You don’t need to apply for a visa when traveling to Japan by cruise ship. Currently, all Japanese routes departing from domestic home ports are visa-free.

According to the notification of the entry and exit administration of China and Japan, the ship sightseeing landing permit system will be implemented on March 17, 2015, allowing foreign tourists to board passenger ships designated in advance by the Japanese Minister of Justice for the purpose of sightseeing. The purpose is to enter the port of call without a visa, but the foreign passenger must return to the passenger ship before the passenger ship leaves the port.

According to the requirements of the Shanghai Pujiang Border Inspection Department, travel agencies must fill in the tourist registration list according to the attachment requirements and send it to the border inspection via email for declaration.

On the day of boarding, the travel agency leader must bring the original copy of the valid group departure list and prepare the travel documents of all team members including passports and ferry tickets, and then go to the check-in counter to handle relevant procedures.

But not all cruise ships to Japan are visa-free. The visa exemption for Chinese cruise tourists requires each shipping company to apply to the relevant Japanese authorities on a ship-by-ship basis, and it can only be implemented after being approved.

Extended information

On March 17, 2015, the Shanghai Pujiang Border Department issued a notice explaining the operating procedures and instructions for this new visa-free policy. According to the latest notice from the Immigration Administration of China and Japan, the ship sightseeing landing permit system will be implemented from now on, allowing foreign tourists traveling on passenger ships designated in advance by the Japanese Minister of Justice to enter the country without a visa at ports of call for the purpose of sightseeing. However, the Foreign passengers must return to the passenger ship before the passenger ship leaves the port.

According to the requirements of Shanghai Pujiang Immigration Inspection Department, travel agencies must fill in the tourist registration list according to the attachment requirements and send it to Pujiang Immigration Inspection via email for declaration. On the day of boarding, the travel agency leader must bring the original valid group departure list (Quadruple Travel Commission Form) and prepare the travel documents (passports, ferry tickets) of all team members to the check-in counter to handle relevant procedures.

Japan’s new visa-free policy for Chinese cruise tourists has provided great convenience to travel agencies and tourists. Cruise lines will be more abundant and relevant visa fees will also be waived. This new policy can more effectively boost Japanese port traffic and is an important move for Japan and South Korea to compete for Chinese cruise tourists.

Reference materials: Baidu Encyclopedia - Japanese personal tourist visa People's Daily - Japan implements visa-free policy for Chinese cruise tourists