Online Authorisation Mandatory for Japan 2030: Say Kon'nichiwa to Japan's New Travel Rules!

If you're dreaming of sushi, cherry blossoms, and all things Japan, there’s a new travel twist coming your way! By 2030, Japan will be rolling out a mandatory online travel authorisation system for visitors from 71 visa-free countries, including the USA, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and more. So, before you start packing your kimono, let’s dive into what this means for your future Japanese adventures.

What's the Deal?

Japan, the land of the rising sun and endless ramen, is upping its entry game. If you're from one of those lucky 71 visa-free countries (we're looking at you, USA, Australia, Singapore, and friends), you'll soon need to hop online and get a travel authorization before touching down in Tokyo. No more breezing through customs with just a passport—Japan wants to know a little bit more about you first. Think of it as a friendly pre-date questionnaire before your big vacation.

Why the Change?

As reported by Japan Today, this strategy is purely about improving border management and facilitating the crossing. When it comes to free entrances to Japan, the country seems to have realised that some people tend to spend their time there for as long as they wish, thus increasing the rate of over staying. So this is the reason why they are bringing this new policy to ensure discipline of some sort in the country. Japan intends to carry this out by 2030. 

Who’s Affected?

If your passport is from those 71 countries in the visa free list, you are on the list. It applies to travellers from Asia Pacific regions like Malaysia, Indonesia and South Korea and the European region like United Kingdom and France and Germany. North and South America don’t get left behind either with USA, Canada as well as several Latin American countries all joining the party. Not even Australia and New Zealand are left out. So basically, in short, if your purpose or your even is planning to visit Japan you should certainly check out whether your country is included on the recently released cut.

How It Works: This new system will be somewhat like the U.S. ESTA. For example, it is likely that in order to get on board your flight to Japan, you will be required to get online and fill in some details such as your purpose of visit, where you’ll be staying, and other bits of data that the Japanese Immigration Services Agency requires of its visitors. If all the information is correct, you’re on your way to doing the things that pushed you to visit Japan in the first place. However, if there are any red flags (e.g. a history of overstaying), you will probably come across the need to apply for a visa through the old fashioned way. You never can tell.

Why the Fuss? The Japanese authorities have been struggling to tackle a challenge, which is caused by the tourists overstaying their shenanigans. In year 2016 alone there were more than 28000 short term visas free visitors who were granted admission to Japan but chose to stay without the leave of the authorities. That is why Japan’s immigration policies are rapidly getting more stringent over the recent years. This new authorization system is geared towards eliminating illegal stays and making certain that every body who enters Japan, enjoys Japan with no ugly surprises.

Therefore, if Japan features on your travel bucket list, look out for these new rules. Instead of ending at Narita or JFK, your trip to the land of Sushi and Samurai will begin from the virtual world by the year 2030. Until then, bon voyage and do not forget that nothing spoils a journey more than forgetting to obtain travel authorisation!

Need help planning your next trip to Japan? Contact DMC Japan for help. 

Our DMCs can assist with accommodation, (gala) dinners, meeting rooms, transport, team building and other options you need for your event