Last edit by: etgohomeok
UPDATE Sept. 22, 2022: JAPAN WILL NO LONGER REQUIRE VISAS AS OF OCTOBER 11, 2022. As of October 11, Japan will resume visa-free entry to nationals from qualifying countries. Individuals traveling to Japan after this date DO NOT need to obtain an ERFS and visa to enter the country for individual tourism. The information below is for posterity and/or people who wish to travel to Japan prior to this change going into effect.
UPDATE Sept. 12, 2022: News media is reporting rumors of an imminent announcement which may include the reinstatement of visa waivers. Such an announcement would make most of the information below obsolete. Travelers who do not need visas immediately are advised to wait until we know more.
Overview
Until further notice, a visa is required from all foreigners to enter Japan. The visa-waiver program which previously allowed visa-free entry to nationals from certain countries has been suspended. In order to obtain a visa, a receiving agency must sponsor your application by issuing you an ERFS (Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System) certificate. ERFS certificates may be issued for a variety of reasons, including tourism, in which case a licensed travel agency must sponsor your visa application.
Tourism
As of September 7, 2022, tourists may enter Japan on unguided, unaccompanied tours as long as they are sponsored by a travel agency who arranges their flights and accommodations and acts as a point of contact for the duration of their stay in the country in the event of issues including a COVID infection. Some official documents from the Japanese government have attempted to clarify this policy (and, most notably, what it means for a receiving agency to "arrange" flights and accommodations), however in practice it has been left up to the interpretation of the sponsoring agencies. Due to the lack of clarity, there is a range of interpretations with some agencies insisting on purchasing all airfare and hotel reservations on behalf of the traveler, with others allowing travelers to keep their existing reservations as long as they share the details with them. The exact offerings and pricing from specific agencies is changing rapidly, consult this thread for the latest information.
As of now there have been no reports of denied visas or entry into the country from anyone who had a valid ERFS from a legitimate travel agency. Individuals from Australia have reported difficulties booking visa appointments, so Aussies may want to contact their local consulate and ensure they can do so before paying for a tour package/ERFS.
Visa Application and Arrival Process
The following roughly outlines the steps for obtaining a visa and entering the country:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What other documents are required for the visa application? Do I need an itinerary document?
A: For an eVisa application you only need to submit your ERFS and passport. No other supporting documentation is necessary. In-person applications may ask for more documentation and you should verify what documents are required with your local consulate.
Q: What documents are required to board a plane and enter the country?
A: Travelers who have reported their experiences have said they were asked to show their MySOS "blue screen" and their visa/eVisa by both the airline (prior to boarding their flight) and by customs (after landing in Japan). If you have an eVisa, make sure you can load the digital version of the actual eVisa website on your phone (not just the PDF) in Japan over data or WiFi, because these have a rotating QR code.
Q: What if I don't want to stay at a hotel and want to stay at a friend's house/Airbnb/couch-surfing/etc.?
A: Current tourism guidelines suggest that a travel agency is supposed to "arrange accommodations" for your time in Japan. As such, you should contact your travel agency to ask them what types of accommodations in Japan they will allow. It is advisable to book a hotel in Japan for at least your first night in the country prior to applying for a visa since the visa application asks for this information. Note that hotels in Japan are currently very cheap, especially with the weakened Yen.
Q: What if I'm not traveling for (x) amount of time? When should I get an ERFS and apply for a visa?
A: Visas are only valid for 90 days after they are issued, so you should wait until your trip is at least within the next three months. There is also a good chance that the Japanese government will move to further relax entry requirements (including, possibly, re-instating the visa-waiver program which would make this entire process obsolete) in the coming months, so you should wait until your individual planning process requires you to have some assurance that you'll be able to enter the country. We may also see more competition among travel agencies offering bare-bones tour packages in the coming weeks, which could drive prices down.
UPDATE Sept. 12, 2022: News media is reporting rumors of an imminent announcement which may include the reinstatement of visa waivers. Such an announcement would make most of the information below obsolete. Travelers who do not need visas immediately are advised to wait until we know more.
Overview
Until further notice, a visa is required from all foreigners to enter Japan. The visa-waiver program which previously allowed visa-free entry to nationals from certain countries has been suspended. In order to obtain a visa, a receiving agency must sponsor your application by issuing you an ERFS (Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System) certificate. ERFS certificates may be issued for a variety of reasons, including tourism, in which case a licensed travel agency must sponsor your visa application.
