URSI GASS 2023

VISA & Useful Information

VISA & COVID-19 Travel information

Participants for certain countries are required to obtain visas to enter Japan. Obtaining requisite visas from the Japanese Embassy or the Consulate office located in your country is required prior to arrival in Japan.

The visa waiver measures for ordinary passport holders of 68 countries/regions resumed on October 11, 2022. Please refer to JNTO website and MOFA website for more details.

Letter of Invitation

If you need a Letter of Invitation to participate in URSI GASS 2023, please read the following information carefully.
We offer you two types of documents as our official letters of invitation. Please make sure to check the documents you need with your affiliation or the embassy of Japan in your country of residence before applying, as documents you might need depending on circumstances.

1.Letter of Invitation in the format of URSI GASS 2023

A letter of invitation certifies that your abstract has been accepted and you have registered to attend URSI GASS 2023 as a participant. The letter will not guarantee to support your travel expenses nor the costs of attending the conference.

2. Documents for a Visa application

Before Applying: In many cases, participants in the conference will be able to apply for a Visa for Tourism. Please consider this possibility and inquire with the embassy of Japan before you apply for a Visa for Business.
We will send you the Letter of Invitation and the Itinerary in the format the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides. The handling fee for documents may be paid at the applicant’s expense. The documents will be issued after the designated procedure and completion of your payment. Please note that they will not guarantee to support your travel expenses nor the costs of attending the conference.

1.How to apply for a Letter of Invitation

To issue the Letter, we need the following information:

  • Your name as displayed on your passport *mandatory
  • Your registered name (in case you register with different spelling from your name on passport)
  • Your abstract ID number (in case you have a paper)
  • Authors (in case you have a paper)
  • Title of paper (in case you have a paper)
  • Your email address *mandatory
  • Your registration number *mandatory
  • Other related information (in case of need)

*Please make sure to complete your registration and payment before applying.
Please send this information by email to the URSI GASS 2023 Secretariat at gass2023_invitationletter-grp@g.chuo-u.ac.jp

2.How to apply for documents for a Visa application

  1. Application period: from May 8th to June 30, 2023.
    Apply from the button below and enter the required information.
    *Please make sure to complete your registration and payment before applying.
  2. After checking your registration, URSI GASS 2023 secretariat sends you the payment information and request to submit additional documents.
    *Issuance and handling fee for documents: 6,600 JPY
  3. After receiving your payment, we send you documents.

Language

Japan’s official language is Japanese, but English is understood in major cities.

Time Zone

Upon your arrival, please set your clock to Japanese time.
To adjust your clock, please see the information here.

Weather

Generally, the weather at August is pleasant and dry. The average temperature in Sapporo during the conference period is likely to be 22℃(72℉)(Low 18℃(64℉) / High 26℃(79℉)), but the humidity is low and the temperature is cool during the morning and evening.

Currency

Only Japanese yen (JPY) is accepted at regular stores and restaurants.
Certain foreign currencies may be accepted at a limited number of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops.

ATM Information

Foreign currency can usually be exchanged at exchange counters, banks, and some hotels, and local convenience stores, such as FamilyMart, 7-ELEVEN, and Lawson.
Exchange rates fluctuate daily in accordance with financial market trends. Currency that can be exchanged depends on the exchange counter.

Tipping

In general, tips are not necessary, even at hotels and restaurants in Japan.

Electricity

The electrical power supply in Japan is uniformly 100 volts, AC, throughout Japan, but with two different cycles: 50 in eastern Japan including Sapporo. Leading hotels in major cities have two outlets of 100 and 220 volts but their sockets usually accept a two-leg plug only.