VFS Global has announced that, from 2 March 2026, all Japan-visa applicants in Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad and Puducherry must secure online appointments before submitting documents, ending the longstanding walk-in option. The change, confirmed by Japan’s consulates in Chennai and Bengaluru, applies to every visa category including tourist, business, student and dependent permits.
Officials cited surging demand—Japanese arrivals from India jumped 28 percent in 2025, buoyed by new non-stop Chennai–Tokyo flights and Expo Osaka-related incentive schemes. Walk-in queues routinely exceeded three hours, creating security bottlenecks and inconsistent daily intake. With pre-booking, each centre will process a fixed 600 files per day, with emergency slots reserved for same-week travel and medical exigencies.
For those seeking extra help navigating the new rules, VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers end-to-end support, including appointment scheduling guidance, document pre-screening and real-time alerts for Japan as well as other destinations—providing a convenient alternative to relying on local touts or last-minute scrambling.
![Japan Ends Walk-In Visa Submissions in Four Southern Indian Cities]()
For corporate mobility teams, the policy means tighter planning. Chennai has become a hub for automotive and semiconductor delegations travelling to Kyushu and Aichi; companies will now need to factor appointment lead times of 10–14 days during peak periods. Students heading for the April academic intake should lock slots immediately, as biometrics and original transcript verification must be completed in person.
VFS said the online calendar opens 30 days in advance and warned applicants against paying touts advertising “premium” dates. Applicants must arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before their slot and produce a printed confirmation. Those who miss their time will be required to re-book, potentially delaying travel.
The reform aligns southern India with practices already in force at VFS centres in Mumbai and New Delhi, where pre-booked appointments have reduced crowding and improved processing predictability. Travellers from Kerala and Telangana who previously drove to Chennai for quicker walk-in acceptance will now need to plan similarly ahead.
Officials cited surging demand—Japanese arrivals from India jumped 28 percent in 2025, buoyed by new non-stop Chennai–Tokyo flights and Expo Osaka-related incentive schemes. Walk-in queues routinely exceeded three hours, creating security bottlenecks and inconsistent daily intake. With pre-booking, each centre will process a fixed 600 files per day, with emergency slots reserved for same-week travel and medical exigencies.
For those seeking extra help navigating the new rules, VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers end-to-end support, including appointment scheduling guidance, document pre-screening and real-time alerts for Japan as well as other destinations—providing a convenient alternative to relying on local touts or last-minute scrambling.
For corporate mobility teams, the policy means tighter planning. Chennai has become a hub for automotive and semiconductor delegations travelling to Kyushu and Aichi; companies will now need to factor appointment lead times of 10–14 days during peak periods. Students heading for the April academic intake should lock slots immediately, as biometrics and original transcript verification must be completed in person.
VFS said the online calendar opens 30 days in advance and warned applicants against paying touts advertising “premium” dates. Applicants must arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before their slot and produce a printed confirmation. Those who miss their time will be required to re-book, potentially delaying travel.
The reform aligns southern India with practices already in force at VFS centres in Mumbai and New Delhi, where pre-booked appointments have reduced crowding and improved processing predictability. Travellers from Kerala and Telangana who previously drove to Chennai for quicker walk-in acceptance will now need to plan similarly ahead.
