COVID-19 has had a significant impact on travel. This blog is to provide updated and relevant information for foreign nationals who are going to enter Japan from aboard, including all the mandatory preparations before departure.

(1) Certificate of negative PCR test result within 72 hours before departure

The PCR test must be performed at a hospital in your country, and the test must be taken within 72 hours before the flight takes off (holidays will be counted as usual).

Required information in the result report (must be in English)
① Name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, gender
② Testing method and test results
③ Time of the test (to confirm if it is within 72 hours before the scheduled takeoff time)
and date and time of inspection results, date and time of delivery of inspection certificate
④ Name of medical institution and doctor's name, address of the medical institution, the seal of the medical institution, and doctor's signature
⑤ All the information must be written in English.

You can check the details of the Certificate of Testing for COVID-19 for the entry or re-entry of foreign nationals and download the specified format form for PCR test from here: http://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001337717.pdf

This is the official format from the Japanese government, so you can take them directly to your doctor to fill out.

(2)Submission of a Written pledge

The written pledge has to be submitted by people with a new visa. It usually requires a company, a specific organization, or a school to guarantee the submission of information and an estimated itinerary to the government and to comply with the company's and school's regulations.

The main contents of the Written pledge

1.Refrain from taking public transportation (trams, cab taxis, buses, domestic lines, shinkansen, long-distance ferries, etc.)

2. 14 days for self-quarantine, and go out as little as possible for non-essential purposes.

After signing the pledge, foreigners who violate the regulations will be subject to mandatory restrictions on entry and visa cancellation.

Feel free to download the Written pledge from here: https://reurl.cc/KxD3On

(3) Download the designated app beforehand

It will take at least 3 hours to enter Japan if you did not download the App beforehand.
If you cannot set it up or download it with a smartphone, you need to rent one at the airport. After renting one, you must also download the designated app and set it up. before you leave the airport.

From March 18, all airport arrivals will be subject to a mandatory inspection of the app.

You will receive a paper after entering the country, so be sure to complete all the steps early. Make sure the email address is the same as the one on the Written pledge, and try to see if you can receive it beforehand. (The contents may vary, but they are generally the same)

You can check here for the Apps settings from here: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000755137.pdf

(4)Respond to the questionnaire

Open this link to check the details before entering the country and follow the steps to fill out the form. https://arqs-qa.followup.mhlw.go.jp/#/

Click "Japanese" in the Language section to switch to other languages.

There will be a QR code after filling out the form, so please take a screenshot (recommended) or print and save it beforehand.

It is recommended that you fill out the form before the flight!

For the next article, we will be giving you detailed immigration procedures at the airport, please stay tuned. We hope to see everyone arrive in Japan safe and sound!