Dubai: Japan to resume e-visas for residents; VFS to operate services now

UAE residents planning to travel to Japan will now have to apply for visas through VFS Global, Khaleej Times has learned. Documents for short and long-term paper visas will be processed through the agency from August 1, 2024, the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai confirmed.

The e-visa service, which was suspended only for Dubai residents in April, will resume in September. Tourists will have to apply for a permit through VFS and residents cannot do the process online themselves, which the Embassy and Consulate have withdrawn.

The VFS website also now mentions it as a partner of the Embassy of Japan in the UAE and the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai.

The Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai clarified it will will no longer accept visa applications directly, with the exception of diplomatic and official visa applications. For all inquiries related to visa applications, residents have been requested to directly reach out to VFS.

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Visa application requirements, documentation, booking, opening hours, and processing times have all been listed on VFS Global's website.

The launch of the e-visa was an instant hit among residents, making Japan one of the most sought after Asian destinations. However, the facility was suspended on April 27, 2024, making the visa process tedious for expats who planned to travel to the East Asian country. To apply for a visa, they had to e-mail its Dubai consulate for an appointment.

Residents were known to be struggling to get appointment slots. Emiratis were still able to visit the country without a visa.

Through the new partnership with VFS, the standard processing period rests at 8 working days from the time of application. This applies for submissions that are complete with all the required documents.

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