Do I Need a Visa to Enter Japan?
Obtaining a visa to enter a foreign country can be a tricky procedure and Japan is no exception. Depending on where your current passport was issued, this will affect whether you need to organise a visa prior to your trip to Japan or not.
The following information will give details about which countries have a "Reciprocal Visa Exemption Arrangement" with Japan.
British Passport Holders
Any British citizen with a full British passport does not require a visa to enter Japan! However, you will need to submit a Disembarkation Card which will be provided either during the flight or after you have arrived at your arrival airport in Japan.
This is a simple form and will look something like this:
Other Passport Holders
If you hold a passport from any of the coutries listed below, similarly you will not be required to make any visa arrangements and only the above disembarkation card will be necessary:
For a period of 6 months or less
Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK citizens only).
For a period of 3 months or less
Argentina, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Rep., El Salvador, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal (except when the passport was originally issued in present or former Portuguese colonies), San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey and Uruguay.
For a period of 90 days or less
Andorra, Australia, Barbados, Bulgaria, Czech Rep., Estonia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Monaco, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia and the U.S.A.
For a period of up to 14 days
Brunei.
What if My Country is Not on The List?
If your passport was issued in any country that is not listed here then you will need to make visa arrangements before you leave to Japan.
The best way to organise a Japanese travel visa is to speak directly to your embassy or the Japanese embassy as they will have all the necessary details and application forms you will need.
I have a visa to stay in the UK, do I need a visa for Japan?
Unfortunately, the deciding factor of whether you need a visa to enter Japan or not is decided by the passport you have, not any other visas which you may have. Therefore the above rules still apply and you will need to check with an embassy to organise a visa if your country is not on the list.
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