Application for Visas for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel (“Short-term stay for business” and “Holders of Certificate of Eligibility”）（1 November,2020）

2021/2/16
On 25 September 2020, the Government of Japan decided to start accepting visa applications again for temporary visitors (for business affairs purpose only) and holders of Certificate of Eligibility (excluding the residence status of “Diplomat”, “Official”, “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”, and “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident”).
In addition, following the decision made by the Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters on October 30, entry restrictions on Hong Kong and Macau have been lifted. Please refer to the following for the necessary procedures for entering into Japan.
 
（Note）・the visa application procedure for  the holders of Certificate of Eligibility whose residence status are “Diplomat”, “Official”, “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” and “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” will be resumed as usual. 
  • the validity of visas issued by 8 March 2020 by the Consulate of General of Japan in Hong Kong is still suspended for the time being.
  • the visa exemption measures agreed with Japan and Hong Kong and Macau are still temporarily suspended for the time being. 
 
1　Eligibility for Applicant
(1) Eligibility for Applicant
Hong Kong or Macau residents who are currently residing in Hong Kong or Macau, who will arrive in Japan by a direct flight or by transiting a third country with an entry permit for that country but not entering it.

 
2　Purpose of Visit
（1）　Temporary visitor visa (for short-term business affairs purpose only)　（※ no multiple entry visa will be issued）
For those who have temporary visits of up to 90 days for the purposes of business contact, business meetings, signing contracts, after-sales service, promotion, market research, attending conferences, the exchange of people for culture, for inter-municipal relationships or for sport, etc., excluding engaging in any activity involving remuneration 
 
（2）　Holders of Certificate of Eligibility
Applicants who are holding the Certificate of Eligibility (excluding the residence status as “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”, and “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident”) 

 
3　Application procedure
From 5 October 2020 (Monday), Applicants must submit their applications to the Japan Visa Application Centre in person. （In principle, submissions on behalf of the applicant are not acceptable.）

 
4　Necessary Documents
（1）　Temporary visitor visa (for short-term business affairs purposes only)　（※ no multiple entry visa will be issued）
1. Visa Application Form to Enter Japan (with passport-size color photo)
2. Passport（original and copy）
3. Hong Kong or Macau identity card（original and copy）
4. Valid Hong Kong or Macau residency visa（original and copy）
（※ in the case of exchange of students for culture, the certificate of enrolment must be submitted）
（※ If the applicant or the spouse of the applicant is the proprietor or a partner of the company, please also submit the valid “Business Registration Certificate” and “Certified extract of Information on the Business Register” (original and copy) at the same time. ）
6. Invitation Letter（original）
7. Letter of guarantee（original） 
8. Written pledge – Residence Track （2 copies（PDF print out is acceptable）,（note）must be prepared by the accepting company or organisation in Japan）
 
（2）　Holders of Certificate of Eligibility
1. Visa Application Form to Enter Japan (with passport-size color photo)
2. Passport （original and copy）
3. Hong Kong or Macau identity card （original and copy）
4. Valid Hong Kong or Macau residency visa （original and copy）
5. Certificate of Eligibility（original and copy）
6. Written pledge – Residence Track （2 copies （PDF print out is acceptable）,（note）must be prepared by the accepting company or organisation in Japan）
 
(Note 1) Besides the above documents, additional documents might be requested.
(Note 2) In the case of applications with an expired Certificate of Eligibility which was issued on or after 1 October 2019, please also submit a document stating that the accepting organisation etc. “will be able to continue accepting the foreign national with the same activity contents as were given at the time of the application for the certificate of eligibility” at the time of applying for a visa.
(Note 3) In the case of new visas issued under this measure, the existing valid single or multiple entry visas will be cancelled and a cancellation letter (freestyle) for such a visa must be submitted at the time of applying for a visa.

 
5　Point to be noted for the Written Pledge
(1) A written pledge for each applicant should be prepared by the accepting company or organisation in Japan. The applicant should submit 2 copies.
 
(2) After examination, one copy will be returned to the applicant; please submit it to the quarantine officer upon entry to Japan.
 
(3) For those who apply for a visa with residence status as “Dependent” and “Long-term Residence”, the Written Pledge must be prepared by the organisation which the principle visa holder (parents or spouse etc. who is residing in Japan) belongs to. The Written Pledge which is filled by the principle visa holder is not acceptable. 
 
(4) In the case of inability to submit the Written Pledge due to lack of accepting company or organisation, please consult the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong with an explanation letter. 
 
(5) For the application procedure for the Certificate of Eligibility with residence status “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”, “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” will be resumed as usual, the Written Pledge is not necessary. 
 
(6) For those who apply for a visa with the residence status of “Instructor” or “Professor”, besides the Written Pledge, they are required to submit an additional document (freestyle) from the educational institution which they belong to or will belong to which states the reason why the entry of that person is essential, such as the failure of filling such vacancy will as a result lead to the suspension of that educational institution, etc. 

(7) For the Corporate Number, please fill in the 13-digit number which is designated by the National Tax Agency (NTA).
 
 
6　For applications which have already been submitted
For applications which have already been submitted with the same purpose of visit as before, the applicant is required to submit the additional document of the Written Pledge – Residence Track  to the Japan Visa Application Center.
（※ Only eligible for the temporary visitor visa for short-term business affairs purpose (single entry visa), for holders of the Certificate of Eligibility）
 
 
7　Processing time, etc.
(1) There is no such standard processing time under this measure. The Japan Visa Application Centre will contact the applicant after the visa is issued.
In principle, if the new visa is issued under this measure, the existing valid visa will be canceled.
 
(2) The duration of the application process is expected to be significantly longer than usual, therefore application tracking inquiry and earlier issuance request are not accepted. 
Also, please understand that the application might be not granted.
 
(3) After the process is started, in the case of too many applications being submitted, acceptance will be temporarily suspended. However the applications submitted before the suspension will still continue to be processed.  

 
8　Other
(1) As for the introduction of COVID-19 Contact-Confirming Application and others on smartphones, please install and set up the application before entering Japan.
 
【Contact-Confirmation Application】
 
(2) Regarding this measure, please visit the following homepage of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

 
9　For enquires
Besides our Consulate, you may also contact the following in regard to visa enquires:
 
  Phone number (+81) 3-5363-3013
  Domestic call in Japan 0570-011000 (Navi dial)
  Time : Working day 9:00am～5:00pm (JPT)

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