Japan – UPDATE: Immigration/Travel Restrictions Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Japan – UPDATE: Immigration/Travel Restrictions Related
As part of its response to managing the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Japanese government has announced updated entry restrictions on 18 March. Effective from 19 March at 0:00 (JST, GMT +9), further countries and regions have been added to the previous list. Foreign nationals who have travelled or stayed in the noted countries and regions within 14 days prior to their arrival in Japan are not permitted to land in Japan unless there are exceptional circumstances. This newsletter also discusses next steps if one’s CoE (Certificate of Eligibility) is about to expire.
As part of its response to managing the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Japanese government has announced updated entry restrictions on 18 March.1 The measures below will last until the end of April. Depending on the situation, there is a possibility that the duration will be extended.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Due to the imposed travel restrictions, the Japanese embassies/consulates in the listed countries or regions strongly advise waiting for the visa application until further notice. If one’s CoE (Certificate of Eligibility) is about to expire before the end of April, please raise this matter immediately with the competent embassy/consulate and ask for the issuance of a letter to be officially granted for six-month period of validity for the CoE. (See GMS Flash Alert 2020-060, 16 March 2020.)
Denied Entry (Updated)
Effective from 19 March at 0:00 (JST, GMT +9), further countries and regions have been added to the previous list (see GMS Flash Alert 2020-060). Foreign nationals who have travelled or stayed in the below-noted countries and regions within 14 days prior to their arrival in Japan are not permitted to land in Japan unless there are exceptional circumstances.2
- Iceland
- All areas
- Italy
- Valle d’Aosta
- Trentino Alto Adige
- Friuli Venezia Giulia
- Liguria
- Spain
- Navarra Province
- Basque Province
- Madrid Province
- La Rioja Province
- Switzerland
- Canton of Ticino
- Canton of Basel-Stadt
Enhanced Quarantine (Updated)
Effective from 21 March at 0:00 (JST, GMT +9), a further 38 countries have been added to the previous list (see GMS Flash Alert 2020-060).3 All travelers entering from those listed countries will be subject to mandatory quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. As a consequence, the Japanese embassy and consulate in those countries will suspend the issuance of all types of visas (whether short/long or single/multiple) until further notice. The visa application can only be accepted when there is an unavoidable humanitarian reason authorized by the Japanese government. The temporary visa exemption agreements for holders of passports of the below-noted countries are temporarily suspended:
All Schengen member states: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. |
|
Andorra |
Iran |
Bulgaria |
Monaco |
Croatia |
Romania |
Cyprus |
San Marino |
Egypt |
United Kingdom |
Ireland |
Vatican City |
FOOTNOTES
RELATED LINKS
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Japan.
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