Qatar, Japan begin steps for mutual visa exemption

Qatar and Japan on Thursday signed the exchange of official memorandums to start procedures for mutual visa exemption for holders of ordinary passports in the two countries, which will enter into force on April 2.

The exchange of official memorandums on start the implementation of these procedures was agreed upon during the second round of the Qatar-Japan Strategic Dialogue which was held in Tokyo on January 31, 2023 under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Hayashi Yoshimasa.

The exchange of memorandums was signed for the State of Qatar by Ambassador of Qatar to Japan HE Hassan bin Mohammed Rafea Al Emadi and for Japan by Assistant Foreign Minister and Director-General of the Middle East and Africa Department Nagaoka Kansuke at the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters in Tokyo.

The step will allow holders of ordinary passports of Qatar who intent to stay in Japan for a period not exceeding thirty consecutive days to enter Japan without obtaining visa, after prior registration at any of the Japanese embassies or consulates.

Registration certificates will be issued to Qatari nationals free of charge and will be valid for three years, for the purpose of waiving visa requirements.