Japan announces three-year visa-free...

The move is part of several measures introduced to ease inbound travel from the region

Following Japan’s announcement of the full visa waiver for Emirati nationals in November 2022, a number of new measures to ease travel for those living in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been introduced.

All UAE and Saudi nationals and residents can now apply online for a short-term stay tourist visa to Japan. Applicants need to apply via the dedicated website (www.evisa.mofa.go.jp), with applicants sent a digital confirmation visa.

In addition, Qatari nationals can now visit Japanese embassies, consulate-generals or consulates to receive a Visa Waiver Registration seal on 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 (or expiration date of the passport).

The Japanese government has also announced that it will cease Covid-19-related entry requirements to the country from 8 May 2023, doing away with the need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test.

Commenting on the news, Japan National Tourism Organization Dubai office executive director Kobayashi Daisuke said: “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.

“Travel to Japan from GCC countries has been steadily increasing, making it one of the few international markets showing post-Covid recovery levels surpassing the number of visitors achieved in 2019. With further resumption of the Japan routes by major airlines, I am confident that the upward demand for travel to Japan will continue.”

For more information, visit www.japan.travel/ar/ae