logo
UAE Nationals Can Stay in Japan for 90 Days Without a Visa Starting July 1

UAE Nationals Can Stay in Japan for 90 Days Without a Visa Starting July 1

Hi Dubai2 days ago

Japan will extend its visa-free stay for United Arab Emirates (UAE) nationals from 30 to 90 days starting July 1, 2025, in a move expected to boost tourism and strengthen business ties between the two countries.
The updated visa waiver applies to UAE citizens holding valid, ICAO-compliant ordinary passports. The extension covers short-term stays for purposes such as tourism, business, and visiting family or friends.
Japan has allowed visa-free entry for UAE nationals since 2022, with an initial limit of 30 days. The forthcoming change triples the allowed stay and is part of Japan's broader efforts to enhance bilateral engagement with the UAE.
Officials anticipate that the relaxed entry rules will lead to increased travel between the two nations, improved convenience for business travelers, and deeper cultural and economic exchange.
In a reciprocal move, the UAE introduced a similar visa waiver for Japanese nationals in August 2024, allowing short-term stays of up to 90 days without a visa.
The mutual visa waiver reflects growing cooperation between Japan and the UAE, aligning with both countries' goals of expanding international connectivity and easing travel regulations.
News Source: MOFA Japan

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Saudi Digital Bank D360 Eyes Series A in 2025, Targets Global Investors
Saudi Digital Bank D360 Eyes Series A in 2025, Targets Global Investors

Fintech News ME

time6 hours ago

  • Fintech News ME

Saudi Digital Bank D360 Eyes Series A in 2025, Targets Global Investors

Saudi Arabia's digital bank D360, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is in preliminary discussions with potential global investors as it prepares for a Series A funding round slated for the second half of 2025. The Shariah-compliant bank, which began operations in December, aims to complete the fundraising in the first quarter of 2026, according to Chief Executive Officer Eze Szafir in an interview with Bloomberg. This follows D360's successful raising of approximately US$500 million from existing shareholders, including the PIF and Derayah Financial Co. Szafir did not specify the size of the upcoming round but said the funds would support efforts to expand services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in line with Saudi Arabia's economic diversification objectives under Vision 2030. 'We're looking for new investors in the international landscape, most probably from Europe or the US, with the same quality we have here with the PIF and Derayah,' Szafir told Bloomberg. The bank also plans to launch comprehensive lending services for individuals and SMEs later this year. To prepare for the funding round, D360 has appointed former JPMorgan Chase & Co. banker Mohammed Nazer as Chief Financial Officer to oversee the process. Nazer said the bank expects to appoint advisers to manage the Series A round by the end of July. D360 is among the first institutions to receive a digital banking licence in Saudi Arabia and currently serves over 1 million users. It is targeting 4 million account holders ahead of a potential public listing within the next four years. By leveraging data-driven strategies and modern technologies, the bank aims to support the development of Saudi Arabia's digital financial infrastructure in alignment with Vision 2030. The move comes as the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), continues to update regulatory frameworks to facilitate digital transformation in the financial sector. SAMA has prioritised innovation and financial inclusion by licensing new digital banking players as part of efforts to modernise the Kingdom's banking system and bolster financial resilience. This regulatory push has contributed to electronic payments accounting for 79% of all retail transactions in Saudi Arabia in 2024, up from 70% in 2023, according to SAMA. The central bank also reported that non-cash retail transactions totalled 12.6 billion in 2024, compared with 10.8 billion the year before, reflecting ongoing growth and adoption of digital payments nationwide.

Etihad Airways, STARLUX Airlines sign codeshare partnership deal
Etihad Airways, STARLUX Airlines sign codeshare partnership deal

