If you’ve been dreaming of visiting Japan, now is the perfect time to make it a reality. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently introduced an online visa application system, making it easier than ever to obtain a short-term tourist visa for up to 90 days.
This exciting news means that all foreign nationals residing in the UAE and Saudi Arabia can now apply for a Japan eVisa through the official eVisa platform at http://www.evisa.mofa.go.jp. To make the process even more convenient, a Japan Visa Information hotline has also been launched for UAE residents, available 24/7 at 971-800-032-1271.
Before you apply for the eVisa, be sure to have your valid passport, Emirates ID, and UAE residence visa in order. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore the wonders of Japan. Apply for your eVisa today!
Who is eligible for the Japan eVisa?
The Japan eVisa website states that individuals who are not subject to visa exemption measures implemented by the Government of Japan and reside in certain countries or regions are eligible to apply for a visa online. This includes foreign nationals from the following locations.
Residents from 11 countries can apply for an eVisa:
- Brazil
2. Cambodia
3. Canada
4. Mongolia
5. Saudi Arabia
6. Singapore
7. South Africa
8. Taiwan
9. United Arab Emirates
10. United Kingdom (UK)
11. United States of America (USA)
If your nationality is eligible for visa-free travel to Japan, you do not need to apply for an eVisa. Fortunately, there are over 69 countries that have visa exemption arrangements with Japan. To find the complete list of these countries, please visit this website: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html.
Japan eVisa duration and validity
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, individuals seeking a short-term visa for tourism purposes may stay for up to 90 days. Additionally, the eVisa is valid for three months from the day after it is issued. It is important to note these regulations to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip to Japan.
How long does it take to issue the eVisa?
The time required from visa application to visa issuance is five working days.
How much does the visa cost?
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan, the visa issuance fee is 3,000 yen, which is approximately Dh82. However, there are certain nationalities that are exempt from paying the visa fee or can pay a reduced fee.
If you are planning to visit Japan and want to know if you are eligible for a visa fee exemption, the Consulate General of Japan in Dubai has provided a comprehensive list of over 30 countries that are exempt from paying visa fees. You can find the complete list on their website:
https://www.dubai.uae.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/visa_fee_eng.html
Here is a breakdown of the visa fee, as per the Consulate General of Japan in Dubai
- General cost: Dh80
- For Indian nationals: Dh20
- Free for certain nationalities
If you are a resident of Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, or Fujairah, you must pay the visa fee in cash at the Consulate General of Japan in Dubai. However, if you live in Abu Dhabi, you must visit the Embassy of Japan to pay the fee. It is important to note that the visa fee must be paid before your trip to Japan to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience.
Required documents for Japan eVisa
The Consulate General of Japan in Dubai has outlined the necessary documents that UAE residents must submit when applying for a visa. These documents include
a copy of your passport,
a recent passport photo taken within the last six months,
a copy of your Emirates ID (front and back),
an itinerary with flight information,
a schedule of your stay including entry and departure dates,
hotel information,
a certificate of employment, and
a bank statement covering at least three months.
It is important to note that only the required documents should be uploaded, as any additional documents will result in the termination of your application. In such cases, you will be required to re-apply.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure a smooth and successful visa application process.
Also Read: Applying for the Saudi eVisa? As an expat in the GCC, make sure your occupation is eligible
How to apply for the Japan eVisa
Step 1: Visit the Japan eVisa website and create an account
To apply for a Japan eVisa, start by visiting the official website at https://www.evisa.mofa.go.jp/index. Once there, navigate to the ‘Online Visa Application’ section on the menu bar. From there, click on the ‘Register Email Address’ button to create a new account.
To register, you will need to provide your email address, language, nationality or citizenship, and place of residence. Simply select your country from the drop-down menu and, if you reside in the United Arab Emirates, select your Emirate as well. Once you have entered all the necessary information, click the ‘Check’ button at the bottom of the page.
After completing the registration process, the platform will provide you with a summary of your account details and the ‘Japan overseas establishment to which the application was made’. This means that your eVisa application will be inspected and issued by either the Consulate General of Japan in Dubai or the Embassy of Japan in Abu Dhabi, depending on where you reside.
By following these simple steps, you can easily apply for a Japan eVisa and begin planning your trip to this beautiful country.
To begin the registration process, simply click on the ‘Register’ button. After doing so, you will receive a link via email to activate your account. Please note that this link will remain active for a period of 72 hours.
Once you have clicked on the activation link, you will be prompted to create a secure password for your account. After doing so, click on the ‘Register’ button to proceed.
To ensure the security of your account, you will be asked to enter a One-Time-Password (OTP) for authentication purposes. This OTP will be sent to the email address that you have registered with us. Simply enter the OTP and you will be all set to start using your account.
Step 2: Enter your email address and password and register for the eVisa application
- After completing the initial steps, you will be directed to the eVisa platform’s login page. Here, you will be prompted to enter your email address and password to proceed further.
- Once you have successfully logged in, you will be taken to the eVisa application section. To begin the application process, simply click on the ‘New registration’ button.
- After clicking on the button, you will be directed to the ‘Register a visa application’ section. Here, you will need to carefully read and agree to the terms and conditions before proceeding.
- Once you have agreed to the terms and conditions, click on the ‘Next’ button to move forward with your application.
Step 3: Fill out the ‘Basic Information’
The initial step in the application process is to complete the ‘Basic Information’ section. This section requires you to provide personal details and upload essential documents.
