World’s ‘best country’ to introduce new visa entry rules for tourists – and it affects Brits

HOLIDAYMAKERS have been left gutted as the worlds “best country” has introduced new travel rules.

Tourists jet setting to Japan have not been struck by visa requirements – until now.

AFP

Travellers to Japan may face the new rules before the end of the year as the Government is set to be planning a trialling period[/caption]

Alamy

Tokyo’s Shinjuku Neon Lights which are visited by many tourists each year[/caption]

Dubbed the “best country in the world” many hopeful travellers could be left gutted when they discover the introduction of new requirements to enter the East Asian island.

Some 71 countries and regions could be affected as the Japanese government has announced its plans to introduce a “new travel authorisation system” which will require visitors to declare personal information to enter the country.

This long list includes Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, the US and of course Brits.

Similar to America’s ESTA or Electronic System for Travel Authorisation the new regulations have already been named JESTA.

Whilst the US originally introduced the measure for anti-terrorism purposes, it seems the Japanese version will screen visitors before they are allowed to officially set foot on Japanese soil.

The official reasoning behind the new system has been revealed as an attempt to reduce the number of illegal immigrants.

At the moment, those coming from one of the 71 visa-exempt countries and regions are able to remain for as long as their period of stay is valid.

This varies depending on the individual’s nationality and passport allowances but ranges from two weeks to 90 days.

Currently, those who do not pass the screening in place still arrive in Japan as the airline passes on information after take-off.

The new regulations seem to be tackling the issues that arise from this method which could be one of the reasons 49,801 illegal short-term visitors were recorded in January 2016 with just under 30,000 of these coming from visa-exempt areas.

JESTA will alter the system that is currently acting and in some areas failing to reduce these numbers.

Supposedly, if an individual’s application is flagged as an illegal-stay risk, “the travel authorisation required to leave the country will not be granted” and the “traveller will be encouraged to obtain a formal visa through their local embassy instead”, according to soranews24.com.

The plans for JESTA look to be launched as a trial this year but may not officially be in place until 2030.