Japan passes law creating legal basis for JESTA travel system

The system will apply to visa-exempt travelers but will not be required until a date set by the government, no later than March 31, 2029

Japan's Parliament has passed a law creating the legal basis for JESTA, the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization, which will eventually require visa-exempt travelers to obtain electronic authorization before visiting the country for short stays.

According to NHK World, the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act was adopted on May 29, 2026, in a plenary session of the House of Councillors by 186 votes to 58, after previously being passed by the House of Representatives on April 28, 2026.

The measure does not end visa-free travel but adds a prior formality before entry for short stays, following the model of electronic authorizations already in use or planned in several countries.

How JESTA will work

Travelers covered by the measure will have to submit information electronically so authorities can verify that they meet entry requirements. The procedure is aimed at people who do not need a visa to travel to Japan but who wish to enter the country for short-stay purposes, including tourism.

The system is not expected to apply only to air arrivals. Cruise passengers and certain travelers transiting directly through Japan are also expected to fall within the scope of the future JESTA. The exact rules will still need to be defined by Japanese authorities before the system is launched.

Once operational, obtaining this certification will become one of the entry requirements for the travelers concerned. The reform is designed to strengthen immigration controls while making arrival procedures smoother. The law also provides that the electronic authorization may, in some cases, replace certain formalities traditionally completed during entry inspection.

JESTA will not be required immediately

The adoption of the law does not mean JESTA takes effect right away. The text provides for a phased implementation, on a date to be set by government ordinance. For the main provisions related to the electronic authorization, implementation must take place no later than March 31, 2029.

Travelers do not yet have to apply for JESTA. The system's exact procedures, application portal, required information, validity period, and fee amount will have to be specified by Japanese authorities before launch.

Immigration fees also set to increase

The reform also raises the legal caps for several fees related to immigration and residence procedures in Japan. The text amends Article 67 of the law to raise the caps to 100,000 yen ($629) for certain applications to change or renew residence status, 300,000 yen ($1,887) for permanent residence, and 10,000 yen ($63) for certain re-entry permits.

These amounts are legal ceilings. The actual fees charged will be set by government ordinance. The bill also provides that some fees related to the new electronic certifications, including the one planned for visa-exempt travelers, will be defined later through regulations.

Following an international trend

With JESTA, Japan is joining a trend already well established in border management policies. The United States has long used ESTA, the United Kingdom is rolling out its ETA, Canada applies its eTA, and the European Union is preparing to launch ETIAS.

These systems have one thing in common: they are not visas in the traditional sense, but prior authorizations required from certain visa-exempt travelers. They allow authorities to review information before departure, rather than only at the border on arrival.

For Japan, the issue is also tied to the strong rebound in international tourism. The country is once again welcoming high numbers of foreign visitors and is seeking to balance tourism appeal, smoother arrivals, and stronger immigration control.

Legislative timeline

The adoption of the law concludes a process that has been underway for several months. After initial proposals centered on screening certain travelers before their arrival, the Japanese government approved the bill on March 10, 2026. Parliament provided further details on the future JESTA in April 2026, before the bill was passed by the House of Representatives on April 28 and by the House of Councillors on May 29, 2026.