East Asia's three largest travel destinations — Japan, South Korea and China — each have distinct entry systems, and the rules have shifted significantly in recent years. Japan and South Korea are visa-free for travellers from a wide range of countries, though South Korea's K-ETA pre-registration requirement has come and gone in a series of changes. China has a more complex visa regime but also offers transit arrangements that many travellers overlook. Here is how each country works, and what you need to check before you book your flights.
Entry rules change frequently. The information below reflects general arrangements and cannot substitute for official, up-to-date guidance. Always check your own government's travel advice and the official immigration portal of the destination country well in advance of travel — requirements can change at short notice.
Japan: visa-free access and the current requirements
Japan offers visa-free entry for short stays (typically up to 90 days) to citizens of around 70 countries, including most EU and EEA nations, the UK, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many others. On arrival, visitors receive a stamp permitting a short stay; no pre-registration system similar to ETIAS or the US ESTA is currently required for visa-exempt nationalities, though Japan has signalled it is considering introducing one.
At the border, Japanese immigration officers may ask about your plans, accommodation and funds. Most travellers are waved through quickly, but having a return or onward ticket and hotel booking details to hand is sensible. Japan's border controls are orderly and well-organised.
Citizens of countries that are not on the visa-exempt list — including most African nations, many South Asian countries, and several others — need to apply for a Japan visa through the Japanese embassy or consulate in their country of residence before travelling. Processing times and requirements vary; check with the relevant embassy early.
A note on stays: the 90-day allowance is per visit, not cumulative in the way the Schengen 90/180-day rule works. However, immigration officers may question travellers who appear to be living in Japan on back-to-back tourist visas — it is not a long-term residency strategy.
Japan visa types for longer stays
Work, study, artist and long-stay visas are available but require an application to a Japanese consulate before departure. Working holiday visas exist for citizens of a number of countries under bilateral agreements with Japan.
South Korea: visa-free entry and the K-ETA
South Korea grants visa-free entry for short stays (generally up to 90 days) to citizens of around 100 countries. The rules here require some careful attention because they have changed repeatedly.
The K-ETA system
South Korea introduced the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation) for visa-exempt travellers — an online pre-travel registration similar to the US ESTA or Australia's ETA. However, its implementation has been uneven: Korea temporarily suspended the K-ETA requirement for citizens of many countries on multiple occasions to encourage tourism recovery, and then reinstated it. The current status depends on your nationality and when you are travelling.
If the K-ETA applies to you, it is a straightforward online application (submitted via the official K-ETA website) requiring your passport details, travel plans and accommodation information. The fee is modest and approval is usually granted quickly, though it is not guaranteed. Apply well before travel.
Some nationalities retain a visa exemption that bypasses the K-ETA entirely; others remain subject to it. Check the Korea Immigration Service (immigration.go.kr) for the current requirements for your specific nationality before travel.
South Korea visa for longer stays or non-exempt nationalities
Citizens of countries not covered by South Korea's visa-free arrangements must apply for a visa at a Korean consulate or embassy. Tourist, work, student and working holiday visas are available depending on your nationality and purpose of travel.
China: visas, transit and recent changes
China's entry system has historically required the majority of foreign visitors to obtain a visa before arriving. However, a series of significant policy changes in 2023–2024 expanded visa-free access for citizens of several countries, and China's transit visa arrangements offer a practical way to visit major Chinese cities without a full tourist visa.
China's entry rules are changing rapidly. Visa-free country lists and transit policies have been updated multiple times in recent years. Do not rely on any single source — always verify with the Chinese embassy in your country or the official National Immigration Administration of China website before booking travel.
China visa requirements
The standard route is the L-type tourist visa (or C/G/X for other purposes), applied for at the Chinese consulate or embassy in your home country. Processing times vary by consulate — allow at least two to four weeks, longer in busy periods. Requirements typically include a completed application form, your passport, passport-sized photos, proof of accommodation in China and a return or onward ticket.
Since 2023, China has extended reciprocal visa-free arrangements to citizens of a growing number of countries — including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and several others within 15-day stays (with further changes under review). EU citizens specifically should check the current arrangement for their nationality.
China transit visas: the 72/144-hour exemption
China offers a useful transit arrangement for travellers passing through on the way to a third country: if you are transiting through one of the designated airports and hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country, you may stay in the transit city for 72 hours (some airports offer 144 hours) without a standard visa.
Cities covered by the 144-hour exemption include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Xi'an and others — the list has expanded considerably. The 72-hour version covers a smaller set of airports. This arrangement is very practical for travellers routing through China who want to spend a few days exploring rather than sitting in the transit zone, but it comes with specific conditions: you must enter and exit via the same port, you must stay within the designated administrative area, and you must hold a confirmed onward booking.
The transit visa exemption is not available to all nationalities and has its own rules about the onward destination. Check the official National Immigration Administration website or consult the Chinese consulate in your country for your specific eligibility.
Common practical points across East Asia
- Passport validity: All three countries require your passport to be valid for the duration of your stay, and some require additional months of validity beyond your departure date. Check well in advance.
- Return or onward ticket: Border officers in Japan and South Korea may ask for evidence of an onward booking. In China this is a hard requirement for the transit exemption.
- Digital controls: China restricts access to many websites and services (Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, Gmail and others). A VPN set up before arrival is widely used by travellers; their legal status is nuanced — research this before departure.
- Entry stamps and multi-entry: Japan and South Korea visa-free entries are generally single-entry per stamp; re-entry after exit restarts the allowance. Check whether your circumstances allow multiple entries.
For a broader overview of visa types and how to find out what you need, see our guide to do I need a visa?
Frequently asked questions
Do UK passport holders need a visa for Japan?
No. UK citizens currently receive visa-free entry to Japan for up to 90 days per visit. No pre-registration is currently required, though Japan is considering introducing one. Always confirm with your government's travel advice before travelling.
What is the K-ETA and do I need one for South Korea?
The K-ETA is South Korea's electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors. Whether it applies to your nationality — and whether it is currently active — depends on ongoing policy decisions by the Korean government. Check the Korea Immigration Service website for the most current requirements before booking.
Can I visit China without a visa for a short transit?
Possibly. China's 72/144-hour transit visa exemption allows eligible travellers to spend a few days in designated cities without a full tourist visa, provided you hold an onward ticket to a third country. Eligibility depends on your nationality and which city you're transiting through. Verify via the National Immigration Administration of China or your consulate.
Is it safe to travel between Japan, South Korea and China on one trip?
Logistically, yes — there are ferry and air connections between all three countries. Each has its own independent entry requirements, so you need to meet the conditions for each country separately on a single trip.
Sources and further reading:
- Japan National Tourism Organization – entry requirements (jnto.go.jp).
- Korea Immigration Service (immigration.go.kr) — K-ETA and visa rules.
- National Immigration Administration of China (nia.gov.cn) — visa and transit exemption policy.
- Always check your own government's travel advice for East Asia before departure.