Last edit by: CPH-Flyer
This thread is for discussion of the coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to Japan. Non-Japan-related discussion should be taken either to the most relevant forum, the Coronavirus and Travel forum, or the OMNI forums.
UPDATE FOR TOURISTS LOOKING TO VISIT JAPAN AFTER COVID-19 BORDER RESTRICTIONS EASE
Japan does currently not allow entry for general tourism purposes. Most visa waivers are suspended, and travel to Japan for non resident foreigners generally require a visa. And quarantine as described for the countries and territories below.
UPDATE FOR PEOPLE WITH VISAS THAT ALLOW ENTRY INTO JAPAN
The quarantine requirements mentioned below will generally apply to entrants in Japan. As the conditions of who can obtain a visa for entry on exceptional circumstances are not clearly listed anywhere, it is necessary to confirm entry requirements with your local Japanese diplomatic representatives
Spouses and children of foreign permanent residents or Japanese nationals, can obtain visas for short term stays (up to 90 days) by applying in person or by mail at an overseas Japanese consulate. Required documentation includes application form, letter with reason for purpose of visit, bank statement and Koseki Tohon. Processing times have been reported as on the spot to up to one week.
From March 1st, business travelers, students and technical trainees can again enter Japan. There is a need to have a receiving organisation to apply for the visa. For business travelers, there will be one point of contact with the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare. Though the full details are not published yet (as of typing on the 27th of February, please add them if you have seen them)
Business travelers must have a Japanese company or organization apply for a Certificate for Completion of Registration to the MHLW ERFS system. This is a two step process. The company must first register and then apply for the Certificate for the traveler. These can both be done online and completed in less than an hour.The website for doing this is https://entry.hco.mhlw.go.jp/.
After getting the certificate the traveler must apply for visa at the Japanese Consulate or Embassy with jurisdiction for where they reside. (They are quite strict about this. E.g. you can't apply while traveling in a foreign country.) The information on the Consulate pages state that you need Letter of Guarantee, Invitation Letter, etc when applying for the visa. In fact, however, if you have the EFRS certificate, all you need is the visa application, your passport and a photo. The Consulate will issue the visa within 5 days.
UPDATE JAPANESE CITIZENS AND RETURNING FOREIGN JAPAN RESIDENTS
All people travelling to Japan has to present a negative PCR test taking no earlier than. 72 hours before departure to be able to board the flight. The certificate has to meet the information requirements and test types from the Japanese government.
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000799426.pdf
From the 7th of June, passport number, nationality, signature and stamp from the doctor/medical institution are no longer required.
The requirement for pre-departure test will be removed for passengers on flights landing after the 7th of September 00:00 provided that they have received a full bases vaccination and a booster vaccination. Accepted vaccines are Moderna, Pfizer, Astra, Zeneca, J&J, Novavax, Covaxin.
Uploading documents in advance via the mysos app or via the mysos website is required. For details please see https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/en/
The arrival process is as follows. Countries will be grouped in red, yellow, and blue.
Red countries:
Albania, Sierra Leone
Yellow countries:
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, Fiji, 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, Namibia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, 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, Yemen, Zimbabwe
Blue countries:
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, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, 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, Western Sahara, Zambia
For updates to the lists of countries and territories and changes to the rules check the website of the ministry of foreign affairs https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html and ask in the thread for clarifications and experiences of entering Japan.
UPDATE FOR TOURISTS LOOKING TO VISIT JAPAN AFTER COVID-19 BORDER RESTRICTIONS EASE
Japan does currently not allow entry for general tourism purposes. Most visa waivers are suspended, and travel to Japan for non resident foreigners generally require a visa. And quarantine as described for the countries and territories below.
UPDATE FOR PEOPLE WITH VISAS THAT ALLOW ENTRY INTO JAPAN
The quarantine requirements mentioned below will generally apply to entrants in Japan. As the conditions of who can obtain a visa for entry on exceptional circumstances are not clearly listed anywhere, it is necessary to confirm entry requirements with your local Japanese diplomatic representatives
Spouses and children of foreign permanent residents or Japanese nationals, can obtain visas for short term stays (up to 90 days) by applying in person or by mail at an overseas Japanese consulate. Required documentation includes application form, letter with reason for purpose of visit, bank statement and Koseki Tohon. Processing times have been reported as on the spot to up to one week.
From March 1st, business travelers, students and technical trainees can again enter Japan. There is a need to have a receiving organisation to apply for the visa. For business travelers, there will be one point of contact with the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare. Though the full details are not published yet (as of typing on the 27th of February, please add them if you have seen them)
Business travelers must have a Japanese company or organization apply for a Certificate for Completion of Registration to the MHLW ERFS system. This is a two step process. The company must first register and then apply for the Certificate for the traveler. These can both be done online and completed in less than an hour.The website for doing this is https://entry.hco.mhlw.go.jp/.
