British passport · Japan
Do British citizens need a visa for Japan?
In brief
No. British passport holders can visit Japan visa-free (90 days, extendable to 6 months).
Japan visa-free stay for British citizens: 90 days, extendable to 6 months. Official rule. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, checked .
Japan visa fee for British citizens: none for visa-free entry.
Conditions: stays over 90 days (up to 6 months) need an extension from the Immigration Services Agency before the 90 days end.
For nationals of those countries with visa exemptions permitting stays of up to 6 months under the bilateral visa exemption arrangements, those who wish to stay in Japan for more than 90 days are required to apply for an extension of the period of stay
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of JapanVisas only at evisa.mofa.go.jpReport a change
Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.
ContentsIn brief
At a glance
| Access | Visa-free · 90 days, extendable to 6 monthsstays over 90 days (up to 6 months) need an extension from the Immigration Services Agency before the 90 days end |
|---|---|
| Stay | 90 days, extendable to 6 months |
| Validity and entries | Not stated by the official source |
| Official fee | None for visa-free entry |
| Official processing | Nothing to apply for |
| Where to apply | Nothing to apply for to visit visa-freeOfficial site: evisa.mofa.go.jp |
Do British citizens need a visa for Japan?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan lists the UK among the countries whose nationals can visit without a visa. Stay: 90 days, extendable to 6 months. Conditions: stays over 90 days (up to 6 months) need an extension from the Immigration Services Agency before the 90 days end.
“For nationals of those countries with visa exemptions permitting stays of up to 6 months under the bilateral visa exemption arrangements, those who wish to stay in Japan for more than 90 days are required to apply for an extension of the period of stay”
Conditions and exceptions
British passport holders need no visa for visits of up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family or friends, conferences or short business trips; paid work is not allowed.
The Temporary Visitor Visa is for activities not exceeding 90 days as follows: tourism, visiting relatives or friends, recreation, convalescence, attending a conference, participation in unpaid lectures, meetings, amateur athletic meetings or other contests, short business trips (e.g. market surveys, business talks, after sales service for machinery imported into Japan) This category excludes profit-making operations and paid activities. UK and Irish passport holders are NOT required to obtain a visa if they wish to enter Japan for a purpose of visit described above, for a period of 6 months or less.
Embassy of Japan in the UK · checkedBritish citizens are given 90 days on arrival; to stay a further 90 days, apply for an extension at the nearest immigration office.
Note 2: For nationals of the UK (British Citizens), Ireland, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico and Switzerland, the maximum period of stay given on arrival will be 90 days. If you wish to extend your period of stay for a further 90 days, you must go to the nearest immigration office to apply for extension of your period of stay.
Embassy of Japan in the UK · checkedApply for the extension before your 90 days run out; MOFA says it is made to the Regional Immigration Bureau.
United Kingdom (Note 8) ... (Note 8) For nationals of those countries with visa exemptions permitting stays of up to 6 months under the bilateral visa exemption arrangements, those who wish to stay in Japan for more than 90 days are required to apply for an extension of the period of stay to the Ministry of Justice (Regional Immigration Bureau) before the period of permitted stay is to expire.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan · checkedThe exemption does not cover British Overseas Citizen, British Subject or British Dependent/Overseas Territories Citizen passports.
Please note that the visa exemption agreement does not apply to holders of British Overseas Citizen, British Subject or British Dependent / Overseas Territories Citizen passports.
Embassy of Japan in the UK · checkedNationals of visa-exempt countries aged 18 or over with savings of more than 30 million yen (with their spouse) can apply for a 'Long Stay for sightseeing and recreation' visa: 6 months, extendable to 1 year.
Period of stay ... 6 months. (However, maximum 1 year period will be granted if eligible individuals apply for the extension of period of stay to the Regional Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Justice, before the 6 month period of permitted stay is to expire.) ... Eligibility for Applicant ... Nationals and Citizens of visa waiver countries or regions and who meet all of the following requirements: Individual at the age of 18 years or older and has savings equivalent to more than 30 million Japanese yen owned by you and your spouse
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan · checked
Fee
Visa-free entry costs nothing.
Processing time
Nothing to apply for to visit visa-free (90 days, extendable to 6 months). For visas, the official sources we read state no processing time.
Documents and entry checks
What changed
- Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.
FAQ
Is Japan visa-free for British citizens now?
Yes: visa-free (90 days, extendable to 6 months). Conditions: stays over 90 days (up to 6 months) need an extension from the Immigration Services Agency before the 90 days end. Checked on 31 Oct 2026 against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
How much does a Japan visa cost for British citizens?
Visa-free entry costs nothing.
Can I get a Japan visa in 7 days?
There is nothing to apply for to visit visa-free (90 days, extendable to 6 months). The official sources we read state no processing time.
Other trips on a British passport
Sources
Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: entry rule and entry conditions
- Embassy of Japan in the UK: entry conditions and documents
- Digital Agency of Japan (Visit Japan Web): documents
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: entry conditions