Japan has announced the resumption of its e-visa services for UAE residents starting August 1

As per the announcement made by the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai, Japan has decided to simplify the process of obtaining a visa for UAE citizens by resuming its e-visa services, which they can apply for through VFS Global as of August 1, 2024.

With the exception of diplomatic and official visas, the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai will no longer be directly accepting visa applications as of August 1. VFS Global, which is identified as a partner of the Japanese Embassy in the United Arab Emirates and the Japanese Consulate-General in Dubai, will handle any additional visa questions and applications. 

Only citizens of Dubai are eligible to use this new procedure. Residents of Abu Dhabi must still submit their applications through the embassy. Comprehensive information about visa application criteria, documentation, booking, opening hours, and processing periods may be found on the VFS Global website.

For UAE expatriates, the reinstatement of the e-visa is a huge relief since it enables them to finish the full visa application procedure online, including the payment application. With this modification, Japan should once again become a highly sought-after travel destination. The e-visa capability was terminated on April 27, 2024. Prior to this, citizens had to email the consulate to make an appointment, and they sometimes had trouble getting slots.

If all necessary documents are presented, the new cooperation with VFS Global guarantees a normal processing period of eight working days. The 90-day entrance visa to Japan is valid for three months from the date of issuance of the short-term e-visa. Residents of the following nations can apply for an e-visa for tourism: Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the USA.