U.S National currently in Malaysia, what would it take to get a tourist visa for JP?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 615
U.S National currently in Malaysia, what would it take to get a tourist visa for JP?
Sorry, if I sound naive. I'm wondering if someone can please tell me what would be the requirements for a U.S national currently to get a tourist visa for Japan? Would it be possible to get it in Malaysia? I'm not in Malaysia yet but will be heading there soon for a month or two.
I have visited Japan two dozen times in the past a tourist (always visa-free). I was supposed to go back to Japan in March, 2020 and my flight got canceled. I really feel like it's time to go back but I'm just a normal tourist.. not there for business, etc.. and not desiring to join a tour group.
I have visited Japan two dozen times in the past a tourist (always visa-free). I was supposed to go back to Japan in March, 2020 and my flight got canceled. I really feel like it's time to go back but I'm just a normal tourist.. not there for business, etc.. and not desiring to join a tour group.
#2
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 327
It's not possible at the moment. Only if you join a strictly monitored and expensive guided group tour.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2015
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First of all, sorry to disappoint you but being American is not going to make any difference. Second, there is no LEGAL way to do what you want. However I was told there are ‘business’ in Japan who will sponsor biz visa for you in exchange for a fee (mostly for Chinese tourists). It’s definitely not legal but if you are desperate enough …….
Last edited by williamluk; Jul 28, 2022 at 4:13 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I saw a video somewhere where the guy who runs a real-estate consultancy was offering visa service for a fee. Also some Japanese language schools will do the same. If you want to pay , you can play.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 212
In the mean time, all talk of border reopening has dropped out of the public discourse. I haven't seen anything on further loosening of restrictions since well before Abe was assassinated. The election was meant to be a opportunity for a change In policy. However the Abe assassination, surge in COVID cases and now the emperor emeritus has heart failure; seems to have been a series of reason why now is not the right time. I'm starting to loose hope that a trip in January will be viable.
#7
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Picking up on this - I saw someone else complain that the election was supposed to be a "catalyst." Perhaps some people described it as such. I thought of it as an inhibitor - With the election looming, politicians would not or could not make a change. Perhaps a pedantic distinction but I feel it's worth making.
I can't predict when the restrictions at the border will be eased. If you had asked me earlier this year I would have predicted that the country would be open by now. That said, I think that the pressures to open must be building up and the inhibiting factors are less and less compelling. I think that the Abe assassination and health of royals so on are less significant factors than:
1) the perceived state of the pandemic **,
2) the desire of businesses in Japan to do business,
and perhaps...
3) diplomatic pressure from other countries.
** It's partly about how Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka perceive things, but mostly about how the lawmakers perceive that Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka perceive things. I don't know what they're doing to gauge public sentiment but I think the politicians might not have their finger properly on the pulse, as I'm hearing that it's time to open up even from the inaka Tanakas.
I can't predict when the restrictions at the border will be eased. If you had asked me earlier this year I would have predicted that the country would be open by now. That said, I think that the pressures to open must be building up and the inhibiting factors are less and less compelling. I think that the Abe assassination and health of royals so on are less significant factors than:
1) the perceived state of the pandemic **,
2) the desire of businesses in Japan to do business,
and perhaps...
3) diplomatic pressure from other countries.
** It's partly about how Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka perceive things, but mostly about how the lawmakers perceive that Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka perceive things. I don't know what they're doing to gauge public sentiment but I think the politicians might not have their finger properly on the pulse, as I'm hearing that it's time to open up even from the inaka Tanakas.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2007
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At some point countries with visa-free travel arrangements with Japan need to revoke that status on the basis of reciprocity. It's not fair that countries can work out these reciprocal arrangements and then have one party unilaterally suspend them for years with no end date or even criteria for review. Though I'm skeptical that this would actually change the domestic political situation much if travelers lose visa-free access to much of the outside world.
#9
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#10
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: London
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The most recent report on the matter: imfname_11151251.pdf (parlament.gv.at)
This shows that Germany notified the EU on 13th August 2020: C_2020332EN.01000301.xml (europa.eu)
EUR-Lex - 32018R1806 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
Article 7 (f) says:
if within 24 months of the date of the publication referred to in the third subparagraph of point (a), the third country concerned has not lifted the visa requirement, the Commission shall adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 10 temporarily suspending the exemption from the visa requirement for a period of 12 months for the nationals of that third country. The delegated act shall fix a date, within 90 days of its entry into force, on which the suspension of the exemption from the visa requirement is to take effect, taking into account the available resources in the consulates of the Member States and shall amend Annex II accordingly. That amendment shall be made by inserting next to the name of the third country in question a footnote indicating that the exemption from the visa requirement is suspended with regard to that third country and specifying the period of that suspension.
The date of notification was 13th August 2020, but the date of publication of the journal was 8th October 2020, which seems to be the date referred to in the legislation above.
#11
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AMS
Posts: 2,054
The EU takes reciprocity quite seriously, though allowances have been made for the exceptional circumstance that was covid19 two years ago.
#12
Join Date: Mar 2017
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Posts: 262
In the mean time, all talk of border reopening has dropped out of the public discourse. I haven't seen anything on further loosening of restrictions since well before Abe was assassinated. The election was meant to be a opportunity for a change In policy. However the Abe assassination, surge in COVID cases and now the emperor emeritus has heart failure; seems to have been a series of reason why now is not the right time. I'm starting to loose hope that a trip in January will be viable.
My god, I have Nov trip and December trip planned for long time. It seems that I need to cancel again.
#13
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The EU is supposed to suspend visa waivers for Japanese passport holders from mid-August or early October (not totally sure which date is referred to), if they follow their laws.
The most recent report on the matter: imfname_11151251.pdf (parlament.gv.at)
This shows that Germany notified the EU on 13th August 2020: C_2020332EN.01000301.xml (europa.eu)
EUR-Lex - 32018R1806 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
Article 7 (f) says:
The date of notification was 13th August 2020, but the date of publication of the journal was 8th October 2020, which seems to be the date referred to in the legislation above.
The most recent report on the matter: imfname_11151251.pdf (parlament.gv.at)
This shows that Germany notified the EU on 13th August 2020: C_2020332EN.01000301.xml (europa.eu)
EUR-Lex - 32018R1806 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
Article 7 (f) says:
The date of notification was 13th August 2020, but the date of publication of the journal was 8th October 2020, which seems to be the date referred to in the legislation above.
So far, no Member State has requested the Commission to suspend the exemption from the visa requirement for any categories of nationals of Japan. In view of the foregoing, and on account of the fact that bilateral travel remains limited, the Commission considers that, at this stage, it would not be appropriate to adopt suspension measures.
Progress can be better achieved through continued engagement and diplomatic contacts. This position may be reviewed in the light of possible developments.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 615
The replies in this thread caught me up on the reality of the static situation in Japan with regards to reopening. Yeah, it's disappointing and unsatisfactory news.
#15
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
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The OP's question has been answered, and as the discussion seems to be veering further off topic this thread is closed.
Regards,
armagebedar
Japan forum moderator
Regards,
armagebedar
Japan forum moderator