Border measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Information about entering into Japan
- Quarantine measures: Review on the on-arrival COVID-19 test and the home quarantine period after entry into Japan (New)
From 0:00 am (JST) on June 1, 2022, based on the New Border Measures (28), on-arrival test, self-quarantine period and place of accommodation after entry into Japan may be changed according to the grouping (“Red”, “Yellow” and “Blue” categories) of the countries/regions in which the entrants stayed within 14 days before the day of return to Japan or the day of application for landing on Japan and whether they obtain a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
For grouping of the countries/regions and the respective measures, please see 3 (1) From June 1, 2022: Measures in response to Omicron variant / New Border Measures (28) - For FAQ about Quarantine measures, please see Japanese Border Measures (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
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- New entry of foreign nationals (New)
Based on the New Border Measures (29), from June 10, 2022, foreign nationals who apply for new entry into Japan based on either of the following categories (1), (2) or (3) below are regarded as those with “special exceptional circumstances” and are allowed for new entry into Japan in principle, if the receiving organizations located in Japan complete prescribed applications in the Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (ERFS).
(1) Foreign nationals newly entering Japan for a short-term stay (less than three months) for purposes including business and employment (continued from March 1)
(2) Foreign nationals newly entering Japan for a short-term stay for tourism (only when a travel agency among others organizing the trip serves as the receiving organization of the entrants) (start from June10) (New)
(3) Foreign nationals newly entering Japan for a long-term stay (continued from March 1)
Required documents for the visa application (Currently, all foreign nationals who wish to newly enter Japan need to apply for a visa except for those with re-entry permit.) : A certificate for completion of Registration to the ERFS system obtained by a receiving organization through online application along with other visa application documents in response to the purpose of visit. (Please refer to “Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel” page for more details).
(Note) Receiving organizations means such companies or organizations which employ or invite the entrants for their business or entertainment purposes. Travel Agencies regarding the measures based on the abovementioned category (2) are such travel agents or travel service providers as defined in the Travel Agency Law（Law No. 239 of 1952).
(Note) A certificate for completion of Registration to the ERFS system means a proof of document issued by ERFS of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare after receiving organizations apply and register their entrant’s information online.
(Note) Foreign nationals who will be allowed new entry into Japan based on the abovementioned category (2) will be limited to those who will enter from the countries/regions of the group “Blue” designated in 3 (1) From June 1, 2022: Measures in response to Omicron variant / New Border Measures (28).(New)
Please refer to 7. Entry of foreign nationals with special exceptional circumstances below for further information. - Suspension of visa validity
From 0:00 am (JST) December 2, 2021, as emergency precautionary measure from a preventive perspective against coronavirus variant Omicron (B.1.1.529), validity of visas already issued by December 2, 2021 are suspended except for those issued for the holders of status of residence as “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National”, “Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident” or “Diplomat”. Please refer to 4. Suspension of visa validity below for further information.
- 1. Denial of permission to entry
- 2. Denial of the re-entry from certain countries/regions among designated countries/regions in response to COVID-19 variants of special treatment on border measures
- 3. Quarantine measures (New)
- 4. Suspension of visa validity
- 5. Suspension of visa exemption measures
- 6. Restrictions on airport/ports for arrival
- 7. Entry of foreign nationals with special exceptional circumstances
1. Denial of permission to entry
For the time being, foreign nationals who have stayed in any of the following countries/regions listed in the chart below within 14 days prior to the application for landing are denied to enter Japan in pursuant to the Article 5, paragraph (1), item (xiv) of Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, unless special exceptional circumstances are found. Note that foreigners (from the countries and regions where the entry bans do not apply) are not denied to enter Japan even when they arrive in Japan via those countries or regions, which are subject to denial of permission to entry, for refueling or transit purpose. Those who entered those countries or regions will, however, be subject to the entry ban.
