Visa-Free Countries for Japanese Passport Holders [2026]: Length of Stay, Pre-Travel Authorizations and What "Visa Exempt" Means

In the passport ranking published by Henley & Partners of the UK (July 2026 edition), the Japanese passport ranks 2nd in the world, with "visa-free" access to 188 countries and territories. However, that figure of 188 also includes visas issued at the airport on arrival and pre-travel online applications (electronic travel authorizations) such as ESTA. The number of countries you can enter with no formalities at all is smaller. In this article, we have compiled a regional list of 200 countries and territories (excluding Japan), based on the Overseas Safety website of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the official information of each destination government, showing whether a visa is needed, how long you can stay, and what you must do before travelling. Between 2025 and 2026 there were a series of changes, including the ESTA fee increase, the UK ETA becoming mandatory and Thailand shortening its visa-free stay, and we cover those as well. Note that visa-free rules depend on the passport you hold: this list applies to Japanese passport holders, so if you live in Japan on another nationality's passport, check the rules for your own passport.

*Amounts and rules are as of September 21, 2026. This article is an English version of our Japanese guide, adapted for foreign residents of Japan and international investors.

*Visa requirements, permitted lengths of stay and fees can change without notice. Before travelling, always check the latest information on the Overseas Safety website of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and on the official website of the destination country's embassy or government (and your own government's travel advice). The list assumes a short tourist stay on an ordinary passport. Work, study and long-term stays require a separate visa.

Bottom line: how many countries can Japanese passport holders visit visa-free?

"How many countries can you visit?" depends on what you count as "visa-free". First, let's look at the breakdown of the frequently quoted Henley ranking.

Henley's methodology page states that entry with a visa on arrival, a visitor's permit or an electronic travel authority (ETA) scores 1, while cases where a government eVisa must be obtained before departure score 0. In other words, the ranking figure of 188 includes "countries where you get a visa at the airport" and "countries where you obtain an electronic travel authorization in advance", but not countries where you must obtain an eVisa before travelling.

Counting the same way across our list (200 countries and territories, excluding Japan) gives the following.

121 countries and territories require neither a visa nor an electronic travel authorization (although some, such as Thailand and Malaysia, require advance registration of an electronic arrival card). Adding countries you can enter with formalities on arrival only, the figure is 143. On the other hand, 32 countries require an online application before travel (11 ETAs and 21 eVisas), and the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand all fall into this group. The main reasons Henley's figure (138 with no visa required) differs from ours are that Henley counts 227 destinations (226 excluding Japan) including overseas territories such as Guam, Puerto Rico and Greenland, that the classification criteria for each country differ, and that the reference dates differ (Henley's July edition versus our September 21 data).

Japan's score peaked at 194 in January 2024 and was 188 in July 2026, down 6. The decline is not due to any change on Japan's side but to destination countries introducing visas (including eVisas).

Countries you cannot visit visa-free: where a Japanese passport needs a visa

The countries in our list classified as something other than "Visa-free" or "ETA required" are as follows. In visa-on-arrival countries you can get the visa at the airport without applying in advance, but for eVisa and visa-required countries you cannot enter unless you obtain the visa before travelling. ⚠ marks countries where the whole territory is at Level 3 (avoid all travel) or higher under Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs risk information.

In addition, 11 countries and territories, including the United States (ESTA), the United Kingdom (ETA) and Canada (eTA), do not require a visa at the airport but do require an online application before travel (an electronic travel authorization; see the next section). For the length of stay and notes for each country, see the "Regional list".

"Visa-free" countries that still require a pre-travel application

This is where travellers most often get caught out. Even in a "visa-exempt country", you will not be allowed to board your flight unless you have applied online and been approved before departure. The main examples are listed below. South Korea currently exempts Japanese nationals, but it is included because the requirement may apply from 2027.

In addition, ETA-IL is also required when entering Palestine through points controlled by Israel. Sri Lanka's ETA is legally a tourist visa, but because both Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration describe it as an ETA, we classify it as an electronic travel authorization.

Always apply through the official government website or official app. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned about ESTA that there have been cases in which people who applied via agency websites were charged several times the official fee. Searching for "ESTA" or "ETA" may show agency advertisements at the top of the results.

