JESTA, Japan’s Electronic Travel Authorization: Who and When

Japan will also introduce an “Electronic System for Travel Authorization” (JESTA), similar to the ESTA in the United States. Foreign nationals who visit Japan for a short period for tourism or business negotiations without a Visa will be required to obtain authorization online before departure as a condition for entry. The revised law was promulgated on June 5, 2026, but when the system will start and how much the Fee will be have not yet been decided. This article clarifies what has been decided by law, who it concerns, and when it is expected to start, for both foreign nationals inviting family or acquaintances to Japan and corporate representatives inviting overseas business partners.

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1. Conclusion: 5 Key Points to Remember

• JESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an authorization obtained by foreign nationals eligible for Visa exemption by providing information online before visiting Japan for the purpose of Temporary Visitor.
• Once the system is established, foreign nationals without either a Visa or authorization will, in principle, not be able to enter Japan. Airlines and shipping companies will also report passenger information to the Immigration Services Agency at the time of booking.
• Legally, the start date is “a date to be specified by Cabinet Order within the period up to March 31, 2029 (Reiwa 11)“. The government’s plan aims for implementation “within fiscal year 2028“. A specific date has not yet been decided.
• The Fee will be paid in two stages—at the time of application and upon receiving authorization—as “an amount specified by Cabinet Order”. The amount is undecided.
• Individuals from countries/regions requiring a Visa will continue to obtain a Visa to visit Japan as before. JESTA does not replace a Visa.

2. What is JESTA? — What the Law Decided

JESTA is an abbreviation for “Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization” and is also commonly referred to as “Japan’s ESTA”. It is based on the following law, which was enacted on May 29, 2026, and promulgated on June 5.

Item	Content
Law Name	Act for Partial Revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act on Special Provisions for Applications for Landing by Foreign Nationals Holding Passports under Article 2, Paragraph 5, Subparagraph (b) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
Law Number・Promulgation Date	Act No. 32 of Reiwa 8 (2026)・Promulgated on June 5, 2026 (Enacted on May 29 of the same year)
Enforcement Date of JESTA Portion	A date to be specified by Cabinet Order within the period up to March 31, 2029 (Reiwa 11) (Undecided)
Other Pillars of the Same Law	Raising the upper limit of the Application Fee for Change of Status of Residence, Extension of Period of Stay, and Permanent Residency Permit (New Fees apply from October 1, 2026)
Reason for Revision (Summary)	To achieve strict immigration control and, at the same time, further streamline Landing examination procedures

The reason for the bill published by the Immigration Services Agency explains that for foreign nationals who do not require a Visa and stay for a short period for tourism, etc., obtaining authorization will be a condition for Landing, and measures replacing the Permission for Landing endorsement will be made possible for those who have obtained authorization. In other words, the aim is to tighten pre-entry checks while also speeding up procedures at airports. Its position in the government’s Second Basic Plan for Immigration Control and Residence Management is introduced in the explanatory article on the Basic Plan for Immigration Control and Residence Management.

3. Who Needs Authorization? — Three Scenarios

According to the outline of the bill, authorization is divided into the following three scenarios. In all cases, information demonstrating compliance with the conditions is provided electronically to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency, and authorization is obtained.

Scenario	Eligible Individuals	Main Conditions
① Landing as a Temporary Visitor	Individuals eligible for Visa exemption who intend to engage in Temporary Visitor activities such as tourism, business negotiations, or visiting relatives	Holds a valid passport / Activities are not false / Period of Stay is within the scope of Temporary Visitor / Does not fall under grounds for denial of Landing
② Transit without Landing	Individuals who do not Land in Japan but transit through Japan to a third country (direct transit passengers)	Holds a valid passport / Purpose is to transit without Landing
③ Special Landing	Individuals seeking Permission for Landing under Shore Pass, Crewman’s Landing Permit for Sightseeing, or Transit Pass	Holds a valid passport / No risk of overstaying the permitted period / Does not fall under grounds for denial of Landing

Related laws are being revised so that not only national passports but also passports from certain regions eligible for Visa exemption will require the same authorization.

Who Does Not Use JESTA Authorization

• Those who obtain a Visa to visit Japan: The law lists “those who have received a Visa” and “those who have received authorization” as conditions for entry. Those with a Visa will enter with their Visa as before.
• Those living in Japan with a Residence Card: JESTA is a procedure for individuals on a Visa exemption for Temporary Visitor. It is a separate system from Application for Extension of Period of Stay or Application for Change of Status of Residence. However, the treatment for re-entry when departing Japan and returning (re-entry) will need to be confirmed in future government ordinances and Immigration Services Agency guidance.

