Japan Entry and Travel Requirements
Entry requirements for Japan are a set of standards that a person must meet to be allowed into Japan. These requirements vary depending on the person's nationality, the purpose of the visit, and the length of stay.
To enter Japan, you need a valid passport and visa. Depending on the purpose of your visit, the type of visa you need will vary.
If you plan to stay in Japan for less than 90 days for business, tourism or other short-term purposes, you will need an eVisa. If you plan to stay in Japan for more than 90 days, or if you plan to work, study, or participate in other activities, you will need a different type of visa.
Japan is finally preparing for its long-awaited reopening of tourism in summer 2022. As of June 10, 2022, the country has begun welcoming tourists in phases. The Japanese government for the first time allows guided and organized tours from countries classified as low risk.
Countries in the world are divided into 3 categories: red, yellow and blue. The classification is based on the Covid-19 infection rate. Blue corresponds to the low risk category, and currently, only countries in the blue category can enter Japan.
As the Coronavirus situation continues to evolve worldwide as well as Japan's gradual full reopening, it is essential to always check for the latest update on entry requirements into Japan. .
Important update! Japan has fully reopened to foreign tourists. Individual travelers can enter Japan after more than 2 years. Since October 11, 2022, the country has also restored visa exemption for visitors from 68 different countries and territories. Here's a summary of the latest changes:
Independent visa-free travel is permitted for most nationalities
remove quarantine and post-arrival testing requirements for travelers in the "green" country category (including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the EU)
remove the requirement to provide proof of vaccination for “green” travelers
remove pre-departure testing requirement for travelers who have been vaccinated three times (reminder) and children traveling with them (regardless of the children's vaccination status)
Who can enter Japan?
Starting June 10, 2022, the following groups of travelers will be able to enter Japan:
- citizens of countries classified in the blue category traveling as part of a package trip and have previously applied for a Japan visa
- family members of Japanese citizens and foreign residents in Japan who have applied for a relative visa before traveling
- Foreign businessmen and students with appropriate visas and sponsors in Japan
Japan still does not allow free travel. However, the country is preparing to welcome them in the fall of 2022.
https://visaguide.world/online/
Checklist of documents for entry to Japan
Before coming to Japan, make sure you have:
- valid passport
- Approved Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure
- a signed written undertaking that you will comply with all requirements for entry into Japan
- completed the online health questionnaire and received a QR code
Please note that you may be required to present all of these documents to board your flight to Japan.
You may also need:
- Valid Japanese visa
- Travel insurance covers Covid-19
Once you arrive in Japan, you will need:
- take another Covid-19 test (depending on nationality)
- Install coronavirus tracking app
Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements
Testing requirements
Pre-departure testing
Every single passenger entering Japan, regardless of nationality, must provide a negative result of the Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure time.
Please note that the test certificates must meet the following requirements to be recognized as valid:
- must include the date of the test certificate issuance and time of collection of the specimen (taken within 72 hours before planned departure);
- must be taken using one of the accepted testing and collection methods.
Accepted COVID-19 test sample collection methods include:
- Nasopharyngeal swab/Nasopharynx swab /Rhinopharyngeal swab/Rhinopharynx swab
- Saliva sample (Deep throat)
- Nasal Swab (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Only)
- Nasopharyngeal (*) and Oropharyngeal (throat) swabs/Naso and oropharyngeal/Rhino and oropharyngeal /Oro and nasopharyngeal and Nasal Swab (*)（*Nasopharyngeal/Rhinopharyngeal/Nasopharynx/Rhinopharynx）
Valid methods of COVID-19 testing
Nucleic Acid Amplification Test:
- real-time RT-PCR
- LAMP
- TMA
- TRC
- Smart Amp
- NEAR
- Other
- Next Generation Sequence
- Quantitative Antigen Test* (CLEIA) (*Not a qualitative antigen test)
Please check here for more details on the test certificate required formats.
On-arrival testing
Travelers who need to isolate upon arrival in Japan will be tested against Covid-19 at the airport. They may need to wait for long hours to await the test results. Currently, testing on arrival is mandatory for unvaccinated arrivals in the “yellow” category as well as for all travelers from countries classified as “red” (have vaccinated and unvaccinated).
