The Japan Trusted Traveler Program

[rbjhan]

As I mentioned this previously in my TR, there seems to be some interest.
So I thought I would post a separate thread about my experience applying and getting the JTTP card.

Japan Trusted Traveler Program

So in short, if you have been to Japan at least twice in the past 12 months and fit a few other criteria, you can register for an ID card that will allow you to go through immigration via automatic gates, which can save some decent time queuing!

Also this card becomes your ID in Japan so no need to carry the passport around.

 

[elanshin]

For those interested, remember one of the dumbest things you need is the revenue stamps. If you plan to apply in the future and happen to be in Japan, do yourself a favour and buy them first.

 

[rbjhan]

Preliminary Inspection

Once you think you fulfill the requirements - refer to official website, but by far the easiest one is to have a Platinum or higher credit card.

The initial application is done online and fairly straight forward.
Once submitted you will receive an email saying "Notification of completion of application registration".

The most difficult thing in this step, at least for me, is timing.
You need to complete the secondary inspection in Japan within 6 months of the completion of preliminary inspection. However how long does it take to finish the prelim is uncertain.

I've done it twice because the first time I only did the prelim one month before my trip and that was not enough. Till I got back from the trip the prelim was still WIP....so I had to withdraw the application.

2nd time I submitted the application two months in advance and got the approval a few days before leaving.

But I've also seen reports where people get approved in two weeks ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[rbjhan]

Secondary Inspection

Once the preliminary inspection is completed, you will received another email tilted "Notification of completion of preliminary inspection". I recommend print this out take it with you.

There are a few places you can complete the secondary inspection but obviously for most people that would be the airports.

I did mine at Narita T2.

My plane landed around 2pm, I was out in about 50 mins(?). Took the lift back up to the Departure level, and the JTTP counter was located near check in counter A. It's off to the side with a banner saying "Automatic Gates" - they handle all kinds of applications to use the auto gates not just JTTP.

There were two people working behind the counter and no one else around. They both spoke reasonable English. I handed over my passport, credit card and the email print out. And it took less than 10 mins for them to get everything done.
Edit, re the credit card, I suggest use a card with "Platinum" clearly printed on it.

Note, you need to pay 2200 Yen for this and they only accept revenue stamps.
The lady wrote a post it note with "revenue stamp 2200 Yen" (in Japanese ofc) on it for me to take to the post office nearby to buy the stamps. So my experience was that you don't have to buy it beforehand, but being prepared is never a bad thing I guess?

This card is valid for 3 years and can be used at Narita, Haneda, Chubu and Kansai.

 

[elanshin]

Note, you need to pay 2200 Yen for this and they only accept revenue stamps.
The lady wrote a post it note with "revenue stamp 2200 Yen" (in Japanese ofc) on it for me to take to the post office nearby to buy the stamps. So my experience was that you don't have to buy it beforehand, but being prepared is never a bad thing I guess?

I do not believe you can get revenue stamps at HND. Many of my friends were caught out by that and thus couldn't do it when entering.

 

[rbjhan]

Notes

I've heard reports of people being denied tax refunds as they don't have the "temporary visitor" stamp on their passports (the stamp is on the back of the card). Since I didn't enter Japan with this card, I couldn't test it out myself - TBD

I used it a few times when checking into hotels, generally no problem but most people didn't know what it was - they thought I was a resident (resident card must look similar?) Clearly this program is not widely known.

Post automatically merged: Jun 19, 2024

I do not believe you can get revenue stamps at HND. Many of my friends were caught out by that and thus couldn't do it when entering.

I am writing about my experience at NRT T2.
So, as I said, always good to be prepared. But it can be done, at least in NRT.

And as you correctly pointed out, arriving at whichever airport foreigners cannot buy revenue stamps beforehand. So if they set up counters there surely there must be a way, or so I hope.

 

[trendwhore]

Hmm intriguing.. so aside from using the auto gates what would be additional advantages to having this card?

 

[Quickstatus]

card, I suggest use a card with "Platinum"

Ironic for a country where cash is still king.

 

[rbjhan]

Hmm intriguing.. so aside from using the auto gates what would be additional advantages to having this card?

