What happens at immigration when you arrive in Japan?

Follow the arrival flow from the plane to the baggage hall, including the entry record, fingerprints, photo, officer questions and customs, so nothing at the airport surprises you.

Published October 20, 2026 at 5:11 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Most arriving visitors hand over their passport and entry record (a QR code or paper card), give fingerprints and a facial photo, answer a few questions about the purpose and length of the visit, and receive landing permission. They then collect baggage and pass through customs and, if needed, quarantine counters before entering the arrival hall.

The arrival flow from plane to exit

The sequence at a Japanese international airport is fairly consistent. After leaving the aircraft, passengers follow signs for arrivals to the immigration hall, where foreign visitors and Japanese citizens use separate lines. Once the landing examination is complete, travelers continue to the baggage claim, collect their luggage, and move to customs, where the declaration is checked before they step into the public arrival area.

Preparing in advance saves time at the first stage. The Immigration Services Agency says every foreign national entering as a new entrant must submit a Foreign Nationals Entry Record, either electronically through Visit Japan Web or on a paper card. Completing it before reaching the counter makes the process smoother, so many travelers fill it in at home or on the plane.

Airports also have quarantine and health staff who can give guidance to travelers who feel unwell on arrival. Anyone who has felt ill during the trip can mention it to airport staff, and doing so is simply a way to get quick advice. Signs in English point to these counters, and staff can direct visitors who are unsure where to go.

What the immigration counter involves

At the counter, the immigration officer takes the passport and the entry record, or scans the QR code. Foreign nationals applying for landing are generally asked to provide fingerprints, usually by placing the index fingers on a scanner, and a facial photograph is taken at the same time. The landing examination is conducted after these steps. Anyone who needs to tell the officer about a hand or finger difficulty should say so right away.

According to the published outline of the procedure, some people are exempt from the fingerprint and photo requirement, including children under 16, special permanent residents and people in certain diplomatic or official categories. Everyone else entering Japan goes through it. A person who refuses to be fingerprinted and photographed is denied entry and must leave Japan, so cooperation is simply part of the standard process.

Questions officers may ask

Officers often ask short questions about why the traveler is visiting and how long the stay will be. Typical examples are the purpose of the trip, where the traveler will stay, and the planned departure date. Answers should match what is written on the entry record. Clear, simple answers such as sightseeing for ten days are usually all that is needed.

Visitors can make the exchange easier by keeping supporting documents within reach. A Japanese embassy page for British travelers says visitors should be ready to show a return ticket, details of where they will stay and proof of sufficient funds. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan adds that landing permission is decided by the immigration officer at the port of entry, even for holders of valid visas.

Because wording can feel formal, it helps to know that the questions are routine and not a test. Travelers with a printed itinerary, an accommodation booking and a return flight tend to find the exchange brief. If a question is not understood, asking the officer to repeat it more slowly is perfectly acceptable, and airport staff can often point travelers to the right counter.

Time, numbers and what to expect for length of stay

There is no fixed waiting time, because queues depend on how many flights arrive together. Several flights landing close together can create longer lines, so allow extra time. Planning a buffer before onward trains or airport buses is sensible, particularly when baggage claim and customs also follow.

The permitted length of stay depends on nationality and status. Under the visa exemption arrangements published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, most eligible countries receive 90 days, while a few receive 30 or 15 days, and some bilateral arrangements allow longer with an extension application. Travelers should check the official list for their passport and confirm the period they are granted before leaving the counter.

Special cases: families, older travelers and transit

Families arrive together at the counter, but each person still needs an entry record and passport. Parents can usually answer on behalf of young children, and children under 16 are exempt from fingerprinting and photographs. Travelers with mobility needs can ask airport staff for assistance and priority routes; airports commonly provide wheelchairs and helpers on request through the airline.

Passengers in transit are a separate case. Those who stay on the airside part of the airport between two international flights generally do not pass through arrival immigration, but each airport and airline explains its own connection rules. Leaving the airside area for the city requires immigration procedures and, for some passports, a visa. Overnight layovers can also require arrival procedures, so transit travelers should check their airline and the airport page.

Language is another planning point for visitors who are new to the country. Immigration signs at major airports are bilingual, and the entry record can be completed in English, so no Japanese is needed. Still, carrying the hotel name and address written out in Latin letters, as well as a screenshot of the booking, avoids guesswork if a question about the first night comes up.

Common mistakes at the counter

Frequent errors include arriving without a first-night address, entering the wrong length of stay on the record, and keeping the passport buried in a bag. Another habit worth avoiding is filling in the record after reaching the counter, which holds up the line. Sunglasses, hats and masks may also need to come off for the photo, so having them in hand helps.

A less obvious mistake is treating quarantine and customs as optional follow-ups. Meat products, fruit, vegetables, plants and rice generally require inspection at the animal or plant quarantine counters before customs, so check the Japan Customs and quarantine pages before packing such items. When in doubt, declare an item and let staff decide, rather than guessing.

Wrap-up and practical next steps

Before the flight, create the Visit Japan Web record or print the paper card, save the QR codes where they work offline, and keep the passport, return ticket and hotel address in a handy pocket. On landing, follow the arrival signs, have documents ready, and give brief honest answers to the officer.

After immigration, collect baggage, complete customs with the QR code or paper form, and head for onward transport. Procedures at individual airports differ slightly, and requirements can change, so check the Immigration Services Agency and the airport's own page. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do children also give fingerprints at Japanese immigration?

Children under 16 are exempt from the fingerprint and facial photograph requirement, according to the published outline of the procedure. They still travel with their own passport and entry record or QR code. Teenagers aged 16 and over, and adults, are generally included, so older teens should expect the scanner.

Can visitors refuse fingerprints or the photo?

No. The published outline says that anyone required to give fingerprints and a photo who refuses will be denied entry and must leave Japan. Travelers with a physical difficulty, such as a missing finger, should tell the officer, who can use another finger as provided by the rules.

What happens after immigration?

After landing permission, travelers proceed to baggage claim, collect checked luggage, and go to customs. Animal and plant quarantine counters come before customs for relevant items. The customs declaration is shown as a paper form or as a QR code, and officers may still inspect bags before travelers exit to the arrival hall.

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More guides from Tokyo Paul: What documents do I need at Japan immigration?, What is Visit Japan Web and do I need it? and Moving to Japan: Residence Card, Address Registration and the First Visit to City Hall.