Cherry blossom in Kyoto, autumn colour in Hakone, or a week of food and fast trains between Tokyo and Osaka: Japan is a popular long-haul holiday from the Gulf. If you live in the UAE or Saudi Arabia and your passport is not visa-exempt, you need a visa. For tourism, Japan issues an electronic visa (eVISA), so nothing is stuck in your passport.
The part most people miss: where you live decides how you apply, not only which passport you hold. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) lets residents of Saudi Arabia apply online themselves. Residents of the UAE get the same kind of eVISA, but they apply in person through VFS Global, the partner used by the Embassy of Japan in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai.
This guide covers the Japan e-visa for UAE residents and Saudi residents of any nationality: who can use it, fees, documents, timing and what to show at the airport. We checked every official page listed under Sources on 5 October 2026. Voyfaro does not issue visas or apply for them.
Japan eVISA for UAE and Saudi residents: quick answer
- Do you need a visa? Not if your passport is visa-exempt for Japan. That includes UK, US, Canadian and Australian passports, and Emirati ePassports. Many passports common in the Gulf do need one, including Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Nigerian and Saudi passports.
- Living in Saudi Arabia (iqama holders and Saudi citizens): apply yourself on the official JAPAN eVISA website, evisa.mofa.go.jp.
- Living in the UAE: book an appointment at the VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, depending on your emirate. The visa you get is still an eVISA.
- What it covers: tourism only, single entry. The embassy or consulate decides your stay: 15, 30 or 90 days.
- Fee (from 1 July 2026): MOFA puts a single-entry visa at about JPY 15,000, though some nationalities pay less or nothing. In the UAE that is AED 365 for most nationalities and AED 20 for Indian nationals, plus a VFS service fee of AED 110.
- Processing: normally 5 working days in Saudi Arabia once your application is complete. VFS in the UAE says 8 working days in Abu Dhabi and at least 8 to 10 in Dubai. Either can take several weeks.
- At the airport: show your “visa issuance notice” live on your phone, with internet. MOFA does not accept a PDF, screenshot or printout.
Which route applies to you?
| Living in Saudi Arabia | Living in the UAE | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you apply | Online at evisa.mofa.go.jp | VFS Global centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, by appointment, in person or through an authorised representative |
| Who decides | Embassy of Japan in Riyadh or Consulate-General of Japan in Jeddah, depending on your region | Embassy of Japan in Abu Dhabi or Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai, depending on your emirate |
| Visa fee | About JPY 15,000 for most nationalities, paid online by card after approval | AED 365 for most nationalities, AED 20 for Indian nationals, paid in AED with your application |
| Other fees | No agency fee: you apply directly | VFS service fee of AED 110, including VAT |
| Normal processing | 5 working days after a complete application | 8 working days (Abu Dhabi) or at least 8 to 10 (Dubai); up to 3 to 4 weeks |
| Earliest you can apply | 3 months before travel | 90 days before travel |
| Latest you can apply | Embassy in Riyadh: at least 7 days before arrival. Consulate in Jeddah: more than a month before your trip | Dubai: not accepted if your flight is within 2 weeks. Abu Dhabi: no fixed cut-off, but allow enough processing time |
Why the difference? MOFA’s eVISA page (updated 15 May 2026) lists Saudi Arabia among the places where all foreign residents can apply online, with Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, South Africa, Taiwan, the UK and the US. The UAE is in a separate group, where MOFA says you apply “through an accredited agency”. When we tried the “Required documents” checker on the eVISA website, Saudi Arabia was offered as a country of residence and the UAE was not.
Does your passport need a visa for Japan?
Your passport decides whether you need a visa at all. Where you live decides how you apply for it.
| Your passport | What MOFA says (checked 5 October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Emirati | No visa for up to 90 days with an ICAO-compliant ePassport (90 days since 1 July 2025; it was 30 days before) |
| Qatari | No visa for up to 30 days, if your ePassport is registered with a Japanese embassy or consulate |
| UK, US, Canadian, Australian and many European passports | No visa for short stays. Check your country on MOFA’s exemption list |
| Saudi, Kuwaiti, Omani, Bahraini | Visa needed |
| Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepali, Egyptian, Jordanian, Nigerian, Kenyan and many others | Visa needed |
If you need a visa, use the route for the country you live in. A few passports have extra points:
- Indian nationals pay a reduced fee in the UAE: AED 20, according to the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai and VFS. VFS also lists a multiple-entry sticker visa for Indian nationals, which is a paper application, not an eVISA.