Tourism
As of September 7, 2022, tourists may enter Japan on unguided, unaccompanied tours as long as they are sponsored by a travel agency who arranges their flights and accommodations and acts as a point of contact for the duration of their stay in the country in the event of issues including a COVID infection. Some official documents from the Japanese government have attempted to clarify this policy (and, most notably, what it means for a receiving agency to "arrange" flights and accommodations), however in practice it has been left up to the interpretation of the sponsoring agencies. Due to the lack of clarity, there is a range of interpretations with some agencies insisting on purchasing all airfare and hotel reservations on behalf of the traveler, with others allowing travelers to keep their existing reservations as long as they share the details with them. The exact offerings and pricing from specific agencies is changing rapidly, consult this thread for the latest information.
As of now there have been no reports of denied visas or entry into the country from anyone who had a valid ERFS from a legitimate travel agency. Individuals from Australia have reported difficulties booking visa appointments, so Aussies may want to contact their local consulate and ensure they can do so before paying for a tour package/ERFS.
Visa Application and Arrival Process
The following roughly outlines the steps for obtaining a visa and entering the country:
- First, the traveler must obtain an ERFS certificate from their sponsoring agency. Who issues the ERFS depends on the reason for entering the country (business travelers should obtain it from the company they are visiting, tourists should obtain it from a travel agency who is arranging their visit, etc.). The ERFS certificate is a one-page document summarizing key information about the traveler and their sponsor. An example of an ERFS certificate is provided here.
- Once the ERFS is obtained, travelers must apply for a visa from their local Japanese consulate. Travelers from some countries (currently only the USA and Canada) may apply for an eVisa online. This process is faster and easier than physically visiting a consulate so it is recommended for anyone who has access to it.
- Visitors who are fully vaccinated with three doses of approved vaccine do not need to obtain a COVID test prior to traveling to Japan. A primary series consisting of one dose of J&J/Janssen is treated as two doses for the purpose of meeting these criteria (see here). Vaccination information should be submitted using the MySOS app and travelers should ensure they have a "blue screen" in the app prior to boarding their flight. Information available here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What other documents are required for the visa application? Do I need an itinerary document?
A: For an eVisa application you only need to submit your ERFS and passport. No other supporting documentation is necessary. In-person applications may ask for more documentation and you should verify what documents are required with your local consulate.
Q: What documents are required to board a plane and enter the country?
A: Travelers who have reported their experiences have said they were asked to show their MySOS "blue screen" and their visa/eVisa by both the airline (prior to boarding their flight) and by customs (after landing in Japan). If you have an eVisa, make sure you can load the digital version of the actual eVisa website on your phone (not just the PDF) in Japan over data or WiFi, because these have a rotating QR code.
Q: What if I don't want to stay at a hotel and want to stay at a friend's house/Airbnb/couch-surfing/etc.?
A: Current tourism guidelines suggest that a travel agency is supposed to "arrange accommodations" for your time in Japan. As such, you should contact your travel agency to ask them what types of accommodations in Japan they will allow. It is advisable to book a hotel in Japan for at least your first night in the country prior to applying for a visa since the visa application asks for this information. Note that hotels in Japan are currently very cheap, especially with the weakened Yen.
Q: What if I'm not traveling for (x) amount of time? When should I get an ERFS and apply for a visa?
A: Visas are only valid for 90 days after they are issued, so you should wait until your trip is at least within the next three months. There is also a good chance that the Japanese government will move to further relax entry requirements (including, possibly, re-instating the visa-waiver program which would make this entire process obsolete) in the coming months, so you should wait until your individual planning process requires you to have some assurance that you'll be able to enter the country. We may also see more competition among travel agencies offering bare-bones tour packages in the coming weeks, which could drive prices down.
Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (EFRS) Discussion (was: Japan opening up)
#1486
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,968
It's pretty clear that, particularly in this thread, there are some first-time visitors to the country. Also, Kyoto is worth a repeat visit in different seasons ... just never again during Golden Week.
