Do British citizens need a visa for Japan?

No, not for tourism or business visits of up to 90 days. You get permission to stay on arrival, according to both Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the FCDO.

Can I stay in Japan for 6 months on a British passport?

Yes, by extending. You get 90 days on arrival and can apply at an immigration office for another 90 days, before the first 90 days expire. Japan's arrangement with the UK allows stays of up to 6 months.

How long must my British passport be valid for Japan?

For the length of your stay. The FCDO says no extra validity is required, but you need a blank page for the entry stamp.

Is there a departure tax when I leave Japan?

Yes. Since 1 July 2026 the International Tourist Tax is JPY 3,000 per departure, usually included in your ticket price. Infants under 2 are exempt.

Do I need JESTA to visit Japan?

Not today. Japan's Immigration Services Agency aims to introduce JESTA in fiscal year 2028. The launch date and fee have not been announced.

Japan visa for British citizens: do you need one?

No, British citizens do not need a visa to visit Japan as a tourist. You get permission to stay for up to 90 days on arrival, and you can apply in Japan for an extension of another 90 days. Check your passport is valid for your whole trip and expect the JPY 3,000 departure tax.

Checked against official government sources on 27 October 2026.

Visa for a tourist visit: Not needed
How long you can stay: 90 days, extendable by 90 days
Arrival form: Visit Japan Web (online immigration and customs procedures)

How to fill in the Visit Japan Web, step by step

Visa rules for a tourist visit

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists the United Kingdom in its visa exemption arrangements. The UK government's travel advice (FCDO, updated 28 August 2026) says you get permission to stay on arrival for tourism or business for up to 90 days.

You do not need to apply for anything before you travel: there is currently no electronic travel authorisation for Japan.

How long you can stay

You get up to 90 days on arrival. The UK is one of the countries whose arrangement with Japan allows stays of up to 6 months. According to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if you want to stay longer than 90 days you must apply for an extension to the Ministry of Justice (Regional Immigration Bureau) before your permitted stay expires.

The FCDO describes the same option: you can apply at an immigration office for an extension of another 90 days. The two sources agree, giving up to 6 months in total.

What to have ready

A passport valid for the length of your stay. The FCDO says no additional validity beyond that is required.
A blank page in your passport for the entry stamp.
If you plan to stay more than 90 days, time to apply for the extension at an immigration office before your first 90 days run out.
No visa fee. Japan's International Tourist Tax of JPY 3,000 is charged when you leave and is usually included in your ticket price.

The arrival form

Visit Japan Web, the free official online service for immigration and customs procedures, is optional: you do not have to register to enter Japan. If you want to use it, our separate Visit Japan Web page explains how it works and how to avoid fake sites.

Recent and upcoming changes

1 July 2026: Japan's International Tourist Tax rose from JPY 1,000 to JPY 3,000 per departure. The JPY 1,000 rate still applies to eligible tickets issued on or before 30 June 2026, and infants under 2 are exempt (Japan Tourism Agency and National Tax Agency).
JESTA: Japan passed a law creating JESTA, an electronic travel authorisation, on 29 May 2026. The Immigration Services Agency aims to introduce it in fiscal year 2028 (the law requires it to start by 31 March 2029), ahead of the original plan for 2030. No launch date or fee has been announced, and nothing is needed before you travel today.

Common questions

Do British citizens need a visa for Japan?: No, not for tourism or business visits of up to 90 days. You get permission to stay on arrival, according to both Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the FCDO.
Can I stay in Japan for 6 months on a British passport?: Yes, by extending. You get 90 days on arrival and can apply at an immigration office for another 90 days, before the first 90 days expire. Japan's arrangement with the UK allows stays of up to 6 months.
How long must my British passport be valid for Japan?: For the length of your stay. The FCDO says no extra validity is required, but you need a blank page for the entry stamp.
Is there a departure tax when I leave Japan?: Yes. Since 1 July 2026 the International Tourist Tax is JPY 3,000 per departure, usually included in your ticket price. Infants under 2 are exempt.
Do I need JESTA to visit Japan?: Not today. Japan's Immigration Services Agency aims to introduce JESTA in fiscal year 2028. The launch date and fee have not been announced.

Entry rules can change at short notice, and the border officer makes the final decision. Before you travel, check Japan's official immigration website or your own government's travel advice.

Official sources

Every fact on this page comes from these government pages and official travel advice.