Sep 10, 2022, 7:22 pm
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)
Jul 19, 2022, 6:17 pm
#107
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 813
NIMBY......in Japan.......say it isn't so.
I agree , the "business" is said shopping ! I agree that "made is Japan" should be the criteria. Whether it be Bourbon chocolates , Arita pottery, Toyota Crowns. Why should the tax free and multinational brand shop chains be beneficial recipients of the tax free shopping largess ?
I agree , the "business" is said shopping ! I agree that "made is Japan" should be the criteria. Whether it be Bourbon chocolates , Arita pottery, Toyota Crowns. Why should the tax free and multinational brand shop chains be beneficial recipients of the tax free shopping largess ?
Jul 19, 2022, 7:40 pm
#108
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: TXL
Programs: US, LH, HH
Posts: 724
Much of Japan is a bit expensive for digital nomads, if they define that to be a remote worker staying weeks to months in a locale cheaper than their domestic market. There's some middle ground between a share house and AirBnB licensing restricting local market, plus general rental market being somewhat complicated for newer resident foreigners. Other SE Asian markets appeal to digital nomads https://nomadlist.com/asia
Jul 19, 2022, 8:08 pm
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,161
Unlike others, I do have some ability to put myself in other people's shoes. Personally, I find it highly unpleasant. However, if you were to ask the locals that are subject to these hordes, some of them may prefer the hordes to the alternative: https://spikejapan.wordpress.com/
Jul 19, 2022, 8:37 pm
#110
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
From the article:
Beyond border restrictions, experts say COVID-19 has altered tourism in ways that might continue long after the pandemic is over.Kei Shibata, CEO of online travel agency Venture Republic, told Nikkei Asia that remote working could be a big part of the industry's future, as it has created more "digital nomads" -- people who tend to spend chunks of time in a place before moving on to another, working online along the way.
"I think that the 'democratization' of the digital nomad is the biggest impact of this pandemic on tourism," he said, in that it has made the lifestyle more accessible.
Digital nomads who stay in the country for a longer period than the typical tourist would have time to explore the countryside, too. "A major issue for Japan's inbound tourism is that the so-called Golden Route of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto is the only route that can attract visitors," Shibata said. "This could be fundamentally improved."
"I think that the 'democratization' of the digital nomad is the biggest impact of this pandemic on tourism," he said, in that it has made the lifestyle more accessible.
Digital nomads who stay in the country for a longer period than the typical tourist would have time to explore the countryside, too. "A major issue for Japan's inbound tourism is that the so-called Golden Route of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto is the only route that can attract visitors," Shibata said. "This could be fundamentally improved."
Maybe introduce a 3-6 month remote work visa from one of the Hokkaido ski resort regions? I think I remember the condo vacation rental supply for sale exceeding demand in certain towns https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30063819-post31.html and cooler weather during JP summer.
Last edited by freecia; Jul 19, 2022 at 8:43 pm
Jul 19, 2022, 10:03 pm
#111
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Kanto
Posts: 151
But Japan already offers 12 month work-holiday visas to several countries from Europe, AU, NZ, South America and Canada (but not the US). Its only for people up to 30 though, but you can do almost any job (as long as they'll hire you) and live anywhere.
Jul 19, 2022, 10:11 pm
#112
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,657
I say this because my town does not have the infrastructure to cope, if only for the roads.
Every year pre-covid during Golden Week and Obon (and a few other holiday weekends) the roads would be jam packed with day trippers, mostly in long stagnant lines of vehicles waiting to simply park. The back-up at those times could be 2km long. However, there is no bypass route. This is along the main (and only) road through the area, so circumventing for just going about one's normal life means going around a couple mountains (so adding 45-60 minutes in drive time).
Ironically, people come here specifically in the belief they are escaping to the empty countryside... but at those times its probably more crowded than where they are coming from.
Yes, people here accept it during these holiday times, but to even have half that amount every day of the week would be a logistical nightmare. And I know that my town is not alone in such issues.
Every year pre-covid during Golden Week and Obon (and a few other holiday weekends) the roads would be jam packed with day trippers, mostly in long stagnant lines of vehicles waiting to simply park. The back-up at those times could be 2km long. However, there is no bypass route. This is along the main (and only) road through the area, so circumventing for just going about one's normal life means going around a couple mountains (so adding 45-60 minutes in drive time).
Ironically, people come here specifically in the belief they are escaping to the empty countryside... but at those times its probably more crowded than where they are coming from.
Yes, people here accept it during these holiday times, but to even have half that amount every day of the week would be a logistical nightmare. And I know that my town is not alone in such issues.