Europe's ETIAS has not started yet

The electronic travel authorization that the European Union (EU) plans to introduce, ETIAS, was not in operation as of September 2026. The European Commission's official page states that ETIAS is not yet operational and no applications are being accepted, and that the start date will be announced several months in advance. The fee has been set at EUR 20, up from the original EUR 7, and validity is planned to be 3 years (or until the passport expires, if earlier). Under the ETIAS Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/1240), people under 18 and over 70 are exempt from the fee, and a transitional period will be set after launch during which travellers can still enter without it. The launch was previously announced for "the fourth quarter of 2026", but it was reported in July 2026 that this wording had been removed from the official website, and immigration law specialists expect it to start in 2027. If you are travelling in 2027, check the European Commission's official information a few months before departure.

Be careful of websites that claim "Apply for ETIAS here". As it has not launched, there is currently no legitimate application channel.

Countries requiring online pre-registration of an arrival card

Separate from electronic travel authorizations, a growing number of countries require online pre-registration of an arrival card. This applies not only in visa-free countries but also in visa-on-arrival countries. Most are free and are not visas, but if you have not registered you may be stopped at immigration or asked about it at check-in. "From 3 days before arrival" means you cannot register earlier than that. If you are touring several countries, you will need to complete them locally during your trip.

• Thailand: TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card). From 3 days before arrival. Mandatory for everyone since May 1, 2025
• Malaysia: MDAC (Malaysia Digital Arrival Card). From 3 days before arrival
• Singapore: SG Arrival Card. Within 3 days before arrival including the arrival date; free
• Indonesia: All Indonesia. From 3 days before arrival (introduced September 1, 2025)
• Philippines: eTravel. From 72 hours before arrival; free
• Cambodia: e-Arrival. From 7 days before arrival
• Taiwan: Online arrival registration (TWAC; optional and free; introduced October 1, 2025)
• South Korea: e-Arrival Card (free). For people who have not obtained a K-ETA
• In addition to Brunei (E-Arrival Card), the Maldives (IMUGA, within 96 hours before arrival) and Papua New Guinea, advance submission of electronic arrival/departure cards is spreading in Caribbean and South American countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Jamaica and Guyana

What changed in 2025–2026, and what is changing next

If you set off with outdated information, you may be refused entry. These are the main changes since 2025.

Some measures have expiry dates. In particular, those for China and South Korea end on December 31, 2026 unless an extension is announced.

• China: The 30-day visa exemption (a unilateral measure) runs until December 31, 2026 (24:00 Beijing time). It was reinstated on November 30, 2024 and has been repeatedly extended
• South Korea: The temporary K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) exemption for Japanese nationals runs until December 31, 2026. If not extended, a paid K-ETA will be required from January 1, 2027
• Azerbaijan: The time-limited visa exemption runs until July 1, 2027

The official announcements do not state whether "until December 31, 2026" refers to the date of entry or the entire period of stay. If your trip spans the new year, or you plan to enter on or after January 1, check how it will be treated with the relevant embassy or consulate or official website before travelling.

In addition, the Brazilian Official Gazette of July 29, 2026 confirmed that the mutual short-stay visa exemption with Brazil will be extended until September 29, 2029 (applicable from September 30, 2026). Nicaragua revised its visa system on February 16, 2026, but reports on how Japan is treated are contradictory, so we classify it as "to be confirmed".

Regional list: visa requirements and permitted length of stay

Everything below assumes Japanese nationality, an ordinary passport and a short tourist stay. "Maximum stay" is generally the number of days per entry; where a country counts the total within a period, we say so. Immigration officers may grant a shorter stay. Whether the day of entry is counted or counting starts the next day differs by country (the Philippines counts from the day of arrival, Taiwan from the day after arrival), so leave some margin on your departure date. The ⚠ mark indicates countries for which Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an "evacuation advisory" (Level 4) or an "avoid all travel" advisory (Level 3) for the whole territory. Risk information changes frequently and may also cover parts of countries without the mark, so always check the latest on the Ministry's Overseas Safety website (and your own government's travel advice).

