The Japanese government plans to extend its visa waiver for Thai citizens before the policy ends next year as scheduled.
This issue was discussed during a Tokyo meeting between Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa, VisaGuide.World reports.
Japan has permitted Thai tourists and businesspeople to enter without a visa for up to 15 days since 2013. This unilateral and temporary measure has been renewed every three years, with the current extension set to last until 2025.
According to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kamikawa agreed to consider the extension of the visa waiver while both countries addressed the issue of overstayers.
Newly Introduced Rules for Visa Overstayers in Japan
Addressing the same issue for visa overstayers, previously Japan’s Immigration Services Agency updated some reforms that aimed at reshaping the landscape of immigration policy.
Under the new rules, the revamped procedures will allow individuals facing removal to apply for this rescue permit even during deportation proceedings, moving away from the rigidity of previous protocols.
On this note, the Japanese side agreed to consider extending the current visa exemption scheme for Thai nationals. Both sides also agreed on close cooperation on the issue of overstaying in Japan.
Japan Remains Top Destination for Outbound Thai Tourists
Japan is the top destination for independent travelers and those joining group tours, with most Thais opting for repeat visits to Japan to explore the scenic locations further. At the same time, Thais led all Southeast Asian visitors to Japan.
Data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed that Thailand recorded a tourism deficit with Japan in the first six months of 2023. Thus, one million Thais visited Japan in the first half of the year, while only 300,000 Japanese came to Thailand. The same authority also said a total of 869,900 Thais visited Japan from January to November of last year, which was 75.4 percent of the 1.154 million who did so in 2019.
Number of Thai Tourists in Japan Exceeds 3 Million in Just One Month
Thai tourists to Japan ranked sixth in March 2023, contributing to a total number of foreign visitors that rose to over 3.08 million, marking the first time the figure surpassed the three million mark in a single month.
Meanwhile, throughout 2023, over 900,000 Thais visited Japan, representing 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels in 2019. In addition, the Thai Association of Travel Agents announced that by 2024, the number of Thais visiting Japan could reach 1.5 million.
The report of 2022, for example, shows that Thailand welcomed 1.5 million Japanese tourists, while only 600,000 Thais visited Japan.
Moreover, the number of Thais overstaying in Japan rose from 8,688 in 2021 to 9,459 in the previous year, compared with only 3,500 in 2013 when the visa-free policy was first introduced.