ETIAS for Japanese citizens

Japanese citizens will soon need to register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). ETIAS will be fully implemented by 2026 and will become an entry requirement for visa-free travellers, including from Japan.

ETIAS will help improve Schengen border management and security. Thanks to ETIAS, European countries such as France, Germany, and Italy, will be even safer destinations for travellers from Japan and the rest of the world.

WHAT AUTHORISATION DO JAPANESE CITIZENS NEED TO ENTER EUROPE?

Japanese citizens do not need a visa to visit the Schengen Area short-term. Travellers from Japan can stay for up to 90 days per 180-day period without applying for a visa. Visa-free entry to Europe is permitted for tourism, business, and transit purposes.

From 2026 , Japanese passport holders will be able to apply for ETIAS to enjoy visa-free travel to Europe. ETIAS is not a visa, it is visa waiver, or electronic travel authorisation, similar to the United States ESTA.

Nationals of Japan who do not meet the ETIAS requirements, or who wish to stay for longer than 3 months, need a visa.

INFORMATION ABOUT ETIAS FOR JAPANESE CITIZENS

The European ETIAS for citizens of Japan will be valid for:

Japanese nationals will need ETIAS to cross an external Schengen border. They will then be able to visit any of the Schengen countries for up to 90 days. Travellers do not need a separate ETIAS for each country they will, the same visa waiver is valid across the travel zone.

HOW CAN JAPANESE CITIZENS APPLY FOR ETIAS TO VISIT EUROPE?

To apply for an ETIAS visa waiver from Japan, travellers will need a:

Japanese nationals must apply for ETIAS and travel to Europe using the same passport. A new ETIAS is required if the associated passport expires, even if the ETIAS was issued under 3 years ago. The Japanese passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the inteded date of departure from the Schengen Area.

The credit or debit card is to pay the ETIAS processing fees securely online from Japan. Applicants receive status updates and notification of ETIAS approval by email.

ETIAS APPLICATION FORM FOR CITIZENS OF JAPAN

The ETIAS application form for Japanese nationals will be 100% online and simple to complete. Japanese applicants will need to provide basic personal information and passport details, including:

• Full name and surname
• Gender
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Current address
• Contact telephone number

For security and immigration purposes, travellers may also need to answer questions relating to:

The information provided will be cross-checked against international security databases, such as:

• SIS
• VIS
• EUROPOL
• SLTD (INTERPOL)
• TDAWN (INTERPOL)
• EURODAC

Most Japanese nationals are expected to pass the automatic screening process. In the rare event that there is a hit in one of the systems, the application will be reviewed manually by the ETIAS National Unit. ETIAS may be denied if the traveller is considered a current security risk.

ETIAS PROCESSING TIMES FOR JAPANESE NATIONALS

ETIAS applications submitted from Japan will be processed quickly. The majority will be approved following automatic screening.

On approval, the electronic travel authorisation is linked to the Japanese passport. An email notification is sent to the applicant to let them know their request was successful.

If the ETIAS application were rejected, the applicant would be informed by email and given the opportunity to appeal the decision.

TRAVELLING TO EUROPE FROM JAPAN WITH ETIAS

The ETIAS will be verified when the Japanese passport is scanned at an external Schengen border. An approved travel authorisation does not guarantee entry, the final decision lies with immigration authorities.

Border guards may ask Japanese citizens for proof of sufficient funds or onward travel.

There are other restrictions and regulations to be aware of when travelling to Europe from Japan. These restrictions on firearms, importing and exporting tobacco, alcohol, perfume, or currency.

Japanese travellers should check the latest entry requirements and restrictions before heading to their European destination.

BILATERAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN JAPAN AND EU MEMBER STATES

Thanks to reciprocal arrangements established between Japan and certain EU Member States, it may be possible for Japanese citizens to stay in some European countries beyond the 90-day Schengen limit.

The Schengen Area countries that have existing visa waiver arrangements with Japan and the maximum number of days permitted under the agreement are listed below:

The following Schengen-associated countries also have bilateral agreements with Japan:

( * ) Ordinary passports ( ** ) Ordinary, diplomatic and service/official passports

To take advantage of any of these bilateral agreements, Japanese travellers must remain in the EU country they apply to for the entire extension period. It is not possible to move freely around Europe beyond the 90-day limit.

For this reason, Japanese citizens should fly from the specific EU country directly to a third country, without transiting anywhere in the Schengen area.

In the case of needing a visa waiver that allows them to visit several EU countries at once, nationals of Japan should obtain an ETIAS.

Bilateral arrangements between Japan and EU Member States are subject to change.