On Monday, the Government of Japan announced it would halt the previously announced plans to reopen the country and introduced a ban on all incoming foreign travelers for one month effective Tuesday. This policy change is in response to the Omicron variant.
New restrictions will apply to all new arrivals — including students and business travelers —from every country worldwide. However, restrictions do not apply to Japanese nationals or foreign residents returning to the country.
Quarantine Details
- Japanese nationals and foreign residents returning from designated countries where the omicron variant has been identified will have to quarantine for 10 days at a government-designated facility. Designated countries include Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
- Japanese nationals and foreign residents returning from Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, and the U.K. will have to quarantine for 6 days at a government-designated facility and 8 additional days at a chosen location.
- Japanese nationals and foreign residents returning from Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, and Ontario, Canada, will have to quarantine for 3 days at a government-designated facility and 11 additional days at a chosen location.
- Fully vaccinated travelers, not from any of the above countries, may be eligible for a shorter, 10-day quarantine.
Erickson Insights
In November, the Government of Japan announced a phased approach to easing border and travel restrictions. Published on Friday, November 5, the changes went into effect at 10 am Monday, November 8.
As of Monday, November 29, the AMPA process and new entry into Japan for work purposes with the AMPA approval certificate are altogether suspended. The suspension is subject to review on December 31, 2021. Due to holiday closures, if they resume the AMPA process on January 1, the application for the AMPA process will resume only on January 4, 2022.
The suspension of opening plans is in response to the Omicron variant that was first identified on Wednesday, November 24, in South Africa. The guidance is likely to change with little notice.
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your EIG attorney.