The following 15 countries/regions will not be subject to denial of permission to enter Japan from 0:00 am (JST) on June 3, 2022. (NEW)
- Latin America and the Caribbean: Grenada, Guatemala
- Europe: Armenia, Belarus, Estonia, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine
- Middle East: Lebanon, Palestine
- Africa: Comoros, Egypt, Lesotho, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa
| Region | Countries/Regions |
|---|---|
| Asia | |
| Oceania | |
| North America | |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia |
| Europe | Armenia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Kyrgyz, Moldova, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine |
| Middle East | Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine |
| Africa | Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Comoros, Cote d’lvoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
2. Denial of the re-entry from certain countries/regions among designated countries/regions in response to COVID-19 variants of special treatment on border measures
The re-entry into Japan of foreign nationals with status of residence who have stayed in designated countries/regions in response to coronavirus variants of special treatment on border measures within 14 days prior to the application for landing will be denied for the time being unless there are special exceptional circumstances.
| Designated Date | Date of Commencing quarantine measures | Countries/Regions |
|---|---|---|
| – | – | None |
(Note 1) subject countries and regions of the measures designated on and after September 18, 2021 will be designated and confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The designation is duly announced.
(Note 2) Foreign nationals with the status of residence of “Permanent Resident”, “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National”, “Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident” or “Long Term Resident”, who have departed Japan with Re-entry Permission by the next day of the designation mentioned in (Note1) above with intent to re-entry into Japan from those countries/regions mentioned in (Note 1) above, are treated, in principle, as persons in special exceptional circumstances. Foreign nationals with the status “Special Permanent Resident” are not within the scope of this entry ban.
0:00 am (JST) 2 days after the designation mentioned in (Note 1) above and arrive in Japan after this time.
According to the above measure, when foreign nationals, who departed from Japan with a re-entry permit before August 31, 2020 and who were not permitted to re-enter Japan because the validity period of the re-entry permission expired after the country/regions of stay was designated an area subject to denial of landing and, have already obtained a visa based on the newly issued Certificate of Eligibility (COE), they will be subject to denial of landing for the time being if they have stayed in those designated countries/regions mentioned in (Note 1) above within 14 days prior to the application for landing.
3. Quarantine measures (New)
From March 19, 2021, all travelers including Japanese nationals have to submit a certificate of negative test result conducted within 72 hours prior to departing from the country/region where travelers stay when entering Japan. Those who do not submit a certificate of negative test result will be denied entry into Japan in accordance with the Quarantine Act. Airline companies will reject boarding those without one. Please consult with Embassies or Consulates or Consular Office of Japan in case it is truly difficult to obtain the certificate of negative test result.
From January 14, 2021 until further notice, all travellers including Japanese nationals and foreign nationals with the status of residence are also required to pledge to be in quarantine at home or other designated areas, retain the location data, and provide it to the health centers or other institutions, if requested. (If separate quarantine measures are to be taken, those also need to be pledged.) They are required to sign and submit the Written Pledge (PDF) 
when entering Japan. In case of violation, they may be subject to detention under Quarantine Act and the following shall apply:
(ⅰ) For Japanese nationals, names and other information that contribute to preventing the spread of infection may be made public.
(ⅱ) For foreign nationals with the status of residence, names, nationalities, and other information that contribute to preventing the spread of infection may be made public. They may also be subject to the revocation of status of residence and procedures for deportation under Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law. Those who do not submit the “Written Pledge” are requested to stay at a location designated by the Chief of the Quarantine Station (only at the accommodation booked by the quarantine office).
(1) From June 1, 2022: Measures in response to Omicron variant / New Border Measures (28)
For all cross-border travelers and returnees from countries/regions where the B.1.1.529 Omicron variant becomes dominant (all countries/regions except for those where COVID-19 variants other than the Omicron variant become dominant), whether on-arrival test is required, the length of period when they are required to self-quarantine in places such as their own residence or accommodation after their entry into Japan, to follow-up health checks conducted by the Health Monitoring Center for Overseas Entrants (HCO) and to refrain from using public transportation (hereinafter referred to as “home quarantine”) will be determined according to the grouping (“Red”, “Yellow” and “Blue” categories) of the countries/regions in which the entrants stayed before the day of return to Japan or the day of application for landing on Japan and whether they obtain a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate (PDF) (One of the requirements is having received 3 doses of specific vaccines) as shown in the list below.
