(Current as of December 18, 2020)
Hello, I am Kuwahara from IMS Legal Professional Corporation. Recently, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have stopped updating information on entry into Japan, so our website updates have also been infrequent lately.
So what is the current situation? I have provided a summary below for those who are wondering. Please refer to the following if you are considering inviting someone to Japan from overseas.
Foreign nationals who can enter Japan at this time
① Those who have a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) (*1)
*1: A Certificate of Eligibility is issued by the Immigration Bureau in Japan, and is applied for by the host institution in Japan.
Foreign nationals who have a COE should apply for a visa at a Japanese diplomatic mission abroad (the Japanese embassy/consulate general in your area). When applying for a visa, you will also need to present a letter of guarantee prepared by the host institution. Once the visa is affixed to your passport, please use the following residency track scheme to enter Japan.
・Residence Track and Procedures for Accepting New Arrivals from All Countries and Regions (Japanese language only)
Additionally, citizens of South Korea, Vietnam, and China, as well as foreign nationals residing in these three countries with a long-term residence visa, may enter the country under the Business Track scheme (2) if they have a COE for one of the following statuses of residence.
■ South Korea: "Business Manager", "Intra-Company Transferee", "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services", "Nursing Care", "Technical Intern Training", "Specified Skilled Worker", "Highly Skilled Professional", "Designated Activities (Start-up)", or diplomats/officials
■ Vietnam: "Business Manager", "Intra-Company Transferee", "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services", "Nursing Care", "Technical Intern Training", "Specified Skilled Worker", "Highly Skilled Professional", "Designated Activities (Start-up, EPA Nurses/Care workers, EPA Nurse/Care worker candidates)", or diplomats/officials
■ China: "Business Manager", "Intra-Company Transferee", "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services", "Nursing Care", "Technical Intern Training", "Specified Skilled Worker", "Highly Skilled Professional", "Designated Activities", "Professor", "Artist", "Religious Activities", Journalist", "Legal/Accounting Services", "Medical Services", "Researcher", "Instructor", "Entertainer", "Skilled Labor", "Training"
② Those coming to Japan for short-term business (business purposes)
Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, and China (as of December 18, 2020)
This is limited to residents of the following countries who have not stayed in an area subject to denial of entry (*2) during the 14 days prior to entry into Japan. Those who are eligible can enter Japan under the Business Track (Japanese only) scheme.
(*2) Areas subject to denial of entry
| Asia | Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines |
| Europe | Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Uzbekistan, Vatican |
| Middle East | Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates |
| Africa | Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan Equatorial Guinea, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| North America | Canada, USA |
| Central and South America | Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela |
In the Business Track, the receiving party (host organization, etc.) prepares the necessary application documents for a short-term business visa. What differs from usual, is that they must submit a pledge and an activity plan instead of a normal itinerary. (Depending on the diplomatic missions abroad, you may be asked to submit a itinerary schedule regardless.)
In addition, those who plan to stay in Japan for a long period of time and have a COE for the status of residence described in (1) may also enter Japan under the Business Track scheme (2). This only applies if they are coming from South Korea, China, or Vietnam. Please note that the pledge should be used for the Business Track only, not the Residence Track.
Difference Between the Two Entry Strategies
The main difference between the Residence Track and the Business Track is whether or not business activities can be conducted during the 14-day waiting period after entry. If you enter the country under the Residence Track, you must quarantine at your home/lodging for the first 14 days. If you enter the country as a Business Track visitor, you can start your business activities immediately after entering the country by submitting a business plan and written pledge.
Restrictions are gradually easing as people are able to enter the country using schemes tailored to their circumstances. However, the number of infected people in Japan is also on the rise. We must all be very careful and watch out for each other.
For more information, please contact us below ↓
https://imsvisa.support/en/contact/
