Travelers in 2024 have a lot to consider — including the size of the seat on a plane, whether the airline has a reputation for losing luggage and if the airline provides meals on a route. The cost of flights also fluctuates, depending on season and demand.
Throw in a tourist tax and a potential resort charge, and whether a destination welcomes tourists or not, and it’s no longer a case of “have bags, will travel.”
Travel to Japan as a visitor has been easy for U.S. passport holders in Guam, since they are among visitors from 71 countries, who have reciprocal visa waiver programs with Japan.
Haneda Airport in Japan is close to the capital of Tokyo. Journal file photo
Visitors from Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia are still required to obtain visas. But on July 23 Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs unveiled a new electronic visa system — more convenient than having to present a passport for stamping.
U.S. passport holders and others who travel to Japan will have to apply in the future through a new travel authorization system, currently known as JESTA — Japan’s version of the U.S. ESTA, or the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
The U.S. introduced ESTA on Aug. 1, 2008. The process was to enable U.S Customs and Border Protection to conduct security vetting of prospective visa waiver program travelers. The total cost of the U.S. ESTA is $21, which includes an initial $4 processing fee, and a $17 authorization fee upon approval to travel to the U.S.
Since the introduction of the U.S. ESTA, several countries have also introduced similar programs, since their citizens are also subject to electronic scrutiny before travel.
The idea of further screening is popular with governments, if not travelers.
JESTA information will be screened by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency, and if there are any concerns, travelers may be advised to apply for a visa through their embassy or consulate. The JESTA’s aim is to curtail illegal overstays, which include those from visa-exempt countries and regions.
Japan will research JESTA next year and aims to have the system in place by 2030. Clarification will be needed on how the JESTA will affect Japan’s trusted traveler program for entry to the country.
A far ahead start date may be practical. Other countries and regions have announced ESTA programs, only to delay them.
Japanese media are also reporting a proposal by the Japan Tourism Agency to remove foreign shopper tax exemptions for consumables and has submitted a proposal to abolish the 500,000-yen tax-free limit in less than a year. The previous government in the U.K. abolished tax-free purchases, a move which saw the luxury shopper market head to European countries, and there are now calls for the current government to reinstate tax free shopping.
The U.K introduced a £10 Electronic Travel Authorization in 2023, but only for citizens of seven countries in the Middle East, which became effective Feb. 1. Holders of U.S. passports, European Community citizens and others who can currently travel under the visa waiver program can expect to be required to complete the ETA “by the end of 2024.” The ETA will last for two years.
Countries with some sort of ESTA currently include Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea. South Korea suspended its Korean Electronic Travel Authorization or K-ETA from April 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024 for 22 countries including the U.S. and Guam (specifically mentioned) to support tourism. The K-ETA is not required for travelers aged less than 17 or 65 years and above.
The European Union also announced it would implement the European Travel Information and Authorization System, currently set for “the first half of 2025,” and specifically mentioning the U.S., the Marshall Islands, Palau and [the Federated States of] Micronesia, and certain nationals of the U.K., since Great Britain exited the European Union. The ETIAS will cost seven Euros, but individuals under 18 and over 70 years of age will be exempt.
Thought you had seen the end of the quart sized see-through plastic baggie for liquids? Think again.
The introduction of sophisticated screening machinery was trumpeted as an end to the baggies and was also designed to reduce screening times. The U.S. Transport Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security announced the introduction of a “prototype self-service system” in March and tested it at two U.S. airports. However, the issue became one of the costs of developing and introducing the machinery at airports nationwide.
U.K. airports announced June 1 the mandatory introduction of new screening machinery to allow passengers to leave electronic devices in their hand luggage as well as carry liquids larger than the traditional 100 ml size, as well as upgrading body scanners. Some airports in the European Union also scrapped the 100 ml limit. Some U.K airports met the deadline, but some did not.
As of mid-June, in the U.K. and in the EU as of Sept. 1, the old policies returned, since some new scanners also have a technical issue.
Several airlines now have guidelines for the size and weight of hand luggage, as well as a “personal item.”
Thought you had the size of your hand luggage well within requirements?
As of Sept. 2, the EU has introduced hand luggage guidelines of its own, which airlines must follow. Passengers flying within the EU can now carry bags measuring up to 55 x 40 x 20 centimeters or 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.87 inches, weighing 10 kilos, or a little more than 22 pounds.
As a guideline, the maximum size for carryon baggage of United Airlines is 22 x 14 x 9 inches and for Japan Airlines it’s 22 x 18 x 10 inches.
Travelers in Europe can also bring one small personal item, like a handbag or laptop bag, which must fit under the seat in front, and measure no larger than 40 x 30 x 15 centimeters.
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