All-Member Town Hall: Government of Japan Talks Re-Entry Travel Ban, June 12
ACCJ All-Member Town Hall – Friday, June 12, 2020
Guest speaker:
Tetsuro ISOBE, Director of the Adjudication Division, Immigration Department, Immigration Services Agency, Government of Japan
Peter Fitzgerald, ACCJ President
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Chris LaFleur, ACCJ Chairman
The ACCJ has been engaging GOJ on immigration challenges faced by our members and the greater international community in Japan.
The ACCJ published a statement conveying our position. We are focusing on two areas: the departure and re-entry of permanent and long-term residents in Japan; and the departure and re-entry of business travelers in Japan.
At a minimum, we ask that Japan permit the departure and re-entry of permanent and long-term residents as dictated by their visa status and GOJ’s infectious disease prevention measures, an approach practiced by the U.S. and other European countries.
Additionally, as Japan eases travel restrictions, we ask that business travelers be able to have the same opportunities as permanent and long-term residents.
Tetsuro ISOBE, Director of the Adjudication Division, Immigration Department, Immigration Services Agency, Government of Japan
Even though signs that coronavirus cases are declining at home and abroad, stringent border controls remain necessary to prevent further infections in Japan. Border enforcement measures include denial of entry, quarantine measures (including PCR testing), visa suspensions, suspension of visa exemptions, and airport and port of entry restrictions.
Persons traveling from countries designated with an Infectious Disease Risk Level of 3 are denied entry into Japan. Currently, there are 111 countries classified as Level 3. However, all international travelers, including Americans, who embark on flights from countries classified as Levels 1 or 2 are not denied entry. They must be able to show they were in their country of embarkation for 14 days prior to their flight to Japan.
GOJ’s Immigration serveces Agency has provided additional details on foreign residents’ eligibility to return (English / 日本語), as well as special circumstances allowing re-entry into Japan(English / 日本語).
Cases that are humanitarian in nature or of significant public interest may gain entry into Japan (e.g., flight crews, diplomats, persons requiring medical treatment, those visiting critically ill family members).
At this time, business travelers and international students are not allowed to enter Japan.
Re-entry under special circumstances will be evaluated on an individual basis. Largely, there are two categories applicable to foreign nationals with a residence status:
Those who left Japan before their destination was listed on the entry ban
Those who left Japan after their destination was listed on the entry ban or need to leave now due to emergent/personal reasons
Find specific examples here. Foreign nationals seeking re-entry must substantiate their special circumstance when they go through immigration control.
Specific to U.S. Nationals with a status of “Permanent Resident,” “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National,” “Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident,” or “Long-Term Resident:”
If a U.S. National departed Japan with a re-entry permit before April 2, re-entry would be considered under the special circumstances framework.
For assistance and inquiries, contact:
Adjudication Division, Immigration Department, Immigration Services Agency
03-3580-4111 (Ext. 4446/4447)
Questions & Answers
Can you expound on how permitted re-entry procedures will work in practice? For example, when and where will permission be granted? What are the required documents? Will airlines have a screening role? Is there anything we can do ahead of time to facilitate re-entry approval before arrival at the port of entry?
The humanitarian circumstances allowing re-entry have been to disseminated to domestic immigration offices, as well as airline companies that operate in Japan. Unfortunately, the Immigration Services Agency does not grant re-entry permission ahead of time. Travelers will have to explain their reasons for re-entry when purchasing tickets or upon boarding aircraft and should have documents confirming their situation. The Immigration Control Offices will be staffed around the clock in Japanese airports to help verify re-entry eligibility.
Those seeking re-entry should familiarize themselves with current policies to determine whether they meet the criteria outlined by the Immigration Services Agency. The latest policies will be available on our website and accessible in various languages.
When can long-term residents expect to depart and return more easily to Japan?
Because the overall framework is contingent upon a whole-of-government response to COVID-19, I am afraid I cannot offer a timeline at this time.
Does the separation of minors from parents fall under the humanitarian circumstances for entry into Japan?
GOJ is granting re-entry in cases where minors are separated from parents.
However, situations where children did not entered Japan before entry restrictions were implemented require individual consideration. In these cases, please contact the Adjudication Division of the Immigration Services Agency.