AS PART of its initiative to boost inbound tourism, Japan yesterday announced that the short-term visa waiver for Thai and Malaysian nationals would come into effect on July 1.
The Embassy of Japan in Thailand yesterday made the announcement through its website that the short-term visa waiver for Thai nationals would come into effect on July 1, while a spokesperson from the Japan National Tourism Organization Singapore Office, which oversees operations in Malaysia as well, confirmed the implementation of the scheme for Malaysians.
Visa requirements will be waived for nationals of Thailand who stay in Japan for not more than 15 days, while those seeking longer stays or visiting the country for business will still need to apply for a visa.
Thais entering Japan may be asked by immigration officers to prove their purpose of visit to the country with relevant documents such as return tickets and the like.
For Malaysians, there is no need to apply for a visa even if they stay for more than 15 days as the waiver is valid for three months, as long as the traveller holds an ordinary biometric passport with an embedded microchip, compliant with ICAO standards.
Last year, Thai arrivals to Japan reached 260,859, up from 214,881 in 2010, while Malaysia sent 130,300 visitors in 2012, up from 114,519 in 2010.
Read more in TTG Asia June 28, 2013 issue
*Our article had earlier reported that Malaysian nationals intending to visit Japan for longer than 15 days would require a visa. This is inaccurate and has since been amended.
