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Information on Visas

General Information

• All foreign visitors entering Japan must have a valid passport. Participants requiring visas should apply to Japanese consular offices or diplomatic mission in their countries prior to their local travel agents or carriers.

• Aliens residing in countries where no Japanese representation is established may apply for a temporary entry permit via the representations of their counties in Japan.

• Visitors must hold onward or return ticket, proof of sufficient funds to cover the duration of their stay in Japan and documents required for their next destination. If not, they may be refused entry. Undertaking remunerative activities, or taking up employment is strictly prohibited.

• If you have any questions about entry to Japan from your country, please contact Japanese Embassy and Consulates .

IJCAI-97 LAC is willing to support IJCAI-97 participants to get a Travel Document issued by the Japanese authorities (tokoshomeisho).

Admission and Transit restrictions

1. The Japanese authorities do not recognize passports of
   1. Taiwan (Rep. of China).
      If such passengers hold a Travel Document issued by the Japanese authorities (tokoshomeisho), they must also possess a valid passport as identification
   2. Andorra Nationals of Andorra must hold a passport issued by the French or Spanish authorities
   3. Korea (Dem. People's Rep.)
   4. the Palestinian Government

2. Japanese single-use passports become invalid upon the holder's return to Japan. Therefore, when the holder is in direct transit through Japan to a third country, he should be advised to remain in the transit lounge in Japan.

3. The Japanese authorities do not recognize collective passports issued to groups of passengers. Only in case of immediate family traveling together, passports containing more than one name are accepted

4. An unexpired visa in an expired passport may be used provided the passenger also carries a second valid passport which must be officially bound with the expired one. A valid visa in an expired passport can be transferred to the valid passport by any Japanese consulate.

Visa Waiver (As of Nov. 1996)

1. Nationals of the following countries
   1. For a stay not exceeding 90 days:
      Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Rep., El Salvador, Finland, France, Greece, Guatamala, Honduras, Iceland, Istael, Italy, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal (except when passport originally issued in present or former Portuguese colonial territories), San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruquay, USA, Yugoslavia

   2. For a stay not exceeding 90 days (extension possible):
      Austria, Germany, Ireland (Rep.), Liechtenstein, Mexico (not applicable to holders of diplomatic or official passports), Switzerland

2. Nationals of Malaysia and Peru for a stay of max. 90 days.
   However, it is highly recommended to obtain a visa prior to arrival (not applicable to holders of diplomatic or official passports). Those arriving without visa will be subject to thorough interrogation and strict checks by the immigration officers on arrival and are likely to be refused entry.

3. Nationals of Brunei for a purely touristic stay of max. 14 days

4. Nationals of Iran holding diplomatic or official passports and travelling on duty

5. Nationals of Hungary holding diplomatic or official passports and travelling on duty. If coming for other purposes: visa exempt for a stay of max. 90 days Nationals of Korea (Rep.) provided holding diplomatic or official passports and coming for touristic purposes for a stay of max. 90 days

6. Nationals of Poland provided holding diplomatic or service passports for a stay of max. 90 days

Additional information

Health

Tax: Passenger Service Facility Charge

1. Passenger service facility charge is levied on passengers of 12 years and departing from Tokyo Narita Airport and Kansai Airport on international flights:
   1. at Narita Airport
      JPY (Japanese Yen) 2,000 - (1,000 for children from 2 to 11 years) or the equivalent in US Dollars.
   2. at Kansai Airport JPY
      2,600 - (1,300 - for children from 2 to 11 years)
2. Place of Payment:
   1. Tokyo City Air Terminal or Tokyo Narita Airport when departing from Narita Airport.
      Kansai Airport when leaving from Kansai Airport.

Customs

1. Import: free import
   1. Tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, tobacco) only for persons of 20 years or over
   2. Three bottles of alcoholic beverages only for persons of 20 years or over
   3. Two ounces of perfume
   4. Gifts and souvenirs valued up to JPY 200,000
   5. Passengers carrying unaccompanied baggage to arrive by a later flight are required to make a written declaration at the time and place of their entry. Declaration after entry may not be accepted.

Prohibited

1. All plants and vegetables with soil
2. Most fresh fruits vegetables, plants or parts of plants (vines, leaves, roots, etc.) except for certain items listed below, originating from:
   1. Hawaiian Islands: Pineapples, coconuts, unripe bananas, orchids, papayas
   2. USA, Canada, New Zealand; oranges, lemons, grape fruits, melons, orchids, seeds
   3. Europe, Africa, Australia, Brazil: pineapple, coconuts, unripe bananas, seedlings (except from Brazil), bulb, seeds
   4. Asia: pineapples, coconuts, unripe bananas, orchids, seeds, papayas, mangoes
   5. All areas: cut flowers
   6. Raw meat and processed meat such as ham, bacon and sausages from various areas
   7. Pets such as dogs, cats, birds, snakes, etc.