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Japan Visa at VFS Global 2026 — How to Apply via VFS Centers

If you're applying from India, Philippines, Bangladesh, UAE, or similar, your Japan visa goes through a VFS Global application center — not directly to the embassy.

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Applying from mainland China? Japan visas there are filed through designated travel agencies (not VFS). China application guide →

What is VFS Global?

VFS Global is a third-party administrative service contracted by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to handle visa application intake, biometric collection, and passport return in countries where embassy-direct processing is impractical. VFS itself does not grant or refuse visas — the decision is always made by the Japanese embassy. VFS only handles the logistics layer: appointments, document checks, biometrics, and courier return.

Countries Where Japan Visa Applications Go Through VFS

As of 2026, VFS Global handles Japan visa intake in these major markets:

  • India
  • Philippines
  • Pakistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Nepal
  • Sri Lanka
  • UAE
  • Turkey
  • South Africa
  • Vietnam
  • Indonesia
  • Thailand

Coverage changes periodically. Check visa.vfsglobal.com — select "Japan" as destination + your current country — for the authoritative list.

Step-by-Step VFS Application Process

  1. 1

    Check visa type and required documents

    Open the VFS Global Japan page for your country. Each visa type (tourist, work, student, spouse) has its own documents checklist, generally matching the Japanese MOFA standard list plus country-specific extras.

  2. 2

    Book an appointment online

    Most VFS centers are appointment-only. Slots are released in batches — busy seasons (summer, holidays) can have 2-4 week waits. Walk-ins are not accepted in most locations.

  3. 3

    Print application form + gather documents

    Download the MOFA visa application form (same form worldwide), fill it out in English or Japanese, attach photo (white background, 4.5×3.5 cm, or the size your mission specifies, e.g. 4.5×4.5 cm in India), and bring originals plus copies of all supporting documents.

  4. 4

    Submit at VFS and pay fees

    Two separate charges: the Japanese consular visa fee (paid in local currency) + the VFS service fee. Examples in 2026: India ~₹2,300 total (₹500 visa fee + ~₹1,800 VFS service fee); Philippines ~₱1,800; UAE ~AED 280.

  5. 5

    Biometric enrollment

    Fingerprints + facial photo captured on-site. Required in most VFS-covered countries since 2023. Takes about 10 minutes. Children under 12 are exempt in most locations.

  6. 6

    Optional: courier return + SMS alerts

    Pay extra to have your passport delivered home after processing, and for SMS updates at each stage. Both are convenience services — not required.

  7. 7

    Track your application online

    Enter the reference number on your VFS receipt at visa.vfsglobal.com/track, plus the personal detail the page asks for (date of birth, surname or passport number, depending on the country) — a passport number alone is not enough. Processing usually takes about 5–10 working days; MOFA's 5-working-day standard counts from the day after the embassy accepts the file forwarded by VFS, not from your VFS submission date.

  8. 8

    Collect passport or receive by courier

    If you chose self-collection, return to the VFS center with the receipt. If you paid for courier, wait for delivery. The passport will have either the visa sticker or a refusal stamp inside.

Fees: Consular + VFS Service Charge

Applying through VFS involves two charges: - Consular visa fee — from 1 July 2026 about ¥15,000 for single entry and about ¥30,000 for double or multiple entry, converted by the embassy into local currency (Indian nationals applying in India pay a flat ₹500). Under MOFA rules, no visa fee is charged if the visa is not issued; when the fee is collected varies by country, so check your local VFS page. - VFS service fee — covers the centre, biometrics and document handling; it varies by country and is not refunded whatever the outcome. Optional add-ons (courier, SMS alerts, premium lounge, photocopying) are charged separately.

Tracking Your VFS Application

Visit visa.vfsglobal.com, pick "Japan" as destination, your country as location, and use "Track your application". You'll need: (1) your VFS reference number from the submission receipt, (2) the personal detail the page asks for — date of birth, surname or passport number, depending on the country. A passport number alone won't find your application. For the separate channel where the embassy has already issued a visa sticker, see also the Japan Visa Status tracking guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is VFS Global part of the Japanese embassy?▾
No. VFS Global is a private outsourcing company contracted to handle visa-application logistics in high-volume markets. The approval decision is always made by a Japanese embassy or consulate officer — VFS only handles intake, biometrics, and document return.
Can I apply directly at the embassy instead?▾
In VFS-covered countries, the Japanese embassy generally does not accept walk-in short-term visa applications — all tourist/business applications must go through VFS. Long-term visas (work, student, spouse) sometimes have a direct embassy channel; check your country's embassy website.
Why is the VFS fee higher than the consular fee?▾
The consular fee only covers the embassy's review. VFS charges a separate service fee (typically 3-10× the consular fee) for center operations, biometrics, document handling, and secure passport transport. This mirrors standard global outsourced-visa practice for UK, US, Schengen applications.
Can I get a refund if my visa is refused?▾
The consular fee: under MOFA rules no visa fee is charged if the visa is not issued (some countries collect it only on issuance, others collect first and refund — check your local VFS page). The VFS service fee and any optional services you used are not refunded; unused optional services (e.g. a pre-paid courier you didn't use) may be refundable under their terms.
Is biometric enrollment required every time?▾
Since 2023, Japan has required biometric enrollment for most short-term visa applicants in VFS-covered countries. Once captured, fingerprints are generally valid for 5 years — repeat applicants within that window may skip biometrics, depending on the embassy's current policy.
Where exactly do I find the VFS page for my country?▾
Go to visa.vfsglobal.com → select "Japan" as destination country → then select your current country. Each country-specific page has its own document checklist, fee schedule, appointment booking, status tracker, and FAQ specific to the Japan mission in that country.

Next steps

Visa Fees →Photo Requirements →Forms & Downloads →By Country →