Friday, August 30, 2024 Japan will soon require travelers from 71 visa-free countries, including Malaysia and Singapore, to obtain online travel authorization before entering the country. Japan is set to roll out a new travel authorization system that will impact citizens from 71 visa-free countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, Britain, the United States, and Australia. Currently, travelers from these countries do not need a visa to enter Japan.
According to Japan Today, the new system will require these visitors to submit their personal information online before traveling. This measure aims to enhance border security and streamline the entry process. The Japanese government announced this initiative as part of its broader tourism plan, set to be implemented by 2030.
Japan visa free list: Japan offers visa-free entry to citizens from various countries across different regions, allowing them to visit for varying lengths of time. Among these countries, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan are included in the Asia-Pacific region. From North America, Canada and the United States enjoy visa-free entry.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Mexico, Surinam, and Uruguay are included. In Oceania, Australia and New Zealand can enter Japan without a visa, while from the Middle East, Israel, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates are included. Africa’s list comprises Lesotho, Mauritius, and Tunisia.
European countries that enjoy visa-free travel to Japan include Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Each country has specific conditions and durations for their visa-free entry, with some requiring additional notes or stipulations. Japan to Fund New Travel Authorization System, Japan’s government plans to allocate funding for a new travel authorization system in next year’s budget, with the initiative expected to be fully operational by 2030.
This system is designed to enhance entry procedures and security for travelers from visa-free countries. Data from JTB Tourism Research and Consulting Co reveals that Japan welcomed approximately 22,000 visitors from Malaysia between January and June. Overall, the country experienced a significant tourism surge, recording over 17.
7 million visits during the same period. Japan to Introduce New Travel Authorization System Similar to U.S.
ESTA Japan is set to implement a new travel authorization system akin to the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), originally introduced to enhance security.
Under this new system, visa-exempt travelers will need to submit their purpose of entry and accommodation details online for review by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency before departure. Travelers flagged as potential risks for overstaying their permitted duration will have their authorization denied and will be required to apply for a formal visa through their local embassy instead. This measure aims to bolster border security and better manage the entry process for visitors.
Under the existing system, airlines send passenger information to the Japanese government shortly after take-off for screening. However, travelers who fail this screening still enter Japan, and despite being ordered to leave, many do not comply. The Japanese government reports that the extent of system abuse is significant.
In January 2016, out of 49,801 illegal short-term visitors, over 28,000 were from visa-exempt countries and regions. This high number of overstays has prompted the introduction of new measures to better manage and prevent illegal stays..
