Asia and Oceania

Visas

You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket. British nationals wishing to visit Japan for three months or less for business, tourism or family purposes etc (but not to work for a local employer) may do so without a visa.

However, if you wish to visit Japan for other purposes (e.g. long-term stay, study, settlement, employment), you should approach a Japanese Embassy or Consulate for advice before travelling, as visas are not issued after arrival in Japan. It is illegal to work in Japan without the correct visa, however informal or temporary the work. Do not overstay your permission to be in the country. Failure to leave, or to renew your residence permit, leaves you open to arrest, detention and heavy fines. There is now a zero tolerance policy, even in cases of genuine oversight. Full details of entry requirements can be found on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa website.

Passport validity

The Japanese authorities stipulate no minimum period of validity on your passport. However, before departure you should check that your passport remains valid and acceptable to the immigration authorities of the country to which you are travelling.

Entry Procedures

Since November 2007, in accordance with a partial amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, all foreign visitors entering Japan must be fingerprinted and digitally photographed during entry procedures. Those refusing to be fingerprinted or photographed will be denied entry to Japan. Persons under the age of 16 years are exempt.

The Japanese Government has produced a video in English that explains in full the new immigration procedures (link opens in Windows Media Player).