Japan plans to change how tourists enter the country!
If you’re from one of 71 visa-free countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and the UK, you’ll need to use a new online system called JESTA before your trip.
This change aims to make travel safer and reduce illegal stays. Want to know how this affects your future Japan adventures? Keep reading! 😊
What’s Changing?
Japan is planning to introduce a new system for foreign tourists entering the country.
This system will affect visitors from 71 countries who currently don’t need a visa for short stays of 14 to 90 days. Instead of just showing up, you’ll need to submit some information online before your trip.
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Why the Change?
The Japanese government wants to reduce the number of people who enter the country as tourists but stay longer than allowed.
They’re calling this new system JESTA, which is similar to the ESTA system used by the United States.
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The Current Problem
In January 2016, Japan recorded 49,801 illegal short-term visitors. More than 28,000 of these came from countries that don’t need visas. This shows how big the problem is with the current system.
How Will It Work?
Before you travel to Japan, you’ll need to go online and provide some details about your trip.
This includes why you’re visiting and where you’ll be staying. The Immigration Services Agency will then review this information.
What If You’re Flagged?
JESTA might flag your application for several reasons, including travel history to restricted countries, criminal record, unclear travel plans, or if the system thinks you might overstay your visit.
If you’re flagged for any of these reasons, you won’t get the travel authorization through JESTA. Instead, you’ll need to apply for a regular visa at your local Japanese embassy.
There, you can provide more detailed information and explain your situation in person.
Being flagged doesn’t automatically mean you can’t visit Japan; it just means you’ll need to go through a more thorough application process.
Who Needs to Use JESTA?
Visitors from 71 countries that currently don’t need visas will have to use JESTA. This includes popular tourist source countries like Singapore and the United Kingdom.
Other nations on this list are the United States, Canada, Australia, and many European countries.
If you’re from one of these visa-exempt countries and planning to visit Japan for a short stay, you’ll need to use the JESTA system before your trip.
Remember, this new process is designed to make travel safer while still welcoming visitors from around the world.
When Will This Start?
The government is aiming to have JESTA up and running by 2030. They’re planning to set aside money in next year’s budget to start developing the system.
What Else Is Changing?
Japan is also testing another system this year. It will check passenger information against a list of people who aren’t allowed to enter Japan.
If you’re on this list, the airline will know before you board and can stop you from flying.
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What Does This Mean for Travelers?
While these changes are meant to keep Japan and its visitors safe, they will make traveling to Japan a bit more complicated. You’ll need to plan ahead and complete the online process before your trip.
Remember, more details about how to use JESTA and what information you’ll need to provide will be available closer to when the system launches. Stay tuned for updates if you’re planning a trip to Japan in the future!
