- Japan confirmed visa exemption arrangements for 74 global countries and territories
- Approved stay lengths varied by nation, capping at 15, 30, or 90 days depending on the region
- Strict compliance with biometric ePassport or machine-readable standards was required for specific citizens
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has updated its official guidelines regarding short-term entry, confirming a reciprocal visa exemption arrangement for 74 countries and regions.
The bilateral framework aims to facilitate easier travel for tourism, commercial visits, and social exchanges by removing pre-departure visa application requirements for qualifying travellers.
Source: Getty Images
Under the current policy, the authorised duration of stay depends on the traveller's nationality. Visitors from Indonesia and Thailand are permitted a stay of up to 15 days, while those from Brunei and Qatar are granted a maximum of 30 days.
For all other listed countries and regions, travellers can stay for up to 90 days. Immigration authorities note that specific technical criteria, such as holding an ICAO-compliant electronic passport (ePassport) or a machine-readable passport, are mandatory for several countries on the list, and a new version of the Uruguayan ordinary passport issued after April 16, 2025, is temporarily excluded from the framework.
Which countries can enter Japan without a visa for short-term stay?
The full list of the 74 countries and regions whose citizens are eligible for the visa exemption includes:
- 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
- HongKong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Korea, Republic of
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
China releases list of visa-exempt countries
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Chinese National Immigration Administration, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, released an updated list of nations covered under its expanding unilateral visa exemption policies.
The measure allows qualifying passport holders to enter mainland China without a visa for short-term stays, part of a broader ongoing push by Beijing to revitalise international tourism and ease global business travel.
Source: Getty Images
Under the current guidelines, citizens from 50 designated countries spanning Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania can travel to China seamlessly, provided they hold ordinary passports.
Eligible travellers are permitted to stay in China for a maximum of 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchange visits, or direct transit.
The immigration administration explicitly notes that the stay duration is calculated starting from 00:00 (midnight) on the day following the date of entry.
Canada introduces new asylum rules for Nigerians
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Canada rolled out far-reaching changes to its immigration and asylum framework that would affect Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking protection, study, or work opportunities in the country.
The reforms followed the passage of Bill C-12, officially titled the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, which received royal assent on March 26, 2026.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng