Japan's Foreign Minister, Takeshi Iwaya, announced during his visit to Beijing on Dec. 25 that Japan will introduce relaxed visa policies for Chinese tourists. The new measures include the introduction of a 10-year multiple-entry tourist visa and an extension of the stay period for group travel visas from 15 to 30 days. These changes aim to boost economic and cultural exchanges between China and Japan. The updated visa policies are expected to take effect in the spring of 2025 after preparations are finalized.
According to the Nikkei Asia, this initiative aligns with China's recent decision to reinstate visa-free short-term stays for Japanese citizens, which has been in effect since November.
Currently, Chinese citizens traveling to Japan for personal purposes can apply for multiple-entry tourist visas with 3-year or 5-year validity. The newly introduced 10-year visa will primarily target wealthy individuals and will require applicants to meet high income and asset thresholds. The goal is to facilitate travel for affluent visitors and encourage greater spending in Japan.
For group travel, the extension of the stay period to 30 days will allow travel agencies to design longer itineraries and include more diverse destinations. This change is expected to benefit regional cities and less accessible areas in Japan, moving beyond the usual focus on major metropolitan hubs.
Additionally, for individual visa applications, Chinese citizens aged 65 and older will no longer be required to submit proof of employment. The current rule stipulating that 3-year personal visas must be used within three months of issuance will also be abolished, further simplifying the process.
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