Re-entry of foreign nationals who possess the status of residence
2020/9/2
The Government of Japan has announced new measures to incrementally permit re-entry/entry into Japan by foreign nationals who possess a status of residence and others. Please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s website for more information on the process and requirements for re-entry, i.e. on obtaining a Letter of Confirmation of Submitting Required Documentation for Re-entry into Japan (hereafter referred to as “Re-entry Confirmation Letter”)
The Consulate is open on weekdays between 9:00-12:00 or 13:30-16:00 to apply. Please double check our office holidays to ensure we are open as we are closed on Queensland as well as several Japanese public holidays. Please click here.
We will contact you when your Re-Entry Confirmation Letter is ready to pick up.
There is no processing fee.
Applications are only accepted from residents of Queensland. If you reside in New South Wales, please contact the Consulate in Sydney. However, those who live on the border of Queensland and New South Wales and wish to submit an application to this office in Brisbane, please contact us before visiting.
To enter Japan, you must bring your negative PCR Test Certificate and Re-entry Confirmation Letter with you.
Please refer to this list of medical institutions in Australia, which can provide PCR Test Certificates.
(Queensland residents should consult one of the clinics designated as providing nationwide consultations and receive a test locally as directed by that clinic) .
The clinic or testing centre must fill out and sign the PCR Test Certificate form as provided here.
If the applicant cannot find a medical institution which accepts the above-mentioned format, the applicant can submit an optional format document with the following information in English, but in that case, it might take extra time for quarantine inspection and immigration inspection.
After entering Japan, you must self-isolate at home or a hotel for a period of 14 days.
You must not use any kind of mass or public transport (taxi, domestic flights, ferry, bus, train etc.) during your self-isolation or to get to the place where you will self-isolate.
Please use a private car (your family may pick you up) or a rental car.
For more information, see here at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s website: (in Japanese)
You can call on (07) 3221 5188 or email us at consular@bb.mofa.go.jp if you have any questions.
If you are not a Queensland resident, please contact the appropriate Embassy or Consulate for enquiries.
Caution for those who previously could re-enter into Japan as being deemed to have special exceptional circumstances without any extra requirement, namely foreign nationals who possess the following status; "Permanent Resident", "Spouse or Child of Japanese National", "Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident" or "Long Term Resident" (including the spouse of a Japanese national or Japanese child who does not have these statuses of residence):
From 1 September 2020, the above instructions will also apply. Please note that this is a change from the previous instructions for such individuals.
- Re-entry of foreign nationals who possess the status of residence
- Process and Required Documents for Re-entry
1. Eligibility for Application
Please confirm your eligibility for the measures described above.- Possessing a Japanese status of residence and valid residence card (zairyu card)
- Departed Japan before the 2 April 2020 or between the 3 April 2020 and 31 August 2020
- Holding a valid re-entry permit including special re-entry permit (labelled as “Disembarkation Card For Reentrant)
2. Application Forms and Method (for Queensland Resident)
If you are eligible to apply, please bring:- Passport with a valid re-entry permit including special re-entry permit (should your permit be in an old passport please bring BOTH OLD and NEW passport)
- Valid residence card (zairyu card)
- Application form for re-entry confirmation letter
The Consulate is open on weekdays between 9:00-12:00 or 13:30-16:00 to apply. Please double check our office holidays to ensure we are open as we are closed on Queensland as well as several Japanese public holidays. Please click here.
We will contact you when your Re-Entry Confirmation Letter is ready to pick up.
There is no processing fee.
Applications are only accepted from residents of Queensland. If you reside in New South Wales, please contact the Consulate in Sydney. However, those who live on the border of Queensland and New South Wales and wish to submit an application to this office in Brisbane, please contact us before visiting.
3. Additional Quarantine Measures and Application for PCR Test Certificate
As a condition of entry into Japan, you must obtain a negative PCR Test Certificate (obtained within 72 hours of your departure time).To enter Japan, you must bring your negative PCR Test Certificate and Re-entry Confirmation Letter with you.
Please refer to this list of medical institutions in Australia, which can provide PCR Test Certificates.
(Queensland residents should consult one of the clinics designated as providing nationwide consultations and receive a test locally as directed by that clinic) .
The clinic or testing centre must fill out and sign the PCR Test Certificate form as provided here.
If the applicant cannot find a medical institution which accepts the above-mentioned format, the applicant can submit an optional format document with the following information in English, but in that case, it might take extra time for quarantine inspection and immigration inspection.
- personal information of an applicant (name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, sex)
- proof of authenticity of the COVID-19 test result (test method and sample origin (only limited to those mentioned in the format), result, date and time of the test, date of the the test result, date of issuance of the test)
- information of the medical institution (the name and address of a medical institution / name of the doctor/stamp seal(or signtaure))
4. Quarantine in Japan (Self-Isolation)
Once you enter Japan, you will be required to take a COVID-19 test at the airport and wait for results at the airport or at a place specified by health officials.After entering Japan, you must self-isolate at home or a hotel for a period of 14 days.
You must not use any kind of mass or public transport (taxi, domestic flights, ferry, bus, train etc.) during your self-isolation or to get to the place where you will self-isolate.
Please use a private car (your family may pick you up) or a rental car.
For more information, see here at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s website: (in Japanese)
5. Further Questions
Please carefully read the above information and the links on the Ministry of Foreign Affair's website before contacting us.You can call on (07) 3221 5188 or email us at consular@bb.mofa.go.jp if you have any questions.
If you are not a Queensland resident, please contact the appropriate Embassy or Consulate for enquiries.
Caution for those who previously could re-enter into Japan as being deemed to have special exceptional circumstances without any extra requirement, namely foreign nationals who possess the following status; "Permanent Resident", "Spouse or Child of Japanese National", "Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident" or "Long Term Resident" (including the spouse of a Japanese national or Japanese child who does not have these statuses of residence):
From 1 September 2020, the above instructions will also apply. Please note that this is a change from the previous instructions for such individuals.