Japan Grants 15-Day Visa-Free Entry to Indonesians, Thais

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that citizens of Indonesia and Thailand are eligible for 15-day visa-free entry into Japan. This arrangement is notably shorter than the 30 days granted to nationals from Brunei and Qatar, and the 90 days offered to most other countries on Japan's visa exemption list.

Both Indonesian and Thai nationals must possess an ePassport that meets the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. Those without such a passport must obtain a visa prior to travel.

Indonesian nationals have an additional requirement to register their ICAO-compliant ePassport with a Japanese diplomatic mission in Indonesia, which can be an embassy, consulate-general, or consulate. This registration is valid for three years or until the passport expires.

Thailand's ePassport requirement has been in effect since 1 July 2013. Japan applies similar ICAO ePassport requirements to nationals from several other countries, including Montenegro, Peru, Paraguay, Panama, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, and Serbia.