It is planned that Japan would replace its visa exemption for 71 nations with JESTA, a new travel authorization system that will compel tourists to make declarations online from their respective countries. The purpose of this measure is to increase border security and limit the number of unlawful stays, so making admission into Japan more controlled and secure.
It is now not necessary for tourists from 71 countries that are exempt from requiring a visa to enter Japan for a short period of time to get a visa in order to come to Japan as a tourist. On the other hand, this is going to change in the near future since the Japanese government intends to install a new travel permission system that will be referred to first as JESTA.
JESTA is Japan’s equivalent of the ESTA in the United States.
JESTA will operate in a manner that is similar to that of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) in the United States, which was first implemented as a counterterrorism measure. Before being allowed to enter Japan, tourists will be required to submit their personal information online, according to the Japanese system.
Reduce the Number of Illegal The duration of stays in Japan
Travelers from countries that do not need a visa to visit Japan are subjected to a screening process with the goal of reducing the number of unlawful stays. At this time, visits of 14 to 90 days are permitted; nevertheless, a significant number of tourists extend their vacations, and screening that occurs after takeoff does not prevent them from arriving in Japan.
This new approach is being implemented by the Japanese government in the hopes that it would assist in identifying possible problems before these people ever board their planes.
How the System Is Going to Operate
In order to comply with JESTA, visitors from countries that do not need visas will be required to submit their arrival reason and stay information online. Those individuals who have been identified as having the potential to do harm will be refused permission and urged to submit an application for a formal visa.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency will conduct a risk assessment on this information. There is a possibility that the traveler may be refused admission and directed to submit an application for a formal visa via their local embassy if there are questions about the traveler’s intentions.
Countries That Are Affected
Once JESTA is put into effect, there will be a need for travelers from the following 71 countries and areas to utilize it:
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Panama
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Republic of Korea
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
A Timeline and Plans for the Future
In the budget for the next fiscal year, the Japanese government intends to devote funds for research purposes related to JESTA, with the goal of completing the system’s implementation by the year 2030.
In addition, implementation of a test system is anticipated to take place during this fiscal year. In the course of this experiment, airlines will be required to provide passenger information to the Immigration Services Agency after the completion of boarding processes.
The data will be compared to a blacklist of travelers, which may include persons with criminal histories or other security issues. This would enable airlines to deny boarding to those who have been recognized as potentially dangerous.
Repercussions for Travellers
Despite the fact that JESTA is designed to improve safety for individuals traveling to Japan as well as for Japan itself, it may provide difficulties for tourists who are used to entering the country without a visa. In the days leading up to the launch date of the system, further details on the application process, deadlines, and personally identifiable information needs will be made available.
A new travel authorization system in Japan is being implemented with the intention of strengthening border controls and ensuring that visa-exempt tourists adhere to entrance laws. This will result in an increase in the country’s overall safety and security measures.