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Quick answer
In the UAE, you can’t apply for a Japan visa at the embassy in Abu Dhabi or the consulate in Dubai. You apply at a VFS Global visa application centre. Which centre you use depends on where you live: VFS Abu Dhabi if you live in Abu Dhabi, and VFS Dubai (or the temporary location in Sharjah) for the other emirates. The VFS service fee is AED 110 at every centre.
- Since 1 August 2024, the embassy and the consulate no longer accept visa applications at their counters
- You book an appointment with VFS and apply there
- UAE nationals with an ePassport don’t need a visa for a short tourist trip
Which VFS centre to use
| Where you live | Your VFS centre |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi (including Al Ain) | VFS Abu Dhabi |
| Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah | VFS Dubai (or the temporary location in Sharjah) |
If you live in Abu Dhabi on a residence visa from another emirate, VFS asks for proof that you live there, such as a bank or credit card statement of daily spending for the last three months, a tenancy contract and a TAQA bill.
VFS sends your application to the embassy or consulate for you. You hand in your documents at VFS and collect your passport at VFS, and that’s all.
The VFS centres: addresses, hours and fees
VFS Abu Dhabi
- Address: Level B2, The Mall World Trade Centre, Khalifa Bin Zayed the 1st Street, Abu Dhabi
- Open: Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00
- Submitting applications: 9:00 to 15:00
- Collecting passports: 15:00 to 17:00
- Prime Time (extra fee): submission 8:00 to 9:00, collection 17:00 to 18:00
- Service fee: AED 110 (card, cash or online)
VFS Dubai
- Address: Wafi Mall, First Floor, Phase 5 - Horus, Umm Hurrair 2, Dubai
- Open: Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 17:00
- Submitting applications: 8:00 to 15:00
- Collecting passports: 15:00 to 17:00
- During Ramadan: open 8:00 to 15:00 (submission 8:00 to 13:00, collection 13:00 to 15:00)
- Service fee: AED 110 (card, cash or online)
Sharjah temporary enrolment location (TEL)
- Address: Unit MM16-39E, opposite Carrefour, Matajer Al Musalla, Al Musalla, Sharjah (from 30 October 2026)
- Open: Fridays only, 9:00 to 14:00 (submission until 13:00)
- Fees: AED 110 service fee plus a mandatory AED 630 extra charge (non-refundable), paid online when you book
It costs an extra AED 630. VFS says you can book the Dubai centre instead at no extra charge, and that your choice does not affect the visa decision. If you can get to Dubai on a weekday, the Dubai centre is the better choice.
How to apply
- Check the documents you need on the VFS website
- Book an appointment with VFS
- Go to the centre on the day with your documents (in person, or through an authorised representative)
- Collect your passport when the application is done
For the documents, visa fees and processing time, see our guide to the Japan eVISA for UAE residents. First time in Japan? Read is Japan safe for Muslims, families and women.
Before you go to the centre
- Book first: you can’t apply without an appointment
- Bring a small bag: one cabin-size bag per applicant is allowed inside
- Children: under-18s must come with a parent or guardian
- Check for closures: centres close on some public holidays, so check the VFS website
What do the embassy and consulate do?
- You don’t need to visit the embassy or the consulate for a tourist visa
- Their counters mainly serve Japanese citizens living in the UAE, for passports and certificates
- For visa questions, call the VFS call centre on +971 4 205 5627 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00) or the Japan Visa Information Hotline on +971 800 032 1271 (24 hours, in English)
For reference: embassy and consulate contacts
| Embassy of Japan in the UAE | Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai | |
|---|---|---|
| Address | Villa 633, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, Abu Dhabi | 28th Floor, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai |
| Phone | +971 2 443 5696 | — |
| Consular hours | Monday to Thursday 8:00 to 14:00, Friday 8:00 to 11:00 | Monday to Thursday 8:00 to 15:00, Friday 8:00 to 11:00 (Monday to Thursday 8:00 to 13:00 in Ramadan) |
Neither the embassy nor the consulate accepts visa applications at the counter. Hours can change, especially around Ramadan and public holidays.
Let a Japanese local help with your trip
From your visa documents and VFS appointment to your plan in Japan, we can help with all of it. Ask us on WhatsApp, or see our Japan tour packages from Dubai.
Can I apply for a Japan visa at the Japanese embassy in Abu Dhabi?
No. Since 1 August 2024, the embassy and the consulate in Dubai no longer accept visa applications at their counters. You apply at a VFS Global visa application centre.
Where do I apply for a Japan visa if I live in Dubai?
At VFS Dubai in Wafi Mall. You can also use the temporary location in Sharjah, but it costs an extra AED 630.
How much is the VFS fee for a Japan visa?
The service fee is AED 110 at every centre, plus an extra AED 630 at the Sharjah temporary location. The visa fee itself is separate.
Do UAE nationals need a visa for Japan?
No, not for a short tourist trip, as long as they have an ePassport.
Are the VFS centres open at the weekend?
Abu Dhabi and Dubai are open Monday to Friday. The Sharjah temporary location is open on Fridays only.
