Japan Arrival Card 2026: How to Fill It In & Entry Tips

Japan is an island nation in the northwest Pacific, known for its rich history, traditions and unique culture. It remains one of Asia's most popular travel destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year.

In 2025, Japan welcomed around 42.7 million international visitors. For UK travellers and other foreign visitors, completing an arrival card is required. Since 2022, Japan has also offered an electronic version, which is now the main option for most travellers.

In this Trip.com guide to the Japan Arrival Card, we'll cover how to complete it, what you need to prepare and key tips for UK travellers.

🤔 What is the Japan Arrival Card?

The Japan Arrival Card is a document required for entry that must be presented by all foreign travellers. However, there are some exceptions, which we will go into in more detail shortly. The arrival card is therefore an entry document in which you must provide the information standard for travel outside the EU.

This includes, for example, your personal details, information about your passport, and your arrival and departure dates. Since 2022, this arrival card can also be completed in electronic form. However, you can still access the document in paper form, as the forms are still handed out on flights to Japan and are accepted by the Japanese immigration authorities.

Since 25 January 2024, immigration and customs declarations have been processed via Visit Japan Web using a single, combined QR code. This allows you to complete both immigration formalities and customs declarations online. We have summarised the most important information about the Japan Arrival Card for you in a brief overview below:

💻 How do you fill in the Japan Arrival Card?

You can complete your Japan arrival card both electronically and in paper form. The Japanese airline ANA, for example, explicitly points out on its website that "the paper form, which still exists, can be used". You also have the option of completing your Japan Arrival Card electronically.

This is done using the Visit Japan Web app. Here, you first need to create an account and verify your email address. You can then enter all the details required for entry into Japan directly into the corresponding fields and will receive a QR code at the end.

💰 How much does the Japan Arrival Card cost?

The Japan Arrival Card is free of charge, so you do not need to make any payments. The arrival card is created digitally on the Visit Japan website, and you will not be asked for payment at any point.

If you use the paper form, you also don't need to make any payments. Instead, you simply hand your Arrival Card form directly to an immigration officer at the counter.

⚠️ Who needs a Japan Arrival Card?

In this regard, you can remember that if you are not staying in Japan long-term or permanently, you will need an arrival card. In principle, every foreigner must complete it if they do not have a (long-term) residence permit. So, if you are in Japan as a tourist or on a business trip, you must present the Japan Arrival Card to a border official at the airport.

For Japan, UK visitors have a different arrangement from visitors from many other countries. As a British citizen, you can stay in Japan for up to 180 days. The first 90 days do not require any additional registration, while stays beyond 90 days require an application.

☝️ Are there any exceptions for the Japan Arrival Card?

Yes, there are exceptions for certain people who do not need an arrival card. However, this group of people is limited. In addition, the customs declaration must be considered separately in this regard. Although Japanese citizens do NOT need to present an Arrival Card upon entry, they must present the integrated customs declaration.

A so-called Entry Record (ED) Card (arrival card) is NOT required for the following people:

1. Japanese citizens, including those with dual citizenship
2. Foreigners who hold a residence permit, such as a student visa, a residence card (long-term visa), or a permanent residence permit
3. Transit passengers who do not leave the transit area, meaning they do not formally enter Japan

❓ How is the Japan Arrival Card completed?

While in most technologically advanced Asian countries, such as Singapore, the arrival card can only be completed electronically, Japan still has a paper version of the document. You can therefore either complete your Japan Arrival Card days or even weeks before your arrival using the Visit Japan Web app, or have the paper version handed to you on the plane.

❗️ What information is needed to apply for a Japan Arrival Card?

Basically, when creating your arrival card, you just need to provide the requested information or answer questions about your travel plans, your Japan flight details, etc. You should allow between 10 and a maximum of 15 minutes just to enter this information.

It’s a bit quicker if you’ve already got everything prepared. To help you fill it out, we’ll first explain what you should have to hand, and then how to complete the questionnaire.

You'll need the following details to fill this out:

✅ Your travel details, consisting of arrival and departure dates, flight information, etc.

