Last update: March 23, 2021

1. Quarantine measures
For the time being, foreign nationals who have stayed in any of the following countries/regions within 14 days prior to the application for landing are denied to enter Japan unless special exceptional circumstances are found. Note that foreigners (from the countries and regions where the entry bans do not apply) are not denied to enter Japan even when they arrive in Japan via those countries or regions, which are subject to denial of permission to entry, for refueling or transit purpose. Those who entered those countries or regions will, however, be subject to the entry ban.

Countries/Regions subject to denial of permission to enter Japan:
          Europe
Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyz, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia,
The current quarantine measures are strengthened as followings. These measures are decided to remain in place until further notice. For travelers arriving from the countries/regions with community transmission of coronavirus variants of concern and countries/regions whose authorities have announced the confirmation of domestic infection of new variant of coronavirus, please check (2) as well as (1).

(1) New measures for border enforcement during the state of emergency

　 From March 19, 2021, all travelers including Japanese nationals have to submit a certificate of negative test result conducted within 72 hours (from the sampling time to departure time of the flight) when entering Japan. Those who do not submit a certificate of negative test result will be denied entry into Japan in accordance with the Quarantine Act. Airline companies will reject boarding those without one. Please consult with Embassies or Consulates or Consular Office of Japan in case it is truly difficult to obtain the certificate of negative test result.

    From January 8,2021, all those who enter, re-enter or return to Japan (including Japanese nationals) are also subject to conducting of COVID-19 test upon arrival　no matter whether arriving from the countries/regions designated as an area subject to denial of permission to enter Japan or not　until further notice. Then they are required to stay 14 days at a location designated by the quarantine station chief (own residence etc.) and to refrain from using public transportation.

    From January 14, 2021 until further notice, all Japanese nationals and foreign nationals with the status of residence are also required to pledge to refrain from using public transportation for 14 days, and to be in quarantine at home or other designated areas for 14 days, retain the location data, and provide it to the health centers or other institutions, if requested. (If separate quarantine measures are to be taken, those also need to be pledged.) They are required to sign and submit the Written Pledge when entering Japan. In case of violation, they may be subject to detention under Quarantine Act and the following shall apply:
(ⅰ) For Japanese nationals, names and other information that contribute to preventing the spread of infection may be made public.
(ⅱ) For foreign nationals with the status of residence, names, nationalities, and other information that contribute to preventing the spread of infection may be made public. They may also be subject to the revocation of status of residence and procedures for deportation under Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law. Those who do not submit the “Written Pledge” are requested to stay at a location designated by the Chief of the Quarantine Station (only at the accommodation booked by the quarantine office) for 14 days.

(2) The border enforcement measures for those who enter, re-enter or return to Japan from the countries/regions with community transmission of coronavirus variants of concern and countries/regions whose authorities have announced the confirmation of domestic infection of new variant of coronavirus
(i) countries/regions with community transmission of coronavirus variants of concern
　  In addition to the quarantine measures mentioned in (1) above, all Japanese nationals and foreign nationals with status of residence are required to self-quarantine for 3 days at a location designated by the quarantine station chief (only at the accommodations booked by the quarantine office) until further notice. On the third day they are required to take the COVID-19 test again. Those who have negative result in this test are still required to self-quarantine at home as a substitute for the

2. Suspension of visa validity

Important notice for the validity of visas already issued under “Business Track” or “Residence Track” on January 13, 2021

 Single and multiple-entry visas issued by April 2nd, 2020, by Japanese Embassies and Consulates General located in or accredited to the following countries and regions:

          Europe
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

• From 0:00 am (JST) on January 21, 2021 till the lifting of the state of emergency in Japan, the validity of visas already issued under “Business Track” or “Residence Track” and visas issued based on “New measures for border enforcement (4)” (referred in Note 2 of Article 1) will be suspended.

3. Suspension of visa exemption measures

As visa exemption measures with the countries and regions listed below are temporarily suspended, those who fall under the measures are required to obtain visas before visiting Japan. The measures will be in place for the time being.
(1) Visa exemption measures agreed with Japan and the following countries and regions
          Europe
Andorra, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Vatican

4. Entry of foreign nationals with special exceptional circumstances

Currently, all foreign nationals who wish to newly enter Japan need to apply for a visa except for those with re-entry permit. Please note that due to the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the visa approval procedure may take longer than usual. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated.

Foreign nationals arriving from Azerbaijan or other designated countries/regions will be denied entry to Japan unless there are "Exceptional Circumstances". The Embassy of Japan requests that all visa applicants please call the Consular Section (TEL: +994 12 490 78 18/19 (Internal: 1) or send an email to the address consular@bk.mofa.go.jp  before visiting to apply for a visa.