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New Zealand to Japan visa requirements

New Zealand ordinary passport holders can visit Japan visa-free for up to 90 days. Passport validity only needs to cover the stay and departure; Visit Japan Web is optional for online immigration and customs procedures. New Zealand ordinary passport holders remain covered by Japan's short-term visa exemption for Temporary Visitor stays of up to 90 days, including tourism, business meetings, transit, conferences, and visits to friends or relatives. The exemption is only for activities that do not involve income-earning or profit-making work. Japan does not apply a six-month passport-validity rule for this route; the passport must be valid through the stay and when leaving Japan. Visit Japan Web is optional but recommended because it lets travellers complete immigration and customs arrival procedures online and display the current QR/2D code at the airport; paper forms remain the fallback. Work, long-term study, residence, and any stay over 90 days require the appropriate Japanese visa before travel, and changing from tourist status to a work visa inside Japan is generally not allowed.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-20
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-20
Visa type
Visa-free entry (Temporary Visitor)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries subject to immigration discretion
from issue date
Visa fee
Free
consular fee only
Processing time
On arrival
standard track
Validity
Per entry; passport must be valid through departure from Japan
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport validity
Use a New Zealand ordinary passport that remains valid for the whole stay and when you leave Japan. Japan does not require six months of remaining validity, but blank space for stamps is recommended.
· valid through departure· no 6-month rule
/02
Prepare trip evidence
Carry your return or onward travel plan, accommodation address, itinerary, and funds access in case the airline or immigration officer asks.
· onward travel· Japan address
/03
Use Visit Japan Web or paper forms
Visit Japan Web is optional. If you use it, complete immigration and customs arrival procedures online and save the QR/2D code; otherwise use the paper arrival and customs forms.
· optional VJW· QR/2D code
/04
Clear immigration on arrival
Present your passport, complete landing inspection and biometrics, and receive Temporary Visitor landing permission for up to 90 days.
· Temporary Visitor· 90 days
/05
Stay within visitor conditions
Tourism, meetings, conferences, transit, and visits are covered. Do not receive income or undertake profit-making work; obtain the proper visa before travel for employment, long-term study, residence, or stays over 90 days.
· no income work· visa for long stay
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items
Personalized checklist
New Zealand -> Japan · Visa-free entry (Temporary Visitor)
0 / 11 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RecommendedNew Zealand ordinary passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Valid through departure from Japan; blank space recommended
RequiredReturn or onward travel plan
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Carry proof in case asked
RequiredAccommodation address
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Hotel booking or host details for arrival procedures
OptionalVisit Japan Web registration
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Optional online immigration and customs procedures with QR/2D code
ConditionalPaper arrival/customs forms
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use at the airport if you skip Visit Japan Web
RequiredFunds access
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
Cash or cards in case immigration asks
RecommendedTravel insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Recommended by the Embassy and SafeTravel
RequiredMedication or customs declarations
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Check Japan rules before carrying controlled medicines, animal products, plants, or more than JPY 1,000,000 equivalent
ConditionalOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesJapan MOFA - Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay), September 1, 2025Embassy of Japan in New Zealand - Visa & Certificate Top, March/9/2026Embassy of Japan in New Zealand - Frequently Asked Questions, April/20/2026
Application link included: Japan MOFA - Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay), September 1, 2025
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entryFreeTemporary Visitor stay up to 90 days
Visit Japan WebFreeOptional online immigration and customs pre-registration
Current ETA / JESTANot requiredNo separate pre-travel authorization is required for NZ visa-free short stays as of this check
Work, student, or long-stay visaVariesRequired before travel for activities outside Temporary Visitor conditions
Overstay penaltiesDetention/removal riskJapan strictly enforces period-of-stay rules
Total estimateFree — Freeincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free arrival
At immigration on arrival
Temporary Visitor landing permission is granted during entry inspection for stays up to 90 days.
Visit Japan Web pre-registration
Minutes before travel
Optional online arrival procedures for immigration and customs; use the displayed QR/2D code at the airport.
Paper form fallback
Minutes on arrival
Use paper immigration and customs forms if you do not use Visit Japan Web.
Visa for work, study, or long stay
2-3 weeks or more
Apply through the Japanese Embassy or consulate with jurisdiction before travel; timing depends on the visa type and completeness of documents.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Suspected income-earning activity
Paid or profit-making work is outside the visa-free Temporary Visitor permission and can lead to refusal.
Low
/02
Weak travel evidence
No onward plan, unclear accommodation, or vague itinerary can trigger extra questioning.
Low
/03
Passport not valid through departure
Japan does not require six months, but the passport must remain valid until after leaving Japan.
Low
/04
Prior overstay or serious criminal record
Past immigration problems or serious criminal history can affect entry even for visa-exempt travellers.
Medium
/05
Customs or medication issue
Restricted medicine, animal products, plants, or undeclared large cash amounts can cause delays, seizure, or penalties.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Customs
Declare cash over JPY 1,000,000 equivalent and avoid bringing restricted fresh food, meat, plants, or controlled medicines.
/02
Immigration
Fingerprints and a photo are normally collected on arrival. Visit Japan Web can speed up immigration and customs forms.
/03
Connectivity
Tourist SIMs, eSIMs, and pocket WiFi rentals are widely available at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and major city pickup points.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-06-19
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-20
Rechecked Japan visa-free entry for NZ citizens
Confirmed against MOFA, Japanese missions in New Zealand, Digital Agency/JNTO, and SafeTravel: up to 90 days visa-free for ordinary NZ passports, passport validity only through departure, optional Visit Japan Web QR/2D-code arrival procedures, and visa required for income-earning work, long-term study, residence, or stays over 90 days.
2026-05-27
NZ to Japan route verified
Confirmed 90-day visa-free for New Zealand citizens.
2025-04-15
Future electronic authorization noted
Japan has discussed a future electronic travel authorization, but it is not required for NZ visa-free short stays as of the 2026-06-20 recheck.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do New Zealanders need a visa for Japan?—
No. New Zealand ordinary passport holders can enter Japan visa-free as Temporary Visitors for up to 90 days.
What activities are allowed visa-free?+
Is Visit Japan Web mandatory?+
Do I need six months on my passport?+
Do I need an ETA or JESTA in 2026?+
Can I work or study on visa-free entry?+
/11 — Passport tools

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