For Brits going to the UK

[KyushuWoozy]

I know this isn't strictly financial so I hope it's okay to post Ben.

I also know that the change in policy allowing residents like us to return to Japan isn't confirmed yet (though based on the NHK report I posted in another thread I guess it will be sometime next month). It doesn't even seem clear yet if it will apply to all residents or just those with PR status.

Despite this I have been planning for a while to head to the UK in September taking the calculated risk that Japan will open to residents sooner rather than later anyway. Here's what I found out:

- Even though Japan isn't on the list of countries requiring quarantine when entering the UK, if you will transit in Dubai or Singapore (or most other places) then quarantine will be required. It's a pretty strict quarantine too and we are supposed not even to leave our house for shopping or exercise for 14 days

- Insurance does seem available at least through the company I normally use (World Nomads). However it won't cover for any medical claims or cancellation claims resulting from the virus. As you probably know, Japan residents like us aren't entitled to NHS care when we visit the UK.

- If travelling via Dubai (as I probably will) a COVID-19 PCR test certificate taken a maximum of 96 hours before departure is required. Interestingly, this 96 hours refers not only to the time before boarding the flight to Dubai, but also boarding the flight from Dubai to the UK.

- As far as I can see (though I didn't do a mega search) the only way to avoid the need for quarantining on arrival in the UK is by flying via Germany. However the cheapest flight I could find doing this was with ANA at approximately twice the price I normally pay on Singapore airlines or Qatar airlines.

- We'll need to quarantine for 14 days on arrival back in Japan, presuming they let us in ...

About the COVID-19 PCR test certificate: I started to do a search but just ended up down several Google rabbit holes. The only thing I found out is that it costs ¥30,000 (source: Mrs Woozy over breakfast). I'm interested if anyone knows any more information about this, like where to get it and how to book it.

[RetireJapan]

Seems fine to me. I'm not planning to go anywhere for the forseeable future, but I have been following this a bit.

Private Covid tests are available from some clinics. You'd have to search for a local one (something like 自費診療での新型コロナPCR検査 plus your location perhaps?).

If you go, I'd be prepared to not be able to come back for a while. What I have read says they will require written permission from the embassy, a negative Covid test within 72 hours of flying, and there may be quotas based on the testing capacity in Narita/Haneda.

Keep us posted if you go through with it

[Beaglehound]

It does seem rather fraught with uncertainty. Best of luck if you do it.

One minor point of information, in Scotland you can still access the NHS within the first five years of leaving Japan, assuming you have lived anywhere in the UK legally for more than 10 years. Even beyond that, as long as you have been back for a visit to the UK every two years, you (and family members travelling with you) can use it. I think NHS is devolved in Wales and NI too so different rules may apply there too.

[KyushuWoozy]

Flights booked, sent email to immigration and received confirmation reply as mentioned here:

http://www.moj.go.jp/content/001327551.pdf

It says there may be limits due to testing capacity so if anyone plans to re-enter during peak period just after new year I suggest to get onto it ASAP.

I ended up paying more to get a flight direct Japan to UK. Originally I planned to transit in Dubai but you need PCR test before. It turned out to be really messy trying to get specific kind of PCR test required ("swab") with the correct format of test result and timing the test right. At least flying directly from Japan I don't need to quarantine on arrival whereas I would if transiting in middle east or Singapore.

I'm a bit worried about an uptick in cases here and/or UK in autumn so happy to get my trip nailed down in case regulations change again.

[Dabitto]

Flights booked, sent email to immigration and received confirmation reply as mentioned here:

http://www.moj.go.jp/content/001327551.pdf

Hey KyushuWoozy!
Can I ask you how long it took them to send you a confirmation reply after you sent them the email?

I work at a Japanese company that provides worldwide emergency response services. We sometimes have to fly out on the same day or the next day after getting the request to go there, so it is quite crucial for me that the time to get such a confirmation is as little as possible.
I called with the Immigration Services Agency (the phone number on the bottom of your PDF-file) the other day to ask them about this.
They told me that it would probably take them between 3 to 4 days (including weekends and national holidays that is) to send you back the confirmation. This, together with the different swap-methods in different countries/clinics, is holding me back from fully being able to do my job. Luckily, my company already pledged to always support me when I do get stuck overseas and will mediate with the Japanese embassies to get me back to Japan in the worst case scenario.

There is a high chance that I will have to fly out in the near future, so in that case I will post my personal experiences with the procedures here on the forum.

However, if something happens to one of my family members overseas, I have to be prepared to wait for 3 to 4 days before being able to go there... I just hope that the Japanese government will soon start to treat its foreign nationals the same as its Japanese nationals, although I've lost quite a bit of faith in that...

Anyways, your reply would be much appreciated, KyushuWoozy

[RetireJapan]

I work at a Japanese company that provides worldwide emergency response services.

That sounds incredibly interesting. Any chance of a(n anonymous) write up for the blog?

[adamu]

I work at a Japanese company that provides worldwide emergency response services. We sometimes have to fly out on the same day or the next day after getting the request to go there, so it is quite crucial for me that the time to get such a confirmation is as little as possible.
I called with the Immigration Services Agency (the phone number on the bottom of your PDF-file) the other day to ask them about this.
They told me that it would probably take them between 3 to 4 days (including weekends and national holidays that is) to send you back the confirmation. This, together with the different swap-methods in different countries/clinics, is holding me back from fully being able to do my job.

Not sure how much weight your employer has, but getting hold of the minister to pull some strings will probably be the most effective way. Out of reach for invididuals, of course.

[KyushuWoozy]

Can I ask you how long it took them to send you a confirmation reply after you sent them the email?

Sent my email SEP 3rd received reply SEP 5th