1. “Entry Ban Period” Usually Means “Landing Denial Period”

If a foreign national is deported from Japan or leaves Japan under a departure order, they may not be allowed to land in Japan for a certain period.

In daily language, this is often called an “entry ban period.” In Japanese immigration practice, however, it is generally discussed as a landing denial period.

2. Basic Periods After Deportation or a Departure Order

The landing denial period depends on how the person left Japan. The following three patterns are especially important.

A departure order is a simplified procedure for certain overstayers who meet specific requirements. In principle, a person who has previously been deported or has left Japan under a departure order is not eligible for another departure order.

3. Does the End of the Period Automatically Allow Entry?

No. Even if the landing denial period has passed, entry to Japan is not automatically guaranteed.

After the period has expired, the person may still need to go through visa screening, Certificate of Eligibility procedures, landing examination, and review of the past violation, current purpose of entry, and the receiving situation in Japan.

4. Some Landing Denial Grounds Have No Fixed Period

Not all landing denial grounds end after 5 years, 10 years or 1 year.

For example, certain criminal convictions, drug-related offenses, or similar serious grounds may fall under landing denial grounds that do not have a fixed time limit.

In such cases, the issue is not simply “how many years must pass.” It may be necessary to examine whether the person still falls under a landing denial ground and whether any exceptional route may be available.

5. Shortening of the Landing Denial Period

Under the amended Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Japan has introduced a system that may shorten the landing denial period in certain cases to encourage voluntary departure.

This system may apply to a foreign national who has been issued a written deportation order and is leaving Japan with permission for departure at their own expense, provided that the legal requirements are met.

However, applying for this system does not guarantee approval. The Immigration Services Agency considers the person’s conduct, the facts that led to deportation, and other circumstances.

6. Documents to Check Before Considering Re-entry

If there is a history of deportation, departure order, overstay, unauthorized work or activity outside status, the following documents and facts should be checked before evaluating re-entry options.

• Written deportation order or written departure order
• Passport stamp showing the date of departure from Japan
• Past residence cards, passports, and copies of applications
• Facts and background of the past violation
• Any application for special permission to stay, provisional release, or supervision measure
• Any criminal case, fine, imprisonment or similar record
• Current purpose of entering Japan
• Spouse, relatives, employer, accepting organization or guarantor in Japan
• Whether a Certificate of Eligibility application is required

7. When Should You Consult an Immigration Professional?

It is advisable to consult a professional before making assumptions based only on the number of years that have passed, especially in the following cases.

• There is a history of deportation or departure order
• There was a past overstay or unauthorized work
• The person wishes to re-enter as a spouse, long-term resident, dependent or family member
• The person wishes to re-enter under a work-related status such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Specified Skilled Worker or Business Manager
• It is unclear how to explain the past violation
• The deportation or departure order documents are not available

In immigration screening, not only the applicant’s personal circumstances but also the receiving situation in Japan, submitted documents, explanation of the past violation, and prevention of recurrence may be important.

8. Summary

What is often called an “entry ban period” is generally treated as a landing denial period under Japanese immigration practice.

The basic periods are 5 years after first-time deportation, 10 years for repeat cases involving deportation or departure-order history, and 1 year after leaving Japan under a departure order.

However, the end of the period does not automatically guarantee entry to Japan. The past violation, current purpose of entry, receiving situation in Japan, eligibility for a status of residence, and supporting documents must be reviewed carefully.