That's the main thing. Can be a good saving though, especially if you are not a fan of waiting like me...The worst airport is probably KIX, I've heard people queued for like two hours during peak season.

Second is to use the card as ID.
That's about it I guess

 

[rbjhan]

Ironic for a country where cash is still king.

Actually that's changed a lot since covid.
In Tokyo at least, I didn't use any cash (other than to charge the IC card, Apple users don't even need that). Might have something to do with what kind of restaurants and shops I go to.

Other places less so. But all big ticket items can be paid by credit card. Where you need cash are things like temples and shrines, some local public transport, lockers, old vending machines etc...still, 30K Yen I reckon would be plenty enough for a trip.

 

[elanshin]

That's the main thing. Can be a good saving though, especially if you are not a fan of waiting like me...The worst airport is probably KIX, I've heard people queued for like two hours during peak season.

Second is to use the card as ID.
That's about it I guess

NRT/HND can be just as bad. I've seen 4-5hour waits in 2023. Its gotten better now in 2024 as Japan remembers what to do when there's an onslaught of travellers.

My brother almost missed the last PT out of NRT and he landed at 7pm ... (Got past immigration at 22:55 and ran to the limo bus that departed at 23:05~)

 

[rbjhan]

NRT/HND can be just as bad. I've seen 4-5hour waits in 2023. Its gotten better now in 2024 as Japan remembers what to do when there's an onslaught of travellers.

My brother almost missed the last PT out of NRT and he landed at 7pm ... (Got past immigration at 22:55 and ran to the limo bus that departed at 23:05~)

Interestingly my worst experience was way back in 2019 during the Rugby World Cup, or at least I thought that was the reason.

Post covid I've been 4 times but yet to came across really bad immigration queues, even though I went in late Mar and mid Nov last year. The Nov trip I landed at NRT at 8pm and reached my hotel in Ginza before 11pm.

 

[Cynicor]

Post covid I've been 4 times but yet to came across really bad immigration queues, even though I went in late Mar and mid Nov last year. The Nov trip I landed at NRT at 8pm and reached my hotel in Ginza before 11pm.

That actually seems quite slow, so maybe you have different expectations. I’d expect to be in Tokyo before 10 if landing at NRT at 8. Can plan to be out in about 35-40 min and on PT, assuming you missed a train, then 1 hour train into the city.

 

[rbjhan]

That actually seems quite slow, so maybe you have different expectations. I’d expect to be in Tokyo before 10 if landing at NRT at 8. Can plan to be out in about 35-40 min and on PT, assuming you missed a train, then 1 hour train into the city.

Ginza is not Tokyo.
As in, Tokyo Station. I'd like to know what train takes only one hour, would be very helpful for my next trip!

 

[Cynicor]

Ginza is not Tokyo.
As in, Tokyo Station. I'd like to know what train takes only one hour, would be very helpful for my next trip!

Skyliner to ueno and then Ginza line

 

[rbjhan]

Skyliner to ueno and then Ginza line

In theory yes.
In reality who wants to carry big cases walking from Keisei Ueno to Metro Ginza line station instead of taking a 20 mins slower but direct train? I am not in the amazing race...

Thought there are some tricks that I didn't know, guess not ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Peso]

Got a TTP last year. Back then they closed all the airport landside registration locations except for Haneda, the alternatives being airside or the regional immigration bureaus. I decided to do the latter in case I am missing anything and I have to go somewhere first. Also came prepared by buying the revenue stamps off Japan Post first. The Osaka bureau was surprisingly convenient. No queues and they even sell revenue stamps at the ground floor if you didn't come prepared. Done in 30 mins. The female staff did not speak any English, though my very sparse Japanese was sufficient to get the general idea (TTP valid up to 3 years, must keep visa waiver registration valid to continue using TTP, but can keep using the same card until it expires).

Benefits I noticed include the ability to use the card as ID to check-in to hotels. Never had to whip out my passport during my last trip when checking in to hotels. Additionally, holding a passport that got less than 90 days visa-free to Japan, I was pleasantly surprised to see the stay period printed on my card is 90 days. Not sure if this is just a bug, I really want to ask MOJ whether this is intentional.

