Published on December 29, 2025
Canada Joins US, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Thailand, and Sixty-Eight More Countries in Confronting Travel Challenges as Japan Implements Electronic System for Travel Authorization With a Fee Above Two Thousand Yen. Japan’s introduction of the JESTA electronic travel authorization system will require travelers from 71 visa-exempt countries, including Canada, the US, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Thailand, and others, to pay a fee ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 yen for pre-travel screening. This move is part of Japan’s effort to enhance security and manage the growing number of inbound tourists, with travelers from these countries facing added travel challenges as the system aims to streamline immigration processes and ensure a safer environment.
Japan is set to introduce a significant change to its immigration and border management process as it prepares to launch its new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA) in fiscal year 2028. This new pre-travel screening system will impact travelers from 71 countries, including Canada, the United States, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Thailand, and other nations, which are currently exempt from visa requirements for short-term stays in Japan. As a part of this transition, Japan will also introduce a fee for travelers, ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 yen (approximately $13 to $20 USD) for the pre-travel authorization process. This fee and the new travel authorization system will impose new travel challenges for these countries’ citizens, especially as Japan is on track to experience record tourist arrivals in the coming years.
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The Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA) is a new online pre-travel screening system set to debut in fiscal year 2028. The system will affect travelers from over 71 countries that currently benefit from visa-exempt short-term stays in Japan, including those from Canada, the United States, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Thailand, and 68 other countries.
The goal of this system is twofold: enhancing security and managing tourism flows. Japan’s government aims to reduce the potential for terrorism and illegal employment among tourists, while improving the speed and efficiency of airport processing. The system will screen travelers before they board their flights to Japan, allowing the country to filter out any individuals who may pose a security risk. Furthermore, it will alleviate some of the pressure on Japan’s border management system, especially as the country anticipates record-breaking numbers of inbound visitors in the coming years.
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The estimated fee for the JESTA system is expected to range from 2,000 yen to 3,000 yen (approximately $13 to $20 USD). This fee will apply to all travelers from the visa-exempt countries listed under the program, requiring them to submit an online application for authorization before their travel. This fee is designed to help cover the costs of the program, ensuring that border management services remain sustainable as tourism increases.
Similar systems are already in place in countries such as the United States (via the ESTA) and Canada (via the eTA), where travelers are required to pay a fee for pre-travel screening. The U.S. ESTA charges a fee of $21 USD, while Canada’s eTA fee is $7 USD. With the expected implementation of the JESTA program, Japan will be joining a growing list of countries that are introducing similar travel authorization systems to streamline border management and enhance security.
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Japan’s unique approach to the JESTA fee lies in its intended use of the revenue. While some countries use the funds from their pre-travel screening programs to cover administrative costs, Japan plans to use the JESTA fees for a more specific and humanitarian purpose. The government is considering allocating a portion of the revenue to provide emergency support for foreign visitors during natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons. Japan, which is prone to natural disasters, has a long-standing commitment to ensuring the safety of foreign tourists during these events, and the revenue from JESTA could help fund disaster relief efforts and provide better support services for international visitors.
Moreover, the revenue from the JESTA system could also be directed towards upgrading infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of tourists, ensuring that Japan’s popular tourist destinations do not suffer from the negative impacts of overtourism. With over 40 million visitors expected in 2025, Japan will need to invest in modernizing its facilities to provide a high-quality experience for all travelers.
Japan is targeting fiscal 2028 for the official launch of the JESTA system. In Japan, the fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31, which means the system could go live any time between April 2028 and March 2029.
Before the system can be implemented, the Japanese government must amend the immigration laws to formally establish the program. A bill to amend the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act will likely be submitted in the next Diet session, which will be crucial in finalizing the legislative framework for JESTA. The system is expected to be fully rolled out by 2030, streamlining airport processes and ensuring that the surge in tourism does not overwhelm Japan’s immigration infrastructure.
Travelers from the 71 visa-exempt countries will be required to apply for travel authorization through an online platform before their journey to Japan. They will need to provide basic details, such as:
This process will replace the traditional immigration procedures, ensuring that travelers are pre-screened before arriving in Japan. If a traveler is flagged by the system as a security risk or potential illegal immigrant, they will be denied authorization and will be required to apply for a formal visa through a Japanese embassy. If approved, travelers will receive a travel authorization that is likely valid for multiple entries over a two- to three-year period, similar to the U.S. ESTA system.
