Japan to launch JESTA pre-travel screening for visa-exempt tourists

Japan plans to add JESTA, a pre-travel screening system for visa-exempt short-term visitors, for fiscal 2028, while immigration fee hikes are slated to take effect around fiscal 2026 and 2027. The electronic check will require travelers to submit passport details, trip purpose and itinerary online before departure, similar to U.S. ESTA. Airlines may deny boarding without approval.

For now, Visit Japan Web remains the main digital tool for arrivals. It lets travelers complete immigration and customs steps online with QR codes and joint kiosks are already in use at major airports including Haneda, Narita and Kansai.

Who the changes affect

JESTA is aimed at visa-exempt tourists staying short term, not residents or long-term visa holders. Digital nomads using Japan’s separate designated-activities visa are outside the new screening system, though they could still face higher fees if they apply for residency renewals later.

The planned fee hikes would hit expats more directly. Proposed increases include sharper jumps for residency renewals and permanent residency applications, part of the government’s effort to cover administrative costs and tighten border control.

What travelers should do next

Nothing changes for entry today beyond using Visit Japan Web where available. Travelers should still check passport validity, complete their arrival forms online and keep an eye on Immigration Services Agency updates, because the JESTA application site and final fee haven't been set.

The other changes are already on the calendar. Japan plans to raise the departure tax to ¥3,000 in July 2026, shift tax-free shopping to airport refunds in November 2026 and roll out the future screening system later, so travelers with longer stays should track visa updates and read our full Japan guide for the complete picture.