Restrictions on Businesspeople Entering Japan Lifted... Korea-Japan Agreement

Special Entry Procedures for Korean-Japanese Businesspeople Begin on the 8th
Fifth After China, UAE, Indonesia, and Singapore
Korea Is Second After Singapore for Japan
'Business Track' and 'Residence Track' Operated Separately
For Short-Term Business Travelers and Long-Term Residency Applicants

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] South Korea and Japan have agreed on special entry procedures for businesspeople. Restrictions on businessperson movement, imposed due to the spread of COVID-19 and frozen bilateral relations, have been abruptly lifted.

The government announced on the 6th that both countries agreed on the 'Korea-Japan Special Entry Procedures for Businesspeople' and will implement it starting from the 8th. Prospective employees of Japanese companies are also included.

Previously, on the 24th of last month, President Moon Jae-in and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga welcomed the upcoming agreement on special entry procedures for essential personnel and expressed mutual understanding that this would help develop bilateral relations by opening the way for the resumption of human exchanges.

South Korea has institutionalized special entry procedures for businesspeople with Japan, following China, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Singapore. Japan will implement the 'Business Track' with South Korea as its second country after Singapore.

When South Korean businesspeople enter Japan, Japan applies the 'Business Track' and 'Residence Track' systems as part of its 'gradual measures to resume international human exchanges.'

Special quarantine procedures during our businesspeople's visit to Japan. (Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)

The 'Business Track' mainly applies to short-term business travelers. By complying with additional quarantine procedures, they can engage in economic activities in Japan without quarantine after entry.

Applicants must submit a pledge and activity plan prepared by the inviting company in Japan to the Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan in Korea to obtain a visa, and then follow the special quarantine procedures agreed upon by both countries.

Those eligible for the Business Track include ▲short-term business travelers (short-term commercial) ▲long-term residence status holders (management/administration, intra-company transferee, engineer/humanities/international services, nursing care, highly skilled professional, technical intern training, specified skilled worker, specified activities (limited to company establishment)) ▲and diplomatic/public officials.

Until now, the Japanese government prohibited entry to all foreigners who had stayed in 159 countries/regions, including South Korea, designated as entry refusal areas within 14 days before applying for entry to Japan, unless there were 'exceptional circumstances.'

Entry under this special entry procedure agreement is considered to fall under 'exceptional circumstances.'

The 'Residence Track' mainly applies to long-term residents and requires 14 days of self-quarantine after entering Japan.

Through this agreement, human exchanges with Japan will officially resume, starting with businesspeople. Japan is South Korea's third-largest trading partner and second-largest partner for human exchanges.

A government official said, "The government will continue efforts to expand the application of the Korea-Japan special entry procedures for our businesspeople and support their economic activities."

Inquiries about South Korean businesspeople departing for Japan can be made through the 'Comprehensive Support Center for Businesspeople's Entry and Exit.' Inquiries about prospective employees of Japanese companies departing for Japan can be guided through the 'Human Resources Development Service of Korea.'

Inquiries about Japanese visa issuance procedures can be made through the Consular Section of the Embassy of Japan in Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.