New Appointment Mandate
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
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.
System Already Active
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.
Elsewhere Unchanged
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.
