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Following in the footsteps of hugely popular destinations like the United Kingdom and Schengen Europe, yet another iconic country, certain to feature on the bucket lists of millions of Americans, is set to roll out an ETA, or Electronic Travel Authorization.
Within a few years, Japan will require prior permission for U.S. passport holders and all other visa-exempt travelers to fly to the country.
As you might know, these entry permits are becoming increasingly common worldwide, so it’s hardly surprising that the darling of Asia would be adding its own. But what are the exact requirements of the Japanese ETA, and when is it coming into force?
ETAs Are The New Norm Now
Here at Travel Off Path, we’ve made it our main goal to keep you updated in regards to the ever-changing entry requirements traveling to every single country.
From introducing the TOP Checker, where you can verify visa rules at your destination as an American, to keeping up to date with regulations that may make traveling abroad more complicated, trust us, we’re on it, and we’ve got your back.
On that note, if there’s one word or acronym you’ve been reading quite a bit around here lately, it’s ‘ETA’. But what exactly is an ETA, and why is it such a recurring topic?
To keep it short and simple, an ETA is a form of digital visa, though its fierce defenders will go out of their way to insist it is not a visa. In theory, you can’t enter an ETA-requiring country without first applying and being granted one.
So let’s break it down further:
What Are ETAs, After All?
An ETA stands for Electronic Travel Authorization, and several countries have introduced variations of it in recent decades, including the United States, which introduced one in 2008.
Yep, 2008, you just didn’t know about it.
As an American, you don’t need a digital permit to fly to your country of origin as you are, well, a citizen, so it’s not like this ‘ETA thing’ is new: you’ve just been lucky enough to avoid it all this time as very few countries reciprocated the measure.
Now, it’s tit for tat. As of this year, you can no longer fly to places like London, or even the dreamy Caribbean getaway of Saint Kitts and Nevis, without asking for permission first, and in the near future, that will be the case for much of Europe—and Japan, of course.
Enter The JESTA
As confirmed by Japan’s Ministry of Justice, the Japan ETA, named JESTA, is coming into force in 2028.
It will act as a ‘pre-travel screening mechanism’, facilitating security checks, while ensuring a smoother entry for new arrivals. That all sounds good enough, except soon enough, without a valid JESTA, you won’t be able to travel to Japan as an American.
The system will apply to all foreign nationals who currently enjoy visa-free access to Japan, so you should prepare for new administrative requirements if the Asian country is on your bucket list for this decade.
It is expected that JESTA checks will be carried out upon check-in at the airport, and upon landing in Japan, and further information, including implementation, validity of the ETA, and the fee, will be revealed in due time.
How Will This JESTA Thing Function?
There’s not a lot we know about the JESTA yet, but based on other ETA systems already we place, we do have an idea of how it might work.
Usually, applying for an ETA involves filling out a form, which can take as quick as 5 minutes, or a lengthy 20-30 minutes, depending on how detailed the questionnaire is. In this form, you’re usually requested to provide information pertaining to your private life, character, and travel plans.
Those aren’t negotiable. You have to, otherwise you don’t get your permit.
Once that’s completed and submitted, you then have to pay an ETA fee. This can range from only a few dollars, to a whopping $72 (keep that in mind if you’re going to New Zealand anytime soon).
It’s never a guarantee your ETA will be approved, so it’s important you answer questions truthfully and attentively:
File Your Application Carefully
A single wrong tick in the wrong box can render you ineligible, and you don’t want to splurge money on new applications like that, as fees aren’t reimbursed even if an ETA is denied, or worse even, be forced to get an actual visa.
Actual visas often involve attending consulate interviews and filing a lot of paperwork. It’s a whole other ball game, so word of advice? Don’t play with your ETA application.
If your ETA is approved, and unless you’re flagged due to security reasons (i.e. maybe you’re a wanted criminal), you should receive it directly on the mailbox provided during the application, so once again, be extra careful when filling out the form.
You have no idea how hard it can be to retrieve an approved ETA if your email had a typo, or it wasn’t valid.
The JESTA Is Not The Only Requirement
With an ETA, you can then fly to your destination. Keep in mind that it is still not the only requirement to be observed. It does not automatically grant you entry into any country: in reality, it serves as a laissez-passer, ensuring your right to travel there in the first place.
Once at the border, you must continue to satisfy the usual entry requirements, such as presenting a valid passport, observing the number of blank visa pages left (yep, that’s also important), and showing proof of accommodation, and outbound flights if requested.
You can have a valid ETA, and still be denied entry if you aren’t able to fulfill the other obligations.
So there you go. That is (roughly) how traveling to Japan will feel like from 2028 onward, but worry not: we’ll be sure to keep you on the loop as new information is released.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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