No axe for visa-free travel

The Japanese embassy in Thailand denies what it called groundless statements that suggested its government would suspend visa exemption for Thai nationals 1 January 2014.
Posted on the embassy website, Thursday, the statement said suggestions that the Japanese would suspend the visa-free facility unfounded.
“The government of Japan has not made such an announcement,” the statement read.
Officials did confirm that based on feedback Japan’s immigration police will be vigilant and crackdown on Thai visitors who attempt to abuse the system by entering the country to seek illegal work.
The Immigration Bureau of Japan has strengthened its examination process of documents that travellers present when entering the country.
The embassy said travellers needed to show a return airline ticket (including e-ticket), financial proof that the travellers could cover travel expenses while in Japan (cash, credit card), and contact information in Japan (name, address and telephone number of the contact person or hotel.) Immigration officials will ask for proof of these documents at the checkpoints.
Visa-free entry is valid for 15 days only for leisure travel and is based on proof of onward travel arrangements.
Immigration officials have the right to deny entry for a variety of reasons even though there is standing rule that Thai visitors are eligible for visa-free entry. They can still be denied entry if the immigration official is not convinced they are genuine leisure travellers.
The documents that must be available for inspection are:
(1) Return ticket
(2) Financial proof that the visitors can cover travel expenses while in Japan such as cash, credit card, etc.
(3) Name, address, and telephone number of contact person, hotel, etc. in Japan
(4) Itinerary in Japan
There are also other conditions of entry:
1. Must hold a valid electronic passport;
2. Activities to be engaged in while in Japan should not be against Japanese law and need to meet the criteria of a short-term stay;
3. The period of stay must not be more than 15 days;
4. No history of deportation from Japan or requests for visas denied.
Earlier in the month, Thailand’s Immigration Bureau chief, Panu Kerdlappol, said his Japanese counterparts were planning strict measures to screen Thai nationals visiting the country after some visitors abused easy entry to take up employment.
“The measures will include stringent checks on proof of accommodation and return trip tickets. Those who fail to produce documents may be refused entry and sent back immediately.”
The measure are being implemented after Japanese authorities estimated an average of 50 Thai citizens had overstayed their visas each month since the visa waiver was implemented on 1 July this year, he said.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews