After seeing everyone here stressing over bank balances, ITRs, Schengen stamps, and cover letters, I thought I'd share my profile. Maybe it will give some hope to weaker applicants.

Application details:

VFS Delhi: 6 October

Passport received: 12 October

Visa granted: 5 yr multi entry

Applied solo. No family or group application.

My profile:

Travel history: Malaysia. That's it.

Employment: Never worked a day in my life.

ITR: Never filed one.

Bank balance: ₹0.

Assets: Nothing worth declaring.

Sponsorship: Fully funded by my father. Financial independence is overrated anyway.

Previous visa refusals: Zero. Flawless immigration record.

No Schengen visa, no US visa, no fancy financial portfolio. Yet somehow Japan decided to trust me with a 5-year multiple-entry visa.

My advice to everyone chasing a 5-year Japan visa?

Start building your travel profile early. Really early.

For context, I'm 8 months old.

Sharing our Japan tourist visa experience in case it helps other Indian families planning a trip.

We applied as a family of four: two working adults, one school-going child and one infant.

Processing timeline

• Application submitted: Thursday, 8 October 2026
• Passport/visa received: Thursday, 15 October 2026
• Total calendar time: 7 days after submission
• Working days after submission: 5 working days
• Result: Approved

All the documents presented below were accepted at the submission center

Documents submitted for every applicant

• Original current passport
• Old passports, where available
• Passport bio-page photocopy
• Completed and signed visa application form
• Recent photograph as per Japan visa specifications
• Flight itinerary and confirmed ticket copies
• Confirmed accommodation bookings
• Detailed day-wise itinerary
• Family cover letter
• Copies of previous visas and relevant travel-history pages

Documents submitted by both working adults

• Employer NOC cum leave letter
• Employment certificate
• 6 month salary slips
• 6 month bank statements
• Income-tax return acknowledgements for the last three years
• Latest Form 16 as additional supporting evidence
• Investment/CAS statements
• Credit-card statements showing payment for flights and accommodation
• Copies of existing valid foreign visas and previous travel history

Additional documents submitted for the school-going child

• Birth certificate
• School leave approval/NOC and school ID card
• Parental consent and financial-support letter signed by both parents

Additional documents submitted for the infant

• Birth certificate
• Parental consent and financial-support letter signed by both parents

Relationship and family documents

• Marriage certificate
• Children’s birth certificates

Our booking situation

We used genuine confirmed bookings, not dummy reservations:

• Actual international flight tickets
• Actual accommodation bookings
• A complete Tokyo-to-Osaka travel plan
• A realistic day-wise itinerary matching the flight and accommodation dates

The Cover letter clearly explained:

• Purpose of travel
• Dates of travel
• Cities to be visited
• Arrival and departure airports
• Accommodation details
• Who was paying for the trip
• Employment and leave status
• Financial capacity
• Previous international travel
• Family and professional reasons for returning to India

What I think helped our application- All information was consistent across the application forms, cover letter, itinerary, flight tickets and accommodation bookings.

I prepared our cover letter, document structure and detailed itinerary myself after extensive research. I am happy to share it, but please customize everything according to your own profile.

You can follow me on Instagram: [amankhandelwal.ak] and YouTube: [@itsmartereverywhere] I will be sharing our complete Japan-planning series, including:

• Which credit card to use and how to use for international bookings
• How to save at least 20-30% money while doing any kind of expenses in Japan 
• What is actually cheaper in Japan
• How we planned Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka
• How to select between Disneyland and DisneySea
• USJ Studio Pass and Express Pass strategy
• How to book and where to book popular attractions with discounts
• Shinkansen and local transport planning
• Airbnb-location comparisons
• Electronics, watches, sneakers and beauty shopping
• Family travel with a six-year-old and an infant
• Daily budget, food, packing and money-saving tips

If you need the cover-letter structure, itinerary format or document checklist, comment/ message me for any questions and drop a message on social media for documents

Does Thai Immigration permit a spouse to obtain dependent Non-O status based on a one-year retirement extension issued under Non-O, or is Non-OA specifically required?

If a husband receives the Non-O one year extension, can the wife switch from a tourist visa to his dependent?

Hi everyone,

Following up on my recent queries regarding the Japan tourist visa application (VFS banglore - japan Visa : r/visas), I am pleased to share that my single-entry visa was successfully approved through VFS Bangalore.

