Hello, this is Sawai of IMS Legal Professional Corporation. We are now in the second half of May, and the weather is gradually becoming hotter during the day. It's nice for the laundry, but not for breathing through masks, so please take care of your health. Regarding the state of COVID-19, the Immigration Bureau has issued the following notice.
Handling of Returnees and New Arrivals from India, Pakistan and Nepal
Starting May 10, 2021, returnees and new arrivals from these countries will be asked to wait for six days at a place designated by the Quarantine Station Chief (accommodations limited to facilities provided by the Quarantine Station). This directive is valid for the foreseeable future. PCR tests will be administered three and six days after entry; any person with negative results for either of these tests will be asked to leave the Quarantine Station and quarantine at home for the reminder of the 14 days after entering the country. In addition, the Immigration Bureau strongly requests suspending roundtrip, short-term travel to these three countries for the time being.
※ Foreign nationals who have a confirmed history of travel to any of the three countries during this period of requested self-restraint will be asked about reasons for travel during the immigration and residence inspection procedures upon returning to Japan.
New Arrivals to Japan: "Special Circumstances" Allowed
The above request is said to be due to the increased vigilance against the COVID-19 variant, but you may be wondering whether new arrivals are permitted at all. Currently, new arrivals are only allowed in "special circumstances".
This includes visa holders of "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" or "Spouse and Child of Permanent Resident". E.g., those with family members staying in Japan while the family is currently separated due to COVID.
We sometimes receive inquiries from Japanese nationals living abroad who wish to return to Japan where their relatives are due to the prolonged COVID outbreak. If this applies to you, you must first have your parents or siblings in Japan act as a guarantor; then, you apply for a Certificate of Eligibility for "Spouse or Child of Japanese National". Once the COE is obtained, your foreign national spouse and/or children must apply for a visa at the local Japanese Embassy. After the visa is issued, you can enter Japan accompanied with your spouse and/or children.
※ If your child holds a Japanese passport, this procedure is not required.
※ For more information on the status of visa issuance, please contact the embassy in your area.
We understand the difficulties in obtaining up-to-date information when the information changes so quickly. For more information, please contact us below ↓
https://imsvisa.support/en/contact/