Jul 19, 2022, 10:55 pm
#113
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: TXL
Programs: US, LH, HH
Posts: 724
Someone could stay up to 3 months as a tourist (at least, without the covid restrictions) but there are no restrictions for a non-resident to earn income while in Japan as long as the income comes from a source outside of Japan (I mean, literally anyone who visits Japan during their paid vacation is still technically earning income. And if this person happened to do some email work, Zoom calls, etc for their job while in Japan, the J-gov can not regulate it).
The average age of digital nomads is apparently in the low 30s.
Jul 19, 2022, 11:39 pm
#114
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: All around the world
Programs: Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 607
Someone could stay up to 3 months as a tourist (at least, without the covid restrictions) but there are no restrictions for a non-resident to earn income while in Japan as long as the income comes from a source outside of Japan (I mean, literally anyone who visits Japan during their paid vacation is still technically earning income. And if this person happened to do some email work, Zoom calls, etc for their job while in Japan, the J-gov can not regulate it).
But Japan already offers 12 month work-holiday visas to several countries from Europe, AU, NZ, South America and Canada (but not the US). Its only for people up to 30 though, but you can do almost any job (as long as they'll hire you) and live anywhere.
But Japan already offers 12 month work-holiday visas to several countries from Europe, AU, NZ, South America and Canada (but not the US). Its only for people up to 30 though, but you can do almost any job (as long as they'll hire you) and live anywhere.
Jul 20, 2022, 5:43 am
#115
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,436
About 120,000 foreigners visited Japan in June, the third straight month that 100,000 was exceeded.
The number one source of new entrants? Vietnam, by far. So if you're a Vietnamese that wants to work in Japan, then you're good to go.
The number one source of new entrants? Vietnam, by far. So if you're a Vietnamese that wants to work in Japan, then you're good to go.
Jul 20, 2022, 6:06 am
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,657
About 120,000 foreigners visited Japan in June, the third straight month that 100,000 was exceeded.
The number one source of new entrants? Vietnam, by far. So if you're a Vietnamese that wants to work in Japan, then you're good to go.
The number one source of new entrants? Vietnam, by far. So if you're a Vietnamese that wants to work in Japan, then you're good to go.
Jul 20, 2022, 4:21 pm
#117
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,968
Visitors to Japan decrease even after reopening to tourists - Nikkei Asia
English version of the article with a little extra context, and a headline that seems to suggest they are confused at why people aren't eating up the package tours (I for one am shocked).
English version of the article with a little extra context, and a headline that seems to suggest they are confused at why people aren't eating up the package tours (I for one am shocked).
Visitors to Japan decrease even after reopening to tourists
New COVID wave clouds outlook for further easing of entry restrictions
TOKYO -- The number of visitors to Japan fell last month despite borders being partially reopened to foreign tourists, and a recent surge in domestic COVID infections has further dimmed the outlook for the country's travel industry
A total of 120,400 visitors entered Japan in June when tourists were allowed back into the nation on group tours after a two-year hiatus, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) said on Wednesday. That's down 18% from May and 14% from April
Last month, Japan doubled its daily cap on entrants to 20,000 and began accepting tour groups from nations and regions classified as having a low number of positive coronavirus cases.
But a mere 252 tourists entered the country between June 10 and 30 under the new scheme, according to preliminary figures from the Japan Tourism Agency. As of Tuesday, about 9,000 visitors had pre-registered for the government's health tracking system in the hope of entering the country this month, the agency said.
Koichi Wada, head of the JTA, told reporters on Wednesday that the nation was "still in the early days" since restarting inbound tourism, and he "expected [the numbers] to increase from July onwards." He said the agency received strong requests from the travel industry to further ease restrictions.
Regulations for these group tours might be putting off some visitors. Travel agencies conducting tours are required to undergo a rigorous registration process, and participants are required to agree to being closely monitored by tour guides throughout their stay and comply with anti-infection measures such as wearing masks and buying insurance. (might be? come on, i can't imagine this is why)
A week after the reopening, Wada said it was "a major turning point in the revival of inbound tourism." But the surge in infections -- a national daily high of 110,000 was recorded on Saturday -- has lowered expectations.
The government has returned to taking a cautious stance. In mid-June, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his hope to launch a nationwide travel support program in the first half of July to assist regional tourism. But last Thursday, Tourism Minister Tetsuo Saito announced such plans would be postponed, saying the nation was "in no situation to provide national travel assistance."
At a news conference on Thursday, Kishida said his government "was not thinking specifically about strengthening border controls immediately" but would pay close attention to the situation at home and abroad and decide accordingly.