Asia (26 countries and territories)

In Southeast and South Asia, Nepal, Timor-Leste, the Maldives and Bangladesh issue visas on arrival; Indonesia, Cambodia and India accept either a visa on arrival or an eVisa; Myanmar, Pakistan and Bhutan require an eVisa before travel; and Sri Lanka requires an ETA before travel. In India, visas on arrival are available at only 6 airports, so obtaining an e-Tourist Visa in advance is the norm.

Europe (46 countries and territories)

The 29 Schengen Area countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The rule is "up to 90 days in any 180-day period", combining days spent in all 29 countries, not 90 days per country. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen Area and must have been issued within the last 10 years. Bulgaria and Romania also lifted land border checks on January 1, 2025, becoming full members of the Schengen Area.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) began a phased introduction on October 12, 2025 and moved to full operation on April 10, 2026. Japanese nationals entering the Schengen Area register a facial image and fingerprints at the border (children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting). No advance application or fee is required, and passport entry stamps have been abolished. Registration takes place the first time you enter the Schengen Area; there are usually no immigration checks at internal borders (e.g. France to Italy). Your exit is also recorded. If you take the Eurostar from London to Paris, French immigration checks take place before departure at London St Pancras station. First-time registration can take a while, so head to the station early.

There are some exceptions. The French government states that, under a bilateral arrangement between Japan and France, Japanese nationals may stay in France for up to a further 90 days after a stay in the Schengen Area (check the detailed conditions with the Embassy of France in Japan). The arrangement with Austria provides "visa exemption for stays of up to 6 months", but Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises caution for stays over 90 days given the Schengen Agreement. In countries such as Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy, you must register your stay with the police if you are staying somewhere other than a hotel.

Countries other than the "29 Schengen Area countries" in the table (Ireland, Cyprus, the UK, the Western Balkans, Moldova, etc.) count days separately from Schengen. Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City have no airport or only limited ones, and in practice you enter and leave via France, Spain or Italy, so the Schengen rules apply as a premise.

North America, Latin America and the Caribbean (35 countries)

The US territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) can also be entered with the free electronic travel authorization of the "Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program" (G-CNMI ETA; 45 days, no extension) instead of ESTA (90 days). If you plan to stay more than 45 days, enter with ESTA.

Most countries in Latin America are visa-free, and many allow stays of 90 days or more. Among the visa-free countries, the shortest stays are 30 days in Bolivia and Jamaica and 42 days in Saint Lucia (Cuba, with an eVisa, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, with an ETA, are also 30 days).

Oceania (16 countries and territories)

Australia's ETA is legally a visa (subclass 601) under Australian law, but because Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Australian Embassy in Japan describe it as an "electronic travel authority", we classify it as an electronic travel authorization. Nauru and Tuvalu are said to require a visa in advance (for Tuvalu, official sources contradict each other, so check with its immigration authority before travelling).

Middle East, Central Asia and the Caucasus (23 countries and territories)

If you have an Israeli entry stamp, or entry/exit stamps from land border crossings between Israel and Egypt or Jordan, you may be refused entry by countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel. Israeli airports generally issue an entry card instead of stamping passports, but a stamp may still be applied, so if you are also visiting neighbouring countries it is safest to visit Israel last.

Africa (54 countries)

Of Africa's 54 countries, only 12 are visa-free; most require an eVisa, a visa on arrival or a visa obtained in advance. There are a great many unofficial agency websites for eVisas and electronic travel authorizations, so always apply through the government's official website (e.g. Egypt: visa2egypt.gov.eg; Kenya: etakenya.go.ke; Côte d'Ivoire: the government-authorized snedai.com). Many countries also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate (yellow card), and vaccination must be completed at least 10 days before entry.

Conditions other than visas that can get you refused entry

Even if no visa is required, you will be refused boarding or entry if you do not meet the following conditions. It is not uncommon for travellers to be stopped for these reasons rather than over the visa itself.

Also, staying beyond the visa-exempt period makes you an overstayer, which can lead to fines and future refusals of entry. Note that some countries count over a period rather than per entry, such as Bolivia ("90 days in total per calendar year") and the Schengen Area ("90 days in any 180 days").

If you are touring several countries, check your remaining passport validity against the entry date of the last country you will enter. For example, if you travel for 3 months and the last country requires "at least 6 months' validity", you will need at least 9 months' validity when you set off.