After getting the certificate the traveler must apply for visa at the Japanese Consulate or Embassy with jurisdiction for where they reside. (They are quite strict about this. E.g. you can't apply while traveling in a foreign country.) The information on the Consulate pages state that you need Letter of Guarantee, Invitation Letter, etc when applying for the visa. In fact, however, if you have the EFRS certificate, all you need is the visa application, your passport and a photo. The Consulate will issue the visa within 5 days.
UPDATE JAPANESE CITIZENS AND RETURNING FOREIGN JAPAN RESIDENTS
All people travelling to Japan has to present a negative PCR test taking no earlier than. 72 hours before departure to be able to board the flight. The certificate has to meet the information requirements and test types from the Japanese government.
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000799426.pdf
From the 7th of June, passport number, nationality, signature and stamp from the doctor/medical institution are no longer required.
The requirement for pre-departure test will be removed for passengers on flights landing after the 7th of September 00:00 provided that they have received a full bases vaccination and a booster vaccination. Accepted vaccines are Moderna, Pfizer, Astra, Zeneca, J&J, Novavax, Covaxin.
Uploading documents in advance via the mysos app or via the mysos website is required. For details please see https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/en/
The arrival process is as follows. Countries will be grouped in red, yellow, and blue.
- 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 5-day home quarantine (or 3-day home quarantine + negative result of a voluntary test) instead.
- Group “Yellow”:On-arrival test and 5-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 “Blue”:Regardless of the vaccination status of the entrants/returnees, on-arrival test, home quarantine and other measures are not required.
Red countries:
Albania, Sierra Leone
Yellow countries:
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, Fiji, 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, Namibia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, 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, Yemen, Zimbabwe
Blue countries:
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, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, 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, Western Sahara, Zambia
For updates to the lists of countries and territories and changes to the rules check the website of the ministry of foreign affairs https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html and ask in the thread for clarifications and experiences of entering Japan.
Coronavirus impact in Japan [consolidated]
#9541
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 1,578
interesting - you need an appt? I was able to do 6 rounds by mail through the Houston consulate in 2020/21. Is that a NY thing?
#9542
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Kanto
Posts: 151
To actually answer your question, it seems that recently (during Covid) obtaining just about any visa for entering Japan (including for visiting family) needs to be done through a J-embassy abroad in person, and applications by mail are no longer accepted.
As far as why a spousal resident visa was never sought, being that they are pretty easy to obtain in Japan, ask the OP. Hopefully he will understand this time.
As far as why a spousal resident visa was never sought, being that they are pretty easy to obtain in Japan, ask the OP. Hopefully he will understand this time.
Last edited by armagebedar; Jul 30, 2022 at 1:54 am Reason: removed quote of deleted post
#9543
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Kanto
Posts: 151
Here's some info from the J-embassey in US
https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_..._and_visa.html
Visa applicants should come to the Embassy in person with the exception of applications for diplomatic/official visas submitted by a representative of their organizations.
The Embassy will NOT accept any applications by mail.
The Embassy will NOT accept any applications by mail.
#9544
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 1,578
To actually answer your question, it seems that recently (during Covid) obtaining just about any visa for entering Japan (including for visiting family) needs to be done through a J-embassy abroad in person, and applications by mail are no longer accepted.
As far as why a spousal resident visa was never sought, being that they are pretty easy to obtain in Japan, ask the OP. Hopefully he will understand this time.
As far as why a spousal resident visa was never sought, being that they are pretty easy to obtain in Japan, ask the OP. Hopefully he will understand this time.
#9545
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,317
To actually answer your question, it seems that recently (during Covid) obtaining just about any visa for entering Japan (including for visiting family) needs to be done through a J-embassy abroad in person, and applications by mail are no longer accepted.
As far as why a spousal resident visa was never sought, being that they are pretty easy to obtain in Japan, ask the OP. Hopefully he will understand this time.
As far as why a spousal resident visa was never sought, being that they are pretty easy to obtain in Japan, ask the OP. Hopefully he will understand this time.
#9546
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Kanto
Posts: 151
Some checking revealed this:
Houston consulate:
https://www.houston.us.emb-japan.go....1_visatop.html
NYC consulate:
https://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa00.html
Houston consulate:
2. You can apply via mail.
- Please note: we only ship to addresses within our jurisdiction.
- It is only for those who live outside of the Houston area.
Those who live in the county below must apply in person.
Liberty, Chambers, Galveston, Montgomery, Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend.
NYC consulate:
Applying by Mail
Please note that we can only accept applications from those residing within our jurisdiction. Those applying by mail should include a self-addressed, stamped, and postage-paid envelope and Release of Liability Form. In addition to the time for review, please allow additional time for mailing.