The total number of foreign travelers entering Japan in the first half of 2022 was 507,600, according to the JNTO. This is barely 3% of the total for the first half of 2019, before the pandemic hit. The nation had a record 31.8 million arrivals in 2019. Much of the growth came after the late Shinzo Abe, who began his second stint as prime minister in 2012, declared a goal of making Japan a "tourism-oriented nation."
The number also pales in comparison to that of rival Asian destinations, many of which project a more hopeful outlook for the year.
Singapore marked 1.5 million visitors in the first half of 2022, with Indonesians and Indians combined accounting for one-third of the visits, the Singapore Tourism Board said on Thursday.
The city-state in April reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers, dropping measures such as COVID tests before departure or on arrival and removing the need for travel insurance. The board now expects 4 million to 6 million visitors for the year.
Thailand, which eased border control policies this month, is hoping for a strong recovery this year. Inbound tourists will reach about 7 million during the second half of 2022, more than triple the amount from the first half, according to estimates by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
New COVID wave clouds outlook for further easing of entry restrictions
TOKYO -- The number of visitors to Japan fell last month despite borders being partially reopened to foreign tourists, and a recent surge in domestic COVID infections has further dimmed the outlook for the country's travel industry
A total of 120,400 visitors entered Japan in June when tourists were allowed back into the nation on group tours after a two-year hiatus, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) said on Wednesday. That's down 18% from May and 14% from April
Last month, Japan doubled its daily cap on entrants to 20,000 and began accepting tour groups from nations and regions classified as having a low number of positive coronavirus cases.
But a mere 252 tourists entered the country between June 10 and 30 under the new scheme, according to preliminary figures from the Japan Tourism Agency. As of Tuesday, about 9,000 visitors had pre-registered for the government's health tracking system in the hope of entering the country this month, the agency said.
Koichi Wada, head of the JTA, told reporters on Wednesday that the nation was "still in the early days" since restarting inbound tourism, and he "expected [the numbers] to increase from July onwards." He said the agency received strong requests from the travel industry to further ease restrictions.
Regulations for these group tours might be putting off some visitors. Travel agencies conducting tours are required to undergo a rigorous registration process, and participants are required to agree to being closely monitored by tour guides throughout their stay and comply with anti-infection measures such as wearing masks and buying insurance. (might be? come on, i can't imagine this is why)
A week after the reopening, Wada said it was "a major turning point in the revival of inbound tourism." But the surge in infections -- a national daily high of 110,000 was recorded on Saturday -- has lowered expectations.
The government has returned to taking a cautious stance. In mid-June, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his hope to launch a nationwide travel support program in the first half of July to assist regional tourism. But last Thursday, Tourism Minister Tetsuo Saito announced such plans would be postponed, saying the nation was "in no situation to provide national travel assistance."
At a news conference on Thursday, Kishida said his government "was not thinking specifically about strengthening border controls immediately" but would pay close attention to the situation at home and abroad and decide accordingly.
The total number of foreign travelers entering Japan in the first half of 2022 was 507,600, according to the JNTO. This is barely 3% of the total for the first half of 2019, before the pandemic hit. The nation had a record 31.8 million arrivals in 2019. Much of the growth came after the late Shinzo Abe, who began his second stint as prime minister in 2012, declared a goal of making Japan a "tourism-oriented nation."
The number also pales in comparison to that of rival Asian destinations, many of which project a more hopeful outlook for the year.
Singapore marked 1.5 million visitors in the first half of 2022, with Indonesians and Indians combined accounting for one-third of the visits, the Singapore Tourism Board said on Thursday.
The city-state in April reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers, dropping measures such as COVID tests before departure or on arrival and removing the need for travel insurance. The board now expects 4 million to 6 million visitors for the year.
Thailand, which eased border control policies this month, is hoping for a strong recovery this year. Inbound tourists will reach about 7 million during the second half of 2022, more than triple the amount from the first half, according to estimates by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Jul 20, 2022, 7:52 pm
#118
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 813
Visitors to Japan decrease even after reopening to tourists - Nikkei Asia
English version of the article with a little extra context, and a headline that seems to suggest they are confused at why people aren't eating up the package tours (I for one am shocked).
English version of the article with a little extra context, and a headline that seems to suggest they are confused at why people aren't eating up the package tours (I for one am shocked).
.... but we have plexiglass in ramen bars too....
Jul 20, 2022, 8:24 pm
#119
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,968
Jul 20, 2022, 10:30 pm
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,161
That's funny. As if the fear of rising cases in Japan was the reason for low inbound tourist numbers. How about the most obvious reason, the requirement for all inbound visitors to jump through many hoops to get a visa, as opposed to the previous visa-free travel? Or how about outbound restrictions on Chinese tourists?