Visa exemptions are also intended for tourism and short business trips. How continuing to work remotely for a Japanese employer during your stay is treated differs by country, and some countries offer a status for digital nomads (explained in Moving to Malaysia: requirements and costs and Moving to Thailand: requirements and costs).

What "visa exempt" means / Can you travel anywhere without a passport?

The meaning of visa exempt and visa waiver

Visa exempt means "you are not obliged to obtain a visa to enter that country". In official English documents, the terms are used as follows.

Note that "visa exemption" is not the same as "no formalities required". The US Department of State explains that the Visa Waiver Program allows travel for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, while clearly stating that travellers must have a valid ESTA approval before travelling. The EU likewise states that, once ETIAS starts, visa-exempt travellers will need to apply for ETIAS online.

As shown in the last row of the table, "visa exempt countries" can conversely refer to countries whose nationals Japan exempts from visas. According to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of September 2026 Japan applies visa exemption measures to 74 countries and territories (period of stay: 15 days for Indonesia and Thailand, 30 days for Brunei and Qatar, and 90 days for the others). If you are a foreign national planning a short visit to Japan, this is the list that applies to you. When searching, check which direction the information refers to.

For Japanese nationals: there is no country you can visit without a passport

There is no foreign country that Japanese travellers can enter without a passport. To begin with, a valid passport is required to leave Japan. Article 60 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act ("Immigration Control Act") provides that a Japanese national (other than crew) departing with the intention of going to an area outside Japan must possess a valid passport and receive confirmation of departure from an immigration inspector, and departing without that confirmation is punishable by imprisonment of up to 1 year or a fine of up to JPY 300,000 (Article 71 of the same Act).

The only exception is ship and aircraft crew (who use seafarer's books and similar documents); it does not apply to ordinary travellers. Also, the "travel document for return" (Article 19-3 of the Passport Act) issued by Japanese embassies and consulates if you lose your passport is a document only for returning to Japan and cannot be used to travel to other countries.

Most people searching for "countries you can visit without a passport" are probably actually looking for "countries you can visit without a visa". As shown in the "Breakdown of our list" table at the top, 121 countries and territories require neither a visa nor an electronic travel authorization.

Does a second passport increase the number of visa-free destinations?

You may see advertisements claiming that "buying citizenship increases the number of countries you can visit visa-free". As far as the passports of the main citizenship-by-investment countries are concerned, this does not apply to Japanese nationals. There are two reasons.

Reason 1: The passports of the main citizenship programme countries give access to fewer countries than Japan's

Comparing major destinations makes the difference even clearer.

Behind this is growing wariness among governments towards citizenship-by-investment (CBI) schemes. On December 12, 2024, the Council of the EU decided to remove Vanuatu from the visa exemption list, on the grounds that its investor citizenship schemes had created security and migration risks for the EU; this has applied since February 3, 2025 (Regulation (EU) 2025/11). On July 19, 2023, the UK imposed visa requirements on Dominica and Vanuatu, citing clear abuse of their citizenship schemes. Since then, the UK withdrew visa-free access for Saint Lucia on March 5, 2026, and Ireland withdrew visa-free access for Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia on June 15, 2026. From January 1, 2026, the US suspended visa issuance to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. As for Malta, the Court of Justice of the EU ruled on April 29, 2025 that its citizenship-by-investment scheme amounted to the "commercialisation" of EU citizenship and breached EU law (Commission v Malta, C-181/23). The latest costs and requirements of each country's citizenship programme are summarised in Costs of permanent residence and citizenship around the world. The countries and territories a Vanuatu passport can visit visa-free (86), the main countries requiring a visa, and the loss of Japanese nationality on acquisition are explained in detail in Vanuatu citizenship: costs and processing time.

Reason 2 (for Japanese nationals): acquiring foreign citizenship means losing Japanese nationality

Article 11(1) of the Nationality Act provides that a Japanese national who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality loses Japanese nationality. The Ministry of Justice also explains that if you acquire a foreign nationality of your own will, for example by naturalising in another country, you automatically lose Japanese nationality. When Japanese nationality is lost, the Japanese passport also becomes invalid (Article 18(1)(i) of the Passport Act).

