Japan visa for UAE residents and Gulf passport holders
Do you need a visa for Japan if you hold a UAE or Gulf passport, or live in the UAE on another passport? What Japan's foreign ministry says.
The answer depends on your passport, not on where you live. This page summarises what Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says for Gulf passport holders and for people who live in the UAE on another passport. Rules can change, so always confirm on the ministry website or with the Japanese embassy before you book.
If you hold a UAE passport
The UAE is on Japan’s visa exemption list for short stays. You can stay up to 90 days without a visa, but only if your passport is an ICAO-compliant ePassport (a passport with a chip). If your passport does not have a chip, get a visa in advance or you may be refused entry.
If you hold a Qatari passport
Qatar is on the exemption list, with a permitted stay of 30 days. The exemption applies only to holders of an ICAO-compliant ePassport who have registered it with a Japanese diplomatic mission. The registration is valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait
These four countries were not on the visa exemption list when we checked, so passport holders need a visa. The ministry says foreign nationals living in Saudi Arabia can apply directly on the JAPAN eVISA website. For the others, check with the Japanese embassy that covers you.
If you live in the UAE on another passport
First check whether your own passport is on the visa exemption list. If it is, you do not need a visa. If it is not, the ministry says foreign nationals living in the UAE can apply for a tourist eVISA, with these conditions:
- In the UAE you must apply through an accredited agency, not directly on the website.
- It is a single-entry short-term tourist visa valid for up to 90 days.
- An interview may be required.
- You must show the visa issuance notice on an internet-connected device at the airport. Screenshots, PDFs and printouts are not accepted.
- Agency fees are not stated on the ministry page, so ask the agency what it charges.
Check the website of the Japanese embassy that covers the UAE for the current list of accredited agencies and requirements.
Before you book
- Allow time for a visa if you need one, and do not book non-refundable flights before you are sure.
- Complete Visit Japan Web before you fly: see entering Japan in 2026.
- For visa rules for other passports, read do I need a visa for Japan?
- Planning flights? See flights from Dubai to Japan.
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice.
Checked against the 2 official and news sources listed below. Last updated 13 November 2026. Basis: researched from official sources. Written and edited by Delfin, with AI-assisted research (how we work). Rules and prices change, so confirm before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.