JAPAN is introducing multiple-entry short-stay visas for Indian nationals in order to tap the high-potential source market of India.
Announced yesterday, the new visa is valid for three years for up to 15 days at a time and will be issued by Japanese diplomatic offices, the embassy or consulate in the Indian traveller’s country of residence.
Currently Indian nationals are allowed into Japan on short-stay single-entry visas, and the extension of visa validity was a condition in an MoU signed by the governments of both countries in January (TTG Asia e-Daily, January 28, 2014).
Manoj Saraf, managing director of Gainwell Travel & Leisure Kolkata, welcomed the announcement, saying: “It will increase tourist traffic on multi-country itineraries in the Far East, cruise excursions and travellers on the way to or returning from the US. This is a win-win development for India and Japan.”
Meanwhile Rajji Rai, chairman of Swiftravel International New Delhi, commented: “The number of Indians travelling to Japan has increased over the years. This decision will boost business travel from India to Japan.”
Japan last year broke its own record with 75,000 Indian arrivals. This latest move is aimed at increasing total visitorship to 20 million in time for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Total international arrivals for 2013 was 10.4 million.
Additional report from Rohit Kaul
