Japan is preparing to implement a new Electronic Travel Authorisation system, similar to the US ESTA, that will affect travellers from 74 countries and territories who currently enjoy visa-free visits to the country – including Singapore citizens.

The new system, officially called JESTA (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization), was originally planned for implementation by 2030, but has now been accelerated to launch by the end of fiscal year 2028.

“With the rising number of visitors to Japan, speeding up immigration procedures is an urgent task.”

Keisuke Suzuki, Japan Justice Minister

This development follows a global trend of countries introducing pre-travel authorisation requirements, with the UK having recently implemented its ETA requirement for Singaporeans and many others from early January 2025, quickly hiking the fee from GBP 10 to GBP 16.

Similar systems are already in place for countries like the United States (ESTA), New Zealand (NZeTA) and Canada (eTA).

As we recently reported, the US ESTA fee got hiked from US$21 to US$40 for new applications from late September, so these entry approvals are now adding a not-insignificant cost to many popular trips.

Key details of Japan’s upcoming ESTA

Here’s what we know so far about Japan’s upcoming electronic travel authorisation.

Who will need it:

• Travellers from 74 visa-exempt countries and territories, including Singapore, will need to apply for electronic travel authorisation before departure
• This applies even though these nationalities can currently enter Japan visa-free for short-term stays (click to expand the full list below)

Current visa-free status unchanged:

• Singapore passport holders will continue to be able to visit Japan for up to 90 days without a visa, for tourism and business purposes
• The JESTA will be an additional requirement, not a replacement for visa-free travel
• Travellers who already hold a visa for Japan won’t need to use JESTA – it only applies to visa-exempt nationals

Application process:

• Online application system (similar to US ESTA, UK ETA)
• Travellers must submit travel details including purpose of entry and intended place of stay
• Pre-departure screening by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency should expedite the immigration process at the airport on arrival – good news for shorter queues

Cost and duration:

• Exact cost still to be determined
• Expected fee is mooted at 1,500 yen – 4,000 yen (around S$13 – S$35) per person
• Likely valid for multiple trips over one to two years

At the upper end, a family of four could be looking at additional travel costs of S$140 for Japan travel every two years or so – let’s hope the final pricing comes in towards the lower end.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Justice, the new authorisation aims to curb overstays among visitors arriving from visa-exempt countries, who account for more than half of all the country’s short-term immigration violations.

Timeline and implementation

JESTA is officially scheduled to launch by the end of fiscal year 2028, which runs from April 2028 to March 2029. This means the system could start anywhere between April 2028 and March 2029, with a possibility of small-scale tests beginning before the main launch.

This represents an accelerated timeline from the original 2030 target, reflecting Japan’s commitment to modernising its border control systems while managing increasing tourism volumes.

With a launch now expected by March 2029, travellers from visa-exempt countries should be aware of this new requirement when planning future trips to Japan.

What this means for Singapore travellers

Japan is a popular destination for many Singaporeans, with flight volumes to and from the country now well above pre-COVID levels.

Here’s how the implementation of JESTA will change things slightly, once implemented.

Current situation:

• Singapore nationals do not require a visa for up to 90 days stay as a Temporary Visitor (i.e. for tourism or business visits to Japan)
• No additional pre-entry authorisation currently required – eligibility for entry is assessed by an immigration officer on arrival

Once JESTA is implemented:

• Singapore citizens will need to apply for electronic travel authorisation (JESTA) before departure
• The visa-free status for stays up to 90 days will remain unchanged
• Additional step in travel planning process, similar to applying for US ESTA and UK ETA

Expected requirements:

• Online application before travel
• Fee: Likely capped at 4,000 yen (approximately US$28 or S$38), but hopefully less
• Valid for multiple trips over one to two years (exact range to be confirmed)
• Electronic linkage to passport – no messy printouts or additional documents to carry

Use official channels

When the JESTA system launches, ensure you apply through official Japanese government portals to avoid third-party fees.

Where ETAs are required to enter other countries, scam sites charging exorbitant markups to apply on your behalf often appear higher in search engine results.

Similar requirements globally

Japan’s move follows a growing international trend for countries requiring pre-entry approvals for Singapore citizens:

• Australia: ETA required since 2013 (AU$20, valid 1 year)
• Canada: eTA required since 2016 (CA$7, valid 5 years)
• New Zealand: NZeTA required since 2019 (NZD 123 including IVL tax, valid 2 years)
• South Korea: K-ETA required since 2021 (KRW10,000, valid 2 years)
• United States: ESTA required since 2009 (US$40, valid 2 years)
• United Kingdom: ETA implemented in January 2025 (GBP 16, valid 2 years)

Upcoming requirements include:

• European Union (Schengen Area): ETIAS system planned for Q4 2026 launch (EUR 20, valid 3 years)
• Japan: JESTA expected by March 2029 (cost TBC, likely valid 1-2 years)

In most cases, these travel authorisations will expire at the same time as your passport if that comes sooner – New Zealand is the only one we know of that will allow you to port an existing ETA to a new passport for free and maintain its original validity.

The growing complexity of “Visa-free” travel

While Singapore passport holders continue to enjoy visa-free access to almost all major destinations, the reality is becoming increasingly complicated.

Between the US ESTA, UK ETA, upcoming EU ETIAS, and now Japan’s JESTA, travellers need to juggle multiple electronic authorisations – each with different validity periods, fees, and application timelines.

This means that frequent travellers need to maintain an ongoing checklist of which authorisations are current and which need renewal. A last-minute business trip or family emergency could be complicated if you discover your ETA or ESTA has expired.

Pro Tip: If you travel internationally for work, your company should be covering the cost of these travel authorisations. Most employers will reimburse or pay directly for work-related ESTA, ETA, and similar fees. The good news? Once approved for business purposes, you can use the same authorisation for personal trips within the validity period – effectively getting “free” coverage for your leisure travel to these destinations.

Setting calendar reminders for renewal dates (particularly for shorter validity periods like Australia’s 1 year and Japan’s likely 1-2 year approvals) and keeping a travel document folder with all your authorisation details can help ensure you’re never caught off guard when booking that spontaneous getaway or urgent trip.

While Japan’s ETA system will be another step in the travel planning process for Singaporeans and those with many other nationalities, it doesn’t change the fundamental visa-free access that Singapore passport holders enjoy for short-term visits to Japan.

The key will be to stay up to date with the implementation timeline and then to ensure you apply through official channels when the system launches – scam sites charging more are inevitable when processes like this are implemented.

Given the acceleration of the timeline, those planning trips to Japan from 2028 onwards will need to keep a close eye on official announcements.

We’ll continue to monitor JESTA’s rollout and share updates as official details on applications, fees, and implementation dates are announced.

It’s safe to say though that with advance travel authorisations becoming increasingly common – each with its own cost, validity, and processing time – staying on top of your approvals has never been more important.

(Cover Photo: David Edelstein)