COVID-19: Easing Border Controls, Travel Restrictions From March 1 – Immigration

Japan:

COVID-19: Easing Border Controls, Travel Restrictions From March 1

In effect on March 1, 2022, Japan is easing border restrictions,
granting foreign new arrivals such as business travelers, students,
and technical trainees to finally enter Japan. The aforementioned
changes in travel restrictions exclude tourists from traveling to
Japan. As a result of these changes, the daily entry cap will
increase from the current 3,500 to 5,000, and the quarantine period
can be reduced up to three days or the traveler may be absolved by
fulfilling certain conditions.

New Measures for Border Enforcements from March 1, 2022

Under these new entry measures, entrants are required to have a
host entity/ organization located in Japan that enforces quarantine
rules imposed by the Japanese government. Such host entities/
organizations have to complete the online applications in

“Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (ERFS)” for
““Certificate for Completion of Registration to the
ERFS system” prior to submitting the visa application. As a
result of the changes in entry requirements, the Japanese
embassy/consulate will not accept a visa application without a copy
of the “Certificate for Completion of Registration to the
ERFS system” issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour and
Welfare. This certification confirms the registration of the
entrant’s information including the location for quarantine
upon arrival and the responsible host entity/ organization. Online
applications are available on the ERFS systems website, and the
expected processing time for online applications can be completed
in one to two days.

New Quarantine Rule

In general, the self-isolation period and the prohibition of the
use of public transportation remains in place for seven days;
however, quarantine can be shortened by completing the following
conditions:

• Individuals traveling from the specified countries/ regions and
  who haven’t gotten a booster dose, and required to stay at a
  government appointed hotel for three days upon arrival. If the
  result of the PCR test is “negative” for COVID-19 on
  the third day from arrival, that individual will be cleared to
  leave and will no longer have to continue quarantine at home.




• Individuals traveling from the specified countries/ regions and
  who provide a valid vaccination card which includes their booster
  dose are generally required to complete quarantine at home, but if
  the individual receives a negative PCR test on the third day from
  arrival then that person will no longer have to self-isolate.




• Individuals traveling from non-specified countries/ regions who
  haven’t received a booster dose are required to self-isolate
  at home; but if the individual receives a negative PCR test three
  days from arrival, then that person can stop self-isolation.




• Individuals traveling from non-specified countries/regions and
  have a valid vaccination card with proof of a booster dose are no
  longer required to quarantine upon arrival.

The approved types of vaccinations for entry to Japan:

• 1st and 2nd dose:




• COMIRNATY- Pfizer




• Vaxzervia- AstraZeneca




• COVID- Vaccine Moderna- Moderna




• Janssen COVID- Vaccine- Johnson & Johnson




• 3rd dose onwards




• COMIRNATY- Pfizer




• COVID- Vaccine Moderna- Moderna

※ Vaccination Certificate must be issued by an official
body such as a government of the countries/regions and must be
written in either the Japanese or English language. The certificate
must clearly state the traveler’s name, date of birth,
vaccine name or manufacturer, vaccination date, and the number of
doses.

※ List of designated countries/regions are regularly
updated. Travelers should check the latest information and follow
the applicable rules.

New Rules for Use of Public Transportation upon Arrival

Public transportation can only be used to get to the location of
self-isolation within 24 hours of entering Japan. The entrants are
not allowed to use public transportation to get to the PCR test
center on the third day, therefore, the host entity/ organization
is required to arrange a private car.

Necessary Procedures at the Quarantine Station upon
Arrival

Entry will be denied if entrants lack any of the below:

• Certificate of negative COVID-19 test results.




• All entrants regardless of nationality or countries/regions of
  departure must provide a certificate of pre-entry PCR test within
  72 hours prior to departure and confirmed as “negative”
  by the local medical facility.




• PCR test at the arrival airport and quarantine at home or in
  the government-specified hotel




• Submit Written Pledge




• All entrants regardless of nationality or countries/regions of
  departure must submit a written pledge.




• Violation of the quarantine rules is subject to publication of
  the name of the foreign national and the individuals host
  entity’s/organization’s name, as well as details of the
  violation on the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare website.
  Additionally, the foreign resident may have to forfeit their
  immigration status in Japan contingent on the severity of the
  violation.




• Install mobile applications




• Health and Location Monitoring (MySos)




• Location Information App (Google Maps)




• COCOA (COVID-19 Contact Confirmation App)




• Questionnaire




• Complete before arrival from your smartphone or PC




• Vaccination Certificate (not mandatory)

The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.

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