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What are the current travel restrictions for Japan?

Entry restrictions

Japan will allow the entry of foreign nationals who need to move to Japan to study, work or join their family, subject to necessary visa requirements. Foreign nationals visiting for short-term business purposes are also permitted to enter, provided that they have a visa. However, the number of people permitted to enter Japan under these rules will be restricted, with priority given to those moving to Japan. From December 24, Japan has restricted travelers arriving from the UK. Starting November 1, all foreign nationals with the status of residence with a valid re-entry permit, are not required to obtain “the Letter of Confirmation of Submitting Required Documentation for Re-entry into Japan” or “Receipt for Request of Re-entry” when re-entering Japan from countries designated as an area subject to denial of permission to enter Japan. Japan has restricted the entry of travelers who have been in or transited through Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chile, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Eswatini (Swaziland), Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Congo, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe in the past 14 days. Residents of Japan with “Permanent Resident”, “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”, “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” or “Long Term Resident” status who departed Japan with Re-entry Permission by April 2, 2020 may still re-enter the country, even if they have been in one of the above countries. Starting from 1 September, these travelers will also need to apply to their nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate to receive a “Re-entry Confirmation Letter”, and may need to provide a PCR test result on arrival. Check the Japanese government’s advice on this process on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Nationals of China with passports issued in Hubei Province or Zhejiang Province may not enter the country unless they can prove that they haven’t been in those provinces in the past 14 days. Travelers who were on the cruise ship ‘Westerdam’ may not enter the country unless they’re nationals of Japan. Nationals of Japan, their spouses and children who can present proof, travelers with Special Permanent Residence Permits with re-entry permits from a regional immigration officer, and US military personnel may still enter the country. Travelers and airline crew who have been in any of the countries listed so far in the past 14 days must submit a quarantine questionnaire and undergo a PCR test upon arrival. Special rules apply to airline crew members entering Japan. Crew members must submit quarantine questionnaires and “Plan of Stay in Japan” declarations. Crews should adhere to the instructions provided in the quarantine document “Notice: For Crews boarding vehicles from areas subject to strengthened quarantine.” Airlines should arrange chartered vehicles (as opposed to public transportation) to transport crews between the airport and their hotel, and ensure that crews comply with the other rules during their stay in Japan. Visa exemption for travelers from many countries has been suspended, and visas from certain countries have been invalidated. For more info, check here.

All arrivals must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 72 hours of their flight departure time. Residents of Japan with re-entry permit must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) test result. The certificate must be in English and the test must have been taken at most 72 hours before departure and the sample collection method must be 'nasopharyngeal swab' or 'saliva'. Check the Japanese government’s advice on this process on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Travelers who are Japanese nationals and residents arriving from the UK or South Africa are subject to a 3-day self-isolation at a location designated by the quarantine station chief. On the third day they are required to take the COVID-19 test again. If the test is negative they will be allowed to continue the 14-day self-isolation as set out below. In addition, they are required to pledge to keep the location information and installing a COVID-19 Contact-Confirming Application (COCOA) when entering Japan. All travelers entering Japan, including residents and dual national citizens, are required to take a PCR test at the airport and self-isolate for 14 days at a designated location (such as a hotel or own residence). In some cases, travelers may be asked to quarantine at an airport facility until test results return. During the 14 day quarantine period, travelers are not permitted to use any form of public transportation, including taxis, trains, and domestic flights.

Travelers transiting through Tokyo (NRT) must transit on the same calendar day.