4. Detailed Authorization Conditions

Regarding ① (Temporary Visitor), which concerns the most people, the four conditions in the outline of the bill can be rephrased simply as follows:

1. Possession of a valid passport. Authentication cannot be obtained with an expired passport.
2. The activities to be conducted in Japan are not false. It is assumed that the activities are those permitted under Temporary Visitor, such as tourism, business meetings, conferences, or visiting relatives. Working for remuneration is not permitted under Temporary Visitor.
3. The intended Period of Stay is within the scope of the Temporary Visitor Status of Residence. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Period of Stay for those who land with a Visa exemption is 90 days for many countries/regions (15 or 30 days for some countries/regions).
4. Not falling under the grounds for denial of Landing. This means not falling under the grounds for denial of Landing stipulated in Article 5, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Control Act (certain criminal records, past deportations, etc.).

It is stated that an immigration inspector can be made to investigate the facts if necessary for authentication. Details such as what information to input and what kind of screen to use for application will be clarified in future government ordinances and announcements from the Immigration Services Agency.

5. Changes in the Entry Process

• Reporting obligation of airlines and shipping companies: Companies operating flights to Japan report the names of passengers to the Immigration Services Agency when issuing airline or ship tickets. Persons notified by the Immigration Services Agency as “not suitable for entry into Japan” are not allowed to board the flight and enter Japan. Without authentication, boarding will not be possible at the departure point.
• Electronic record in lieu of Permission for Landing endorsement: When a person who has received authentication is deemed to meet the conditions for Landing, their name, date of Landing, etc., can be recorded in the Immigration Services Agency’s file instead of an endorsement on their passport. In this case, the Temporary Visitor Status of Residence and Period of Stay will be determined and notified to the person.
• Streamlining airport procedures: The outline of the government’s basic plan positions JESTA as a measure to “promote strict and smooth immigration control.”

6. Fees – Two stages, amounts not yet determined

The outline of the bill stipulates two fees for authentication.

When to pay	How the amount is determined	Current amount
When providing information to obtain authentication	Amount determined by government ordinance, considering actual costs	Undetermined
When receiving authentication (① Temporary Visitor, ③ Special Landing)	Amount determined by government ordinance, considering actual costs and expenses required for fair management of entry/exit and residence	Undetermined

The government’s basic plan also lists “appropriate setting of JESTA fees” as a measure, but specific amounts have not been announced. It is not possible to infer the Japanese amount from similar systems in other countries, so we must await the official announcement.

7. When will it start? – What is decided and what is not

Item	Basis	Content
Start of JESTA (Enforcement Date)	Article 1 of the Supplementary Provisions of the Amended Act	A date to be specified by government ordinance within the period until March 31, Reiwa 11 (2029)
Government’s Goal	Second Basic Plan for Immigration Control and Residence Management	Steady introduction during FY2028
Pre-start acceptance (preparatory actions)	Article 1, Paragraph 3 and Article 2 of the Supplementary Provisions of the Amended Act	From a date to be specified by government ordinance within the period until October 31, Reiwa 10 (2028), information can be provided and authentication can be obtained even before the start date (fees also paid)
Transitional measures immediately after start	Article 3 of the Supplementary Provisions of the Amended Act	For foreign nationals specified by Ministry of Justice ordinance as having little risk of harming fair management of entry/exit and residence, the provisions making authentication a condition for entry/Landing will not apply for six months from the start date.

As of October 8, 2026, neither the government ordinance specifying the start date nor the government ordinance specifying the fee amounts has been issued (even in e-Gov Law Search, the JESTA section remains “date specified by government ordinance” and is not yet enforced). The date when pre-start acceptance begins and the scope of persons subject to the six-month transitional measures will also be determined by future government ordinances and Ministry of Justice ordinances. It cannot be definitively stated that “it will start from FY2028,” and we must await the official announcement from the Immigration Services Agency for the formal date. For its position within the overall picture of illegal stay countermeasures, please also refer to the explanatory article on the Zero Illegal Stay Plan.

8. For Foreign Nationals inviting family or acquaintances to Japan

For those living in Japan who wish to invite family or friends from their home country for a short period, keeping the following points in mind will provide peace of mind:

• First, confirm if the country/region of the invitee is eligible for Visa exemption: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes a list of “Visa Exemption Countries/Regions (Temporary Visitor)” (74 countries/regions as of the announcement dated September 1, Reiwa 7).
• If eligible for Visa exemption: After JESTA starts, your family will need to obtain authentication before departure. Without authentication, there is a possibility that they will not be able to board at the departure airport.
• If a Visa is required for the country/region: As before, apply for a Visa at a Japanese diplomatic mission abroad (embassies/consulates). Applying for JESTA does not mean they can come without a Visa.
• Apply through official channels: For systems like the US ESTA, there are known cases of unofficial代理サイト (proxy sites) posing as official ones and charging high fees. Please confirm the JESTA application method through the official announcement from the Immigration Services Agency.