Unfortunately, the tourist-only benefits once you arrive e.g. tax-free end up being considerably slower, as you don't have the standard "landing permission" QR sticker, and immigration refused to provide it (I asked after passing through the gates). With tax refunds, I had to tell them when they flick through my foreign passport that there's no current entry sticker and try to get them to look at my card. Some diligently flick through the passport regardless. Most shops end up accepting it, though there are shops like Don Quijote that wouldn't take it at all. Flashing the card at JR stations took 20 mins for the ticket person to get the station master to study it and confirm my Temporary Visitor status prior to issuing my regional rail passes.

That's the main thing. Can be a good saving though, especially if you are not a fan of waiting like me...The worst airport is probably KIX, I've heard people queued for like two hours during peak season.

Second is to use the card as ID.
That's about it I guess

Arrived in KIX midday during what's supposed to be sakura season (weather changes massively delayed it), normal queues were quite long but not crazy (about 25 mins). TTP meant I was through in 2-3 mins and the priority tags meant I was mostly waiting for the remainder of my traveling party.

 

[rbjhan]

Got a TTP last year. Back then they closed all the airport landside registration locations except for Haneda, the alternatives being airside or the regional immigration bureaus. I decided to do the latter in case I am missing anything and I have to go somewhere first. Also came prepared by buying the revenue stamps off Japan Post first. The Osaka bureau was surprisingly convenient. No queues and they even sell revenue stamps at the ground floor if you didn't come prepared. Done in 30 mins. The female staff did not speak any English, though my very sparse Japanese was sufficient to get the general idea (TTP valid up to 3 years, must keep visa waiver registration valid to continue using TTP, but can keep using the same card until it expires).

Benefits I noticed include the ability to use the card as ID to check-in to hotels. Never had to whip out my passport during my last trip when checking in to hotels. Additionally, holding a passport that got less than 90 days visa-free to Japan, I was pleasantly surprised to see the stay period printed on my card is 90 days. Not sure if this is just a bug, I really want to ask MOJ whether this is intentional.

Unfortunately, the tourist-only benefits once you arrive e.g. tax-free end up being considerably slower, as you don't have the standard "landing permission" QR sticker, and immigration refused to provide it (I asked after passing through the gates). With tax refunds, I had to tell them when they flick through my foreign passport that there's no current entry sticker and try to get them to look at my card. Some diligently flick through the passport regardless. Most shops end up accepting it, though there are shops like Don Quijote that wouldn't take it at all. Flashing the card at JR stations took 20 mins for the ticket person to get the station master to study it and confirm my Temporary Visitor status prior to issuing my regional rail passes.


Arrived in KIX midday during what's supposed to be sakura season (weather changes massively delayed it), normal queues were quite long but not crazy (about 25 mins). TTP meant I was through in 2-3 mins and the priority tags meant I was mostly waiting for the remainder of my traveling party.

Yeah I think the main issue for a lot of people is probably gonna be the tax refunds.
I don't buy that much, also mostly would probably be in major department stores in Tokyo so hopefully less problematic.
Also heard about the Donki thing, luckily I don't normally shop there, at least not for 5000 Yen.
With the JR pass I heard that if you buy it online and retrieve it via machine there's no problem.

 

[frodo]

Edit, re the credit card, I suggest use a card with "Platinum" clearly printed on it.

I probably should have done that, my application got rejected just under 2 months after I submitted the initial application - I guess the amex ultimate card was not 'platinum' enough for their liking.

Unfortunately I don't currently have a card with the word 'platinum' on it. Going to try and re-apply with one of my previous (now closed) signature cards - this is a higher level than a platinum card but unfortunately they probably don't know that, so fingers crossed!
Edit: I've heard they confirm that the card is active at the second screening so this might not work either?

 

[elanshin]

I probably should have done that, my application got rejected just under 2 months after I submitted the initial application - I guess the amex ultimate card was not 'platinum' enough for their liking.

Unfortunately I don't currently have a card with the word 'platinum' on it. Going to try and re-apply with one of my previous (now closed) signature cards - this is a higher level than a platinum card but unfortunately they probably don't know that, so fingers crossed!

Japan is very silly when it comes to these things.
I still remember years ago my friend (Chinese passport) was declined for a visa because (we believe) her bank account showed a very small sum in it. What they failed to see was her home loan had a surplus of $300k.