Japan Allows Visa-Free Entry for 8 Countries with ePassports

Japan has released a list of eight countries whose citizens can enter the country using an ePassport instead of applying for a visa. The eligible countries are Montenegro, Peru, Paraguay, Panama, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and Serbia.

This provision applies only to holders of ePassports that comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. Nationals from these countries who do not travel with a qualifying ePassport are not exempt from the visa requirement and must obtain a visa prior to travel to avoid being refused entry.

The earliest inclusion on the list was Serbia in May 2011, followed by Thailand in 2013 and the UAE in November 2022. Brazil was added in September 2023, Panama in April 2024, and the most recent additions (Paraguay, Peru, and Montenegro) were included between June and September 2025.

Travelers from countries such as Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa must continue to apply for visas through Japanese embassies or consulates.