Japan Visa Requirements for British Citizens (2026)
No — British citizens can enter Japan without a visa. Maximum stay: 90 days. Every number on this page carries the date we last verified it.
Required documents
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from date of arrival
- Return or onward ticket from Japan
- Proof of sufficient funds for stay
- Visit Japan Web pre-registration recommended (immigration and customs declaration)
Fees & processing
| Processing | ~90 working days |
|---|
From official-portal extracts (captured ):
- •There is no visa fee for British visitors, because entry for stays of up to 90 days is visa-free (0 JPY).
How to apply
- Check that your trip meets the short-term stay definition: tourism, business or visiting friends and relatives, with no paid activity, for up to 90 days. [6]
- No visa application is needed in advance for British passport holders; entry for up to 90 days is granted on arrival.
Before you fly
- •A short-term stay covers tourism, business and visiting friends or relatives for up to 90 days, but not work for pay. [6]
- •Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with 74 countries and regions, and you are admitted under Temporary Visitor status. [19]
- •Japan's pre-entry tuberculosis screening does not cover British visitors; it applies to nationals of six listed countries entering as mid- to long-term residents. [14]
Full Japan entry guide — customs, health, long stays — on the destination page.
Watch out for
Visitors can travel to Japan for tourism or business for up to 90 days. A visa is given on arrival, and you do not need to apply before you travel. The Japan immigration authorities may extend your visa by another 90 days at their discretion. You will need to apply for an extension.
You cannot take paid work in Japan on a visa-free short-term stay; if you plan to work for remuneration or stay longer than 90 days, obtain a Certificate of Eligibility before applying for a visa. [6]
Recent changes
- · confirmedMontenegro
- · confirmedPeru (previously also from February 1972 to 15 July 1995 )
- · confirmedParaguay, United Arab Emirates (extension to 90 days)
- · confirmedBrunei (extension to 30 days)
- · confirmedPanama
- · confirmedBrazil
- · confirmedQatar (for pre-registered passports)
- · confirmedUnited Arab Emirates (30 days; previously also from 1 July 2017 for pre-registered passports )
- · confirmedIndonesia (for pre-registered passports)
- · confirmedMalaysia (previously also from 1 March 1983 to 1 June 1993 ) and Thailand
- · confirmedSerbia
- · confirmedRomania
Policy updates affecting this route
- · confirmed145 yuan (≈ the prior fee) → 715 yuan for the revised category (effective 1 July 2026) — Japan raises consular visa fees
Frequently asked
How long can British citizens stay in Japan?
Up to 90 days visa-free.
What documents are required?
Passport valid for at least 6 months from date of arrival; Return or onward ticket from Japan; Proof of sufficient funds for stay; Visit Japan Web pre-registration recommended (immigration and customs declaration).
Can I work in Japan while visiting visa-free?
No. A short-term stay of up to 90 days covers tourism, business and visiting relatives, but not remunerated activities. Working or staying longer requires a Certificate of Eligibility and a visa.
Does Japan's tuberculosis screening apply to British travellers?
No. Pre-entry tuberculosis screening applies only to nationals of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar and China entering as mid- to long-term residents.
Sources & last verified
Fact data cross-checked against English Wikipedia “Visa requirements for British citizens” and “Visa policy of Japan”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 — attribution, not copied text.
Official-source extracts captured : [1] mofa.go.jp [2] moj.go.jp [3] moj.go.jp [4] mofa.go.jp [5] mofa.go.jp [6] mofa.go.jp [7] mofa.go.jp [8] mofa.go.jp [9] moj.go.jp [10] moj.go.jp [11] moj.go.jp [12] evisa.mofa.go.jp [13] mofa.go.jp [14] mofa.go.jp [15] mofa.go.jp [16] evisa.mofa.go.jp [17] moj.go.jp [18] mofa.go.jp [19] mofa.go.jp [20] mofa.go.jp [21] mofa.go.jp [22] mofa.go.jp [23] moj.go.jp. Attribution to the publishing agencies; every bracketed number above points to its row here.
Last verified: . Entries, fees and rules change — confirm on the official portal before you travel.
This is general travel information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules change and enforcement varies at the border — always confirm on the official portal before you travel.