Five-day decisions
Several applicants reported receiving tourist visa decisions in five working days after an in-person appointment.
Consulate General of Japan
Trade Centre
The Consulate General of Japan in Trade Centre handles Japanese tourist visa applications, including in-person submissions and eVisa-related queries. Reviews suggest the experience can be efficient when appointments and paperwork are in order, but appointment access and processing times vary sharply.
Reputation Score
2.8
★★★☆☆
333 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Smooth counter service
One applicant completed the submission in about half an hour and found the counter staff helpful with straightforward interview questions.
Clear requirements
A review says the website lists the requirements clearly, making a complete application easier to prepare.
eVisa success
One applicant received an eVisa within 15 days after following the online document requirements and status updates.
Helpful security
A 2018 visit included security guidance, a quick token process and help from a consular officer to add missing application details.
Tips for a Better Visit
Apply early. Submit well ahead of travel; one review recommends applying at least two months before departure because processing can take weeks.
Email at eight. For appointment requests, send the email at exactly 8 a.m.; one applicant succeeded after switching to that timing.
Separate files. Prepare one file per applicant, arrange documents in the listed order, avoid staples and include the Japan itinerary.
Keep transcripts. Bring copies of email exchanges; a reviewer used the correspondence to support a document submission when questions arose.
Leave electronics. Do not bring mobile phones into the consulate area, as security protocols prohibit electronics inside.
Avoid bookings early. Because several applicants reported delays or cancellations, be cautious with non-refundable flights and hotels before receiving a visa decision.
Plan the visit
Practical details
World Trade Center, Sheikh Zayed Rd, 28th floor
Trade Center Second, Dubai
| Mon | 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Tue | 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Wed | 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Thu | 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Fri | 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
Common Concerns
Appointment access
Applicants repeatedly describe sending appointment emails for weeks without receiving a reply or securing a slot.
Long delays
Visa processing has reportedly stretched from several weeks to more than two months, sometimes extending beyond planned travel dates.
Unclear cancellations
Some applicants said applications were cancelled after lengthy waits without identifying which document or requirement caused the decision.
Rude communication
Multiple reviews describe phone and counter interactions as rude, including calls being interrupted or ended before questions were answered.
Higher costs
A review says applicants were charged AED513 per person through VFS, compared with an earlier AED20 visa fee.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
80 AED
tourist visa
“5 working days later I went to collect my passport to find out that I got the visa, then I paid 80 AED in cash”Google review · August 2023
AED20
tourist visa
“What is the Japan Embassy doing in the UAE? It's very unfortunate that we must deal with VFS in Dubai, who overcharge clients for a Japan tourist visa, which was previously AED20”Google review · April 2025
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
The Consulate General of Japan in Trade Centre is used for Japanese tourist visa applications, including in-person submissions and eVisa processing. The best reports describe a straightforward counter visit: one applicant received a visa in five working days, while another completed the process in about half an hour and paid the fee when collecting the passport. The main difficulty is access.
Applicants describe appointment emails going unanswered for weeks, while eVisa cases have taken 15 days for some and five to eight weeks for others. Several applications were cancelled after long waits without a clear explanation of the missing or incorrect document. That uncertainty is especially risky if flights, hotels or itineraries are non-refundable.
Paperwork needs close attention. Reviews recommend one separate file per applicant, documents arranged in the website’s stated order, no staples and a Japan itinerary. m.
reportedly helped one applicant secure a response. Keep email correspondence with you, and leave phones and other electronics with security because they are not allowed inside. Customer service is the biggest caution: many reviewers describe rude or abrupt phone and counter interactions.
If timing matters, apply at least two months ahead and avoid committing to expensive travel until the visa is issued.