{"id":"f-91677779fp1-60736b56-f389-59b7-a6ce-12bf75543411","title":"South India Residents: New Japan Visa Appointment Rule Effective March 2, 2026","description":"Planning a trip to Japan from Southern India? A new mandatory appointment system for visa applications at VFS centers in Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, and Puducherry will be in effect from March 2, 2026. This change streamlines the application process for many travelers.","timestamp":1772014545,"category":"travel_and_lifestyle","headline":"South India Residents: New Japan Visa Appointment Rule Effective March 2, 2026","modifiedHeadline":"Japan Visa: Southern India Needs Appointments","subCategories":["scid_c3ff64bf"],"subcategoriesName":["Travel News"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"5c499af9-f79f-40d7-81bb-e308c73fe1a2","bundleTitle":"Where To Go Next?","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"663","fcSummary":"starting march 2, 2026, residents of southern india (chennai, kochi, hyderabad, puducherry) will require appointments to apply for japanese visas through vfs global. this mirrors the existing system in bengaluru. the change standardizes the process and encourages advance planning, while other regions of india remain unaffected with walk-in applications still accepted.","summary":"Japan visa applications in Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, & Puducherry require appointments from March 2, 2026. Plan ahead!","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/Daily_Digest/IN/en/feedpost-specials/f-91677779fp1-60736b56-f389-59b7-a6ce-12bf75543411","sourceUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/Daily_Digest/IN/en/feedpost-specials/f-91677779fp1-60736b56-f389-59b7-a6ce-12bf75543411","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/em84CCzNejn0.webp","content":"

\n Dreaming of Japan's beauty in 2026? Travelers from Southern India, take note: a crucial visa application change is coming soon. Discover what you need to know.\n

New Appointment Mandate

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For those residing in Southern India and aspiring to visit the land of the rising sun, a significant alteration in the Japan visa application procedure

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is set to be implemented. VFS Global has announced that starting from March 2, 2026, all individuals submitting visa applications for Japan at designated VFS centers will be required to book an appointment in advance. This new regulation applies universally across all visa categories and will affect application centers located in Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, and Puducherry. Applicants will need to navigate an online system to view and select available appointment slots after inputting their personal details, introducing an additional step in the pre-travel preparations for a Japan trip.

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System Already Active

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It's worth noting that a similar appointment-based system is already a part of the application process at the Japan Visa Application Centre in Bengaluru. This means that travelers in that region have been accustomed to securing a prior booking to initiate their visa submissions. The extension of this system to other Southern Indian cities is a move towards standardizing the application experience. This proactive approach allows potential visitors to plan their visa submissions well in advance, potentially avoiding last-minute rushes as their travel dates approach. It encourages a more organized and predictable pathway to obtaining the necessary travel documents for their Japanese adventure.

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Elsewhere Unchanged

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For the majority of travelers across the rest of India, the process for applying for a Japan visa remains as it was prior to this announcement. Residents in these other cities can continue to visit their respective VFS Japan Visa Application Centres without the need for a pre-booked appointment. Walk-in applications are still accepted, offering a straightforward method for initiating the visa process. This means that while a significant portion of Southern India will see a procedural shift, other regions will not experience any immediate changes to their existing visa application routines. It's always advisable to check the official VFS Global website for the most current information regarding application procedures specific to your location.

\n","readDurationInMinutes":"5","author":{"name":"Feedpost Specials","logo":"https://glance-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/bubble/jpeg/d7fdd6b5-4bee-4287-ab8a-8958c18b6f7c.jpeg"},"ism":false,"analyticsResponses":[],"pointerSummary":["Japan visa rules change: Southern India applicants need appointments from March 2026.","A new online booking system impacts Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad & Puducherry visa centres.","Other Indian applicants can still apply without appointments; check VFS Global for updates."],"tags":["JapanVisa","SouthIndia","VisaApplication","VFSGlobal","Chennai","Kochi","Hyderabad","Puducherry","TravelToJapan","VisaAppointments","March2026","TravelRegulations","IndiaTravel"],"redirectionEnabled":false,"consent":true}

South India Residents: New Japan Visa Appointment Rule Effective March 2, 2026

SUMMARY