Canada Travel Requirements for Japanese Citizens

Traveling from Japan to Canada is popular because there are so many things to do and see in Canada. Additionally, some Japanese citizens visit Canada to see family or to do business in the country. No matter their reason for travel, Japanese citizens need to know what they need to do to enter Canada. That way, they can have the right paperwork processed before they get there.

What Travel Documents Do Japanese Citizens Need To Go To Canada?

Japanese citizens do not need to carry any documents with them when they enter Canada. However, they need two sets of approvals before they travel. The first of these is an ETA for Canada. This gives them the approval to enter the country, though that approval can be revoked at the border. Revocation rarely happens, though, and usually only occurs if something has happened between the time that the eTA was granted and when the person traveled.

Japanese citizens also need approval through the ArriveCAN app before they arrive in Canada. This focuses on health-related requirements related to COVID-19. Keep reading to find out more about these two approvals, including how to get them and how to use them at the Canadian border.

How Does the Canadian eTA Work?

It’s easy for Japanese citizens to apply for an eTA for travel to Canada. They can complete this process entirely online, from the comfort of their own homes. Here’s what they need to know about the document.

What is the eTA?

The Electronic Travel Authorization for Canada gives some foreign nationals permission to enter Canada. Specifically, it is used by those who do not need a visa to travel to the country. This includes citizens from Japan who are entering Canada by plane. Those coming into the country another way will need to get the appropriate visa approved before they travel.

The eTA is designed to keep Canada’s borders more secure. It was brought online due to the rise in international terrorism. Applying for the eTA for Canada involves answering questions on a number of topics. The Canadian government uses answers to these to screen out people who might be dangerous.

These people will be asked to provide more information or will not be granted eTA permission to enter the country. The eTA is valid for up to 5 years, or until the traveler’s Japanese passport expires - whichever happens first. Once they have an approved eTA on file, they can visit Canada as often as they want to until the permission expires.

At that point, they need to get another eTA approved. Japanese citizens who enter Canada on an eTA can stay there for up to 6 months. They can travel as tourists, for business, or to visit relatives. They can also transit Canada, which means stopping there while en route to another destination.

How to Use the eTA for Canada?

The eTA for Canada is easy to use. If granted, it is electronically linked to the traveler’s Japanese passport. Immigration officers in Canada will scan the passport and be able to see that the eTA was granted. Because of the electronic link, travelers do not need to print out the email that shows that their eTA was approved. However, they can still do this if they want to or if it makes them feel better.

How to Apply Online

Applying for an eTA for Canada is simple and straightforward. Travelers can complete it online, from the quiet and comfort of their own homes or from any location with internet access. Here’s what travelers need to know to make the process as painless as possible. Armed with this knowledge, it should be a breeze for Japanese citizens to apply for their Canadian eTA.

Necessary Documents

The eTA application process will go faster if applicants have several items gathered together before they begin. That way, they won’t have to find something after they start the application.

First, travelers need to have their Japanese passports with them. They need to make sure that it is valid and will remain so for at least 6 months after the day they plan to enter Canada. If it does not have this much validity, they will need to renew it before they apply for their Canadian eTA.

Secondly, travelers will need a reliable device with a good internet connection. They can complete the application on a mobile phone, a tablet, or a computer. The internet connection will need to last throughout the process. They should plan to have internet for at least a half hour, just to be safe.

Thirdly, each traveler will need to have a valid email address. This should be one that they can check regularly because communication about their eTA will go there. Finally, travelers need to have a credit card, a debit card, or a prepaid credit card. The fee for the eTA is $7 CAD and it will not be processed until they pay it. Once they have all of these items ready, applicants can begin filling out the application for their eTA for Japanese citizens.

Application Process

Applicants should find the eTA for Canada easy to fill out. They can simply follow the prompts on the screen, answer all the questions, and submit it when they are finished. Applicants should note that they cannot save the application after they start it. Thus, they should plan on completing the whole thing in a single sitting. Fortunately, it usually only takes 10-15 minutes to complete!

Passport Information

Japanese applicants will need to enter data from their passports. This includes items like the passport number, as well as where and when it was issued. Travelers need to be absolutely sure that the data they enter matches exactly what is on the passport. If it does not, the eTA may not be granted or they may be denied entry at the border. Applicants who enter data incorrectly and do not fix it before they submit the application will need to start over and apply for their eTA again.

Personal Information

Travelers from Japan will be asked for certain pieces of personal data. This includes their full, legal name, where they were born, their birthday, and more. Applicants need to make sure that every piece of data they enter is correct and is entered precisely. If they misspell something or enter it wrong, they need to correct it right away. If they do not correct it before they submit their eTA application and realize the problem later, they will need to fill out the whole application again.

Past History Information

Travelers from Japan will also be asked for information about their personal history. This includes questions about certain political affiliations, exposure to tuberculosis, criminal record, and more. These questions are used to screen for applicants who may need to supply more information before their eTA can be processed.

It helps the government to take note of people who may pose a danger in Canada. Most of the time, these people can submit extra documentation to prove their identity and legitimacy. Applicants need to be completely honest in their answers to these questions. Dishonesty is grounds for not getting an eTA or for having it revoked later on. If Japanese citizens need to visit Canada for a longer duration, contact the embassy for guidance on a regular visa.

How to use the ArriveCAN App Before Arrival in Canada?

The ArriveCAN app asks for health information pertinent to the COVID-19 pandemic. Note that Canada’s laws around this are subject to change without notice, so the app may ask for different pieces of information at different times.

In general, the app may ask for COVID-19 vaccination history, test results, quarantine/isolation plans, and more. Travelers will need to fill out this information and submit it before they travel to Canada. They will need to show proof of having done so to board flights in many countries.

Canadian immigration officials will use this information to help them decide who can enter Canada, who needs to quarantine upon arrival, and more. Overall, they use it to keep both citizens and travelers safe. Once they have both an approved eTA and have submitted their information via ArriveCAN, Japanese travelers should feel free to travel to Canada and do what they need to do there.

Japanese Airlines That Operate in Canada

Japanese airlines operating in Canada demonstrate a seamless blend of efficiency, comfort, and top-notch service. Notably, All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) provide frequent and reliable connections between Canada and Japan. Both airlines offer direct flights to major Canadian cities such as Vancouver and Toronto, while also serving several other destinations through code-share agreements with Canadian carriers like Air Canada and WestJet.

ANA and JAL have gained international recognition for their exceptional in-flight amenities, customer service, and punctuality, which has resulted in numerous accolades from industry experts. As a testament to their dedication to customer satisfaction, these Japanese airlines continuously innovate to provide travelers with an unparalleled flying experience, making them the preferred choice for many passengers flying between Canada and Japan. These Japanese airlines will ask for verification of the Canadian eTA.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Japanese citizens traveling to Canada must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and complete the ArriveCAN app requirements for a smooth entry into the country. While the eTA provides permission to enter Canada, the ArriveCAN app focuses on health-related information.

Major Japanese airlines, like All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, ensure a comfortable and efficient journey between the two nations. By meeting these prerequisites, Japanese travelers can enjoy the diverse experiences that Canada offers.