Consulate General of Japan

YOU NEED TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT NO MATTER WHAT! The only way to make an appointment is through the phone. Watch out for that. It's only mentioned on the top page of their website. Don't waste your time. They can't give us an appointment right away either. Plan ahead and make sure you have to have an appointment. Good luck.

UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE PEOPLE.

And maybe add online appointments? Or a weekly update with approximate interview wait times? At least a calendar? Not rocket science.

I wanted to apply for a working holiday visa here, for a seasonal ski job.

I followed their official checklist on their website, which was actually recently updated. No mention of an appointment or interview. It just states to show up in person with your documents and apply at least 3 weeks before start date.

Turns out after calling, you need an appointment and they are 6 weeks behind, pushing my potential start date halfway through ski season.

Further, they will not allow me to apply at the Ottawa Embassy instead because it is out of their jurisdiction? I'm an Ontario resident and I can't apply at the capital of Canada? Seriously?

Good thing I didn't waste a day driving to downtown Toronto or Ottawa, and good thing I didn't book my plane ticket yet.

Wasted a ton of my time and my employer's time as well.

The office is on the 33rd floor. You can't walk in without an appointment. Make a call and book. It is rather quiet but they give appointments for two weeks later. You can expect the high standard of Japanese politeness and service here. Be prepared as there is no cell phone signal at this corner on the 33rd floor. So making a call or checking your online documents or retrieving emails is difficult.

I had an extremely awesome experience applying for my Japanese temporary visitor visa. Staff are always kind and helpful.

Had a really smooth experience getting my evisa from here. Submitted my application Thursday, got a fee payment notice Friday, and made my payment in person on Monday. Got the evisa within 3 hours of payment, and less that 72 hours (excluding weekends) of submission. Now, I do notice that a lot of people in the reviews mention the info on the website is incorrect and yes, I do agree with that because it never mentions the walk in hours (9-12AM and 1.30-3PM), and the fact that you also have to print out the fee payment email with the registration info. However, the email did have a number which I decided to call even though it was almost 5pm on a Friday and they answered and explained all of this very politely. When I actually got there everything was done in under 2 minutes and everyone including security was super polite. Websites and reality not matching up is hardly a new thing during visa applications, so always call especially if you're driving from far away!

Update: used the e-visa to travel to Japan. Process was super quick however make sure you have internet at both your departure and arrival airport as both the airline staff and the immigration officer will ask you to show your evisa from the website on phone (no screenshots). Additionally if you have a PR card instead of a Canadian visa make sure you have it on hand as the immigration officer requests your proof of status in Canada during entry.

Yes it’s hard to get an appointment and you can’t walk in. But they are all professional and nice. Once you have an appointment everything is processed relatively fast, and no waiting needed at the consulate.

I had a great experience with everyone there. They are all very professional, friendly and helpful. I forgot my photos at the counter and I thought I’ve lost it. And today when I picked up my passport, I realized the staff put those photos I forgot together with my passport carefully! Thank you very much!

Because my English is not good, the staff explained to me patiently, and they are willing to communicate with my friends on the phone to make the whole thing easier, thank you very much

This place is absolutely ridiculous and you never get things done with one visit.
First of all, I don’t know why people still have to make the Evisa payment in-person instead of online. What’s the point of Evisa and online application? And then, when I received the email to make the payment, I took my time off to go and pay the fee because they only open a few hours weekdays. But when I got there, I was told that they only accept payments between 1: 30-3pm and before 12pm in the morning. But it was not written in the the email that I received or anywhere. You only find this out when you are there, which is a huge waste of time! It makes me feel that they are not respecting people’s time. Everyone has work and has to spend time traveling there but no matter how prepared you are you still have to come a second or even third time eventually.

Website needs way too many updates. There is a HUGE disconnect between the documents they ask in person and the documents mentioned on their website.

Excellent service. Just call ahead and print everything you think you might need.

Book your appointment in advance. For tourist visa only take screenshot of ticket. No need to book before getting your visa. $35 application fee.

Absolute worst visa consulate experience of any country that we've visited.
Submitted our documents via e-Visa application, but payment MUST be made in-person and in cash which is quite an inconvenience.
Google says their office is open until 430pm, and their website says office open until 5pm. We are quite far from DT and drove 2 hours down and arrived at 330pm, was allowed in by the security guard but 1st staff told us they don’t accept any payments after 3pm as their machines are shut down. When mentioning that we called and spoke to someone in the morning and confirmed that we can come in anytime before 430, they said “that’s impossible, you probably never dialed through since we usually don’t pickup”, we showed them our phone record and call duration with the office, and they said it must be fake… LOL
2nd and 3rd staff straight-up said they don’t speak English, came to lock the door, and walked away. When we kept ringing the bell since they are still open, they went away from the front counters and into their back offices and shut the doors, and completely ignored us.

Staff definitely need to be trained on their manners, professionalism, and website needs to be updated with exact office hours for payments and application requirements. Seems several of the reviewers here had similar experience. Good Luck to all who’s trying to visit Japan but needs to put up with this nonsense Consulate office.

The security girl in the afternoon is very nice and helpful. If you're paying fees for your e-visa. You need to print out both the Email 【Notification of visa fee】 AND the Registration information form. I didn't bring the email and had to print it out elsewhere.

Despite the negative comments that I read, I had a great experience getting my visitor visa done here.

I got my appointment date from one phone call away. Showing up according to the time they gave, brought the documents that are needed (based on what shows on their website) on the day, they will check it at the counter. Make sure you have the form filled up neatly and all the docs complete!:) Once it's checked, then they will let you know to pick it up in a week (plus bring the fee in cash only).

My visa is really ready in a week. Super easy, nothing complicated.

The security lady is also very nice and friendly.

Always professional and courteous.

Located on floor 33, you’ll need an appointment before you can go. Make sure you have a printout of all the required documents and more in case they ask. DESPITE SAYING “DO NOT BOOK FLIGHTS BEFORE VISA IS ISSUED” on their website, make sure you carry a flight itinerary/booking that shows when you will enter and most importantly when you will LEAVE. Hotel booking information is also required. Payment is in CASH ONLY.

For Business visas: invitation letter form Japan, letter of employment from Canada, T4, salary slips, bank statements and most importantly - a letter from sponsor/employer staying that they will cover all expenses.

Go prepared and you won’t have to go back. You may not get an appointment in time if you have to go back.

Special mention to the friendly security guards. Good job!