- Fee-free nationalities: VFS lists a visa fee of AED 0 for “gratis” countries, and MOFA says some nationalities pay a reduced fee or none under reciprocal arrangements. The embassy or consulate for where you live confirms whether yours is one of them.
- Filipino nationals: MOFA’s rule that the eVISA goes through a designated travel agency’s package tour, with a 15-day stay, applies to Filipinos living in the Philippines. If you live in Saudi Arabia or the UAE, you follow your country of residence’s route. When we tested the eVISA checker with a Philippine passport, Saudi Arabia was offered as a country of residence.
- Chinese nationals in the UAE have separate requirements listed by the Consulate-General in Dubai. Its eVISA checklist also says holiday rentals such as Airbnb are not accepted as the accommodation booking for Chinese nationals.
- Russian, CIS, Ukrainian and Georgian nationals applying in Dubai: the checklist asks for two signed application forms and two photos.
- Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Nigerian and other passports: we found no extra nationality rule on the official pages we checked. Every embassy can still ask for more documents.
How to apply from Saudi Arabia (online)
The Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia says all nationals who live in Saudi Arabia can apply online for a tourist visa: single entry, for a stay of up to 90 days. The JAPAN eVISA website and MOFA add that you must:
- live legally in Saudi Arabia and hold an ordinary passport
- be travelling for tourism. Visiting friends or relatives, business and conferences need a paper visa from the embassy or consulate
- travel to Japan by air, or on the scheduled passenger ferries from Busan or Shanghai
- stay in Saudi Arabia while your application is processed, as you may be called in for an interview
- pay by card, and have a smartphone or tablet to show your visa
You cannot apply online if you have been convicted of a crime or deported in any country, if you are also a Japanese national, or if you want a multiple-entry visa. In those cases, contact the embassy or consulate for your region.
Step by step
- Open evisa.mofa.go.jp. Type the address yourself. MOFA warns about fraud websites that look like the real one.
- Use the “Required documents” checker on the home page. Choose your nationality, “Saudi Arabia” and your region. It shows which mission handles your application. When we tried it on 5 October 2026, the Makkah and Madinah regions went to the Consulate-General in Jeddah. The other 11 regions, including Riyadh, the Eastern Region, Asir, Qassim and Tabuk, went to the Embassy in Riyadh.
- Create an account with your email address and fill in the form. Family members who live in the same consular district and travel on the same dates can be added to one application and paid for together.
- Upload your documents. Jeddah prefers clear PDF scans in English. MOFA recommends files of up to 2MB, and several pages should be combined into one PDF.
- Submit, then watch your email. If the mission asks for more documents or an interview, reply quickly.
- Pay only after the “Notification of visa fee” email. Pay online by card. MOFA says the card should be in the applicant’s name; a parent or guardian can pay for a child. The Embassy in Riyadh lists Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and JCB credit cards, and Visa and Mastercard debit cards.
- Get your eVISA. You receive an email titled “Notification of electronic visa issuance”. At check-in, log in to your account and show the visa issuance notice.
Documents for Saudi residents
The Consulate-General in Jeddah’s eVISA page lists the documents below, and the JAPAN eVISA website adds the photo, authorisation and parental consent rules. The Embassy in Riyadh’s visa page does not publish its own eVISA list, so also check the mission page for your region.
- A copy of your passport (Jeddah asks for a full passport copy), and a photo taken in the last 6 months against a plain background. Do not use a photo copied from your passport or ID
- A round-trip flight reservation from Saudi Arabia, showing every stop, in English. Jeddah says it does not ask for a paid ticket
- A hotel booking for your whole stay, and a day-by-day itinerary that matches your flights
- Proof you can pay for the trip: an employment and salary certificate (Jeddah asks non-Saudis to have it certified by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and 3 months of bank statements from a Saudi bank, in English, showing you can pay for the trip
- For non-Saudis: a copy of your iqama and your exit/re-entry visa. If you hold two nationalities, apply on the passport shown on your iqama
- If a family member pays: a guarantee letter, proof of your relationship translated into English, and the guarantor’s passport or ID
- A letter of authorisation if someone else applies for you, or a parental consent form if a child travels without a parent
Jeddah lists the most common reasons it cancels eVISA applications: a poor or copied photo, missing or blurry documents, a flight itinerary without every stop, documents not in English, and no proof of funds. If your eVISA application has been cancelled twice, Jeddah advises applying in person at its consular section.
