Visa Free Countries for Japanese Passport Holders
At present, the Japanese passport holds the 8th position globally, providing access to visa free travel to 154 countries for Japanese citizens. However, for entry into the remaining countries, holders of Japanese passports are required to apply for a visa in advance.
Visa Free Countries for Japanese Passport Holders
There are 154 Visa Free Countries for Japanese Passport:
- Albania
- American Samoa
- Andorra
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Caribbean Netherlands
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Curaçao
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- French West Indies
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niue
- North Macedonia
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Réunion
- Romania
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Türkiye
- United States Virgin Islands
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Eswatini
When traveling visa free countries, you’ll still need a valid passport, typically with an expiration date of at least six months after your departure. Additionally, it’s important to buy travel health insurance as mandated by the country you’re visiting.
What Countries Issue eVisa to Japanese Citizens?
The following 7 countries issue eVisas for Japanese passport holders:
- Angola
- Benin
- Djibouti
- Ethiopia
- Guinea
- Kenya
- Uganda
Obtaining an eVisa follows a process quite similar to that of applying for a regular visa. The key distinction here is that there’s no need for you to make a visit to a visa application center. Instead, you have the convenience of submitting your application online, including the payment for the visa.
Once your application receives approval, you’ll receive an email confirming your visa’s approval status. This email will also include a document that you should print out and carry along with you when you’re about to cross the border. Although your visa will be registered in the online system, it’s worth noting that some border officials might request a physical copy of the permit. This makes it vital to have the printed copy in your possession while you’re traveling.
What Countries Issue Visa on Arrival to Japanese Passport Holders?
If you are a Japanese citizen, you can get a visa on arrival for the 36 countries listed below:
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cabo Verde
- Comoros
- Egypt
- Guinea-Bissau
- India
- Iran
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Nepal
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- Saint Helena
- Tanzania
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Zimbabwe
Upon entering the country that offers visa on arrival (VOA) services, you will be granted the visa. Typically, airports have designated sections where you can apply for your visa on arrival conveniently.
Where Can I Enter Visa-Free With an APEC Card?
If you have an APEC business card from Japan, you can enter the following countries visa-free:
- Australia
- Brunei
- Chile
- China
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- South Korea
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Philippines
- Russia
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Taiwan
- Vietnam
The APEC Business Travel Card functions as a travel document issued to nations within the APEC agreement. APEC stands for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, which represents a collaborative economic framework among multiple countries. The card aims to facilitate business transactions and travel within these member nations. Possessors of an ABTC are entitled to various advantages, including:
- Effortless entry without the need for visas to all participating economies.
- Conducting lawful business activities within the realms of participating economies.
- Streamlined procedures for crossing borders when journeying between member countries.
- Expedited visa application processes for transition countries, such as the United States.
Countries With Visa Requirements for Japanese Citizens
You need a valid visa to enter the following 29 countries with a Japanese passport:
You need a valid visa to enter the following 29 countries with a Japanese passport:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Bhutan
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Republic of the Congo
- Ivory Coast
- Cuba
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ghana
- Liberia
- Libya
- Mali
- Nauru
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Russia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Gambia
- Turkmenistan
- Yemen
How Can the Japanese Apply for a Visa?
The process of applying for a visa as a Japanese citizen involves the following steps:
- Schedule an Appointment. Initiate the visa application process by arranging an appointment at the local visa center in Japan. Contact the visa application center in your home country and secure a meeting slot, bearing in mind that getting an appointment with the embassy or consulate might require several months.
- Gather Required Documents. To ensure a successful application, gather all the necessary documents for your visa. This includes your passport, completed application form, health insurance details, and more. Some documents may need to be verified with an apostille stamp or certified by a foreign office.
- Submission and Interview. Proceed to submit your application and attend the visa interview if required. Biometric information might also be part of the submission process. Ensure you’ve appropriately translated your documents as per embassy or consulate requirements and verified them with an apostille stamp, if applicable. Following submission, it will take several weeks for a decision to be made regarding your visa application.
Please take note that if you possess a valid multi-entry visa, there’s no need to apply for a new visa.
What Documents Are Required for Japanese Citizens to Apply for a Visa?
Japanese citizens planning to visit countries that necessitate a visa application prior to travel must provide specific documents. While document requirements can vary depending on the destination, most countries typically ask for the following:
- A valid Japanese passport (along with a photocopy). Some countries stipulate that the passport should remain valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from their country.
- A duly completed visa application form.
- Passport-sized photographs taken within the last six months.
- Comprehensive travel health insurance covering your entire intended stay.
- Proof of payment for the visa fee.
- A detailed travel itinerary outlining your planned destinations.
- Letter of invitation (if applicable).
- Confirmed return flight ticket.
- Evidence of pre-booked accommodation.
- Adequate proof of funds to sustain your visit.
- Civil status documents (such as marriage certificates or birth certificates).
Important Note: Be aware that having a previous criminal history could result in your visa application being rejected.