ETIAS for Japanese Citizens - Your Complete Guide for 2026
Japanese passport holders enjoy extensive visa-free travel. This will not change, but starting late 2026, an ETIAS will be required for short stays in Europe. Here’s what it means for your travel plans.
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What It Means for You
What ETIAS means for Japanese travellers
With around 1.5 million Japanese tourists visiting Europe annually, the introduction of ETIAS is a significant update. It is not a visa, but a mandatory pre-travel authorisation designed to enhance security across the Schengen Area. For holders of one of the world's strongest passports, this is a new but simple step to factor into your European travel preparations.
Not a Visa
ETIAS does not replace your visa-free access to Europe. Your Japan passport still qualifies for visa-free short stays. ETIAS is a pre-registration that screens travellers before they arrive.
Linked to Your Passport
Once approved, your ETIAS is digitally linked to your Japan passport. No stickers, no stamps, no paper documents. Just travel with the same passport you used to apply.
Three Years, Unlimited Trips
One ETIAS covers unlimited trips to any of the 30 Schengen countries for three years, or until your passport expires. No need to reapply for each trip.
Minutes to Apply
The application is entirely online. Enter your details, answer a short set of background questions, and most approvals come through within minutes.
Japan-Specific Details
What Japanese passport holders need to know
Strong Passport Advantage
Your Japanese passport, allowing visa-free access to over 190 countries, is a powerful travel document. ETIAS complements this by streamlining entry into Europe, but it is a mandatory requirement you must fulfill before departure.
Business Travel and the EU-Japan EPA
The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement facilitates business, but ETIAS will be required for short business trips (up to 90 days) that do not constitute work. This includes meetings, negotiations, and conferences. For employment, a work visa is still necessary.
Language Considerations
The ETIAS application will be in English and other European languages. While straightforward, ensure you have all biographic and travel information ready in the Latin alphabet to complete the form accurately.
Application Process
The ETIAS application is entirely online, taking only a few minutes to complete. You will need your passport, a credit/debit card for the fee, and an email address. No embassy visits are required.
Family and Group Travel
Every member of your family, including infants, needs their own ETIAS. You can submit applications for family members, but each person requires a separate, approved travel authorisation linked to their passport.
Comparison
ETIAS vs Japan eVisa - how they compare
Japan has its own electronic visa system for certain nationalities. Here is how the upcoming European ETIAS compares to the Japan eVisa.
| Feature | EU ETIAS | Japan eVisa |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals | Electronic visa for specific nationalities |
| Fee | Small one-time fee | Varies by nationality (e.g., ~$27) |
| Validity | 3 years, for multiple entries | 3 months, for a single entry |
| Max stay | 90 days in a 180-day period | Up to 90 days |
| Countries covered | 30 Schengen Area countries | Japan only |
| Application time | ~5 minutes online | ~15-20 minutes online |
| Approval speed | Usually minutes, can take up to 30 days | Several business days, up to 20 |
| Requirement for Japanese | Yes, from late 2026 | No, Japanese citizens do not need it |
Step by Step
How Japanese citizens apply for ETIAS
The process is entirely online. No embassy visit, no interview, no biometrics.
Confirm you need ETIAS
As a Japan passport holder who currently visits Europe visa-free, you will need ETIAS once it launches. If you also hold an EU passport, you do not need one.
Complete the online form
Enter your personal details, passport information, employment history, and answer a short set of security and health questions. The form takes around 5 minutes.
Pay the application fee
A small fee is paid online by debit or credit card at the time of application. It is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Fee waivers apply for certain age groups.
Receive your approval
Most applications are approved within minutes. You will receive an email confirmation. Your ETIAS is digitally linked to your passport. No printing needed.
Travel to Europe
Present your passport at the border. Your ETIAS is checked automatically. It covers unlimited trips for three years across all 30 Schengen countries.
Questions from Japanese Travellers
ETIAS FAQ for Japan citizens
The most common questions Japanese travellers are asking about ETIAS.
Other Guides
ETIAS guides for other nationalities
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