How to apply from the UAE (through VFS Global)
The Embassy of Japan in the UAE says that since 1 August 2024, all visa and e-visa applications from ordinary passport holders are received at VFS Global, by appointment. VFS describes itself as the official partner of the Embassy of Japan in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai.
Step by step
- Find your centre. If you live in Abu Dhabi emirate (including Al Ain), or your residence visa is from Abu Dhabi, apply at VFS in Abu Dhabi. If you live in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah, apply at VFS in Dubai. If you live in Abu Dhabi on another emirate’s residence visa, VFS asks for proof such as a tenancy contract, a TAQA bill and 3 months of bank or card statements.
- Prepare your documents and forms. Download the visa application form and the itinerary form from the VFS Japan pages. Dubai’s checklist says the form must be typed and signed by you.
- Book an appointment. Each family member needs their own appointment.
- Attend in person, or send an authorised representative. Bring your original passport. The VFS Abu Dhabi page says eVISA applicants keep their passports after submitting.
- Pay at the centre. The visa fee is paid in AED with your application, plus the VFS service fee. VFS lists cash or credit card.
- Track your application and receive your eVISA. Ask VFS how you will receive your visa issuance notice, and check that it opens on your phone before you fly. MOFA says that when someone else applies for you, they must give you the notice with a QR code, which you use to display it. If a centre keeps your passport, VFS says passports have been returned by courier only since 25 March 2026.
Documents for UAE residents
The Consulate-General in Dubai’s eVISA checklist (dated 6 August 2026) and the Embassy in Abu Dhabi’s list ask for:
- A typed, signed visa application form. Dubai asks for one 45 x 35 mm photo with a white background, taken in the last 6 months; Abu Dhabi asks for one passport-size photo
- Your original passport and a colour copy. Dubai asks for at least 30 days of validity after you return and more than 2 blank visa pages
- A copy of your UAE residence visa and your Emirates ID (bring the original). Dubai asks for at least 30 days of validity after you return. Abu Dhabi asks for at least 6 months left on your residence visa, with the whole trip inside that validity
- A certificate of employment or salary certificate. Dubai wants it addressed to the Consul-General of Japan in Dubai, stating your salary, position, purpose of travel and who pays, with the company stamp and signature
- 3 months of UAE bank e-statements. Dubai says they must be no older than 10 days when you apply. Abu Dhabi asks for them to show your last 3 salaries
- A flight reservation (Dubai accepts a provisional booking), a hotel booking for the whole trip and a day-by-day itinerary
- Business owners and investors: a trade licence copy and a letter stating your average monthly income (Abu Dhabi). Dubai asks owners sponsored by a free zone for a no-objection certificate from the free zone
- Not working, or on a family visa: your sponsor’s salary certificate, bank statements and passport, residence visa and Emirates ID copies, a sponsorship or guarantee letter, proof of relationship and, for Dubai, a no-objection letter from your sponsor
Dubai accepts documents in English or Japanese only, and asks for originals issued within the last 3 months unless the checklist says otherwise. Dubai warns that incomplete or incorrect documents lead to immediate rejection of the application, and Abu Dhabi that they can count against you.
Japan eVISA fee and processing time
| Item | Saudi Arabia | UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | About JPY 15,000 for most nationalities; some pay less or nothing (MOFA, from 1 July 2026) | AED 365 for most nationalities, AED 20 for Indian nationals, AED 0 for fee-exempt nationalities (Consulate-General in Dubai and VFS Global) |
| Service fee | None | AED 110, including VAT (VFS Global) |
| When you pay | Online by card, after the fee email | At the VFS centre, with your application |
| Processing time | Normally 5 working days after a complete application; can take more than a month (MOFA) | 8 working days in Abu Dhabi and at least 8 to 10 in Dubai; can stretch to 3 to 4 weeks (VFS) |
| eVISA validity | 3 months from issue, single entry | 3 months from issue, single entry |
MOFA says no visa fee is charged if a visa is not issued. In the UAE, VFS collects the visa fee with your application, so ask VFS how a refusal is handled before you pay. Once an eVISA has been issued, MOFA does not refund the fee for any reason. If you are refused, you must wait 6 months before you apply again, and MOFA does not give reasons.
Before you fly and at the airport
- Use it within 3 months. The eVISA is valid for 3 months, counted from the day after it is issued. It covers one entry and stops being valid once you pass Japanese immigration.
- Your stay is set on arrival. The landing permission you get at immigration shows how long you can stay. Paid work is not allowed.
- You can fly from anywhere. MOFA says you can travel to Japan from any country while your eVISA is valid, for example a Riyadh resident flying via Dubai.
- Same passport. Travel on the passport you applied with. If you renew it, you need a new eVISA.
- Have data at check-in. You must log in and show the live notice at the departure airport. If you are flying out of a country where your phone has no data, set up roaming or a travel eSIM first.
- Travel insurance. The Embassy of Japan in the UAE recommends travel insurance because medical costs in Japan can be very high. It suggests cover that includes hospital referrals and medical interpretation. Compare travel insurance.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying on a look-alike website instead of evisa.mofa.go.jp
- Using the eVISA to visit friends or relatives in Japan. That needs a paper visa
- Trying to apply online from the UAE. UAE residents apply through VFS
- Leaving it too late: Dubai will not take your application if you fly within 2 weeks
- A UAE residence visa that runs out too soon after your return, or has under 6 months left if you apply in Abu Dhabi
- Bank statements more than 10 days old on the day you apply in Dubai
- A photo copied from your passport or ID
- A flight reservation that leaves out a stop, or hotel dates that do not match your flights
- Paying for non-refundable flights before your eVISA is issued
- Renewing your passport after the eVISA is issued and not applying again
- Relying on a screenshot or printout at check-in
How Voyfaro can help
- Visa: we point you to the official Japanese sources and explain them in plain English. We do not apply for, issue or guarantee visas, and we do not book visa appointments. See our visa guidance.
- Bookings: we help you compare flights, hotels, eSIMs and travel insurance from trusted partners we reach through the Travelpayouts affiliate network. Until your eVISA is issued, we suggest refundable fares and free-cancellation hotels.
- You stay in control: you book and pay directly with the partner. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
- Questions? Contact us with where you live, your passport, your dates and who is travelling. Asking is free.
For official help, the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai lists the Japan Visa Information Hotline as +971 800 032 1271, and the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate-General in Jeddah list it as +966 800 850 0697. Both are 24-hour lines in English.
FAQ
Can UAE residents apply for the Japan eVISA online?
Not on their own. MOFA says UAE residents apply through an accredited agency, and the Embassy of Japan in the UAE uses VFS Global. You book an appointment at the VFS centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, submit your documents there, and the visa is issued as an eVISA.
Can Saudi iqama holders apply for the Japan eVISA?
Yes. The Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia says all nationals who live in Saudi Arabia can apply online for a single-entry tourist visa. Non-Saudis upload a copy of their iqama and exit/re-entry visa. Saudi citizens can use the same online route.
I live in Dubai on an Indian, Pakistani or Filipino passport. How do I apply?
Through the VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre in Dubai, by appointment. The route is the same for every passport that needs a visa. Indian nationals pay a reduced visa fee of AED 20; most other nationalities pay AED 365. Everyone pays the AED 110 VFS service fee.
How much is the Japan eVISA fee for UAE and Saudi residents?
Since 1 July 2026, MOFA puts a single-entry visa at about JPY 15,000, paid in local currency, though some nationalities pay less or nothing. In the UAE that is AED 365 for most nationalities (AED 20 for Indian nationals), plus AED 110 to VFS. In Saudi Arabia you pay online by card after approval, and your eVISA account shows the exact amount when the fee is due.
How long does the Japan eVISA take?
MOFA says normally 5 working days after a complete application, but sometimes more than a month. VFS in the UAE quotes 8 working days in Abu Dhabi and at least 8 to 10 in Dubai, up to 3 to 4 weeks. You can apply up to 3 months before you travel.
Can I use the eVISA to visit family or friends in Japan?
No. MOFA says the eVISA is for tourism only. Visiting relatives or friends needs a paper visa from the Japanese embassy or consulate for where you live.
