Japan to Reintroduce Visa-Free Travel
Japan has announced that it will reinstate its visa waiver program for all eligible nationalities, starting October 11, 2022.
Citizens of visa exempt countries will once again be allowed to enter the country without a Japanese visa. Other nationalities still need to obtain a valid visa to visit Japan, though some may soon be permitted to apply for a Japan eVisa—making the application process much easier.
After implementing strict border control measures for the last 2 years, the country has now begun to reopen to international tourists. The recent move is one of a number of travel restrictions which will be removed for foreign arrivals.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gave the announcement at a news conference in New York, commenting that Japan will “relax border control measures to be on par with the US”.
Currently, passengers traveling to the United States only need a COVID-19 vaccine certificate to enter the country. With the new rules, visitors to Japan will either need to be boosted with a vaccine, or show a negative test result.
Japan’s Strict COVID-19 Measures
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan has been completely closed to tourists— only Japanese citizens and residents could enter the country.
These restrictions have been met with mixed reactions, with some praising Kishida for remaining cautious, while others have complained about the damage to Japan’s economy.
On June 10, 2022, Japan reopened to tourism, however with strict requisites. Only tourists who are traveling as part of an organized package tour group can visit Japan, and there is a 50,000 cap on daily arrivals.
From October 11, 2022, there will be no limit on daily arrivals and individual travel will resume.
Japan visa exemptions suspended
As part of its COVID-19 safety measures, Japan also suspended all visa waivers.
Usually, over 60 nationalities can enter the country without a visa and stay for up to 90 days. With the suspension of this program, citizens of these countries have been required to obtain a visa, along with all other nationalities.
With the reintroduction of visa-free travel, visitors from many nations will be able to take a trip to Japan without a travel permit.
Boosting Japan’s Tourism Industry
Japan’s tourism sector has suffered greatly from the strict border measures during the pandemic.
Pre-pandemic, Japan was one of the most-visited countries in Asia, ranking No. 1 on the World Economic Forum's latest Travel & Tourism Development Index.
In 2019, before COVID-19 hit the country, over 31.8 million people visited Japan. This number drastically declined to just 246,000 in 2021.
With the easing of almost all travel restrictions, Japan hopes to boost its tourism industry and start moving back to pre-COVID-19 numbers.
In addition to removing safety measures, Kishida announced that there will be a nationwide travel discount program to encourage international tourists to visit the country.
President Kishida said:
“I hope many people will utilize them. I want to support the travel, entertainment and other industries that have been struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.”
Who Can Travel to Japan Without a Visa?
Citizens of over 60 countries can travel to Japan without a visa, as part of its visa waiver program. When the policy is reinstated, all travelers with a passport from an eligible nation will be granted visa-free entry.
Eligible countries include: all European Union nations, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Taiwan.
Do I Need a Visa for Japan?
Travelers who are not part of Japan’s visa waiver program must still obtain a valid visa to enter the country.
Currently, the only way to get a visa for Japan is through a diplomatic government office. Applicants must go in person to a Japanese embassy or consulate to request a visa for their trip.
Japan has an electronic visa system which is in motion. Certain nationalities may soon become eligible for the online eVisa service. This type of travel permit is ideal for visitors, as it removes the need to apply in person.
Applicants will simply need to complete the Japan eVisa form, pay a small fee, and wait for the visa to be sent to them by email. The process is 100% online, and only takes a few minutes.