9. For Business Representatives Inviting Overseas Business Partners

• The day will come when “authentication confirmation” is added to the invitation procedure: When inviting individuals from visa-exempt countries for business meetings, conferences, or inspections, a step will be required to confirm whether they have obtained authentication before travel.
• Activities that do not involve remuneration are permitted under Temporary Visitor Status: The condition for authentication is that “the activity is not false.” It is not possible to enter Japan under Temporary Visitor status, claiming it is for business meetings, when in reality, the individual will receive remuneration for work or instruction. If employment is involved, consider the procedures for a Status of Residence that permits work.
• Allow ample time: Authentication may be denied depending on the results of the screening. It is best to finalize the internal procedure for the order of flight arrangements and authentication acquisition after the official implementation is announced.
• Consider separately from mid- to long-term employees: Procedures such as the Application for Extension of Period of Stay for foreign employees holding a Residence Card will remain the same as before.

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. If I have a Residence Card, do I still need JESTA?

A. JESTA is an authentication for individuals who will stay in Japan as Temporary Visitors under visa exemption, and it is a different system from procedures such as the Application for Extension of Period of Stay for those living in Japan with a Residence Card. However, please confirm the treatment when returning to Japan after departure with future government ordinances and announcements from the Immigration Services Agency.

Q2. Can family members from countries requiring a Visa come to Japan if they apply for JESTA?

A. No. JESTA is an authentication for individuals who are eligible for visa exemption. Individuals from countries/regions requiring a Visa must obtain a Visa as before to come to Japan.

Q3. When can I apply?

A. It has not yet been decided. Legally, the start of JESTA is set by government ordinance to be no later than March 31, 2029, and acceptance of applications before the start is set by government ordinance to be no later than October 31, 2028. The government aims to introduce it within fiscal year 2028.

Q4. How much does it cost?

A. A fee, to be determined by government ordinance, is to be paid at the time of application and again upon receiving authentication, but the amount has not been announced.

Q5. Is authentication required even if I am only transiting in Japan?

A. The revised law states that individuals who pass through Japan to a third country without Landing in Japan (direct transit passengers) must not enter Japan without authentication. Even if you leave the airport during transit (e.g., for transit Landing), authentication will be a requirement for the application for permission. Please confirm the specific scope and procedures in future announcements.

11. Summary: The “System” is Decided, “Dates and Amounts” are Not

The Electronic Travel Authorization (JESTA) system has been established by law as a system requiring online authentication before departure for foreign nationals who will visit Japan for a short period under visa exemption. While the system for the scope, conditions, and fees for authentication has been decided, the start date and the amount of the fees have not yet been determined. The government aims to introduce it within fiscal year 2028, and legally, it will begin by March 31, 2029. If you plan to invite family members or business partners to Japan, please remember that “individuals coming from visa-exempt countries will need authentication before departure” and proceed with preparations while awaiting official announcements.

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As an Administrative Scrivener Corporation in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, our office assists foreign nationals with their residence procedures and companies with procedures for accepting foreign nationals.

For procedures that can be filed online, such as applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay, we accept requests from clients nationwide. Meetings are held online (Google Meet, LINE) and documents are exchanged by mail or electronically, so there is no need to visit our office. Applications for Permission for Permanent Residence and for Permission of Naturalization cannot be filed online and must be submitted at the counter, so they are limited to residents of Miyazaki Prefecture. Depending on the procedure and its urgency, you may need to collect your Residence Card at the counter of the immigration office covering the area where you live. Online applications cannot be filed on the last day of your period of stay, so please consult us as early as possible.

• Procedures for Status of Residence to invite family members to Japan (Dependent, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, etc.)
• Application for Certificate of Eligibility for accepting overseas personnel
• Consultations regarding Status of Residence for those who have come to Japan as Temporary Visitors
• Consultations regarding the impact of Immigration Law Amendment on your company’s procedures

Please feel free to use our free consultation service first.

📩 Contact Us Here

📞 To book a phone consultation: 0985-68-0851

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This article is based on publicly available information as of October 2026. Details of the system and implementation dates are subject to change. For actual applications, please refer to the official information from the Immigration Services Agency or contact our office.

Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications, Satoshi Nakayama

Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office

Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture

Sources (Primary Information)

• Immigration Services Agency “Bills Submitted to the 221st Diet (Extraordinary Session)” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/05_00054.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Outline of the Bill” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001457880.pdf
• Immigration Services Agency “Bill” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001457881.pdf
• Immigration Services Agency “Reasons” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001457882.pdf
• Immigration Services Agency “Basic Plan for Immigration Control and Residence” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/policies/policies/basic_plan.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Second Basic Plan for Immigration Control and Residence [Outline]” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001467574.pdf
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs “Visa Exemption Countries/Regions (Temporary Visitor)” https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/visa/tanki/novisa.html
• e-Gov Law Search “Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act” https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/326CO0000000319