Vaccination required
Japan allows entry to fully vaccinated and unvaccinated foreign visitors. Travelers from countries classified as “green” do not need to present a Covid-19 vaccination certificate to enter Japan. Travelers in the yellow group can use valid proof of vaccination to avoid testing and quarantine after arrival.
Foreigners in the red category are subject to the same entry conditions regardless of their vaccination status, meaning they must take a test before departure, test on arrival and quarantine.
Check here for the full list of countries grouped according to colors.
If you are subject to quarantine, you may shorten your isolation period by providing a vaccination certificate.
Covid-19 vaccines recognized in Japan
The Covid-19 vaccination proof must indicate that you have received two doses of one of the following vaccines:
- Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca
- Comirnaty/Pfizer
- Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine/Janssen (one dose)
- COVAXIN/Bharat Biotech
- Moderna
- Nuvaxovid/Novavax
Note:
Vaccines will be valid even if mixed.
Accepted third dose of Covid-19 vaccine
- Comirnaty/Pfizer
- Moderna
- Nuvaxovid/Novavax
Quarantine requirements
Blue countries
No quarantine regardless of vaccination status
- Yellow countries
- Unvaccinated travelers:
- on-arrival test + 3-day home quarantine and PCR test on day 3 to end the quarantine earlier, or on-arrival test + 7-day home quarantine without testing
Fully vaccinated travelers:
- no quarantine
- Red countries
Unvaccinated travelers:
- on-arrival test + 3-day quarantine at a specific facility and testing at the government-designated facility
- Fully vaccinated travelers:
- on-arrival test + 3-day home quarantine and PCR test taken on day 3 to end the quarantine earlier, or on-arrival test + 7-day home quarantine without testing
Written Pledge
Foreign nationals arriving in Japan who will be quarantined at home or in accommodations secured by the quarantine station need to submit and sign a written pledge to the quarantine station. This document confirms that they agree not to use public transportation and stay at home during the isolation period.
MySOS application
Everyone quarantined in Japan must report their location through the health and location tracking app for foreign participants (MySOS). The app needs to be installed from a unique QR code, and travelers need to provide their passport number and date of birth to start using the MySOS app. When arriving at the quarantine location, foreigners must "check in" through the application. Notifications requesting confirmation of the quarantined person's current location will be sent multiple times a day. Tourists must press the “I'm here!” button. » to affirm my point of view. Once a day is also necessary to confirm the current state of health.
Important tip:
To reduce your time spent at Japanese airports, you can apply for all the necessary documents through the MySOS app, specifically the questionnaire, commitment document, Covid-19 test certificate and proof of vaccination.
Traveling from Japan
There are no specific conditions for leaving Japan. Travelers should check the entry regulations of their next travel destination or their country of origin if returning to their home country.
Depending on the airline, there may be certain internal requirements for boarding a flight, including screening requirements. Be sure to check recent requirements before leaving Japan, and remember that immigration and travel procedures can change at short notice around the world.
Traveling to Japan
From June 10, 2022, tourists from certain countries will be able to visit Japan as part of a package tour with a pre-travel visa requirement. Relative visas also allow family members of Japanese residents and foreigners entering Japan to enter. International students or business travelers can also enter Japan with the appropriate visa.
Quarantine and testing requirements on arrival have been waived for travelers classified as “green” countries. This category includes most developed countries such as Canada, USA, Australia, UK, New Zealand and most EU countries. Visitors from "green" countries do not need to be vaccinated to enter Japan.
Japan is still preparing to fully reopen to international tourists. The Japanese government plans to welcome independent travelers to the country in the fall of 2022. Stay tuned for updates on entry regulations. These are subject to constant change as the situation is constantly evolving.
Entry Rules for Children
There are no exceptions to age-based testing requirements. While there may be some flexibility in pre-departure Covid-19 testing for minors aged 5 and under, this is not guaranteed. Additionally, all travelers, including children, must be tested upon arrival.
Children under 18 years of age (even if not fully vaccinated), when traveling with fully vaccinated (booster-vaccinated) parents, are allowed to follow the same entry procedures as the parents.
Transit through Japan
The Covid-related regulations described above do not apply to passengers who plan to transit through one of Japan's airports and do not clear immigration. Please note that domestic procedures at the airport may prohibit transit. Check with your airline about specific requirements for catching a connecting flight in Japan.
