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Summary:
- Jesta will be mandatory for travelers from visa-exempt countries.
- The application will be completed online through an official portal or app.
- Price and validity period are not yet announced.
- Approval will be required before boarding.
- The measure aims to ease airport congestion and manage rising visitor numbers.
Tourism in Japan has grown rapidly since borders reopened. Immigration lines in major airports have become longer, and the government now expects up to 60 million visitors a year by 2030. To manage this flow and streamline checks, Japan is introducing Jesta, a pre-travel authorization similar to systems already used in the United States or Canada.
This new step is not meant to complicate travel. Instead, it helps move part of the verification process online, long before travelers set foot in the arrivals hall. For anyone planning a trip in the coming years, understanding how Jesta works will make preparation easier. Let’s take a clear look at what it means.
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Why Japan is introducing Jesta
The sharp rise in international travel to Japan has created pressure on airport procedures. Since 2022, the number of visitors has climbed steadily, often resulting in long queues at immigration. With ambitious tourism goals for the next decade, the government is adjusting its system to maintain smooth entry while ensuring basic checks remain effective.
Jesta serves this purpose. It allows authorities to review key information before travelers depart, reducing the workload on arrival and avoiding bottlenecks. It is not unique to Japan; most major destinations with high tourist volume rely on similar systems.
How Jesta will work
Jesta will function as an online pre-clearance form. Travelers will complete the procedure through a website or mobile app, providing several standard details:
- identity and passport information
- dates of the planned trip
- address of accommodation in Japan
- purpose of the visit
These requirements are similar to what is currently asked on Visit Japan Web or paper arrival forms. Each traveler, including children, must submit a separate application. Once approved, the authorization will be linked to the traveler’s passport.
The key point is timing. Travelers must obtain approval before heading to the airport, as airlines will check the authorization during boarding.
Expected cost and validity
Japan has not published official figures yet, but comparable systems give a reasonable range. Many countries use authorizations valid for 2 to 5 years, with fees generally between 7 and 20 units of local currency. Based on this, Jesta could fall within a similar window, likely between 1 500 and 3 000 yen. A precise announcement will confirm the details closer to implementation.
Who will need Jesta
The authorization will apply to citizens of 72 visa-exempt countries, including:
- France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco
- all European Union countries
- Canada, United States, Mexico, Argentina
- South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia
- Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom
- Taiwan, Hong Kong
- Tunisia, Lesotho
Stays requiring Jesta
- tourism
- short, unpaid business visits
- short-term studies
- visits to friends or relatives
- airport transit
Long-term stays, work placements or extended studies will still require a traditional visa.
Mandatory travel insurance from 2027
Japan is also considering a measure requiring all visitors to carry travel insurance covering medical expenses. This proposal comes after reports of unpaid hospital bills left by certain travelers. If adopted, immigration services could verify insurance upon arrival, with possible refusal of entry for those lacking coverage.
This rule would bring Japan closer to countries such as China or Bhutan, where proof of insurance is already part of the entry conditions.
What this means for travelers
Benefits
- shorter queues at immigration
- a streamlined digital process
- fewer forms to fill in on arrival
Things to plan ahead
- apply early enough to receive approval before departure
- check passport validity before beginning the application
- prepare insurance if it becomes mandatory in 2027
Jesta adds a step, but a clear and manageable one.
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Jesta introduces a small but important change for future trips to Japan. The process remains simple: complete an online form, wait for approval, and keep the confirmation with your travel documents. As long as travelers anticipate this step, their journey will remain as smooth as ever.
Japan will release the full details ahead of the 2028 rollout, giving visitors time to adapt and include Jesta in their travel planning.