In other words, if a Japanese national obtains a second passport, they give up the world's 2nd-ranked Japanese passport and switch to one that gives access to fewer countries. There is no point in a Japanese national acquiring foreign citizenship through investment in order to increase visa-free travel.

People still consider foreign citizenship or permanent residence for other reasons, such as the right to reside, a base for business or assets, or family members' nationality. Even then, the decision needs to include how they will live in Japan after losing Japanese nationality (status of residence). This is explained in Status of residence after losing Japanese nationality. The differences between permanent residence, citizenship, visas and tax residence are set out in Permanent residence, citizenship, visas and tax residence: the differences. For which countries allow dual citizenship and how Japan's Nationality Act treats it, see List of countries that allow dual citizenship.

FAQ

How many countries can Japanese passport holders visit visa-free?

In the ranking by Henley & Partners of the UK (July 2026 edition), the figure is 188 countries and territories, 2nd in the world. However, this includes visas on arrival (35) and electronic travel authorizations (15). In our list (200 countries and territories excluding Japan), 121 countries and territories require neither a visa nor an electronic travel authorization, and 32 require an online application before travel.

Which countries can Japanese passport holders not visit visa-free?

In our list, 41 countries require a visa before travel (20 requiring a visa from an embassy or similar, and 21 requiring an online eVisa), and 22 issue a visa on arrival. Most visa-required countries are in Africa (14 countries); in Asia they are North Korea and Afghanistan, in the Middle East Yemen, Syria and Turkmenistan, and in Oceania Nauru. Countries requiring an eVisa include Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Cuba. The full list is in the "Countries you cannot visit visa-free" table above.

Is there any country you can visit without a passport?

No. A valid passport is required to leave Japan (Article 60 of the Immigration Control Act). The "travel document for return" issued if you lose your passport is also only for returning to Japan.

Are ESTA and ETA visas?

The US ESTA, the UK ETA and the Canadian eTA are not visas. They are "electronic travel authorizations" that screen travellers from visa-exempt countries online in advance (Australia's and Sri Lanka's ETAs are legally visas, but the procedure is likewise an online pre-travel application). However, they are as important as a visa in that you cannot board your flight without approval. The US ESTA costs US$40.27 and is valid for 2 years; the UK ETA costs GBP 20 and is valid for 2 years. Always apply through the official government website or app.

When will ETIAS be required?

As of September 2026, no start date has been set. The European Commission says the start date will be announced several months in advance, and reports suggest 2027. The fee is planned to be EUR 20 and the validity 3 years. As there is currently no legitimate application channel, be careful of websites claiming "Apply for ETIAS here".

Can I still visit South Korea and China visa-free from 2027?

For China, this has not been decided. The 30-day visa exemption runs until December 31, 2026, and unless an extension is announced, a visa will be required from January 1, 2027. South Korea remains visa-free, but the temporary exemption from the K-ETA electronic travel authorization for Japanese nationals runs until December 31, 2026; if it is not extended, a paid K-ETA (official: k-eta.go.kr) will be required from January 1, 2027. If you are travelling over the new year, check for an extension announcement once December begins.

How long can I stay in Thailand without a visa?

30 days from September 15, 2026 (previously 60 days). This is based on the Thai Ministry of Interior announcement dated August 31, 2026, published in the Royal Gazette, and visa-exempt entries through land borders have been limited to twice a year. Advance registration of the digital arrival card (TDAC) is also mandatory.

Does a second passport increase the number of countries I can visit visa-free?

Not with the passports of the main citizenship-by-investment countries. All of them have lower scores than Japan (188); Vanuatu's is 86. Moreover, if a Japanese national voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality, they lose Japanese nationality under Article 11(1) of the Nationality Act, and the Japanese passport also becomes invalid.

For Japanese nationals: have passport fees changed?

They fell significantly for applications made on or after July 1, 2026. A 10-year passport for people aged 18 or over costs JPY 8,900 for online applications and JPY 9,300 at the counter, and a 5-year passport for people under 18 costs JPY 4,400 online and JPY 4,800 at the counter. The 5-year passport for people aged 18 or over has been abolished. This is under the amended Passport Act promulgated on May 7, 2026, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains that part of the cost of consular protection for Japanese nationals is now covered by the International Tourist Tax.

