New scheme for entry and re-entry from October under the COVID-19 travel restriction

 

☆ On October 30, Japanese government announced the removal of Australia, Brunei, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Viet Nam from the list of countries and regions which entry ban is applied and also decided to newly add Jordan and Myanmar to the list.  Please check the latest information regarding this topic.

 

 

【Official announcements from related Ministries regarding 】

 

Ministry of Justice（Immigration Service Agency）

• 新型コロナウイルス感染症の感染拡大に係る上陸拒否措置及び国際的な人の往来の再開の状況（概要）［PDF］　←　Available only in Japanese 
  
• Regarding denial of landing to prevent the spread of COVID-19  (novel Coronavirus) 
  
• Additional Epidemic Prevention and Control Measures for the Entry or Re-entry of Foreign Nationals  ⇒ Removed

 

Ministry of Foreigh Affairs

• 国際的な人の往来再開に向けた段階的措置について（11月16日付）
  Phased Measures for Resuming Cross-Border Travel (as of November 16)

• 国際的な人の往来再開に向けた段階的措置（外国人の方が利用される際の査証の申請等について）（11月11日付）
  Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel (as of November 11)
  
  
• 在留資格を有する外国人の再入国について（11月4日付）
  Re-entry of foreign nationals with the status of residence (as of November 4)

• 再入国の際に必要な手続・書類等（8月17日付） ⇒ Removed
  Process and Required Documents for Re-entry (as of August 13)  ⇒ Removed
• 有効な「出国前検査証明」フォーマット（11月9日付）
• Valid Format of “Certificate of Negative Test Result” (as of  November 9) 

 

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

• 国際的な人の往来再開の段階的措置が決定されました 　←　Available only in Japanese 
  
  

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

• 水際対策の抜本的強化に関するQ＆A（11月5日時点）　←　Available only in Japanese 

 

Taking these announcements into account, please be assured for the followings.

 

 

【New entry to Japan】

 

1. Please apply for entry visa at your nearest Japan Embassy or Consulate.
2. Foreign nationals for long-medium term stay in Japan with valid Certificate of Eligibility and for short term business purpose are permitted for new entry to Japan.
3. Foreign nationals from Singapore and Korea who have already been issued their Certificate of Eligibility and who wish to start the business activity right after their entry in Japan might be eligible to use the Business Track scheme.  Please refer to the below linked PDF for details.
4. Please make sure to ask your company or receiving organization to sign the required "Written Pledge" form to ensure all COVID-19 preventive measures.  Please note that this applies for your family's entry as well.
5. Please contact your nearest Japan Embassy or Consulate for details.

• シンガポール・韓国とのビジネストラックの手続きについて（PDF）－10月20日時点　Available only in Japanese   ⇒ Removed　 
• レジデンストラックの手続きについて（PDF）－10月20日時点　Available only in Japanese   ⇒ Removed 
• ビジネストラックの手続きについて（シンガポール・韓国・ベトナム）－11月11日時点　Available only in Japanese
• レジデンストラック及び全ての国・地域からの新規入国受入の手続きについて －11月11日時点　Available only in Japanese
• 日本からの短期出張者の帰国後隔離の緩和 －11月6日時点　Available only in Japanese
• よくあるご質問（PDF）－10月20日時点　←　Available only in Japanese 

 

【Re-entry to Japan】

 

Long-medium term resident in Japan who 

 

1. departed from Japan with re-entry permit (including special re-entry) by August 31 have to obtain the "Confirmation Letter for re-entry into Japan" at the Japan Embassy or Consulate overseas and the "Certificate of COVID-19 negative test result" conducted within 72 hours of the departure time of the flight.
   ⇒Please show these two documents at your arrival airport so please do not pack them in your suitcase.
   ☆"Confirmation Letter for re-entry into Japan" is no longer required from November 1st.
   
2. is expected to depart from Japan with re-entry permit (including special re-entry) after September 1st have to obtain the "Receipt for request of re-entry" before leaving and  the "Certificate of COVID-19 negative test result" conducted within 72 hours of the departure time of the flight.
   ⇒Please show these two documents at your arrival airport so please do not pack them in your suitcase.
   ☆"Receipt for request of re-entry"  is no longer required from November 1st.

 

Regarding the "Receipt"   ⇒ no longer required

 

Those who wish to re-enter Japan after September 1st must

1. pledge to comply with additional epidemic prevention and control measures,
2. send email with necessary re-entry information to the Immigration Service Agency of Japan,
3. receive a Receipt for request of re-entry (hereinafter referred to as a “Receipt”) from them before leaving Japan and
4. keep it digitally or print it out so that you can show it to the Immigration officer at the time of re-entry.
   
   

• Request of intention to re-enter Japan for foreign nationals with status of residence currently residing in Japan  ⇒ Removed
• Flow chart (in Japanese)  ⇒ Removed

⇒　Please check  「本邦滞在中の在留資格保持者の再入国予定の申出について」from the Immigration Service Agency of Japan (Ministry of Justice) webpage for further detail.

 

For your additional information, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry website provides a list of medical institutions where you can obtain necessary certification regarding COVID-19 testing according to your destination country or region.

• 「海外渡航を行う事業者に対して検査証明を行う医療機関の登録規程」に基づき登録を行う医療機関（※10月9日(金)時点）　←　Available only in Japanese 
• TeCOT（Testing Center for Overseas Travelers）

 

【Required format】

• Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel
  ⇒Necessary formats such as “Written Pledge",  “Schedule of Activities in Japan " are downloadable from this Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage.

• Specified format for the Certificate of Testing for COVID-19（will jump to MOJ's website where you can find a link to the format in Word)