UAE citizens can now apply for an eVisa which allows exploring Japan for up to 90 days

UAE citizens can now apply for an eVisa, which gives them up to 90 days to travel around Japan. All foreign nationals who reside in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia will now be able to apply for a short-term tourist visa online through the nation's official eVisa platform through www.evisa.mofa.go.jp, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

A Japan Visa Information hotline for UAE residents- 971-800-032-1271, has also been launched by the Japan eVisa platform which is available 24 hours a day, and seven days a week. You must make sure you have a valid passport, Emirates ID and UAE residence visa, before you apply for the eVisa.

All foreign nationals or people who do not fall under the visa exemption provisions put in place by the government of Japan and live in the following nations or regions are eligible to apply for a visa online, claims the Japan eVisa website.

Residents of the following 11 nations may apply for an eVisa:

1. United Kingdom (UK)

2. United States of America (USA)

3. Canada

4. Mongolia

5. Saudi Arabia

6. United Arab Emirates

7. Brazil

8. Cambodia

9. Singapore

10. South Africa

11. Taiwan

You do not, however, require an eVisa if your nationality qualifies for visa-free travel to Japan. Over 69 nations have agreements with Japan that free them from visa requirements. Visit this link: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html to view the entire list.

As per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan:

• Duration: A short-term visa for the purpose of tourism is for 90 days.

• Validity: The eVisa is valid for three months from the next day of issuance.

The time required from visa application to visa issuance is five working days.

The visa issue charge is 3,000 yen (about Dh82), according to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but some nationalities are excluded from paying the fee or can pay a lower amount.

The full list of nations exempt from paying visa costs, according to the Japanese Consulate General in Dubai, is available here: https://www.dubai.uae.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/visa_fee_eng.html

The Japanese Consulate General in Dubai has provided the following breakdown of the visa fee.

• General cost: Dh80

• For Indian nationals: Dh20

• Free for certain nationalities

If you live in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, or Fujairah, you must pay the visa fee in cash at the Japanese Consulate General in Dubai. The Japanese Embassy in Abu Dhabi must be visited if you reside there.