If any of the application documents sent by mail are missing or incomplete, we will return these documents without accepting the application. Please check application documents here before you apply.
Those applying by mail also have the option of picking up the passport in person when it is ready. Please include a note stating that you wish to do so and your contact information (email address and phone number).
Additional documents and/or an interview in person may be requested during the course of review.
Please note that we can only accept applications from those residing within our jurisdiction. Those applying by mail should include a self-addressed, stamped, and postage-paid envelope and Release of Liability Form. In addition to the time for review, please allow additional time for mailing.
If any of the application documents sent by mail are missing or incomplete, we will return these documents without accepting the application. Please check application documents here before you apply.
Those applying by mail also have the option of picking up the passport in person when it is ready. Please include a note stating that you wish to do so and your contact information (email address and phone number).
Additional documents and/or an interview in person may be requested during the course of review.
Last edited by armagebedar; Jul 30, 2022 at 1:55 am Reason: removed snark
#9547
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 1,578
Just a few snippets of the emails received during the multiple visa applications I processed via email/mail during covid.
#9548
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,657
My most recent renewal took from late April through mid July, which I was told was a great result. That was using an immigration consultant who could make an appointment at will with Justice Ministry to hand in the documents.
#9549
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,317
#9550
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Kanto
Posts: 151
Also, why the need to return to Japan so much, particularly considering the headache involved? For work? If so, that's not legal unless you have residency.
#9551
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NGS
Programs: UA Silver, ANA MC, HH Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Bonvoy Plat, IHG Plat, Shangri-La GC, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,234
EDIT: Or perhaps you really mean that Japan would not allow you to have dual citizenship, but America would, so in effect, you can't have it.
Last edited by Nagasaki Joe; Jul 30, 2022 at 1:03 am
#9552
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,317
FWIW -- Yes US citizens can have dual citizenship with some limited countries -- but not Japan....
Last edited by armagebedar; Jul 30, 2022 at 1:58 am Reason: removed snark
#9553
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 327
I just wanted to add a data point about the Koseki Tohon and the London embassy is case it's useful for anyone, as I saw it discused above. I'm required to submit this document in order to get a temporary visitor visa to go to Japan with my fiancée, who is Japanese.
The embassy told her that although it officially needs to be less than 90 days old, that they will give a couple of months leeway, and even up to 1 year as an exception. The Koseki I'm submitting is about 5 months old, they confirmed by email (sent a photo of it to them) that it is OK.
I've never encountered such a difficult hurdle for getting a visa in any other country... Luckily someone in her family bought back the Koseki earlier this year (just by chance!)
The embassy told her that although it officially needs to be less than 90 days old, that they will give a couple of months leeway, and even up to 1 year as an exception. The Koseki I'm submitting is about 5 months old, they confirmed by email (sent a photo of it to them) that it is OK.
I've never encountered such a difficult hurdle for getting a visa in any other country... Luckily someone in her family bought back the Koseki earlier this year (just by chance!)
#9554
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 1,578
I just wanted to add a data point about the Koseki Tohon and the London embassy is case it's useful for anyone, as I saw it discused above. I'm required to submit this document in order to get a temporary visitor visa to go to Japan with my fiancée, who is Japanese.
The embassy told her that although it officially needs to be less than 90 days old, that they will give a couple of months leeway, and even up to 1 year as an exception. The Koseki I'm submitting is about 5 months old, they confirmed by email (sent a photo of it to them) that it is OK.
I've never encountered such a difficult hurdle for getting a visa in any other country... Luckily someone in her family bought back the Koseki earlier this year (just by chance!)
The embassy told her that although it officially needs to be less than 90 days old, that they will give a couple of months leeway, and even up to 1 year as an exception. The Koseki I'm submitting is about 5 months old, they confirmed by email (sent a photo of it to them) that it is OK.
I've never encountered such a difficult hurdle for getting a visa in any other country... Luckily someone in her family bought back the Koseki earlier this year (just by chance!)
#9555
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
About 60 off-topic, snarky, and/or otherwise bickering posts deleted. I'd much rather be outside enjoying my Saturday afternoon than doing thread cleanup, so I would ask that everyone remember the topic of this thread:
Also, being respectful to other posters is one of the rules you all have agreed to by posting here. Please remember that while posting, or warnings/bans will be issued.
Have a pleasant weekend,
armagebedar
Japan forum moderator
This thread is for discussion of the coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to Japan. Non-Japan-related discussion should be taken either to the most relevant forum, the Coronavirus and Travel forum, or the OMNI forums.
Posts about US politics, vaccination in general, and other off-topic content will be summarily deleted.Also, being respectful to other posters is one of the rules you all have agreed to by posting here. Please remember that while posting, or warnings/bans will be issued.
Have a pleasant weekend,
armagebedar
Japan forum moderator