The JESTA system will affect citizens of 71 countries and regions that are currently exempt from needing a visa for short-term stays in Japan. This includes countries from North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. These travelers will now have to go through an additional pre-travel authorization process.
Some of the countries impacted by the new system include:
The introduction of JESTA will impact citizens from these countries who are planning to visit Japan for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days. For these travelers, the system will add a layer of complexity to their travel plans, requiring them to complete an online pre-screening process and pay the associated fee.
The table below lists the countries and regions that will be impacted by the JESTA system and their estimated fee:Country Estimated Fee (Yen) Canada 2,000-3,000 United States 2,000-3,000 Italy 2,000-3,000 Poland 2,000-3,000 Brazil 2,000-3,000 Thailand 2,000-3,000 Australia 2,000-3,000 New Zealand 2,000-3,000 France 2,000-3,000 United Kingdom 2,000-3,000 Germany 2,000-3,000 Spain 2,000-3,000 South Korea 2,000-3,000 Singapore 2,000-3,000 Hong Kong 2,000-3,000 Andorra 2,000-3,000 Austria 2,000-3,000 Belgium 2,000-3,000 Bulgaria 2,000-3,000 Croatia 2,000-3,000 Cyprus 2,000-3,000 Czech Republic 2,000-3,000 Denmark 2,000-3,000 Estonia 2,000-3,000 Finland 2,000-3,000 Iceland 2,000-3,000 Ireland 2,000-3,000 Latvia 2,000-3,000 Liechtenstein 2,000-3,000 Lithuania 2,000-3,000 Luxembourg 2,000-3,000 Malta 2,000-3,000 Monaco 2,000-3,000 Montenegro 2,000-3,000 Netherlands 2,000-3,000 North Macedonia 2,000-3,000 Norway 2,000-3,000 Poland 2,000-3,000 Portugal 2,000-3,000 Romania 2,000-3,000 San Marino 2,000-3,000 Serbia 2,000-3,000 Slovakia 2,000-3,000 Slovenia 2,000-3,000 Sweden 2,000-3,000 Switzerland 2,000-3,000 Turkey 2,000-3,000 United Arab Emirates 2,000-3,000 Israel 2,000-3,000 Mauritius 2,000-3,000 Tunisia 2,000-3,000 Lesotho 2,000-3,000 South Africa 2,000-3,000 Egypt 2,000-3,000 Morocco 2,000-3,000 Zambia 2,000-3,000 Botswana 2,000-3,000 Ghana 2,000-3,000 Kenya 2,000-3,000 Seychelles 2,000-3,000 Mauritius 2,000-3,000 Maldives 2,000-3,000 Cambodia 2,000-3,000 Indonesia 2,000-3,000 Philippines 2,000-3,000 Vietnam 2,000-3,000 Malaysia 2,000-3,000 Taiwan 2,000-3,000 Hong Kong 2,000-3,000 Macao 2,000-3,000 South Korea 2,000-3,000
Japan’s introduction of the JESTA system and the pre-travel authorization fee will bring significant changes for travelers from Canada, the United States, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Thailand, and 68 other countries. While the fee may create challenges for travelers planning to visit Japan, the system is designed to enhance security, reduce immigration congestion, and ensure a smoother travel experience for all. The emergency support for tourists during natural disasters, alongside upgraded infrastructure, will help Japan maintain its reputation as a top tourist destination.
Canada Joins US, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Thailand, and Sixty-Eight More Countries in Confronting Travel Challenges as Japan Implements Electronic System for Travel Authorization With a Fee Above Two Thousand Yen. Japan’s new JESTA system will require travelers from 71 countries, including Canada and the US, to pay a fee for pre-travel authorization, aimed at enhancing security and managing the rising number of tourists.
As Japan prepares for a surge in visitors and the official launch of the JESTA system in 2028, travelers from visa-exempt countries will need to adjust to this new process, ensuring that their trips to Japan are smooth and secure.
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Tags: Travel News
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