Japan to Introduce Prescreening of Visa-free Travelers by 2028

Japan is planning to launch a prescreening system for visa-free travelers in fiscal year 2028 to boost efficiency and strengthen border security in light of its booming inbound tourism, according to the Justice Ministry.

According to a statement by the ministry last month, the government of Japan is seeking to increase efficiency by modeling the new system after the United States’ Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This pre-arrival screening process was launched in 2021 after the September 11 terrorist attacks that year. 

Several other countries have implemented similar pre-screening systems, including Canada and the UK. The EU is also set to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) in 2026.

In 2024, 36.87 million foreign travelers visited Japan, marking a dramatic rise of 47.1 percent from 2023. With the surge in visitor arrivals, tourism has become a significant sector in Japan’s economy and plays a vital role in its growth strategy. The government is targeting 60 million arrivals by 2030. 

Under this upcoming system, travelers from 71 countries and regions with exemptions from short-stay visas will be required to submit personal and travel information several days before they arrive in Japan. This data will include their names, travel purpose, and locations, providing the Immigration Services Agency of Japan with sufficient information to comprehensively pre-screen travelers.

According to the ministry, if travelers have any criminal history or previous immigration violations, the agency may not allow them to board the flight to Japan. 

Currently, nationals of Australia, Canada, Malaysia, South Korea, and the US can enter Japan for short-term visits for less than 90 days without needing to obtain a visa. 

The agency is looking into adopting additional measures to improve the efficiency of the screening process, such as using digital technologies and removing the need for in-person procedures.