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Japan immigration

Waiting list to enter Japan grows to 400,000 amid COVID curbs

Government weighs easing as international students protest prolonged entry ban

Narita Airport in November. A person at one of the "supervisory organizations" that accept technical interns says it will take half a year before everyone now waiting to enter Japan will be able to get in. 

TOKYO -- The waiting list to enter Japan continues to grow, with about 400,000 foreign nationals unable to enter as of Jan. 4 despite receiving prior approval for their status of residence, according to Japan's Immigration Services Agency (ISA).

Due to prolonged entry restrictions, that is 30,000 more than the 370,000 who had not been able to enter as of October. The Japanese government is considering easing the restrictions, but there will be a limit to the number of people admitted per day, meaning it will take some time for all of the people waiting to be able to enter.

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