136 KB Japanese Immigration Updates Due to COVID-19 In

Japan Tax Global Mobility News

Japanese Immigration Updates due to COVID-19

March 16, 2020

In brief

In order to strengthen the control of the COVID-19 spread and ease the impact of COVID-19 for certain individuals in Japan, the Japan authorities have introduced special immigration measures.

In detail

1. Extension of stay in Japan The following extension measures will be put in place for individuals holding the immigration status under Table A.

Table A Immigration Status Application Type Extension measures All (excluding Temporary Visitor Extension of Period of Stay Application deadline will be and Designated Activities status) extended by one month after expiration date for status expiring in March 2020. All (excluding Temporary Visitor Application for Change of Application deadline will be and Designated Activities status) Status of Residence extended by one month after expiration date for status expiring in March 2020. All Permission to Acquire Status Application deadline will be of Residence extended by one month Temporary Visitor Extension of Period of Stay Application for stay can be extended for 30 days if it is deemed difficult for individuals to secure return flights to their home countries due to impacts from COVID-19. Skill Intern Training Application for Change of Application for change of status Status of Residence to Designated Activities (30 days/work allowed) will be accepted if the individual has completed the course of “Skill Intern Training”; or “Designated Activities (Construction Employees or Shipbuilding Employees)”, if it is deemed difficult to secure return flights to their home countries due to impacts from COVID-19.1

1 Subject to conditions being met.

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2. Extension of validity of Certificate of Eligibility (COE)2 period From March 10, 2020, the period of validity of issued CoEs will be extended from 3 months to 6 months from the issued date. Additional documents may be required by Japanese Consulates for the extension.

3. Suspension of long-term work visas for individuals from China and South Korea • Consulates in China and South Korea have suspended the issue of entry visas until March 31, 2020. • The examination of submitted CoE applications for foreign individuals from the below locations in Table B will be put on hold until further notice:

Table B Countries Cities/ Provinces China3 Hubei Province, Zhejiang Province South Korea Gyeongsangbuk-do Daegu, Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsan-si, Andong, Yeongcheon-si Chilgok-gun, Uiseong-gun, Seongju-gun, Gunwi-gun

Iran Ghom Province, Tehran Province, Gilan Province, Manzandaran Province, Isfahan Province, Alborz Province, Markazi Province, Qazvin Province, Semnan Province, Golestan Province, Lorestan Province

Italy Veneto Province, Emilia, Romagna Province, Piedmont, Marche Province, Lombardy Province

San Marino All areas

4. Restriction of entries and quarantine measures From March 9 to March 31, 2020, the following measures will be put into place:

• The temporary visitor visa waiver for nationals of South Korea, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR will be suspended. • Flights from China or South Korea can only be accepted at Narita and Kansai airports and no other entry from other ports or airports will be allowed. • Individuals entering from China, South Korea, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR are required to be self-quarantined for 14 days and will not be allowed to use public transportation in Japan. • Foreign nationals who had visited the cities/ provinces listed under Table B (including foreign nationals who boarded the MS Westerdam that left Hong Kong) within 14 days before the date of arrival in Japan, will not be allowed to enter Japan, unless they have exceptional circumstances.

2 COE refers to a document issued by the regional immigration authority to approve landing permission of an individual to perform specific activities in Japan. This is a preliminary document before an individual can apply for a longer-term visa to enter Japan. The immigration authority approves the COE and the local Japanese Consulate approves the visa. 3 Also includes individuals with passports issued in these provinces.

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The takeaway

Employers with international operations should continue to monitor developments in immigration changes, consult immigration specialists on issues arising from their employees’ movements between countries and review their cross-border strategy accordingly. It is also expected that the work visa application process could potentially take longer as the Japan immigration authorities and Japan consulates cope with the changes.

Let’s talk

For a deeper discussion of how this issue might affect your business, please contact:

PwC Gyoseishoshi-Hojin Kasumigaseki Bldg. 15F, 2-5, Kasumigaseki 3-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6015 Email: [email protected] https://www.pwc.com/jp/en/about/member/tax/our-group/gyoseishoshi.html

Global Mobility Services Ichiro Kawakami Noriyuki Tominaga Jia Ee Partner Partner Senior Manager

Ryo Mouri Wakana Tachikawa Manager Manager

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