| Classification | Vaccination certificate | On-arrival Test | Quarantine period and other measures after entry into Japan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | No | Required | 3-day quarantine at a specific facility designated by the chief of the quarantine station (+negative test result (PCR test) at the facility) |
| Yes | Required | 3-day home quarantine + negative result of a voluntary test or 7-day home quarantine without test | |
| Yellow | No | Required | |
| Yes | Not required | Home quarantine and other measures are not required | |
| Blue | No | Not required | |
| Yes | Not required |
Grouping of the countries/regions designated and announced by the MOFA and MHLW based on the New Border Measures (28) dated May 20, 2022 is as follows:
Group “Red”
On-arrival test is required. 3-day quarantine at a government-designated facility is required, however, those who obtain a valid vaccination certificate may have 7-day home quarantine (or 3-day home quarantine + negative result of a voluntary test) instead.
| Group “Red” | ||
|---|---|---|
| Designated Date | Date of Commencing quarantine measures | Countries/Regions |
| May 26, 2022 | 0:00 am (JST) on June 1, 2022 | Albania, Fiji, Pakistan, Sierra Leone |
Group “Yellow”
On-arrival test and 7-day home quarantine (or 3-day home quarantine + negative result of a voluntary test) are required, however, those who obtain a valid vaccination certificate are not required to have on-arrival test, home quarantine and other measures.
| Group “Yellow” | ||
|---|---|---|
| Designated Date | Date of Commencing quarantine measures | Countries/Regions |
| May 26, 2022 | 0:00 am (JST) on June 1, 2022 | Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cook Island, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Federated States of Micronesia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Macau, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Portugal, Republic of Burundi, Republic of Congo, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Vanuatu, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zimbabwe |
Group “Blue”
Regardless of the vaccination status of the entrants/returnees, on-arrival test, home quarantine and other measures are not required.
| Group “Blue” | ||
|---|---|---|
| Designated Date | Date of Commencing quarantine measures | Countries/Regions |
| May 26, 2022 | 0:00 am (JST) on June 1, 2022 | Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentine, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyz, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia |
(Note 1) Subject countries and regions of the measures will be designated and confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The designation is duly announced.
(Note 2) Among countries/regions in which the entrants stayed within 14 days before the day of return to Japan or the day of application for landing on Japan, the measures of the countries/regions with the highest risk in accordance with the above-mentioned designations will be applied.
Based on New Border Measures (26), countries/regions where COVID-19 variants other than the Omicron variant become dominant are to be specified separately. For all cross-border travelers and returnees from the specified countries/regions, the length of period when they are required to self-quarantine in places such as their own residence or accommodation after their entry into Japan, to follow-up checks conducted by the HCO and to refrain from using public transportation is 14 days.
(2) Reinforced quarantine measures for all the travelers who enter, re-enter or return to Japan from designated countries/regions in response to COVID-19 variants of special treatment on border measures.
Taking such elements as knowledge of COVID-19 variants of special treatment on border measures, epidemic situation in each country/region, risk assessment of current situation of inflow of the COVID-19 to Japan, and efficacy of the vaccination among others into account, and judged from a comprehensive risk assessment of inflow of coronavirus from each country/region, the following additional measures will be implemented as designated countries/regions in response to COVID-19 variants of special treatment on border measures according to separate designation based on this measure;
(i) All cross-border travelers and returnees from some of the countries/regions which are separately listed among the designated countries/regions are requested, for the time being, to stay for 10 days at facilities designated by the Chief of the Quarantine Station (limited only to those facilities secured by the Quarantine Station). In addition, those who obtain negative results of all COVID-19 tests conducted on the third, sixth and tenth days from the entry into Japan, may leave the facilities.
