USA entry requirements for travellers from Japan
Visa requirement summary
Japanese passport holders do not need a US visa for tourism or short business visits. Japan is a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), and Japanese nationals travel to the United States using ESTA for stays of up to 90 days.
ESTA — the Electronic System for Travel Authorization
ESTA is not a visa. It is an electronic authorisation that VWP travellers must obtain before boarding a US-bound flight or arriving at a land or sea port of entry. You apply online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov — the only official site. Third-party services that charge more than the government fee are not official.
The fee is $40.27 per person (raised from $21 in September 2025). This breaks down as a $4.00 processing fee charged regardless of outcome, and a $36.27 authorisation fee charged only if approved. Payment is by credit or debit card.
Once approved, your ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During that period you can make multiple trips to the US without reapplying.
Apply at least 72 hours before travel, though earlier is better. Most applications are approved within minutes; a small number are processed over several days. An approved ESTA does not guarantee admission — CBP officers at the port of entry make the final decision.
How long you can stay
Up to 90 days per visit. Not extendable on VWP admission.
Passport requirements
Your passport must be biometric. Japan has issued biometric passports since 2006; all current Japanese passports qualify. Japan is covered by a bilateral agreement waiving the six-month beyond-stay validity rule — your passport needs to be valid for your stay duration.
Proof of funds
No set minimum. CBP officers may ask how you plan to fund your visit.
Onward or return travel
A return or onward flight booking should be available for inspection.
Applying for ESTA
Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Fee: $40.27. Do not use unofficial third-party sites.
Health requirements
No vaccination requirements for Japanese citizens entering the United States.
Other entry requirements
ESTA does not permit employment. VWP travellers who have visited Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, or Venezuela since 2011, or who hold dual nationality with any of these countries, are not ESTA-eligible.
FAQs
Do Japanese nationals need a visa for the USA?
No. Japan is a VWP country. Apply for ESTA at esta.cbp.dhs.gov before you travel.
How much is ESTA?
$40.27 per person (from September 2025).
How long can I stay?
90 days per visit — not extendable.
Can I work in the USA on ESTA?
No. Employment requires a work visa.
Is my old (pre-chip) Japanese passport eligible for ESTA?
Only biometric (chip) passports are eligible. If your passport is older and does not have a chip, you must apply for a B-1/B-2 visa or renew your passport.