Japan launched a Trusted Journey Program (TTP) in 2017 with very scarce details about its eligibility necessities (learn extra right here, right here, and right here).
This system was relaunched with little fanfare in early 2023, and the eligibility standards have been considerably expanded. Sebastian and I wrote about our utility experiences (learn extra right here and right here).
You possibly can entry Japan’s web page for TTP right here.
A reader despatched us a message that there’s now a word on TTP’s web site that new registration for this system and card issuance have been suspended. The present playing cards can be utilized till they expire.
Discover on TTP’s web site:
Presently, TTP is briefly suspending Consumer registration purposes and immigration card info registration .
Those that have already registered immigration card info can use the automated gates.
We’ll inform you in regards to the reopening date on this web page as quickly as it’s determined. (As of August 4, 2023)
The difficulty with this TTP program has been the slightly lengthy inspection progress when you fill out the required info and add paperwork on the web site (six weeks in my case). The time it takes on the airport to examine the paperwork, acquire the income stamps, learn the fingerprints and problem the cardboard (mine took 50 minutes).
Japan Trusted Traveler Program Registration Experiences in 2023:
Expertise Report: Japan’s Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) Is Now Open For New Purposes & Entry Through Automated Gates
Japan’s Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) Utility Expertise
Conclusion
Japan ought to relaunch this system however make it extra streamlined as a result of, in its present type, it takes method an excessive amount of time and human assets on the airport.
Your complete program has been considerably beneath the desk and actually solely worthwhile, as a result of purple tape, for these visiting the nation a number of instances a yr.
There are situations the place the immigration strains have been backed up as a consequence of many arriving international passengers, however my experiences prior to now 10 months have been easy.
I’m again in Japan this autumn and comfortable to see how these automated gates work with the issued TTP card.