| Designated Date | Date of Commencing quarantine measures | Countries/Regions |
|---|---|---|
| None |
(ⅱ) All cross-border travelers and returnees from some of the countries/regions which are separately listed among the designated countries/regions, are requested, for the time being, to stay for 6 days at facilities designated by the Chief of the Quarantine Station (limited only to those facilities secured by the Quarantine Station). In addition, those who obtain negative results of both COVID-19 tests conducted on the third and sixth days from the entry into Japan, may leave from facilities secured by the Quarantine Station, but are still required to stay for the remaining period of 7 days after the entry into Japan at places such as their own residence.
| Designated Date | Date of Commencing quarantine measures | Countries/Regions |
|---|---|---|
| None |
(iii) All cross-border travelers and returnees from some of the countries/regions which are separately listed among the designated countries/regions are requested, for the time being, to stay for 3 days at specific facilities designated by the chief of the quarantine station (limited to the accommodations facilities designated by the chief of the quarantine station). If the test result (PCR test) at the facility on the third day after the entry is negative, home quarantine after leaving the facility is no longer required. Meanwhile, those who have obtained a valid vaccination certificate will be allowed to have 7-day home quarantine instead, and if they submit a negative result of a voluntary test (PCR test or Quantitative Antigen test) on or after the third day from the entry into Japan, home quarantine is no longer required only after the MHLW(Health Monitoring Center for Overseas Entrants) confirms the test result via MySOS app. (Please see 3. (1) Reinforced quarantine measures)
| Designated Date | Date of Commencing quarantine measures | Countries/Regions |
|---|---|---|
| All cross border travelers and returnees from Russia arriving after 0:00 am (JST) on June 1, 2022, are not subject to the above mentioned quarantine measures. | ||
| All cross border travelers and returnees from Egypt and Pakistan arriving after 0:00 am (JST) on June 1, 2022, are not subject to the above mentioned quarantine measures. | ||
| All cross border travelers and returnees from Bulgaria, Laos and South Africa arriving after 0:00 am (JST) on June 1, 2022, are not subject to the above mentioned quarantine measures. |
(Note 1) Subject countries and regions of the measures will be designated and confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The designation is duly announced.
(Note 2) The above-mentioned quarantine measures will be applied to those entering Japan who have stayed within 14 days in the designated countries and regions.
(3) Reinforced quarantine measures for all the travelers who enter, re-enter or return to Japan from designated countries/regions in response to COVID-19 infection other than coronavirus variants of special treatment on border measures.
With regard to countries/regions other than countries/regions based on the designation mentioned in (1) and (2) above, taking such elements as knowledge of COVID-19, epidemic situation in each country/region, risk assessment of current situation of inflow of COVID-19 to Japan, and efficacy of the vaccination among others into account, and judged from a comprehensive assessment of the risk of inflow of the coronavirus from each
| Designated Date | Date of Commencing quarantine measures | Countries/Regions |
|---|---|---|
| None |
(Note 1) Subject countries and regions of the measures will be designated and confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The designation is duly announced.
(Note 2) The above-mentioned quarantine measures will be applied to those entering Japan who have stayed within 14 days in the designated countries and regions.
4. Suspension of visa validity
From 0:00 am (JST) December 2, 2021, as emergency precautionary measure from a preventive perspective against coronavirus variant Omicron (B.1.1.529), validity of visas already issued by December 2, 2021 are suspended except for the status of residence of “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National”, “Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident” or “Diplomat”.This measure does not apply to foreign nationals who departed from overseas before 00:00 am (JST) on December 2, 2021 and arrive in Japan after the time.
As for visas already issued under “Business Track” or “Residence Track” and visas issued based on “New border measures (4)” (referred in Note 2 of Article 1), for the time being, validity of those visas have been suspended from 0:00 am (JST) on January 21, 2021 based on the announcement of the Government of Japan dated on January 13, 2021.
