[category]
[title]
Visitors heading to Japan may soon need to complete an extra step of (digital) paperwork before boarding their flight. The Japanese government approved a bill last week that will introduce a new pre-travel screening system called the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA).
The new system, which the government hopes to implement during fiscal 2028 (April 2028–March 2029), will apply to travellers from countries that currently enjoy visa-free entry to Japan for short stays. Before getting on that plane for Japan, visitors will need to submit basic personal and travel information online to receive approval. Airlines may deny boarding to passengers who haven’t obtained the authorisation in advance.
JESTA is expected to work similarly to the equivalent ESTA system used by the United States, allowing immigration authorities to screen passengers before arrival.
Does this mean less time spent in the airport immigration queue (aka a faster route to your hotel bed)? We’re not sure. The government says its move is aimed at reducing overstays and strengthening border controls as inbound tourism continues to surge. JESTA will require travellers to pay an application fee, but the government has not yet indicated a specific number. For comparison, the US charges about ¥6,000 per ESTA application.
The changes may also hurt Japan residents’ wallets, as the newly approved bill proposes to raise the upper limit of fees at immigration, including for changing residency status, renewing one’s period of stay and applying for permanent residence.
More details, including the application fee increases and exact rollout timeline, are expected to be announced closer to the system’s launch. Check the immigration services website for details.
More from Time Out Tokyo
Tokyo lands seven spots on the 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific 2026 list
3 of the world’s 100 greatest movie theatres are in the Tokyo region
5 city-run museums in Tokyo are now offering free admission for ages 18 and under
See 4,000 cherry blossoms light up at Niigata's Takada Castle this spring
Tokyo ranks among the world’s 10 best cities for 2026
Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.