Countries That Have Visa Exemption Arrangements with Japan

(62 countries as of April 2000)

If a country has a visa exchange agreement with another country, that means that generally a national of the one country can visit the other country and be issued a tourist visa for a defined period on arrival in that country (usually 90 days or three months depending on the arrangement, but see the list below for periods of validity).

If your country does not have an exchange agreement with Japan, you will have to apply for the visa before coming to the country. Contact the Japanese Consulate nearest you. However, your present location and visa status there can also affect your application - for example, if you are from a country which does not have an exchange agreement with Japan, you may require a letter of invitation from someone in Japan to get a tourist visa. However, if you live and work in the United States, have permanent residency there and a green card, you will probably be able to get a tourist visa without any trouble from the Japanese Consulate in the US. The same is true for other OECD member nations.

It is always a good idea to contact your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate for confirmation if you are planning to come to Japan - better that than find that diplomatic relations between your country and Japan have become strained and you are now required to apply for a visa.

See Resources from the menu for a list of all embassies in Japan and all Japanese embassies abroad.

Term of residence 6 months or less [1]

Austria
Germany
Ireland
Liechtenstein
Mexico
Switzerland
United Kingdom

Term of residence 3 months or less [2]

Argentina
Bahamas
Belgium
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Denmark
Dominican Rep.
El Salvador
Finland
France
Greece
Guatemala
Honduras
Iceland
Israel
Italy
Lesotho
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Mauritius
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovenia
Spain
Suriname
Sweden
Tunisia
Turkey
Uruguay

Term of residence 90 days or less [2]

Andorra
Australia[3]
Barbados
Czech Rep.
Estonia
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Monaco
New Zealand
Poland
U.S.A.

Term of residence 14 days or less

Brunei

Visa recommended

Malaysia
Peru

Temporarily suspended

Bangladesh
Pakistan
Iran

Note 1: Nationals of countries that have concluded visa exemption arrangements with Japan for stays of up to six months in principle are granted permission to stay in Japan for 90 days at the time of landing. Nationals of these countries who wish to stay in Japan for more than 90 days must apply at their nearest immigration authority in Japan for an extension of their period of stay.

Note 2: In the case of visa exemption arrangements of up to three months or 90 days, foreigners are granted upon landing a temporary visitor status for a period of 90 days (15 days for Brunei).

Note 3: In the case of Australia, Japan adopts a unilateral measure, not a bilateral visa exemption arrangement.