Japan's JESTA: the law is on the books, fiscal 2028 is the target, and transits are included
Japan is building its own pre-travel clearance system, JESTA, and the enabling law was promulgated on 5 June 2026. Working from the Ministry of Justice material, this guide covers who it applies to, the duties it places on carriers, the fee and the timetable — and which details have not been announced.
What is JESTA, and where does the legislation stand?
JESTA is Japan's electronic travel authorization scheme. The Immigration Services Agency describes it as screening based on information supplied online in advance, to prevent travel to Japan by foreign nationals who should not enter.
The legal basis is the 2026 amendment to the Immigration Control Act and related laws (Act No. 32 of 2026), passed in the 221st special session of the Diet and promulgated on 5 June 2026. It creates the electronic travel authorization scheme and raises the ceiling on fees for residence status changes.
| Item | What has been published |
|---|---|
| Law | 2026 amendment to the Immigration Control Act (Act No. 32 of 2026) |
| Promulgated | 5 June 2026 |
| Commencement | A day to be fixed by cabinet order, no later than 31 March 2029 — not yet set |
| Target | Immigration Services Agency policy material: introduction brought forward from 2030, targeting during fiscal 2028 |
| Fee | An amount to be set by cabinet order — not yet announced |
| Application channel and opening date | Not yet announced |
Who JESTA covers — transit and cruise passengers included
The published outline names three groups:
- Foreign nationals who do not require a visa and intend a short stay in Japan for tourism or similar activities. Taiwan passport holders travelling for tourism, family visits or short business trips fall here.
- Foreign nationals arriving by cruise ship who wish to go ashore in Japan for tourism.
- Certain foreign nationals entering Japan temporarily in order to transfer between vessels or aircraft.
The third group is the one most easily missed: connecting through Japan is within scope. The amendment also provides that travellers holding an authorization may have the landing permission stamp omitted from their passport, used in practice with walk-through gates.
What happens without a JESTA authorization
The amendment puts the verification duty on carriers, in two parts:
So once the scheme is live, the point of interception sits at check-in and boarding in the departure country rather than at the Japanese border.
- ・A native network rather than roaming — fast and stable, with data and duration both selectable
- ・The first choice on iPhone; Android users should take the KDDI plan instead
- ・Refund guaranteed if the signal is unstable or the plan goes completely unused
Travelling to Japan before JESTA commences
Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs lists Japan as visa-free for up to 90 days for Taiwan passport holders (list updated 23 July 2026). Until JESTA commences, nothing additional is required.
- Today: visa-free entry, with immigration and customs declarations completed online through Visit Japan Web before departure.
- After commencement: the same steps, plus a JESTA authorization obtained in advance.
- The date to watch: commencement is fixed by cabinet order and falls no later than 31 March 2029, so trips from 2028 onward are worth re-checking when you book.
Three common misunderstandings about JESTA
- Thinking it applies now. The law is promulgated but the commencement date has not been fixed, no authorization is needed today, and no official application channel is open.
- Treating the residence fee rise as the JESTA fee. That change raised the ceiling on fees for residence status changes and affects residents in Japan, not short-stay visitors.
- Assuming transits are exempt. The outline lists certain travellers entering temporarily to transfer between vessels or aircraft as within scope.
Choosing a Japan plan: what actually separates the three
| Plan | Best for | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Softbank native (jp-001) | iPhone users who want to choose data and duration | A native network rather than roaming — fast and stable, covering all of Japan including Okinawa |
| KDDI native | Android users, and iPhone users who want unlimited data | Also a native network with the same speed and stability, covering all of Japan including Okinawa |
| Dual-carrier (jp-002) | Android users choosing their own data and duration who will visit areas with mixed reception | Selects whichever carrier is stronger at your location |
A fuller comparison, with the kind of traveller each suits, is in our Japan eSIM comparison. For the online formality that genuinely applies today, see the Visit Japan Web guide.
Japan JESTA: frequently asked questions
What is Japan's JESTA?
JESTA is the electronic travel authorization scheme Japan is introducing. According to the Immigration Services Agency's published outline, it screens travellers using information supplied online in advance, and applies to visa-exempt short-stay visitors among others. The enabling law — the 2026 amendment to the Immigration Control Act, Act No. 32 of 2026 — was promulgated on 5 June 2026.
When does JESTA start?
The law sets the commencement date as a day to be fixed by cabinet order, no later than 31 March 2029; the exact date has not been set. Immigration Services Agency policy material states that introduction, originally planned for 2030, is being brought forward with a target of during fiscal 2028. Until it commences, travel from Taiwan continues under the current visa-free arrangements.
Who will need a JESTA?
The published outline names three groups: foreign nationals who do not require a visa and intend a short stay for tourism and similar activities; foreign nationals arriving by cruise ship who wish to go ashore for tourism; and certain foreign nationals entering temporarily to transfer between vessels or aircraft. The inclusion of transit passengers is worth noting when routing a trip through Japan.
What happens without an authorization?
The amendment places two duties on carriers: when issuing a ticket, to report the booking holder's name and other details to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency by a prescribed time; and, on receiving notice that a person should not be allowed to enter, not to carry that person to Japan. In practice the check happens at departure.
How much will JESTA cost?
The amendment provides for a fee in an amount to be set by cabinet order; the figure has not been announced. The same legislation raised the ceiling on fees for residence status changes, but those apply to residents in Japan rather than to short-stay visitors.
What should I arrange for a trip to Japan right now?
Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs lists Japan as visa-free for up to 90 days, and no JESTA is required today. Complete immigration and customs declarations online through Visit Japan Web before you fly. For data, iPhone users generally do best on the Japan eSIM running on the Softbank network, while Android users should choose the KDDI plan. Both cover all of Japan, Okinawa included.
- ・QR code emailed within about 10 minutes, so you can install before you leave
- ・Refund guaranteed if the signal is unstable or the plan goes completely unused
- ・LINE support at @peanutmo, 10:00–17:00 (UTC+8)
Installation takes about three minutes with our step-by-step setup guide.
Related reading
The online step that genuinely applies today, including how the QR code is used.
Softbank native, KDDI native and dual-carrier — which suits your handset.
Peak crowds, photo uploads and battery drain during the blossom season.
Home-number data roaming and default line — a five-minute check.
