The Japanese government has announced significant changes to its travel and COVID-19 policy, to begin on October 11, 2022.
- Travel Changes | ALL visa-waiver nationals are exempt from obtaining a visa or an e-visa at Japanese consulates/embassies abroad. Furthermore, the Japanese government also announced that the CoR via Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (ERFS) is no longer required for any visa application, provided the individual is traveling after October 11.
The validity of single entry visas and multiple entry visas which had been issued by Embassies, Consulate-Generals, and Consulates of Japan in all countries/regions by December 2, 2021, that have been temporarily suspended, will take effect again from 0:00 am (JST) on October 11, 2022.
- COVID-19 Policy Changes | Except for returnees and entrants with COVID-19 symptoms, on-arrival testing, self-quarantining, and refraining from public transportation will no longer be required. Still, all returnees and entrants will be are required to show either a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate of three doses of vaccines prescribed on the Emergency Use List of the World Health Organization (WHO) or a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours before departure from the original country/region.
Earlier this month, the government of Japan announced that visa-free, independent tourism would resume from October 11. Concurrently, the daily arrival cap will be abolished. The announcement from Prime Minister Kishida ends 2.5 years of entry restrictions due to COVID-19.
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