[188][189] | 14 days / 30 days |
|
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Free eVisa[190][191] | 90 days | |
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Free visa on arrival[195] | 30 days | |
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Visa not required[196] | 90 days | |
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eVisa[197][198] | 60 days |
|
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Visa not required[199] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[200] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[201] | 30 days | |
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Visa not required[202] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[203] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[204] | 30 days | |
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Visa not required[205] | 90 days |
|
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eVisa[206][207] | 16 days |
|
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[209][210] | 30 days |
|
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Visa not required[211] | 3 months | |
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Visa not required[212] | 6 weeks | |
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Visa not required[213] | 3 month | |
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Entry permit on arrival[214] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[215] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[216] | 15 days[217] | |
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[218][219] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[220] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[221] | 90 days |
|
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Electronic Border System[222][223] | 3 months |
|
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Visa not required[224] | 30 days | |
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[225][226] | 3 months / 30 days | |
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Visa not required[227] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[228] | 90 days |
|
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Free Visitor's Permit on arrival[229] | 3 months |
|
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eVisa[230][231] | 30 days | |
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Visa not required[232] | 90 days | |
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eVisa[233][234] |
| |
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Visa not required[235] | 90 days |
|
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ETA / Free Visa on arrival[236][237] | 30 days |
|
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Visa required[238] | ||
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Visa not required[239][240] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[243] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[244] | 90 days |
|
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eVisa[245] | ||
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Visa not required[246] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required / eVisa[247] | 30 days / 60 days |
|
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[249][250] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[251] | 60 days |
|
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Visa on arrival[252] | 30 days |
|
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eVisa[253][254] | 15 days | |
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Free visa on arrival[255] | 31 days | |
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Visa not required[256] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[257] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[258] | 3 months | |
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Visa required[259] |
| |
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Visa on arrival[264] | 1 month | |
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eVisa[265][266] | 3 months |
|
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Visa not required[267] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[268] | 90 days |
|
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Electronic Travel Authorisation[269][270] | 6 months | |
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Visa Waiver Program[271][272] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[276] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[277] | 30 days | |
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Visa not required[278] | 30 days | |
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Visa not required[279] | 90 days |
|
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Visa not required[280] | 90 days | |
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Visa not required[281] | 45 days |
|
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Visa required[283] | ||
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Visa not required[284] | 30 days |
|
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eVisa / Visa on arrival[285][286] | 30 days |
|
Territories, disputed areas or restricted zones
Visa requirements for Japanese citizens for visits to various territories, disputed areas, partially recognized countries and restricted zones:
Visitor to | Visa requirement | Notes (excluding departure fees) |
---|---|---|
Europe | ||
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Visa required |
|
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Special permit required | |
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Access Permit required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Permit required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Special authorization required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa required | |
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Visa not required | |
Africa | ||
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Travel permit required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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eVisa | |
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Visitor's Pass required |
|
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Permission required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Undefined |
|
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Visa on arrival | |
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Travel permit required |
|
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Travel permit required |
|
Asia | ||
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Special permit required |
|
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PAP/RAP required |
|
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eVisa |
|
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Special permission required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Permission required |
|
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Special permit required |
|
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Permit Required |
|
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OIVR permit required |
|
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Visa not required | |
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Visa not required |
|
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TTP required | |
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Special permit required | |
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Restricted area | |
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Restricted area | |
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Special permission required | |
Americas | ||
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required | 6 months.[343] |
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required | |
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Visa not required | |
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Visa not required | |
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Tourist Card on arrival |
|
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Pre-registration required |
|
Oceania | ||
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Special authorisation required |
|
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Special authorisation permit |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required | |
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Entry permit required |
|
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Electronic Travel Authority |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Special permission required |
|
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Special permit required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required | |
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Electronic authorization |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Visa not required |
|
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Special permits required |
|
South Atlantic and Antarctica | ||
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Visa not required |
|
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Permit required |
|
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Special permits required |
|
Pre-approved visas pick-up
Pre-approved visas can be picked up on arrival in the following countries instead in embassy or consulate.
Pre-approved visas pick-up on arrival | Conditions |
---|---|
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APEC Business Travel Card

Full members of the scheme
Transitional members (United States, Canada)
Holders of an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) travelling on business do not require a visa to the following countries:[402]
1 - Up to 180 days
2 - Up to 90 days
3 - Up to 90 days in a period of 180 days
4 - Up to 60 days
The card must be used in conjunction with a passport and has the following advantages:[403]
- No need to apply for a visa or entry permit to APEC countries, as the card is treated as such (except by Canada and United States)
- Undertake legitimate business in participating economies
- Expedited border crossing in all member economies, including transitional members
Consular protection of Japanese citizens abroad

Non-visa restrictions
Blank passport pages
Many countries require a minimum number of blank pages to be available in the passport being presented, typically one or two pages.[404] Endorsement pages, which often appear after the visa pages, are not counted as being valid or available.
Vaccination

