After a comprehensive partnership signed between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities and Japan, it has been announced that the UAE residents holding a normal passport will be able to avail Japan visa free entry from From November 1, 2022.
The time duration of the visa free entry will only for 30 days. In an important decision, the country lifted Covid restrictions on foreign tourists and reopened its borders after two and a half years.
When Covid strike in 2020, Japan suspended visa waivers until further notice but now a number of countries have been granted visa exemption requirements.
UAE and Japan Relations
The UAE and Japan celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations by sealing a comprehensive partnership. The partnership was launched by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office.
The strategic agreement was signed in Tokyo last month for visa-free entry to Japan for the UAE nationals.
Also, the UAE is one of Japan’s main suppliers of oil since both countries established diplomatic relations.
the United Arab Emirates provides 20 percent of Japan oil needs.
As per 2021 statistics, the Emirates are also Japan’s 10th-largest trading global partner, similarly, Japanese investments in the UAE exceeds $14b.
Pertinent to note that Japan was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the UAE in 1971.
Travelling to Japan and Covid vaccination
As per the Japanese foreign office, a negative PCR test taken within 72 of departure or vaccine certificate with three vaccinations approved by Japan is mandatory despite visa free entry.
The Emiratis passport holders are now among the country list of short-term stay without a visa for Japan.
As per statistics, a record 31.9m tourists visited Japan around the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2019, but the number declined to just 250,000 in 2021.