When transiting through Japan, please remember to comply with any additional protective measures imposed by local Japanese authorities. Also, remember to check for the latest updates on entry requirements for your final destination.
Visa requirements
Although citizens of some countries can visit Japan without a visa for tourist purposes, most foreign visitors are required to apply for a Japanese visa before their trip.
Any foreign national with a tourist visa to Japan must go to a diplomatic mission to apply for a visa in person at the nearest embassy. Visa applicants will need to provide certain supporting documents, including a passport valid for at least 6 months. Japan tourist visas are usually issued for 3 months and allow a total stay of up to 30 days.
The Japanese government also plans to introduce online visa application for the Japan e-Tourist Visa, which will make the entire application process significantly easier and faster.
Electronic visa
Along with the announcement of the reopening of Japan's borders, we can expect the Japan eVisa to be rolled out in the coming months. The e-visa system is expected to allow certain nationals to apply for and receive visa approval entirely online, without the need for a single visit to the embassy.
The Japan e-visa will be issued as a single-entry permit allowing short-term stays in Japan for tourism purposes. Republic of China citizens will have the opportunity to take advantage of online visa applications before this online service is made available to others.
Like e-visas to other destinations around the world, applicants for a Japan e-visa will likely need to fill out an online questionnaire with basic personal data and passport information, along with Time to answer some questions related to health and travel. Detailed information about visa requirements will be announced as soon as Japanese authorities decide to reveal the system's starting date.
Visa exemption
Currently, there are more than 65 countries whose citizens can visit Japan without a visa for tourism or business purposes, including to attend conferences and other business meetings but not otherwise. must work for pay in Japan. Depending on the nationality of the tourist, the period of stay allowed without a visa can vary from 15 days to 180 days.
Additionally, Chinese passengers traveling on a cruise ship approved by Japanese authorities do not need a visa to enter Japan as long as they board and disembark from the same cruise ship.
Foreign visitors who wish to visit Japan for a longer period of time or come to Japan for other purposes, including work or study, will need to go to the Japanese Embassy and apply for a visa in advance of their trip. their determination.
Embassy or consulate visa
According to Japan's visa policy, there are up to 180 countries worldwide whose citizens must apply for an embassy visa before coming to Japan. Applying for an embassy or consulate visa to Japan requires an appointment before you plan to enter Japan. Typically, it can take several weeks or more to get a visa.
Visa applicants must present at the embassy a number of necessary documents, including a valid passport. Sometimes a certain embassy may require certain supporting documents. Each request also requires payment of a processing fee.
Japanese embassy visas are issued for various purposes, such as tourism, work, education or transit. The reason you want to come to Japan must be clearly stated in your visa application.
Relative visa
Relatives of Japanese citizens or foreign residents in Japan can now enter Japan by applying for a relative visa in advance of their planned trip.
The following family members are eligible for a relative visa:
- spouse, children and parents of long-term residents
- Second-degree relatives of Japanese citizens or permanent residents, including children, grandchildren, grandparents, and spouses
Relatives residing in Japan must provide certain documents such as a copy of their residence card. A parent visa allows you to visit Japan for non-urgent reasons and travel around the country.
Japan Passenger Locator Form
The Japan Health Questionnaire is a document introduced by the Japanese government in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The introduction of this form is to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and incoming tourists as well as minimize the spread of new Covid-19 infections.
All international travelers planning to visit Japan must complete a health declaration before their planned trip and present confirmation upon entering the country. Those who cannot provide the QR code issued after completing the online application will be denied entry to Japan.
The requirement to complete the Japan Health Declaration also applies to Japanese citizens and citizens traveling to Japan. Each visitor, including children, must fill out a separate form. In cases where the traveler is a minor, the request must be made by the child's parent or legal guardian.
Travel Insurance
Before traveling to Japan, it is important to ensure that you have adequate health insurance. Although not legally required, it is recommended in case you need medical attention, lose luggage, or need to cancel airline tickets and hotels.
The national health system primarily serves Japanese citizens, and many hospitals are unfamiliar with treating foreign tourists. As a result, tourists have been denied treatment in some cases. We recommend purchasing travel medical insurance with Covid-19 cover before your trip to avoid any problems. With the right policy in place, you can relax and enjoy your vacation in Japan, knowing that you are protected in case of an emergency.