Many African countries, including Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo, South Sudan, Uganda, and Zambia, require all incoming passengers older than nine months to one year[405] to have a current International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, as does the South American territory of French Guiana.[406]
Some other countries require vaccination only if the passenger is coming from an infected area or has visited one recently or has transited for 12 hours in those countries: Algeria, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.[407][408]
Passport validity length
Very few countries, such as Paraguay, just require a valid passport on arrival.
However many countries and groupings now require only an identity card – especially from their neighbours. Other countries may have special bilateral arrangements that depart from the generality of their passport validity length policies to shorten the period of passport validity required for each other's citizens[409][410] or even accept passports that have already expired (but not been cancelled).[411]
Some countries, such as Japan,[412] Ireland and the United Kingdom,[413] require a passport valid throughout the period of the intended stay.
In the absence of specific bilateral agreements, countries requiring passports to be valid for at least 6 more months on arrival include Afghanistan, Algeria, Anguilla, Bahrain,[414] Bhutan, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Curaçao, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel,[415] Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru,[416] Philippines,[417] Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Vietnam.[418]
Countries requiring passports valid for at least 4 months on arrival include Micronesia and Zambia.
Countries requiring passports with a validity of at least 3 months beyond the date of intended departure include Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Honduras, Montenegro, Nauru, Moldova and New Zealand. Similarly, the EEA countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, all European Union countries (except Ireland) together with Switzerland also require 3 months validity beyond the date of the bearer's intended departure unless the bearer is an EEA or Swiss national.
Countries requiring passports valid for at least 3 months on arrival include Albania, North Macedonia, Panama, and Senegal.
Bermuda requires passports to be valid for at least 45 days upon entry.
Countries that require a passport validity of at least one month beyond the date of intended departure include Eritrea, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Macau, the Maldives[419] and South Africa.
Maximum passport age
Countries of the Schengen area require non-EU passports to be less than 10 years old upon entry.[420] A number of holders of British passports, which until September 2018 could be issued with a validity period of up to 10 years and nine months if the previous passport was not expired, were unable to travel to the EU subsequent to Brexit due to this restriction.[421]
Criminal record
Some countries, including Australia, Canada, Fiji, New Zealand and the United States,[422] routinely deny entry to non-citizens who have a criminal record, while others impose restrictions depending on the type of conviction and the length of the sentence.
Persona non grata
The government of a country can declare a diplomat persona non grata, banning them from entering the country or expelling them if they have already entered. In non-diplomatic use, the authorities of a country may also declare a foreigner persona non grata permanently or temporarily, usually because of unlawful activity.[423]
Israeli stamps
Kuwait,[424] Lebanon,[425] Libya,[426] and Yemen[427] do not allow entry to people with passport stamps from Israel or whose passports have either a used or an unused Israeli visa, or where there is evidence of previous travel to Israel such as entry or exit stamps from neighbouring border posts in transit countries such as Jordan and Egypt.
To circumvent this Arab League boycott of Israel, the Israeli immigration services have now mostly ceased to stamp foreign nationals' passports on either entry to or exit from Israel (unless the entry is for some work-related purposes). Since 15 January 2013, Israel no longer stamps foreign passports at Ben Gurion Airport. Passports are still (as of 22 June 2017[update]) stamped at Erez when passing into and out of Gaza.[citation needed]
Iran refuses admission to holders of passports containing an Israeli visa or stamp that is less than 12 months old.
Biometrics
Several countries mandate that all travellers, or all foreign travellers, be fingerprinted on arrival and will refuse admission to or even arrest travellers who refuse to comply. In some countries, such as the United States, this may apply even to transit passengers who merely wish to change planes rather than go landside.[428]
Fingerprinting countries/regions include Afghanistan,[429][430] Argentina,[431] Brunei, Cambodia,[432] China,[433] Ethiopia,[434] Ghana, Guinea,[435] India, Japan,[436][437] Kenya (both fingerprints and a photo are taken),[438] Malaysia upon entry and departure,[439] Mongolia, Saudi Arabia,[440] Singapore, South Korea,[441] Taiwan, Thailand,[442] Uganda,[443] the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Many countries also require a photo be taken of people entering the country. The United States, which does not fully implement exit control formalities at its land frontiers (although long mandated by its own legislation),[444][445][446] intends to implement facial recognition for passengers departing from international airports to identify people who overstay their visa.[447]
Together with fingerprint and face recognition, iris scanning is one of three biometric identification technologies internationally standardised since 2006 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for use in e-passports[448] and the United Arab Emirates conducts iris scanning on visitors who need to apply for a visa.[449][450] The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to greatly increase the biometric data it collects at US borders.[451] In 2018, Singapore began trials of iris scanning at three land and maritime immigration checkpoints.[452][453]
See also
References and Notes
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