COVID-19: Entry requirements eased

The Japanese government has announced that it will ease its COVID-19 entry requirements in October.

Key Points:

• Beginning Oct. 11, individuals who are traveling to Japan no longer need to:
  • Apply for a certificate of completion through the Entrants, Returnees Follow-up Systems (ERFS) before arrival.
  • Take a pre-departure COVID-19 test if fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
  •  Enter and travel with a tourist group if traveling for tourism purposes.
• Travelers who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken with 72 hours before arrival.
• Foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries will be allowed to enter Japan without applying for an alternative entry visa.
• There will no longer be a daily entry cap on arrivals for those traveling to Japan; until Oct. 11, 50,000 travelers are permitted to enter the country per day.

Additional Information: As of Sept. 14, individuals can reduce the five-day quarantine to three days by receiving a negative PCR test result taken on the third day of quarantine or by receiving a negative antigen test result taken on the second and third day of quarantine. More information regarding Japan’s COVID-19 entry requirements and procedures for travelers from specific countries and regions is available here.

BAL Analysis: Japanese authorities have eased its COVID-19 entry requirements as the virus situation improves around the world. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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