To begin with, you need to upload a recent passport photo that has been taken within the last six months and adheres to the Japan eVisa platform conditions. Additionally, you must upload a valid passport copy, which includes the passport bio page and the page above it. This should contain your full name, date of birth, place of birth, passport issue and expiry date, and passport number. You can upload the passport in any of the following formats – jpg, png, pdf, and heic.
You must enter your full name as it appears in the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) column of your passport. The MRZ is the two lines at the bottom of the personal or bio page in your passport. You should also enter your middle name, or if you don’t have one, enter ‘-‘. Additionally, you need to provide your date of birth, select your nationality, and enter your passport number. You must also select your gender and enter your passport expiry date.
You need to enter your ‘National ID number officially assigned by the government’, which is your Emirates ID number. You must select your passport type as either ‘ordinary’ or ‘other’ and enter the place where the passport was issued. You should also enter the date when the passport was issued and the government office that issued the passport.
If you have a former family name and given name, you need to enter them. If not, type in ‘-‘. You should also enter former and/or other nationalities or citizenship, or if this does not apply to you, select ‘none’. Additionally, you need to enter your birthplace and select your marriage status.
You must select your occupation from the list provided. If you cannot find your occupation, select ‘other’ and enter your job title. If you are married, you need to
Step 4: Enter your travel information
Once you have completed the previous section, it’s time to move on to the next part of the application process, which is the ‘Travel Information’ section. This section requires you to provide the following details:
– Entry and departure dates for your trip to Japan.
– Name of the airline and flight number you will be taking.
– Name of the Japanese airport or port of arrival.
– Destination you will be visiting in Japan.
– Accommodation details, including whether you will be staying at a hotel or a residential area.
– Detailed address of your accommodation.
– Cumulative number of days you have spent in Japan in the last year. If you have visited Japan recently, please enter the number of days. If not, simply enter ‘-‘.
It is important to provide accurate and complete information in this section to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience. Please take your time to fill out each field carefully and double-check your entries before submitting your application.
Step 5: Enter your address details and employment details
Please provide your address details, including your current address in the UAE, as well as your contact information such as your mobile number, telephone number, and email address.
Moving forward, input your employment details, which consist of the name of your employer or company, their telephone number, and their address. If you do not have an employer or company, please enter ‘-’. Once completed, click ‘Next’.
Step 6: Fill out the questionnaire
Once you have finished the preceding section, a series of questions will be presented to you. Simply respond with either a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and proceed by clicking the ‘Next’ button.
Step 7: Upload the required documents
After finishing the questionnaire, kindly proceed to upload the necessary documents for your eVisa application based on your nationality and country of residence. Please ensure that the documents are in either jpg, png, pdf, heic, tif, gif, or bmp format and do not exceed two megabytes in size. Once you have uploaded the documents, click on the ‘Next’ button to proceed. Thank you for your cooperation.
Step 8: View the visa information and confirm the details
After filling out the entire application, you will have the opportunity to review a summary of your eVisa form and verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. If any changes are necessary, simply click on the ‘Change’ button and make the necessary adjustments. Once you are satisfied with the information, click ‘Save’ to complete the process.
Step 9: Submit the eVisa application.
After entering your information, it will be displayed on the ‘visa application list’. To submit your application, simply tick the button next to the list and click the red ‘Submit’ button.
Double-check all the details before clicking ‘Confirm’. A confirmation notification will appear, stating that you will not be able to make any changes or delete the application. Click ‘OK’ to proceed.
Congratulations! Your application is now complete. You will receive a notification on your registered email address confirming that your application is currently in progress.
Step 10: Status of the application.
“You can easily check the status of your visa application by visiting the eVisa website and selecting the ‘Visa Application List’ option. This will provide you with up-to-date information on the progress of your application, ensuring that you are always in the loop. Stay informed and stay ahead with our user-friendly online platform.”
Step 11: Make the payment
After the examination stage, you will receive an email regarding the fee payment. If your application has been approved, the email will provide instructions on how to pay for the visa fee. You will be required to visit either the Consulate General of Japan in Dubai or the Embassy of Japan in Abu Dhabi to pay for it in cash.
Please note that payment for the visa fee is necessary to complete the application process. Therefore, it is important to follow the instructions provided in the email carefully to avoid any delays or complications.
Step 10: Receive the eVisa
- After completing and confirming your payment, an email will be sent to you notifying you that your eVisa has been issued. However, please note that the eVisa itself will not be sent to you via email. Instead, you will need to log in to the eVisa website and select the ‘Visa Application List’ option. From there, click on ‘Visa Issuance Notice (to display)’ to access the official eVisa document.
- It is important to remember that you must present the ‘Visa Issuance Notice’ at the departure airport, and that a PDF or screenshot of the page will not be accepted. You can display the notice on your mobile, tablet, or other electronic device for convenience.
- We understand that the visa application process can be confusing, but we are here to help. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are committed to providing you with a smooth and stress-free travel experience.
Japan to lift COVID-19 rules
Effective May 8, 2023, the Japanese government will no longer require COVID-19-related entry requirements to the country. This decision is in line with the classification of COVID-19 as a common disease. As a result, travelers will no longer be required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test from May 8 onwards. This is a significant development that will make travel to Japan more accessible and convenient for visitors. It is a positive step towards the normalization of international travel and a testament to Japan’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens and visitors alike.