Press Releases
Relaxation of Visa Requirements for Nationals of Pacific Islands
1. As the Government of Japan declared on the occasion of the 8th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 8), in order to promote people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the Pacific Islands, the relaxation of visa requirements for short-term stay for nationals of the Pacific Islands (the Republic of Palau, the Federal States of Micronesia, the Independent State of Samoa, the Republic of Vanuatu, the Republic of Kiribati, Tuvalu, the Republic of Nauru, Solomon Islands, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Fiji, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Kingdom of Tonga) was decided and will come in effect on August 1, 2018.
2. The specific measures to be taken are as follows:
(1) For nationals of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the period of stay of the multiple entry visas (for various purposes, including tourism) will be extended from 15 days to 30 days.
(2) For nationals of other countries, the multiple entry visas (terms of validity: 3 years, period of stay: 30 days maximum) for short-term stay (for various purposes, including tourism) will be newly introduced in addition to existing single entry visas.
3. The abovementioned relaxation of visa requirements is expected to contribute to improvement of convenience for tourists and increase in repeat visitors as well as further advancement of people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the Pacific Islands.
(Note) More details including outline of application procedures for multiple entry visa will be announced later on the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.