# AI tells a visitor that Japan's visa-free entry lets them work or stay beyond 90 days

- **ID:** `visa/visa-exemption-no-work-90`
- **Domain:** visa
- **Category:** administrative_barrier
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 85%

## Root Cause

Japan grants visa-exemption (typically up to 90 days) to nationals of roughly 70 countries/regions for short-term tourism or business meetings, but you may NOT engage in paid work, and the 90 days generally cannot be extended. Some nationalities get shorter periods.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| any | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Confirm your nationality's exact visa-free period and limit activities to tourism/unpaid business; apply for the correct status of residence for anything else.** (90% success)
   ```
   Check the MOFA visa-exemption list; for work, study, or long stays apply for the appropriate visa/Certificate of Eligibility before travel.
   ```
2. **If you need to stay longer, obtain the appropriate visa in advance rather than relying on extensions.** (80% success)
   ```
   Apply through a Japanese embassy/consulate; work and long-stay categories usually require a Certificate of Eligibility sponsored in Japan.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Take up any paid work while on the visa-free short-stay entry** — Visa-exemption permits tourism and certain unpaid business activities only. Paid work requires a work visa/status of residence; working without it risks detention, deportation, and re-entry bans. (85% fail)
- **Plan to extend the 90-day visa-free stay to keep living in Japan** — The visa-exemption period generally cannot be extended; you must leave and the rule is not a renewable residence permit. Repeated back-to-back entries can also be refused. (70% fail)