Japan relaxes its Covid-19 travel restrictions from 8 May.
Does the sound of Fushimi Inari Taisha, Mount Fuji or blossom trees get you excited? Well, you’ll be thrilled to hear that it is becoming easier to visit Japan. The country has announced that residents in Saudi Arabia and the UAE will be able to apply for a Japan eVisa.
All foreign nationals who reside in Saudi Arabia and the UAE and previously required a visa to visit Japan, will now be able to apply for the Japan eVisa. Applications for the Japan eVisa can be made online. The Japan eVisa covers short-term stays, which are for the purpose of tourism.
After the application has been made, a digital confirmation of the Japan eVisa will be sent to the applicant. When entering Japan, visitors can log on to the eVisa website and show visas. Screenshots and printouts of the page will also be accepted.
Qatari nationals can also apply at Japanese Embassies, Consulate-Generals and Consulates, and can have their passport registered. Upon registration, applicants will receive a Visa Waiver Registration seal within their passport, which will entitle them to multiple short-term stays in Japan without a need for a visa for a period of three years.
Kobayashi Daisuke, executive director of Japan National Tourism Organisation in Dubai, explained: “I am delighted with the commencement of the online applications for short-term stay visas in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as the visa waiver arrangements for short — term stay for Qatari nationals, as it will ease the process to visit Japan for touristic purposes.”
The news comes as Japan prepares to relax its Covid-19 travel rules from 8 May. Visitors will no longer need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test.
A new culture awaits.
GO: Visit www.evisa.mofa.go.jp for more information.