Can I show a screenshot or printout of my eVISA at the airport?
No. You must log in and show the visa issuance notice on your phone or tablet with an internet connection. MOFA says PDFs, screenshots and printouts are not accepted.
Do Emirati or Saudi citizens need a visa for Japan?
Emirati citizens with an ICAO-compliant ePassport do not, for stays of up to 90 days. Saudi citizens with ordinary passports do; if they live in Saudi Arabia, they can apply online for a tourist eVISA.
Can Voyfaro get my Japan visa approved?
No. Only the Japanese authorities decide. We point you to the official sources and help you compare flights, hotels, eSIMs and insurance for your trip.
Sources
Official pages we checked on 5 October 2026:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, The JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa) (15 May 2026: eligible countries of residence, the accredited-agency group including the UAE, the Philippines package-tour rule, air and ferry travel only, ordinary passports only, tourism up to 90 days, live display of the visa issuance notice, fraud warning)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, JAPAN eVISA website (eligibility, cases that cannot apply online, card payment, application steps, photo rules, proxy and minor applications, fee revision to JPY 15,000 from 1 July 2026, and the “Required documents” checker, which we tested with Saudi residence and Pakistani, Indian, Philippine and Saudi passports)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, JAPAN eVISA frequently asked questions (3-month validity, 15, 30 or 90-day stays, fee and reductions for some nationalities, 5 working days’ processing, applying up to 3 months ahead, staying in your country of residence, family applications, file sizes, card in the applicant’s name, no refunds after issue, 6-month wait after refusal, same-passport rule, travel from any country)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, FAQ about JAPAN eVISA (11 November 2024: tourism only; visiting relatives or friends needs a paper visa)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Visa Fees (24 June 2026: about JPY 15,000 single entry from 1 July 2026, local currency, no fee if no visa is issued, separate agency handling fee)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay) (1 September 2025: 74 visa-exempt countries and regions; UAE ePassport rule; Qatar ePassport registration and 30-day stay)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Relaxation of visa requirements for nationals of the United Arab Emirates (2 June 2025: 90-day visa-free stay from 1 July 2025)
- Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia, VISA application (14 September 2026: all residents of Saudi Arabia can apply online for a tourist eVISA, apply at least 7 days before arrival, accepted cards, results from the fifth working day, iqama and re-entry permit for non-Saudis, 6-month wait after refusal, hotline)
- Consulate-General of Japan in Jeddah, E-Visa (29 April 2026: required documents, dual nationals, common reasons for cancellation, apply more than a month ahead, PDF scans in English, no paid ticket needed)
- Consulate-General of Japan in Jeddah, Visa (1 July 2026: hotline, processing time, 3-month validity)
- Embassy of Japan in the UAE, Visiting Japan (all visa and e-visa applications through VFS Global since 1 August 2024)
- Embassy of Japan in the UAE, (For travelers to Japan) Overseas travel insurance (insurance recommended; medical costs can be very high)
- Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai, Visa for Japan (17 March 2026: applications through VFS Global, emirates covered by Dubai and Abu Dhabi, hotline, separate requirements for Chinese and other nationalities)
- Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai, Visa fee (24 June 2026: AED 365 general and AED 20 for Indian nationals, single entry, from 1 July 2026)
- Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai, Checklist: Tourism E-Visa (PDF dated 6 August 2026, published on the VFS Global site: documents, validity rules, 10-day bank statements, 2-week cut-off, 90-day window, extra forms for some nationalities, emirates covered by Dubai)
- Embassy of Japan in the UAE, List of requirements for the short-term e-Visa (undated PDF published on the VFS Global site: Abu Dhabi jurisdiction, 3-month window, 6 months’ residence visa validity, documents by employment type)
The embassy’s appointed partner (not a government website):
- VFS Global, Japan visa information for the UAE (official partner of the Embassy of Japan in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai). We used its Dubai and Abu Dhabi eVISA pages for in-person submission, visa fees (including AED 0 for gratis countries), the AED 110 service fee, processing times and the 90-day window; its Apply for a visa page for jurisdiction, proof of Abu Dhabi residence and individual appointments; its fee update of 24 June 2026 for payment by cash or credit card; and its passport collection notice of 26 March 2026 (courier return only)