People who have the means to travel almost always prefer to travel to new countries in order to experience their cultural history and all there is to offer in the faraway lands. And if you happen to be a UAE resident who is planning a vacation in Japan, then you will now have to apply for visas through VFS Global. Yes, the documents for short and long-term paper visas will not be processed through the agency on August 1, 2024. Here’s all you need to know about this visa-related development for travellers!
Japan To Resume E-Visa Services In Dubai
The UAE residents who are planning to travel to Japan will now have to apply for a visa on VFS Global. According to a report by Khaleej Times, it was revealed that the e-visa services, which had previously been suspended only for the residents of Dubai, will be resumed in September. Tourists who wish to apply for a permit will have to do it through VFS Global. Additionally, the residents will not be able to go through the process online themselves, which the embassies and the consulates have withdrawn. Going by the VFS website, this has been mentioned as it is a partner of the Embassy of Japan in the UAE and the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai.
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Visa Services Is Now Available Through VFS Global
At this point, it’s worth mentioning that the report also claimed that the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai has clarified that it will not be accepting visa applications directly. The only exceptions will be diplomatic and official visa applications! For every other enquiries related to the visa applications, residents shall now directly reach out to VFS Global.
From visa application requirements and documentation to booking an appointment to opening hours, all of them have already been listed on VFS Global’s website. The easy e-visa service made Japan an instant hit among residents, as it became a sought-after destination for travellers. However, with the suspension of services on April 27, the visa process became quite tedious for expats. Now, they had to email the Dubai consulate for an appointment in order to apply for the visa! With this new partnership, the standard processing period would be eight working days from the time of application.
Finally, residents hailing from countries like Canada, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, South Africa, Cambodia, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, UAE, and the USA are eligible to apply for e-visa for tourism.
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