The Japanese government plans to introduce a new travel authorisation system that will require tourists from 71 visa-exempt countries and regions to submit their details using JESTA when it is launched in 2030.
JESTA - named after the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) in the United States - will screen visitors before entry through an online system to reduce the number of illegal immigrants entering Japan from visa-exempt countries and regions.
Under the current system, airlines provide passenger information to the Japanese government for inspection immediately after takeoff. This means that travellers who fail the screening still arrive in Japan, and although they are officially ordered to leave, many do not comply.
According to the Japanese government, the number of people abusing the system and staying illegally in the country is hefty. In January 2016, there were 49,801 illegal short-term visitors, with more than 28,000 of them coming from visa-exempt countries and regions.
JESTA will require visa-exempt tourists to state their purpose of entry and provide their accommodation details online.
Once data is received, the Japan Immigration Services Agency will carry an inspection. If the application is flagged as a "risk of illegal stay”, the necessary travel authorisation to leave the country will not be granted, and travellers will be encouraged to obtain a formal visa through their embassy.
The 71 visa-exempt countries and regions listed
Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
North Macedonia
Norway
Panama
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
South Korea
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
The Japanese government also plans to allocate research funds for JESTA in 2025’sbudget, with plans for its implementation in 2030. Another system will be tested during this fiscal year, where passenger information will be sent to the Immigration Services Agency after boarding procedures are completed.
This information will be checked against a "blacklist" of travellers, including foreign nationals with criminal records. The system will notify airlines so they can deny and prevent individuals on the list from travelling to Japan.
Further details on how the system will work, including registration schedules and personal information requirements, will be provided closer to the launch date.