✅ Your passport, or its number and expiry date

✅ Your personal details such as date of birth, nationality, citizenship, place of residence, etc.

✅ Your email address, so you can even access the application page

✅ Further information such as your professional status

✅ Contact information during your stay in Japan is optional

 💡 GOOD TO KNOW: Visit Japan Web is available in English, and the questions can be displayed in other languages, making the yes/no questions quick and easy to complete.

📋 A step-by-step guide to filling out the form on your PC, Mac, or in paper format

In our Trip.com guide, we will now walk you through the process of completing a Japan Arrival Card step-by-step. If you decide to use the paper version, you can ask one of the flight attendants for one on the plane. Since the questions and the completion process are identical to those on the Visit Japan Web app, we will focus on the electronic version.

Once you have all the above travel details, including your passport, to hand, here is how to proceed:

Step 1: Open the official Visit Japan website on your PC or Mac

Step 2: Start the process by clicking on the blue button labelled “Start Using the Service Now” or “Newly Create an Account” in the top centre of your screen

Step 3: Next, verify your email address by entering it and a password into the designated fields directly below, and then enter the code sent via email into the field below that

Step 4: Now start answering the questions that appear on your screen one by one. For almost all of them, you can select from predefined answers

Step 5: Once you're finished, the important QR code will appear on your screen. It's best to take a screenshot

Step 6: When you arrive in Japan, you now need to scan the QR code along with your passport at one of the automated immigration gates

📋 A step-by-step guide to filling out the form on your smartphone or tablet

If you would like to use your smartphone or tablet, you can of course do so without any issues. However, please bear in mind that there is no Visit Japan app for this. Therefore, you will generally need to proceed with your mobile device in the same way as described above. The individual steps are as follows:

Step 1 : Open a browser app of your choice on your smartphone or tablet, such as Chrome or Safari

Step 2: Next, open the official Visit Japan website

Step 3: Now tap on “Newly Create an Account”

Step 4: Now verify your email address as described above and enter a password

Step 5: Next, select the answers that apply to you in the fields (e.g. Yes/No, arrival/departure date, etc.)

Step 6: Once you're finished, a QR code will appear on your screen for this option too, which you just need to save and then present or scan

⏰ When should you complete the Japan Arrival Card?

There is also a big difference between Japan and most other Asian countries in this regard. While you are often given a specific timeframe, there is no "minimum period" in the case of Japan. This means you can create your arrival card practically immediately after booking your flight.

So you don't have to wait until 3 or 7 days before your travel date. Since you can also use the paper version, you can simply fill out your arrival card the classic way on the plane on your way to Japan.

🛃 Can I also apply for my Japan Arrival Card at the airport upon arrival?

Did you completely forget to complete your Japan arrival card in the travel rush? Fortunately, that's not a problem at all, as you only need it at the immigration desk. So, if the worst comes to the worst, you can also fall back on the paper version, which will be handed to you by the flight attendants on the plane.

Alternatively, you can also use the Visit Japan website version as soon as you land in Japan. Simply use a Wi-Fi connection at the airport and create your Japan Arrival Card with your smartphone. You can then use your QR code at the immigration counter (if an automated one is available).

🛂 What other entry requirements apply to British citizens in Japan?

You can find information about the current entry requirements for Japan on the GOV.UK website or the Embassy of Japan in the UK. Are you visiting Japan as a tourist, on a business trip, for a language course, or something similar? If so, you do not need a visa, provided you do not stay in Japan for longer than 90 days and do not take up any paid employment. Furthermore, the following regulations apply:

• You'll need a valid passport that's valid at least until the day of your departure
• Minors must present a child's passport
• As is common practice during the entry process, you will need to provide your fingerprints and have your photo taken

💡 Tips for your trip to Japan

Before you set off on your trip to Japan, we’d like to give you a few important tips with our Trip.com travel advice:

• Use the Japan Arrival Card in electronic form, because thanks to the QR code, things are simply faster at the airport
• Create your arrival card a few days before your flight to avoid last-minute stress
• Please note that despite the customs declaration included in the Japan Arrival Card, you may still be questioned by a Japanese border official or asked to open your luggage

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