And even if it wasn't their first visit, where else can you find a Don Quijote with a ferris wheel built into it?
n.b. just remembered this gem: https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Half_Pipe_(Don_Quijote)
And even if it wasn't their first visit, where else can you find a Don Quijote with a ferris wheel built into it?
n.b. just remembered this gem: https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Half_Pipe_(Don_Quijote)
#1487
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 26
Contacted Japan Embassy in Los Angeles today, they have not received any details on Visa free yet. I plan a trip at the end of November, and been waiting for the embassy to post the confirmation of the exempt for the visa in order to book my trip.
#1488
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 138
#1489
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 19
Same
I am so happy about this news!! We got our visa already approved for our November trip, and spent the money on the ERFS's but it was money well spent - we already have our flights and hotels booked...just need Tokyo Disney tickets which go on sale 60 days prior to the trip online. Side trip to Send now can be accomplished this visit as well. Imagine flights and hotel prices might go up with this news, so happy we have our stuff reserved now. Happy we also don't need another via in the future
Happy traveling everyone!! Back to Japan!!!!!!!!
Happy traveling everyone!! Back to Japan!!!!!!!!
i had just buy certificate last night lol. But it’s worth it, it’s there in case I need it. But after holding on to my tickets for 3 years I think it was worth it
#1490
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 47
Is it worth waiting before booking things like Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios etc because of the upcoming discount scheme? Or do we suspect that we'd be provided some sort of coupon to spend elsewhere?
A nationwide domestic travel program offering discounts for travel, entry to theme parks and for sporting events and concerts is also set to start on Oct. 11. People who have been vaccinated three times or submit a negative test result will be eligible for the discounts, according to the report
#1491
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 940
Managed to find award space for 11th October just now! Yippee!
Quick question about visa waiver in ‘normal’ times…. Given they’re coming back into play.
I’m due to leave Japan on 5 November, but likely flying back in again on 14th November. Are there any specific rules about multiple entry etc I should be aware of please?
Quick question about visa waiver in ‘normal’ times…. Given they’re coming back into play.
I’m due to leave Japan on 5 November, but likely flying back in again on 14th November. Are there any specific rules about multiple entry etc I should be aware of please?
#1493
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 8
I purchased two ERFS certificates for 60,000 JPY total for travel in November. Since the country is now open, let's review the services I have received from J G A:
Anyone have any other thoughts on this since I can't be the only one thinking about this
- Issuing your ERFS for your Japan Tourist Visa
- Visa application support including preparation of the required documents
- Itinerary management
- Support in emergency situations
Anyone have any other thoughts on this since I can't be the only one thinking about this
#1494
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 813
It's pretty clear that, particularly in this thread, there are some first-time visitors to the country. Also, Kyoto is worth a repeat visit in different seasons ... just never again during Golden Week.
And even if it wasn't their first visit, where else can you find a Don Quijote with a ferris wheel built into it?
n.b. just remembered this gem: https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Half_Pipe_(Don_Quijote)
And even if it wasn't their first visit, where else can you find a Don Quijote with a ferris wheel built into it?
n.b. just remembered this gem: https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Half_Pipe_(Don_Quijote)
I'm not rushing to visiting kiyomizu dera again except maybe after a huge dump of snow or golden temple in ANY season but did visit saihoji at the busiest time of year so ya. Lots of places to visit in kyoto even at the busiest times and avoid the hoard of zombies.
#1495
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,968
If you start today, you have two weeks, which is likely time to get an ERFS certificate from Holigoes and submit for an eVisa. There's been several successful data points on getting visas through them.
#1497
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,968
If you're from a blue country, you still have to do the MySOS app to show you're triple vax'd (or double if first jab is J&J) or to show you have a pre-departure test if not "fully" vax'd, otherwise yeah, you just show up. No pre-departure test/post-arrival test for blue country citizens and no quarantine, and visa waiver means you just need your passport and the completed MySOS app.
#1498
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,968
#1499
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,968
I purchased two ERFS certificates for 60,000 JPY total for travel in November. Since the country is now open, let's review the services I have received from J G A:
Anyone have any other thoughts on this since I can't be the only one thinking about this
- Issuing your ERFS for your Japan Tourist Visa
- Visa application support including preparation of the required documents
- Itinerary management
- Support in emergency situations
Anyone have any other thoughts on this since I can't be the only one thinking about this
#1500
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 6
Is it worth waiting before booking things like Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios etc because of the upcoming discount scheme? Or do we suspect that we'd be provided some sort of coupon to spend elsewhere?