A bird's eye view of a pagoda in Japan. ARCHIVE

Starting on November 1, UAE citizens can travel to Japan without getting 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, starting from November 1, 2022, without the need to submit an application at the Embassy of Japan in Abu Dhabi, apply for an exemption, or pay any fees,” according to the ministry. The ministry noted, however, that travelers must ensure that they carry a passport that is valid for at least six months. Unvaccinated travelers must provide a negative PCR test result taken 72 hours before their flight, while vaccinated travelers can present a certificate showing they have taken three doses of Covid-19 vaccine from either Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Sinopharm. Khalid Abdullah Belhoul, Under-Secretary at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said the move to exempt UAE nationals from prior entry visas will enhance tourism and cultural exchange and support new opportunities in business, trade, and investment between UAE and Japan. The UAE is Japan's tenth largest trading partner in the world and is home to more than 340 Japanese companies operating in various sectors. ICA/Expat Media
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