Indian tourists and business travellers heading to Japan will have to plan further ahead: VFS Global has confirmed that, starting 2 March 2026, visa application centres in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi and Puducherry will no longer accept walk-in files. Instead, applicants must pre-book slots online before visiting the centre, mirroring a system already in place in Delhi and Mumbai. (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
The Japanese Embassy says the change is aimed at cutting queues, reducing agent-driven bulk submissions and improving security of personal data. Visa fees (₹450 for single/multiple-entry and ₹50 for transit) remain unchanged until 31 March, but officials caution that processing still takes a minimum of five working days.
![Japan ends walk-in visa submissions in four south Indian cities, appointments mandatory from 2 March]()
For travellers who would like expert help navigating this new slot-booking regime, VisaHQ’s India platform can handle the entire process—from securing appointments to document review and real-time passport tracking—through a single online dashboard. Details are available at https://www.visahq.com/india/
For corporates in south India—especially the automobile, electronics and IT services clusters with sizeable footprints in Japan—the pre-booking requirement means travel managers must lock in appointments at least two weeks before departure to ensure timely passport return. VFS has urged companies to use the group-appointment module for delegations and to avoid multiple dummy bookings, warning that duplicate IDs will be cancelled.
Japan already offers an eVisa for short-term visits from India, but eligibility is limited and most travellers still opt for the sticker visa. Industry bodies have renewed calls for Osaka to be added to the eVisa pilot to further ease mobility.
The Japanese Embassy says the change is aimed at cutting queues, reducing agent-driven bulk submissions and improving security of personal data. Visa fees (₹450 for single/multiple-entry and ₹50 for transit) remain unchanged until 31 March, but officials caution that processing still takes a minimum of five working days.
For travellers who would like expert help navigating this new slot-booking regime, VisaHQ’s India platform can handle the entire process—from securing appointments to document review and real-time passport tracking—through a single online dashboard. Details are available at https://www.visahq.com/india/
For corporates in south India—especially the automobile, electronics and IT services clusters with sizeable footprints in Japan—the pre-booking requirement means travel managers must lock in appointments at least two weeks before departure to ensure timely passport return. VFS has urged companies to use the group-appointment module for delegations and to avoid multiple dummy bookings, warning that duplicate IDs will be cancelled.
Japan already offers an eVisa for short-term visits from India, but eligibility is limited and most travellers still opt for the sticker visa. Industry bodies have renewed calls for Osaka to be added to the eVisa pilot to further ease mobility.