Validity of visas listed below are suspended for the time being
- (1) Single and multiple-entry visas issued by March 8th, 2020 by Japanese Embassies or Consulates General in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and Republic of Korea
- (2) Single and multiple-entry visas issued by March 20th, 2020 by Japanese Embassies and Consulates General in the following countriesRegionCountries/RegionsEuropeAndorra, Austria, Bulgaria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, VaticanMiddle EastIranAfricaEgypt
- (3) Single and multiple-entry visas issued by March 27th, 2020 by Japanese Embassies and Consulates General in the following countriesRegionCountries/RegionsAsiaBrunei, Indonesia (note), Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam Note: including seal of “visa wavier registration certificate”Middle EastBahrain, Israel, QatarAfricaDemocratic Republic of the Congo
- (4) Single and multiple-entry visas issued by April 2nd, 2020, by Japanese Embassies and Consulates General located in or accredited to the following countries and regionsRegionCountries/RegionsAsiaBangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Timor-LesteOceaniaCook, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon, Tonga, Tuvalu, VanuatuLatin America and the CaribbeanAntigua and Barbuda, Argentine, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guyana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, VenezuelaEuropeAzerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UzbekistanMiddle EastAfghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates (note), Yemen Note: including seal of “visa wavier registration certificate”AfricaAlgeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles , Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
5. Suspension of visa exemption measures
As visa exemption measures with the countries and regions listed below are temporarily suspended, those who fall under the measures are required to obtain visas before visiting Japan. Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan have been newly added to the list (1) and (2) below. The measures will be in place for the time being.
- (1) Visa exemption measures agreed with Japan and the following countries and regionsRegionCountries/RegionsAsiaBangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Viet NamOceaniaAustralia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, SolomonNorth AmericaCanada, United States of AmericaLatin America and the CaribbeanArgentine, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, UruguayEuropeAlbania, Andorra, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, VaticanMiddle EastIsrael, Iran, Oman, Qatar, Turkey, United Arab EmiratesAfricaLesotho, Mauritius, Morocco, Tunisia
- (2) The effect of Pre-Clearances (i.e. visa exemptions) granted by the Japanese Government to APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) issued by the following countries and regions is also suspended.RegionCountries/RegionsAsiaBrunei, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Viet NamOceaniaAustralia, New Zealand, Papua New GuineaLatin America and the CaribbeanChile, Mexico, PeruEuropeRussia
6. Restrictions on airport/ports for arrival
The Government of Japan (GOJ) announced the following measures (1) and (2) on March 5, 2020, and (3) on April 1, 2020. These measures will be in place for the time being.
- (1) The Government of Japan restricts arrival airports for passenger flights from China or Republic of Korea to Narita International Airport and Kansai International Airport only and requests the airlines concerned to conform this restriction. Based on the announcement of the GOJ on September 25, 2020, the incremental relaxation of the limitation on the number of arrival airports for passenger aircraft being implemented for the time being will be considered in light of the conditions including testing capacities upon arrival of each airport. The relaxation will be implemented once such conditions are met at each airport.
- (2) The Government of Japan suspends passenger transportation departing from China or Republic of Korea by vessels and requests related companies to conform this suspension.
- (3) Requesting airlines concerned to curb the number of arrival passengers to Japan by such measures as reducing the number of passenger arrival flights in order to ensure the appropriate implementation of quarantine measures. In order to securing smooth return to Japan of Japanese citizens or overseas travelers wishing to return, a proper care, including providing information and sending advisories, will be taken.
- (4) The measures will be in place for the time being
7. Entry of foreign nationals with special exceptional circumstances
Currently, all foreign nationals who wish to newly enter Japan need to apply for a visa except for those with re-entry permit. Please note that due to the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the visa approval procedure may take longer than usual. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated.
Foreign nationals who are entitled to enter Japan as those with special exceptional circumstances are required to apply for an appropriate visa at Embassies or Consulates or Consular Office of Japan (for Taiwan, Taipei Kaohsiung offices of Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association)(hereinafter referred as “Japan’s overseas establishments”) in your country/region.
Please see this page for the information about the visa application.
Please note that the certificate of negative test result (PDF) of pre-departure COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to departing from the country/region where travelers stay is required for foreign nationals to enter Japan, with special exceptional circumstances, in addition to obtaining a valid visa.
