Heads up, Asia! The Japanese government is rolling out a new system to keep tabs on visa-free tourists, making sure nobody overstays their welcome.
According to The Strait Times on Wednesday (4/9/2024), Japan is getting serious about curbing the number of visitors who can’t seem to say goodbye and end up staying longer than they’re supposed to. Depending on your passport, you’re typically allowed to chill in Japan for anywhere from 14 to 90 days.
So, what’s the deal? Japan’s cooking up something called Jesta—sounds familiar? Yep, it’s inspired by the U.S. version, Esta, originally designed for counter-terrorism purposes. But don’t worry, it’s not that intense. Jesta is all about making sure tourists don’t get too comfy and forget to leave.
Japan’s aiming to have this system in place by 2030, targeting folks from countries that currently enjoy visa-free travel. Before you pack your bags, you’ll have to go online and share some details, like why you’re visiting and where you’re headed. If Jesta flags you as someone who might be tempted to overstay, you’ll be kindly asked to get a regular visa instead.
This list includes countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand. But soon, those carefree travel days might come with a little extra paperwork.
Just to give you an idea, Japan’s been a hot spot lately. The Tourism Organization reported 17.78 million tourists flocked in the first half of this year. And in June, they had a whopping 3.1 million visitors, marking four straight months of 3 million+ arrivals.
The Japan Tourism Agency is predicting a record-breaking 35 million visitors by the end of 2024. So, if you’re planning a trip, get ready for some new rules—and maybe start practicing your goodbye in Japanese, just in case.