ETA required
Japanese visitors need a UK ETA
ETA required for travel from 8 January 2025
Japan is a non-visa nationality for short UK visits, which now means an ETA rather than a visa. ANA and JAL will ask for the authorisation at check-in from Haneda or Narita. Apply in the UK ETA app or on GOV.UK for £20. Photograph rules for the app are strict — a clear, recent face on a plain background. The ETA does not replace a work, student or spouse visa. Japanese nationals who also hold British citizenship should travel British. Group tours: the leader cannot hold one ETA for the bus; every passport needs its own.
Japanese travel facts
| Passport | Japan |
|---|---|
| Roll-out | ETA required for travel from 8 January 2025 |
| What you need | UK ETA (£20) |
| Stay | Usually up to 6 months as a visitor |
| Work | Not allowed on visit permission |
| Landside transit | ETA required if you pass UK border control |
Mistakes japanese visitors make
- Using a travel-agency ‘proxy apply’ that charges yen on top of £20 and may not be the official service.
- Uploading a screenshot of a passport instead of the live chip/photo capture the app expects.
London notes for Japanese arrivals
Heathrow Terminal 3 is common for Japan Airlines. The Elizabeth line from Heathrow to Bond Street is the usual West End drop. IC/credit cards from Japan sometimes need a tap of a contactless-enabled card or mobile wallet — confirm with your bank that overseas tap-to-pay is on.
FAQs
- Do Japanese tourists need a visa for London?
- Not a Standard Visitor visa. You need a UK ETA.
- Can a school group share one application?
- No. Each pupil needs an ETA on their own passport.
Other passports
Bodhixt is not affiliated with UKVI. Confirm on GOV.UK before you book. Apply via https://www.gov.uk/eta only.