From 2028 onwards, a new formality will be required to travel to Japan: JESTA. This electronic authorization, intended for nationals of many visa-exempt countries so far, aims to strengthen entry controls while fluidizing visitor passage. Overview of the essential points to know to anticipate this development.
Early travel authorization
JESTA (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an electronic travel authorization. Inspired by similar arrangements already in place in the United States (ESTA) or Canada (AVE), it will apply to all travellers from countries currently exempt from visas who wish to travel to Japan from fiscal year 2028.
This formality will become mandatory before departure. It will not be possible to embark without having received a positive response to his request for JESTA. The stated aim is to strengthen the security arrangements while allowing a faster and more structured passage through Japanese immigration.
A scheme motivated by the increase in tourism
Since the post-Covid reopening, Japan has seen a sharp increase in tourist traffic. To cope with this influx and achieve its target of 60 million visitors per year by 2030, the government plans to modernize its control procedures.
The implementation of JESTA will allow for the screening of applications upstream, the faster identification of risk profiles, and the reduction of congestion at airports. The Japanese Ministry of Justice also referred to a willingness to combat irregular stays, abuses of visa waivers, and cases of non-payment in hospitals.
Who will be affected by JESTA?
JESTA will be addressed to nationals of 72 countries, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. French, Belgian or Swiss tourists will also have to obtain this authorisation, even for a simple tourist stay.
Short-term trips of up to 90 days for unpaid personal or professional reasons are covered. This includes holidays, language stays, training, professional events, or family visits. Persons travelling to Japan to work or study in the long term will always have to apply for an appropriate visa.
100 % online application
JESTA should be requested online, probably via a website and/or official application. The exact information will be provided later by the Japanese authorities. The process will be based primarily on the passport number, and each traveller, including children, will have to make their own application.
The information to be provided will include basic elements: identity, passport number, dates of stay, residence address on site, and reason for the trip. Online payment will also be required. No paper or on-site applications will be accepted.
Processing time and validity
The time required to obtain a response has not yet been specified, but it will probably be quick (a few days in most cases), provided that all information is correct. The Japanese authorities should set a period of validity that could vary between two and five years, as for similar schemes in other countries.
JESTA would be attached to the passport used at the time of application. If this passport expires, the authorization will automatically lapse. A new application will then be required, even if the initial period of validity is not yet expired.
A cost still unknown
The authorities have not yet communicated JESTA’s official tariff. However, based on existing examples, a price between 1,500 and 3,000 yen can be estimated. This cost will remain to be confirmed when the official terms and conditions are published. Payment will be made online by credit card.
Compulsory travel insurance from 2027?
In parallel with JESTA, another measure could come into force as early as 2027: the obligation to purchase travel insurance covering medical expenses in Japan. This requirement stems from the increase in unpaid payments in Japanese hospitals.
According to the authorities, some people hospitalized during their stay did not pay their health costs, which is a problem for the public system. To limit these situations, the government plans to apply for a certificate of insurance, and to verify whether visitors have a history of non-payment before allowing them to enter the territory.
Enhanced immigration controls
With JESTA, control on arrival in Japan will be more fluid, but potentially more stringent. Travellers without validated authorization will not be able to board. In addition, any error or imprecise statement in the application may result in a refusal. It is therefore essential to complete the forms rigorously and to anticipate their application sufficiently in advance.
Biometric checks, fingerprinting and photographs will also remain in effect upon arrival, as is already the case today. The aim is to speed up the crossing while maintaining a high level of safety.
Anticipate your trip to Japan now
Although the entry into force of the JESTA is planned for 2028, it is useful to become familiar with this future arrangement now. Travellers are advised to follow the official announcements and regularly inform themselves about the conditions of entry, especially if a stay is envisaged around this period.
Specialized travel agencies and travel planners will also be able to assist their clients in this process, providing support in the preparation of cases and avoiding procedural errors.
The establishment of JESTA will be an important step in managing tourism flows in Japan. For travellers, this will represent an additional formality, but also a guarantee of fluidity and safety upon arrival. It is better to prepare upstream to travel calmly on the archipelago.
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