Summary

The Japanese passport ranks 2nd in the world (Henley, July 2026 edition, 188), but that figure includes visas on arrival and electronic travel authorizations. In our list, 121 countries and territories require neither a visa nor an electronic travel authorization (some require registration of an electronic arrival card), while 32 countries and territories, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, require an online application before travel.

ESTA rose from US$21 to US$40 in September 2025, and 2026 saw a series of changes: the UK ETA became mandatory (February 25) and rose to GBP 20 (April 8), and Thailand's visa exemption was shortened to 30 days (September 15). China's visa exemption and South Korea's K-ETA exemption both expire on December 31, 2026, and Europe's ETIAS still has no start date. Before travelling, always check the latest conditions on the Overseas Safety website of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the destination's official information, and apply for electronic travel authorizations through official government websites. If you hold a passport other than Japan's, check the requirements for your own nationality.

References (primary sources)

• Henley & Partners: Henley Passport Index July 2026 edition (press release)
• Henley & Partners: Henley Passport Index methodology
• Henley & Partners: Henley Global Mobility Report January 2024 (Japan 194)
• Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Safety website (basic safety data and risk information by country)
• MOFA Overseas Safety website: United States (ESTA)
• MOFA Overseas Safety website: United Kingdom (ETA)
• MOFA Overseas Safety website: Australia (ETA)
• MOFA Overseas Safety website: New Zealand (NZeTA)
• MOFA Overseas Safety website: Canada (eTA)
• MOFA Overseas Safety website: South Korea
• MOFA Overseas Safety website: Israel (ETA-IL)
• MOFA Overseas Safety website: Cuba (eVisa)
• MOFA Overseas Safety website: Guam (G-CNMI ETA and ESTA)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Visa exemption countries and regions (short-term stay)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Revision of passport fees (applications from July 1, 2026; PDF)
• Embassy of Japan in Thailand: Change to Thailand's visa-exempt period (30 days from September 15, 2026)
• Embassy of Japan in China: Extension of China's short-stay visa exemption
• K-ETA official: Extension of the temporary exemption for Japanese and other nationals (until December 31, 2026)
• Embassy of Japan in the UK: About the UK ETA
• GOV.UK: Electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
• GOV.UK: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
• European Commission: ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)
• EUR-Lex: ETIAS Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/1240)
• Fragomen: ETIAS launch delayed
• European Commission: EES (Entry/Exit System)
• European Commission: EU visa policy (visa-exempt / visa waiver agreements)
• EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (lists of visa-required and visa-exempt countries)
• Council of the EU: Lifting of land border controls with Bulgaria and Romania (December 12, 2024)
• Council of the EU: End of visa exemption for Vanuatu (December 12, 2024)
• EUR-Lex: Judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU, Commission v Malta (C-181/23, April 29, 2025)
• GOV.UK: Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules HC 1715 (visas for Dominica and Vanuatu, July 19, 2023)
• US Department of State: Visa Waiver Program
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: eTA
• Australian Department of Home Affairs: Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
• Immigration New Zealand: NZeTA
• Government of Kenya: official eTA website
• Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: ETA
• Embassy of Japan in Namibia: Namibia's new visa system (from April 1, 2025)
• Embassy of Azerbaijan (Tokyo): Visa issues
• Embassy of Japan in Azerbaijan: Visa exemption measures for Japanese nationals visiting Azerbaijan
• Embassy of Japan in Georgia: Mandatory proof of travel insurance (from January 1, 2026)
• JETRO: Extension of the mutual short-stay visa exemption with Brazil
• Embassy of Laos (Tokyo): Visa
• Embassy of Vietnam: Extension of the visa exemption policy
• Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis: Introduction of the eTA
• Government of Egypt: official e-Visa website (FAQ)
• Government-authorized E-VISA for Côte d'Ivoire (SNEDAI)
• e-Gov Laws and Regulations: Nationality Act
• e-Gov Laws and Regulations: Passport Act
• e-Gov Laws and Regulations: Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
• Ministry of Justice: Nationality Q&A

The information in this article is as of September 21, 2026. Conditions for each country are based on the Overseas Safety website of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the official information of each destination government.