Japan travel made easy for Emiratis

abu dhabi — The Japan Embassy on Monday announced visa waiver for Emiratis who possess valid e-passports. The decision was reached during the Japan UAE foreign ministers’ meeting.

Effective from July 1, UAE nationals can visit Japan using a simpler registration process. They just need to fill a form and pre-register at Japanese embassies, consulates-general or consular offices in any country with their e-passport.

The registration process is free of cost and simplified and accelerated, the embassy said, and the registered passport will be returned the next working day. A certificate of registry will be attached to the registered passport.

Holders of the registered epassport can enter Japan as many times as they want during the three-year validity period or till the passport’s expiration date.

The requirements are just the applicant’s name and contact information. Registration can be done without any specific travel plans to Japan and completed by any person designated by the passport holder.

The embassy also noted that entry will be denied unless the visitor has completed the e-passport registration in advance. In case a visitor, who was granted a certificate of registry, has obtained a new e-passport, new registration is required. Also, preregistration isn’t required for those who possess valid visas for short-term stay. Those who wish to stay longer than 30 days need to obtain a normal visa, as is the procedure now. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is on an official visit to Tokyo. On Monday, he met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com