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Emiratis can travel to Japan without a visa from November 1

The decision coincides with the launch of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UAE and Japan

October 18, 2022

UAE citizens can travel to Japan without the need to obtain a prior visa, starting November 1, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) has said.

UAE passports holders who travel to Japan for tourism or work purposes can stay in the East Asian country for up to 30 days per visit, without the need to submit an application at the Japanese Embassy in Abu Dhabi, apply for an exemption, or pay any fees.

Visa-free travel between UAE and Japan starting November 1https://t.co/3AAIP1Ewms

— وزارة الخارجية والتعاون الدولي (@MoFAICUAE) October 17, 2022

However, the ministry noted that entry requirements to Japan still apply, including ensuring passport validity of at least six months, providing a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken 72 hours before departure, or presenting proof of three doses of any vaccination approved in Japan, which include Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Sinopharm.

Khalid Abdullah Belhoul, under-secretary at MoFAIC said that the decision to exempt UAE nationals from prior entry visas reflects the depth of cooperation between the UAE and Japan.

The agreement will enhance tourism and cultural exchange and support new opportunities in business, trade, and investment, he added.

The agreement coincides with the launch of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the UAE and Japan, signed by Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The UAE is Japan’s tenth largest trading partner in the world and is home to more than 340 Japanese companies operating in various sectors.

Dubai’s Emirates will also be deploying its A380 on the Narita-Dubai route from November 15. The carrier said that following the Japanese government’s announcement last month to ease the entry restrictions, it has seen a spike in bookings for flights to its gateways – Narita and Osaka.

Read: Emirates to deploy A380 on Dubai-Narita route

Meanwhile, in an attempt to boost inbound tourism, the Japan National Tourism Organization opened its office in Dubai last year, establishing its first overseas presence in the Middle East.

Read: Japan National Tourism Organization opens first Middle East office in Dubai