Japan is expanding its electronic travel authorization system, JESTA, to include more foreign travelers while significantly raising fees for permanent residency applications.
Japan's electronic travel authorization system (JESTA) is set to expand its scope to include certain international transit passengers and cruise ship travelers, as part of efforts to tighten border controls amid concerns about illegal immigration. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi highlighted this initiative during a recent policy speech, emphasizing the intention to deter undesirable foreign entrants while facilitating the entry process for legitimate visitors. The government plans to submit a proposal to amend immigration laws to enhance clarity in the entry process.
The JESTA system will conduct pre-entry screenings for travelers from countries that currently enjoy visa exemptions for short-term stays in Japan, which totals 74 nations. The initiative, akin to similar measures in countries like the U.S., U.K., and Australia, aims to be operational by 2028. The immigration authorities initially focused on criminal histories and other deportation reasons for travelers, but have now decided to include some transit passengers to prevent misappropriated entry using Japan as a stopover.
Additionally, there is a significant fee adjustment accompanying these changes, with the application fee for permanent residency rising dramatically from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen. This move reflects the government's commitment to manage immigration more strictly while reviewing the exclusions to mitigate potential decline in Japan's competitive air transit hubs. The government estimates that the number of new entrants will hit a record high of approximately 39.18 million by 2025, with the majority being short-term visitors from visa-exempt nations.
