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Reviewed January 2024

With its remarkable cultural legacy, technological progress, and breathtaking scenery, Japan has gained immense popularity among global travelers, including those hailing from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, if you have the desire to wander through the vibrant streets of Tokyo, experience the time-honored customs of Kyoto, or behold the awe-inspiring beauty of Mount Fuji, securing a Japan visa as a resident of Dubai & UAE is the initial stride toward an extraordinary and indelible adventure.

If you’re a UAE resident looking to travel to Japan, here is a definitive breakdown of the Japan visa for Dubai & UAE residents.

Table of Contents

Do Dubai & UAE residents need visas to Japan?

The Dubai and UAE residents with regular passports will be able to enter Japan without a visa from 1 November 2022. They will be able to enter the country without a visa as long as their stay does not exceed 30 days.

The residents of the UAE can also obtain a new electronic visa system introduced by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This system enables individuals from eligible countries to apply for a digital tourist visa online, which will allow Dubai and UAE residents to obtain e-visas for a duration of up to 90 days to visit Japan.

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Available Japan visa types for Dubai & UAE residents

Tourist visa

If you would like to visit Japan for tourism, you can obtain a short-stay tourism visa with a validity of 90 days. However, Japan’s tourist visa is only available through the travel agency.

Required documents

visa application form
passport
copy of passport
copy of UAE visa (UAE residence visa must be valid upon returning from Japan)
photo (with white background)
ERFS certificate (from travel agents in Japan)
documents prepared by a travel agent or others. For example, tour outline/list of participants/itinerary and contact details of the accepting Japanese travel agent/employment certificate and contact details of the tour operator.

E-Visa

Dubai and UAE residents are eligible to apply for the Japan e-visa system introduced by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Under this system, individuals from eligible countries can submit applications for a tourist visa online and receive e-visas for a maximum period of 90 days to visit Japan.

Required documents

a passport with at least 6 month’s validity
a recent photo of yourself taken against a white background
a certificate of registration to ERFS (Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System). This is provided by the inviting organization in Japan (tourist and business travelers only).
parental consent letter (if applying for a minor)

Visa for short-term business affair

A short-term visa is a visa that will grant tourists a stay in Japan for a stay up to 90 days. This visa has two types of entry, single and multiple entries. However, a multiple entry short-term visa is only available for travellers who are citizens of these certain countries that have a visa exemption agreement with Japan.

Required documents

application form with passport photo
the original passport and a copy of the original passport
a copy of the UAE visa (the UAE residence visa must be valid upon returning from Japan)
a copy of the “Certificate for Completion of Registration to the ERFS system
a request letter for a multiple entry visa (if requesting for multiple entry visa). This letter is available in Japanese or English.

Working or long-term visa

A working or long-term visa is for applicants who wish to perform remunerative work in Japan or who wish to stay over 90 days in Japan, is required to apply for a visa for a working or long-term stay.

Required documents

a copy of the “Certificate for Completion of Registration to the ERFS system”
visa application form
passport
copy of passport
copy of UAE visa (residence)（UAE residence visa must be valid upon returning from Japan.）
photo (white background)
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the Ministry of Justice
- a Declaration letter is required if you have a COE issued more than 3 months ago. (For business affairs) (For family/dependents)
- the Declaration should be prepared by the inviting person/company/organization in Japan
copy of COE
confirmation letter (applicable to technical intern trainees or students only)

Temporary visitor visa for relatives or acquaintances

You can obtain this type of visa if you would like to visit your relatives or acquaintances who live in Japan. This visa will allow a stay of 90 days after the issuance of the visa.

Required documents

visa application form
passport
copy of passport
copy of UAE visa (UAE residence visa must be valid upon returning from Japan)
photo (with white background)
an invitation letter in English or Japanese, with a written pledge in English or Japanese.
a confirmed flight reservation record of a round-trip flight to/from Japan.
documents showing the relationship between the applicant and his/her relatives or acquaintances.
- a family register (Koseki) issued within the last 3 months, headed by the applicant’s Japanese spouse.
- for those visiting acquaintances, documentation to support the purpose of the visit is also required.
a copy of the residence card of a relative or an acquaintance (if applicable).
a confirmed flight reservation record for accompanying family members (if applicable).

How to apply for a Japan visa for Dubai & UAE residents?

You can follow these steps to apply for your Japan visa:

contact the Japanese Embassy/Consulate to make an appointment for the submission of the application.
- some Japanese Embassies do not accept individual applications, however, so you have to apply through a travel agency. The agency will submit the application at the Embassy or Consulate on your behalf.
gather the required documents for a Japan visa.
submit the documents at the Embassy/Consulate or the travel agency.
wait for the visa to be processed.
collect your passport Embassy/Consulate/travel agency. If the application has been approved, your visa will be affixed, and you can use it to travel to Japan within three months.

If you are interested in applying Japan e-visa, you can follow these steps:

visit the Japan e-visa website
register and create an account with a valid e-mail ID and password (PDF data, screenshots or printouts of the page will not be accepted)
select the necessary visa to visit Japan
enter the required applicant information
accepted or rejected requests will be notified via the registered e-mail
a visa fee will then be charged, if applicable
following a successful payment transaction, the e-visa will be issued

How long is the visa processing time?

The application for a Japan visa usually would take 5 working days or maybe even more, starting from the day the Japanese Representative Office receives your completed application.

What is the fee for a Japan visa for Dubai & UAE residents?

For general applicants, the single entry visa would cost around 80 AED, 160 AED for a multiple entry visa and 20 AED for a transit visa. Fees must be paid in cash on collection day. They do not accept cheques or credit/debit cards.