ETIAS FOR JAPANESE CITIZENS

INFORMATION ABOUT ETIAS FOR JAPANESE CITIZENS

The European ETIAS for Japanese citizens will be valid for:

• Stays of up to 90 days per 180-day period
• Multiple trips to the Schengen Area
• 3 years, or until the passport expires (whichever is sooner)
• Tourism, business trips, and transit

To cross an external Schengen border, Japanese nationals will require ETIAS. They will subsequently be permitted to travel to any Schengen country for a period of up to 90 days. The same visa waiver is valid across the travel zone, thus travellers do not need a new ETIAS for each nation they will visit.

WHAT AUTHORISATION DO JAPANESE CITIZENS NEED TO ENTER EUROPE?

Short-term visits to the Schengen Area do not need a visa for Japanese nationals. Japanese visitors can remain for up to 90 days each 180-day period without a visa. Visa-free travel to Europe is authorised for tourists, business travellers, and transit passengers.

Japanese passport holders will be able to apply for ETIAS in November 2023, allowing them to travel to Europe without a visa. ETIAS is not a visa; rather, it is a visa waiver or electronic travel authorization, comparable to the ESTA in the United States.

Japanese nationals who do not fit the ETIAS requirements or who desire to remain for more than three months require a visa.

This includes all EU member states in the Schengen agreement which are:

HOW CAN JAPANESE CITIZENS APPLY FOR ETIAS TO VISIT EUROPE?

Travelers will require the following documents to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver from Japan:

• Valid Japanese passport
• Credit or debit card
• Email address

Japanese citizens must apply for ETIAS and use the same passport to travel to Europe. If the accompanying passport expires, a new ETIAS is necessary, even if the ETIAS was issued less than three years ago.

The credit or debit card is used to securely pay the ETIAS processing costs online from Japan. Applicants are notified of ETIAS approval and status updates through email.

EUROPE VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS

Short-term travel to the Schengen Area is not required for Australians. Australian nationals can stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa because Australia is a visa-exempt third country. This will not change after ETIAS is implemented. Australians will retain their visa-free status, but must register online before departing. ETIAS is a visa waiver for Europe, not a visa.

Australians who desire to stay in Europe for more than three months, work or study in an EU member state, must get the necessary visa or residence permit.

ETIAS APPLICATION FORM FOR CITIZENS OF JAPAN

The ETIAS application form for Japanese citizens will be entirely online and straightforward to fill out. Japanese candidates must give basic personal information and passport information, such as:

• Full name and surname
• Gender
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Current address
• Contact telephone number

For security and immigration considerations, travellers may be asked to answer questions about:

• Employment status
• Criminal records
• Travel to conflict areas
• Other travel history

The given information will be validated against worldwide security databases such as:

• SIS
• VIS
• EUROPOL
• SLTD (INTERPOL)
• TDAWN (INTERPOL)
• EURODAC

The majority of Japanese citizens are projected to pass the automated screening process. In the unlikely case that one of the systems fails, the application will be manually assessed by the ETIAS National Unit. If the passenger is deemed to pose a present health or security danger, ETIAS may be rejected.

ETIAS PROCESSING TIMES FOR JAPANESE NATIONALS

Applications for ETIAS from Japan will be processed shortly. The vast majority will be authorised after computerised screening.

The electronic travel authorization is connected to the Japanese passport once approved. The applicant receives an email informing them that their request was successful.

If the ETIAS application is denied, the applicant will be notified via email and will have the chance to appeal the decision.

TRAVELLING TO EUROPE FROM JAPAN WITH ETIAS

When the Japanese passport is scanned at an external Schengen border, the ETIAS will be checked. An issued travel authorization does not ensure admission; the ultimate decision is made by immigration officials.

Border guards may request evidence of adequate finances or onward travel from Japanese residents.

Other limitations and rules must be observed while travelling to Europe from Japan. These prohibitions apply to weapons, tobacco, alcohol, perfume, and currency imports and exports.

Before departing for their European destination, Japanese visitors should verify the most recent entry criteria and limitations.

BILATERAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN JAPAN AND EU MEMBER STATES

Because to reciprocal agreements made between Japan and some EU Member States, Japanese individuals may be able to stay in several European nations beyond the 90-day Schengen restriction.

The following Schengen Area nations have existing visa waiver arrangements with Japan, as well as the maximum number of days authorised under the agreement:

• Belgium (3 months)
• Bulgaria (90 days)*
• Denmark (3 months)
• Germany (3 months)
• Denmark (3 months)
• Greece (90 days)
• Spain (90 days)**
• France (90 days)*
• Italy (180*/90** days)
• Latvia (90 days)**
• Lithuania (90 days)**
• Hungary (90 days)*
• Netherlands (90 days)
• Austria (6 months)**
• Slovakia (90 days)*
• Sweden (3 months)*

The following Schengen-member nations have bilateral treaties with Japan:

• Iceland (3 months)
• Liechtenstein (90 days)
• Norway (90 days)
• Switzerland (90 days)

Ordinary passports (*) Ordinary passports (**) Ordinary, diplomatic, and service/official passports

To take advantage of any of these bilateral agreements, Japanese visitors must stay in the EU nation where they apply for the duration of the extension term. Beyond the 90-day restriction, it is not feasible to travel freely within Europe.

As a result, Japanese people should fly straight from the relevant EU country to a third country, without passing via the Schengen zone.

Japanese nationals should get an ETIAS if they require a visa waiver that permits them to visit multiple EU countries at the same time.

Japan’s bilateral arrangements with EU member states are susceptible to change.

ETIAS FOR JAPANESE TRAVELLERS – FAQ