Hello, this is Matsui of IMS Legal Professional Corporation. On my November 5th blog, I posted that Japan will be released from its half-isolated state for the first time in almost 10 months. However, in less than a month, the newly detected Omicron variant of COVID forced Japan into isolation once again.
Regarding the entry restrictions this time, assumedly reflecting the past, the government responded extremely quickly and measures were continuously launched in rapid succession. Looking over the measures in chronological order seems meaningless, so I would like to summarize who can enter (return to) Japan at the moment.
【Newly Entering Foreign Nationals】
- Spouse or child of a Japanese national or “Permanent Resident”
- Spouse or child of a “Long Term Resident” separated from his/her family
- ”Diplomat” or “Official” status of residence (only those that are highly necessary and urgent)
- When the situation is individually recognized as a special exceptional circumstance such as a humanitarian case (i.e. to visit a relative who has passed away or in critical condition, etc.) or public interest
※University professors and doctors, who were allowed to enter before November 8, can no longer enter.
※Applications and issuance of the certificate indicating completion of review for newly entering foreign nationals, following the lift of entry restrictions on November 8, will be suspended for the year. Those who have already been issued the certificate and obtained a visa are restricted from entry as well. (Starting November 30)
【Re-entering Foreign Nationals】
- Foreign nationals who have not stayed in Angola, Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique, or Lesotho, 14 days prior entry.
- Foreign nationals who have stayed in Angola, Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique, or Lesotho, 14 days prior entry, who have the status of residence “Permanent Resident”, “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National”, “Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident”, or “Long Term Resident”, and have departed Japan by December 1, 2021. (Spouse or Child of a Japanese National and Permanent Resident who does not have this status of resident is included.)
【Japanese Nationals】
- All Japanese nationals (from anywhere in the world, any time)
※Those who possess a valid certificate of testing for COVID-19 will not be stopped from returning to Japan.
※The government’s measure requesting airlines to suspend new flight reservations for the year was withdrawn in a few days responding to the Prime Minister’s order to consider Japanese nationals returning from abroad.
Along with the new border control measures, the measures to relax the restrictions after entering/returning to Japan, that started on November 8, has completely stopped. Measures to shorten the quarantine period for those completely vaccinated and tested negative 10 days after entering/returning to Japan, released on September 27, has also stopped. Therefore, the 14-day quarantine will be required for everyone entering/returning to Japan at least for the year. Also, travelers entering/returning from countries/regions where cases of infection of the Omicron variant has been announced, quarantine and testing at facilities designated by the Chief of the Quarantine Station for 3 to 10 days, depending on the number of cases of infection in the country/region. There are already 57 countries/regions that are already specified as these designated countries/regions. For information about the designated countries/regions relating to the border enforcement measures, this list summarized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is likely the easiest to understand.
Much is still unknown about the Omicron variant, but I am hoping that this new variant is not so powerful and will come to an end in a short period of time.
For more information, please contact us below ↓
https://imsvisa.support/en/contact/
