Starting from November 1, UAE citizens with ordinary passports can travel to Japan without obtaining a prior visa, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Holders of UAE passports can stay in Japan for up to 30 days each visit for the purpose of tourism or work without the need to submit an application at the Embassy of Japan in Abu Dhabi, apply for an exemption, or pay any fees.

Requirements for entry

According to the Ministry, entry requirements to Japan continue to apply, including a valid passport for at least six months, a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted 72 hours before departure, and presenting a certificate that proves the traveller has taken three doses of vaccines approved by Japan, such as Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Sinopharm.

Khalid Abdullah Belhoul, Under-Secretary at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, underscored that the decision to exempt UAE nationals from prior entry visas reflects the depth of cooperation between the UAE and Japan as the two countries celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations. Belhoul noted that the agreement will enhance tourism and cultural exchange and support new opportunities in business, trade, and investment.

The agreement coincides with the launch of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UAE and Japan, signed by Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership aims to strengthen relations between the two countries to serve common interests by encouraging additional diplomatic, economic, political, trade, and investment cooperation.

There are more than 340 Japanese companies operating in various sectors in the UAE, which is Japan's 10th largest trading partner worldwide.