Temporary Visitor (visa waiver)

For stays up to three months this is simpler than the nomad visa and has no income or insurance test. Around 70 nationalities qualify. A small group, including UK, German, Irish, Austrian, Swiss, Liechtenstein and Mexican passport holders, can apply in-country to extend to a total of six months. It is a tourist status, so paid work in Japan is not permitted, though remote work for foreign employers occupies the usual grey area.

55 nationalities are on the eligible list. Anyone not listed applies through a different route.

• Passport eligible for the visa waiverRequiredAround 70 nationalities can enter Japan visa-free as Temporary Visitors.
• Stay of 90 days or lessRequiredNinety days is the standard grant. A handful of nationalities can extend to six months in total.
• Passport valid for the stayRequiredJapan requires validity covering the intended stay; six months is the safe standard.
• Onward ticket and fundsAdvisoryImmigration can ask for an onward ticket, accommodation details and evidence of sufficient funds, and does so more often than in most countries.
• JESTA travel authorisationInfoJapan is phasing in JESTA, an electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers, from 2026. Check whether it applies to your nationality and travel date before booking.
• No paid activity in JapanInfoTemporary Visitor status prohibits paid work in Japan. Remote work for foreign employers is not explicitly addressed, which is part of why the nomad visa was created.

• Passport
• Onward or return ticket
• Accommodation details
• JESTA authorisation if applicable

1. Check JESTA requirements

   ~1 day

   Confirm whether the electronic travel authorisation applies to your nationality and travel date.

   1

2. Arrive and clear immigration

   ~1 day

   Complete the Visit Japan Web forms in advance to speed up immigration and customs.

   2

Only a small group of nationalities, including UK, German, Irish, Austrian, Swiss, Liechtenstein and Mexican, can extend to a total of six months at a regional immigration bureau.

• Fill in Visit Japan Web before you fly to use the fast immigration and customs lanes
• For stays under 90 days this is strictly better than the nomad visa: no income test, no insurance minimum, no paperwork
• Repeated long visits with short gaps draw questions about whether you are effectively living in Japan
• Extensions beyond 90 days are only available to a handful of nationalities

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan - visa exemptionsMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan2026-07-27