Gulf Today

time15 hours ago

  • Gulf Today

Etihad Airways, STARLUX Airlines sign codeshare partnership deal

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today Etihad Airways has signed a strategic codeshare agreement with Taipei-based STARLUX Airlines, expanding customer access to Northeast Asia and strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as a gateway between East and West. The partnership, announced at the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, enables Etihad customers to connect seamlessly to key Japanese cities including Nagoya, Sapporo, and Fukuoka via Taipei, whilst offering STARLUX passengers direct access to Etihad's European network through Abu Dhabi. Etihad will launch daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Taipei on 7 September 2025, operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The new route creates the foundation for the codeshare partnership, positioning Taipei as a gateway for Etihad's expansion into Northeast Asia. Etihad customers booking through and the airline's mobile app will benefit from streamlined travel with single-ticket bookings, coordinated check-in processes, and automatic baggage transfers to final destinations across STARLUX's Asia-Pacific network. The agreement also opens new pathways for STARLUX passengers to reach European destinations including Prague, Madrid, and Barcelona via Abu Dhabi, positioning the emirate as an attractive transit hub for Asian travellers bound for Europe. Both airlines will launch joint marketing initiatives in Taiwan and establish a reciprocal frequent flyer programme by year-end, allowing Etihad Guest members to earn and redeem miles across both networks. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: 'This partnership with STARLUX Airlines opens new market opportunities in Northeast Asia, giving our customers access to Japan's key business and leisure destinations through Taipei. STARLUX Airlines' reputation for premium service aligns perfectly with our standards, and together we're offering travellers more choice and convenience when connecting across three continents.' Simon Liu, Chief Strategy Officer of STARLUX Airlines, said: 'Our partnership with Etihad Airways marks a significant milestone in STARLUX Airlines' global expansion, laying the foundation for future European routes. As one of the Middle East's leading carriers, Etihad is globally recognised for its innovation and premium service—values that strongly align with the STARLUX brand. By leveraging Abu Dhabi's role as a major hub, this codeshare allows us to rapidly extend our network into Europe, offering passengers a wider range of travel options. We also look forward to deepening collaboration on mileage accrual and premium services to ensure an exceptional experience for customers.' The codeshare agreement builds on Etihad's strategic network expansion, which has seen the airline grow to serve over 90 destinations worldwide. The partnership with STARLUX further demonstrates Abu Dhabi's appeal as a premium transit destination, offering travellers world-class facilities at Zayed International Airport alongside the option to extend layovers with Etihad's complimentary Abu Dhabi Stopover programme. Codeshare flights will be available for booking through the Etihad app, and travel partners, with services expected to commence following regulatory approvals. The partnership, announced at the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, enables Etihad customers to connect seamlessly to key Japanese cities including Nagoya, Sapporo, and Fukuoka via Taipei, whilst offering STARLUX passengers direct access to Etihad's European network through Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was formed in 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the world's leading airlines. From its home in Abu Dhabi, Etihad flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Together with Etihad's codeshare partners, Etihad's network offers access to hundreds of international destinations. In recent years, Etihad has received numerous awards for its superior service and products, cargo offering, loyalty programme and more. To learn more, visit STARLUX Airlines: Founded on the philosophy that luxury should be available to everyone, not just the elite, Taiwan-based STARLUX is a boutique international airline serving a total of 32 routes from Taiwan to the US, Japan, Macau, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore. STARLUX passengers traveling between Asia and North America are able to enjoy an easy transfer in Taipei with its four US routes: Taipei-Los Angeles, Taipei-San Francisco, Taipei-Seattle and Taipei-Ontario. In February 2026, STARLUX will launch its fifth U.S. destination—Phoenix, further strengthening its transpacific network. STARLUX prioritizes safety and offers unparalleled service with the goal of making flying a truly luxurious and unforgettable experience.

Gaming fans stoked for Nintendo's Switch 2 'mega launch' on Thursday
Gaming fans stoked for Nintendo's Switch 2 'mega launch' on Thursday

Al Etihad

time18 hours ago

  • Al Etihad

Gaming fans stoked for Nintendo's Switch 2 'mega launch' on Thursday

4 June 2025 19:29 TOKYO (AFP)With shops planning midnight launch parties after a run on pre-orders, Nintendo releases the Switch 2 on Thursday, hoping to score record early sales for a games the Japanese company has its work cut out to match the overall success of the Switch, which became a must-have during the pandemic with hit games such as Animal a bigger screen and more processing power, the Switch 2 is an upgrade to its predecessor, which has sold 152 million units since it came out in 2017 -- making it the third best-selling console of all Japan, Nintendo's online store had 2.2 million pre-order applications for the Switch for Nintendo include uncertainty over US trade tariffs and whether it can convince enough people to pay the high price for its new Switch 2 costs $449.99 in the US, more than Switch's launch price of $299.99. Both are hybrid consoles which can connect to a TV or be played on the Switch 2 games such as Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World -- which allows players to go exploring off-grid -- are also more expensive than existing Switch titles. Pre-order CancellationsRetailers in the US, Europe and other major markets are also gearing up for a rush of excited fans, with some stores opening at midnight to welcome them. Supply pressures have even forced retailers to cancel orders, with Britain's Game saying it is "working hard to reinstate as many affected pre-orders as possible".Nintendo forecasts it will shift 15 million Switch 2 consoles in the current financial year, roughly equal to the original in the same period after its Switch 2 "is priced relatively high" compared to its predecessor, so it "will not be easy" to keep initial momentum going, the company's president Shuntaro Furukawa said at a financial results briefing in Switch 2 has eight times the memory of the first Switch, and its controllers, which attach with magnets, can also be used like a desktop computer functions allowing users to chat as they play online and temporarily share games with friends could also be a big draw for young audiences used to watching game the US, Nintendo delayed pre-orders for the Switch 2 by two weeks as it assessed the impact from President Donald Trump's aggressive duties on trading partners around the said in May that "hardware for North America is mainly produced in Vietnam" where Trump is threatening a hefty so-called "reciprocal" levy of 46 tariff uncertainty could in fact push consumers to buy a Switch 2 sooner, because they are worried that the price could go the stakes are high for Nintendo. While the Super Mario maker is diversifying into theme parks and hit movies, around 90 percent of its revenue still comes from the Switch business, analysts say.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store