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Greetings!
Happy Friday! As you may be aware, yesterday Prime Minister Kishida made an announcement about upcoming changes to the border entry guidelines.
Multiple news outlets have reported on the press conference and noted the following points, effective 11 October 2022: |
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- The visa-waiver programme from ‘certain countries’ will be reinstated.
- FIT travel will be allowed to resume.
- Daily pax arrival caps will be removed.
JNTO is aware that these are points which were addressed in Kishida-san’s speech and we are very excited about this news, but aside from that we do not have any further information on these changes. We are awaiting clarification on details such as which countries will be subject to the reinstatement of the visa waiver programme or whether an ERFS certificate is still required for anything.
Today is a public holiday in Japan so we do not expect any announcements to be made until Monday at the earliest.
I understand that you are all eager for more information and clarification but please understand that we don’t know anything further at this time. We will continue to update you as quickly as we can when we do have official information for you.
We will update the Travel Trade page when there is more clarity on these points.
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Until then, please note that the previously advised guidelines do remain in place:
1. Triple vaccinated travellers entering Japan from 'blue' countries (including Australia and New Zealand) are not to take a pre-departure PCR test.
2. As of 10 September, the daily entry caps are 50,000.
3. NON-GUIDED package tours from all countries/regions will be allowed to enter. Travellers are still required to get a visa in advance, for which an ERFS certificate issued by a receiving organisation in Japan is still required.
The latest Q&A doc (* Japanese only) was published by the Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT) on 9 September. The latest Q&A doc can be found linked at the bottom of this MLIT page. (the Q&A doc direct link may cease to work if they update it).
Please note that the info I have provided below is a summary of the information in this Q&A document and is not necessarily comprehensive, but it contains what I have interpreted as the biggest updates and key points. For more information please ask your land operator and if they are not sure please ask them to contact MLIT (there are contact details for MLIT on the page I linked above).
Border update as of 9 September 2022:
GUIDED PACKAGE TOURS:
- In this case, ‘package’ means all land arrangements (accommodation, transfers etc) are pre-arranged and a licensed guide escorts the tour from start to finish, including meeting at the arrival airport. (See additional notes below about being ‘fully escorted’.)
- Pax may book flights direct with the airline, or may book through a travel agent.
- Pax must book the package tour through an overseas (i.e. Australian) travel agent who uses a DMC.
- The DMC will issue the ERFS certificate. Pax will require that ERFS certificate to apply for their visa.
NOTES ABOUT ‘FULLY ESCORTED’:
- Taking a connecting flight from international to domestic may be UN-escorted, e.g. fly SYD-HND then transfer HND-KIX. Pax must be met at KIX in this case, though. [Ref: 9 Sep Q&A doc, P.11 Q4]
- Some free time away from the guide may be permitted provided pax follow the public health guidelines (e.g. wearing a mask, social distancing, etc). A given period of free time may not span multiple days. This may include transfers between cities (e.g. Tokyo to Osaka on the bullet train). [Ref: 9 Sep Q&A doc, P.10 Q9] Ask your DMC for clarification on free time if necessary.
NON-GUIDED PACKAGE TOURS:
- Pax must book flights through a travel agent. They cannot book flights directly. [Ref: 9 Sep Q&A doc, P.8 Q1 part 3 & P.9 Q5 and Q6]
- Pax must also book all of their accommodation through a travel agent who uses a DMC. Pax may not book any accommodation directly [Ref: 9 Sep Q&A, P.9 Q6 and P.10 Q8].
- The DMC will issue the ERFS certificate. Pax will require that ERFS certificate to apply for their visa.
- Pax may use public transportation throughout their trip.
- Pax must observe public health guidelines throughout their trip (e.g. wearing a mask, social distancing, etc).
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Resources for you and your clients
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Travel Trade Resources
Find e-learning programmes and webinars by JNTO & our partners; JNTO's photo and video library; brochures, maps and posters; inbound travel suppliers and more!
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Access travel advisories and the latest information on countermeasures the government and companies and facilities such as airlines, airports, railway companies and accommodation providers have implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19.
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JNTO has worked with local governments and travel suppliers in Japan to highlight off-the-beaten-track experiential travel. The handpicked experiences are separated into 7 passions - Tradition, Outdoors, Cuisine, Cities, Nature, Art, Relaxation - allowing you to find activities suited to your clients' interests, all across the country. Visit the microsite to find an experience for any type of traveller.
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Open 24hrs, 365 days a year.
Call for tourist information, if you need assistance in case of emergencies (accidents or sickness) or for support during natural disasters.
Ph: +81 (0)50-3816-2787
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Designed to make your trip to Japan smooth, safe and comfortable.
Features:
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Copyright © 2022 Japan National Tourism Organization | All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Japan National Tourism Organization
Suite 1, Level 4, 56 Clarence Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
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