US passport · Japan
Do US citizens need a visa for Japan?
In brief
No. US passport holders can visit Japan visa-free for up to 90 days.
Japan visa-free stay for US citizens: up to 90 days. Official rule. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, checked .
Japan visa fee for US citizens: none for visa-free entry.
The period of stay granted upon landing permission will be "15 days" for Indonesia and Thailand, “30 days” for Brunei and Qatar, and "90 days" for other countries and regions.
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 |
|---|---|
| Stay | Up to 90 days |
| 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 US citizens need a visa for Japan?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan lists the US among the countries whose nationals can visit without a visa. Stay: 90 days.
“The period of stay granted upon landing permission will be "15 days" for Indonesia and Thailand, “30 days” for Brunei and Qatar, and "90 days" for other countries and regions.”
Conditions and exceptions
US citizens are given a period of stay of 90 days on landing in Japan.
Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with 74 countries and regions listed in the table below. ... United States ... The period of stay granted upon landing permission will be "15 days" for Indonesia and Thailand, “30 days” for Brunei and Qatar, and "90 days" for other countries and regions.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan · checked · read from an archived copy of 27 Oct 2026Visa-free entry covers stays under 90 days for transit, tourism, business without paid activities, conferences or study; US citizens need a visa to stay longer than 90 days, for news media work or to attend depositions.
U.S. Citizens Short-term stay (less than 90 days) AND Transit, tourism, business (without paid activities), conference, or study purpose NOT Required COE (Certificate of Eligibility) holders (stay in Japan more than 90 days), News media related activities, Attending depositions, or Diplomatic/official mission or transit Required
Embassy of Japan in the United States · checked · read from an archived copy of 28 Sep 2026Japan has no six-month passport rule: a passport that is valid for the whole stay in Japan is enough.
No 6 months rules. As long as your passport is valid during the time of your stay in Japan, it should not be a problem.
Embassy of Japan in the United States · checked · read from an archived copy of 28 Sep 2026
How to apply
To visit visa-free for up to 90 days there is nothing to apply for: check the documents and entry checks below.
If you do need a Japanese visa, apply in person at the embassy or consulate for your state (the Embassy in Washington serves only DC, Maryland and Virginia residents); issuing takes at least 5 business days and there is no expedited service.
Embassy of Japan in the United States · checked · read from an archived copy of 28 Sep 2026
Fee
Visa-free entry costs nothing.
Processing time
Nothing to apply for to visit visa-free for up to 90 days. For visas, the official sources we read state no processing time.
Documents and entry checks
Not stated by the official sources we read, beyond a valid passport.
What changed
- Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.
FAQ
Is Japan visa-free for US citizens now?
Yes: visa-free for up to 90 days. Checked on 31 Oct 2026 against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
How much does a Japan visa cost for US 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 for up to 90 days. The official sources we read state no processing time.
Other trips on a US 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 United States: entry conditions and how to apply