The requirements to enter Japan

Japan will finally reopened to individual travel on October 11! So, travelers from many countries can visit Japan without applying for a visa in advance. Here are the details on requirements related to entering Japan. I hope this would help you!

Summary about entering Japan

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, from October 11, 2022,

• Prescribed applications in the Entrants, Returnees Follow-up Systems (ERFS) is not required.
• The measure to limit the entry of foreign tourists to those on package tours is lifted. 
• Visa exemption arrangements is resumed.
• For all travelers from so-called “blue” countries/regions, on-arrival test, self-quarantine, and refraining from use of public transportation are not required.
• However, all returnees and entrants are required to provide either a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate (3 doses) or a certificate of negative result of pre-departure COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to departing from the original country/region.
• Travellers are strongly encouraged to use Fast Track to simplify Japan entry procedures.

The list of countries and regions that get visa-free entry to Japan is in the link. Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)

The list of countries and regions that are grouped as “blue” is in the link. Grouping of the country or region

Vaccination Certificate requirements

Vaccination certificates are valid only if they meet the following requirements. If you have a valid vaccination certificate, you are not required to be tested within 72 hours of departure.

• The certificate must be issued by a government or public institution.
• The following items must be indicated in Japanese or English: Name, Date of birth, Vaccine name/Manufacturer, Date of vaccination, The number of doses administered.
• The certificate must clearly show that you have received 3 doses of any of the following vaccines (vaccine name/major manufacturer)
  • COMIRNATY intramuscular injection/Pfizer
    • *COMIRNATY intramuscular injection / Pfizer includes COMIRNATY RTU intramuscular injection / Pfizer.
    • *For example, COMIRNATY (manufactured by Fosun Pharma/BioNTech) is treated as identical to COMIRNATY intramuscular injection/Pfizer.
  • Spikevax intramuscular Injection /Moderna
  • Vaxzevria intramuscular Injection/AstraZeneca
    • *For example, Covishield (manufactured by the Serum Institute of India) is treated as identical to Vaxzevria intramuscular injection/AstraZeneca.
  • JCOVDEN intramuscular injection/Janssen
  • COVAXIN/Bharat Biotech
  • Nuvaxovid intramuscular Injection/Novavax
    • *For example, COVOVAX (manufactured by the Serum Institute of India) is treated as identical to Nuvaxovid intramuscular injection/Novavax.

Check the link for details. Requirements for a valid vaccination certificaten

For the other information related to vaccine certificate, check the link. Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare

COVID-19 Negative Test Result Certificate

All entrants who do not have a valid vaccination certificate must be tested within 72 hours of departure. A cerficicate is valid only if all of the following items are satisfied.

• 1. Name
• 2. Date of birth
• 3. Testing method for COVID-19
• 4. Sample
• 5. Specimen collection data and time
• 6. Result
• 7. Name of medical institution
• 8. Date of issue

Using the format provided by Japanese Goverent is recommended. Chech the link. Certificate of Testing for COVID-19 (Japanese/English)

If you would like to use optional form, all the items must be written in English or Japanese. The required items should be highlited so that the inspection certificate will be condirmed smoothly. Here is the capture of the example of optional format that’s on the web page of Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

For the format in other languages and optional form, check the link. Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare

About Fast Track

Travellers are strongly encouraged to use Fast Track to simplify Japan entry procedures. You need to pre-register via MySOS Web (online) or the MySOS app.

The web page below shows you how to register Fast Track step by step, so get it done before the trip to Japan and have a smooth entry!