On June 10, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced changes to entry rules, with travelers from 68 countries now required to apply for and obtain a visa if they do not already hold a re-entry permit. This announcement suspends, for the time being, the Visa Exemption Agreements previously in place.
Key Highlights
- With a new visa, the permitted period of stay will be 90 days.
- Foreign nationals who have a visa and wish to stay in Japan for more than 90 days are required to apply for an extension with the Ministry of Justice.
Japan only opened its borders to international travel on June 10, with the limited entry of 10,000 and later 20,000 foreign arrivals per day.
What to Expect
- To apply for a visa, foreign nationals should submit the required documents to Japan’s overseas establishments in their country or region.
- After the application has been successfully accepted, the visa will be issued at the consular affairs section of Japan’s overseas establishment.
- The visa should be received by the applicant or their representative and is needed upon applying for landing permission.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cautioned that due to COVID-19, the visa approval process may take longer than usual.
Erickson Insights
Border measures continue to evolve, and guidance from government agencies is subject to change. 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 employer or EIG attorney.