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DerbyJohn
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Posts: 25
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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 Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 12:28 pm Post subject: Documents needed when arriving as a tourist |
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Hi
I'll be over in Tokyo in a week or so and just need some reassurance, please.
I don't have a job offer but do have somewhere to stay while I look for work (I know, unofficially). So, I'm arriving as a tourist. As far as I can see, all I need to get past Customs is ...
1. A valid passport: check.
2. Proof of funding: check (I have a current bank statement showing several thousand pounds in credit).
Question: do I need to also show any old bank statements?
3. A return air ticket, with a fixed return date within 90 days: check.
Is that it? I would hate to arrive and be turned back again!
Thanks |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 12:57 pm Post subject: Re: Documents needed when arriving as a tourist |
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| DerbyJohn wrote: |
2. Proof of funding: check (I have a current bank statement showing several thousand pounds in credit).
Question: do I need to also show any old bank statements?
Thanks |
I would think they want to see either cash or travelers checks, not money in a foreign bank account. They want you to show you can live here 90 days on money you bring with you i.e. cash in hand.
Dont even mention you have come for job interviews as they have a six-tatami concrete cell waiting for you if you get held over.
Last edited by PAULH on Sat Aug 06, 2005 3:59 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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lajzar
Joined: 09 Feb 2003
Posts: 647
Location: Saitama-ken, Japan
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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When I arrived one time many moons ago, I had nothing more than 150k yen in cash and my passport - no onward ticket in hand. No issues getting through.
What you need is:
- A valid ticket inbound
- A valid passport
- Proof of funds, sufficient to live on for the period of your stay
- An onward ticket OR proof of funds sufficient to buy an onward ticket |
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DerbyJohn
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Posts: 25
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:48 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for that! Now fully reassured ...  |
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wintersweet
Joined: 18 Jan 2005
Posts: 345
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
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| Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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| lajzar wrote: |
When I arrived one time many moons ago, I had nothing more than 150k yen in cash and my passport - no onward ticket in hand. No issues getting through.
What you need is:
- A valid ticket inbound
- A valid passport
- Proof of funds, sufficient to live on for the period of your stay
- An onward ticket OR proof of funds sufficient to buy an onward ticket |
How long ago was this, and what was your country of origin? The US Department of State's website plainly states that an onward ticket is required:
JAPAN - *Passport and onward/return ticket required. Visa not required for tourist/commercial business stay of up to 90 days. For specific information, consult the Embassy of Japan: (snip addresses) Internet: www.us.emb-japan.go.jp
The Japanese embassy's website says:
U.S. citizens generally may enter Japan for business or pleasure without a visa for up to 90 days. A valid US passport and a return ticket are necessary for entry into the country.
And the Japanese embassy in the UK says:
On entry to Japan a traveller should possess a fixed-date, confirmed return or onward journey ticket.
Maybe you just got lucky. *G* I don't think I would try it without an onward ticket, personally. |
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osakajojo
Joined: 15 Sep 2004
Posts: 229
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| Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 7:49 am Post subject: |
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| When I came as a tourist three months ago I was handed a piece of paper asking questions like my address and how long I am staying and how much cash I had on me. I wrote down US$1000. The only question I was asked is how long do you plan to stay. I wasn't asked to show a return ticket or anything. However I would not even think of entering without a return ticket. |
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wintersweet
Joined: 18 Jan 2005
Posts: 345
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
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| Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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| osakajojo wrote: |
| When I came as a tourist three months ago I was handed a piece of paper asking questions like my address and how long I am staying and how much cash I had on me. I wrote down US$1000. The only question I was asked is how long do you plan to stay. I wasn't asked to show a return ticket or anything. However I would not even think of entering without a return ticket. |
Yeah, I went as a tourist a year ago and I don't remember them asking to see our return tickets, but I wouldn't want to take that chance, either. I'm definitely in the the "better safe than sorry" camp on that kind of thing! |
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PrinceofZibo
Joined: 10 Jan 2004
Posts: 100
Location: Beautiful Quebec City
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| Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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I was there last month for my second time in japan... weird thing is I never had any trouble going through custums...
Why haven't they asked me for a proof of fund? I was carrying on me no more than 50$ US... but didn't even want to see it.
All they wanted is me to write down where I was going to be staying, what I was carrying... and that's it...
Kind of strange as I am 21 and was travelling with only a backpack...
Anyway, took me 3 minutes to get inside japan... They looked at my passport and did not say a thing...So don't worry too much. Be sympathetic, don't be too stressed out and no worries, japan will welcome you. |
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DerbyJohn
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Posts: 25
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 5:31 am Post subject: |
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Just got in this morning.
I had my (UK/European) passport and about �2K in cash. On the plane they gave me the 'Disembarkation' (sp?) card to complete.
At Arrivals, I was asked how long I was staying for. I said three months and told him the date of my return flight. He didn't ask to see the return ticket, though. Also, I had written on the card that I had �2K cash on me but this was never checked.
So I guess the moral of the story is 'Better safe than sorry'.
Thanks again for the advice. Now, there was just one more thing I needed to do. What was it? Oh yes, that's it: find a job.  |
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Jon Taylor
Joined: 09 Mar 2005
Posts: 238
Location: Tokyo
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 7:37 am Post subject: |
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Hi John
Best of luck finding work from an ardent rams fan living closeby.. |
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