Japan to Open eVISA Applications For US & Canadian Citizens in August

Although Japanese nationals have been allowed to travel abroad, Japan has been remaining closed to foreign travelers since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020.

The Japanese government is now taking a significant step to welcome foreign visitors again and make entry to the country more accessible by opening eVisa applications for US and Canadian citizens.

Nationals of these two countries can apply for a visa for Japan using the online visa system. Nevertheless, they must still follow all the entry requirements remaining in place, including traveling as a part of a package tour. Japan still does not allow entry for individual tourists. Independent travelers are planned to be welcomed in the autumn this year.

The eVISA system will be opened for Canadians and US nationals on August 18, 2022. The Visa Issuance Notice will be necessary to board a flight to Japan.

Japan online visa application for US and Canadian citizens

The Japanese Government has temporarily suspended the visa exemption. That is why all foreign travelers who are allowed to visit Japan must apply for a visa, except for those nationals holding a re-entry permit. 

Starting from August 18, nationals of Canada and the US can apply for a short-term e-Visa issued for the purpose of tourism and business. 

Currently, arriving in Japan for tourism-related purposes is possible only on a guided tour organized by a travel agency serving as the receiving organization.

Eligible applicants who will obtain a single-entry Japanese visa may visit Japan for business, various exchanges, tourism, or family reunions and stay in Japan for 90 days or less and not engage in remunerative activities. 

Travelers who will be visiting Japan for business, various exchanges, and tourism, must have completed the prescribed application in the Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (ERFS) and have obtained a "Certificate for Completion of Registration issued by the ERFS” by the receiving organization located in Japan.

Coronavirus restrictions in Japan

Currently, travelers from 98 'low risk' countries can enter Japan. The country divided all countries into 'red,' 'yellow,' and 'blue' categories according to the Covid-19 safety level. Travelers from the 'blue' category, including Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, and most of Europe, can travel to Japan quarantine-free. 

From June 10, 2022, Japan accepts guided package tours from countries classified as 'blue.' Regardless of the vaccination status, travelers from this group do not need to meet testing or quaranitne requirements upon arrival in Japan. They must, however, still take a pre-departure Covid-19 test within 72 hours before the planned departure. 

Japan has relatively minimal restrictions remaining in the country. The country's constitution prevents the government from introducing a national lockdown.

So far, the authorities have only declared a state of emergency in regions with an increased number of coronavirus cases. Certain authorities can decide on the implementation of appropriate measures on the local level. As for now, the state of emergency was lifted in Japan, and the country has started to gradually reopen for tourism.