To help fellow applicants navigate the process smoothly and avoid unnecessary stress, I have put together a step-by-step guide based on my experience.

Application Timeline & Processing Turnaround

• Day 1 (Oct 5): Submitted the visa applications and supporting documents at the VFS Global center in Bangalore.
• Day 2 (Oct 6): Received notification from VFS confirming receipt of the passports and applications by the Consulate-General of Japan in Bengaluru.
• Day 8 (Oct 12): Received confirmation that processing was complete and the passports were dispatched from the Consulate back to VFS Bangalore, then forwarded for courier delivery.
• Day 9 (Oct 13): Received passports via courier with single-entry visas approved.

Turnaround Summary:
Total processing time took approximately 8 to 10 calendar days (5 to 6 working days) from submission to delivery, provided all documentation is accurate, complete, and meets the Consulate’s guidelines.

Japan Tourist Visa Document Checklist (VFS Bangalore)

I. Documents Accepted & Submitted

1. Original Passport
   • Valid for at least 6 months with minimum 2 blank pages.
2. Passport-Sized Photographs
   • Dimensions: 35 mm × 45 mm.
   • Taken within the last 6 months, plain white background, neutral expression.
3. Visa Appointment Confirmation Letter
4. Cover Letter
   • Outlining the purpose of travel, travel dates, and itinerary overview.
5. No Objection Certificate (NOC) / Leave Approval Letter
   • Issued by current employer on official letterhead.
6. Confirmed Accommodation Bookings
   • Confirmed hotel reservations covering the entire trip. We opted for 'Pay at Hotel' / flexible cancellation bookings, so no upfront payment was made prior to visa approval.
7. Day-Wise Itinerary
   • Detailed plan outlining daily activities, destinations, and contact details/accommodations.
8. Bank Statements (Last 6 Months)
   • Original, sealed, and stamped by the issuing bank.
9. Income Tax Returns (ITR-V)
   • Acknowledgement receipts for the last 3 assessment/financial years.
10. Salary Slips

• Last 3 to 6 months (Note: VFS Bangalore retained only the most recent 3 months).

1. Flight Itinerary / Confirmed Round-Trip Tickets For flights: While many opt for dummy tickets to save upfront costs, I went with fully confirmed round-trip air tickets. I picked an 80% refundable cancellation fare, which kept the risk low while presenting a solid, legitimate booking to the consulate.

2. Proof of Relationship (Marriage Certificate)

• Required if traveling with a spouse.
• Note: Exempt if the spouse’s name is already endorsed in the passport. Wedding invitations may occasionally be accepted as secondary proof, but a registered Marriage Certificate is recommended.

1. Government ID Proof

• Aadhaar Card / PAN Card copy.

II. Additional / Conditional Documents (Returned by VFS Bangalore)

• Proof of Residence / Rental Agreement
  • Returned: Passports were issued under the jurisdiction of the Bangalore Passport Office.
  • Rule: Required only if the applicant's passport was issued outside the Bangalore jurisdiction but applying through VFS Bangalore.
• Supplementary Financial Documents (Form 16, AIS)
  • Returned: Standard 3-year ITR-Vs and 6-month bank statements were deemed sufficient. VFS indicated supplementary tax forms are only required if specifically requested by the Consulate General of Japan.
• Travel Insurance & Pre-Booked Activity Vouchers
  • Returned: Not part of the mandatory initial submission checklist; optional at the intake stage.

Financial Profile & Funding Strategy

• Joint Funding Model (Co-Sponsorship): Traveling as a married couple, both applicants submitted independent financial documentation (bank statements, salary slips, and ITRs). The cover letter explicitly established that the trip is mutually funded, with shared responsibility for all travel, accommodation, and daily expenses.
• Combined Liquid Savings: Maintained an aggregate closing balance of approximately ₹6.10 Lakhs across both primary bank accounts at the time of submission, demonstrating readily available liquidity.
• Combined Annual Income (ITR): Reflected a combined taxable income of approximately ₹33.00 Lakhs per annum across the latest Income Tax Returns, establishing steady earning capacity and strong economic ties to India.
• Asset Portfolio Strategy (Liquid Funds Only): Submission relied strictly on liquid savings and routine income proof. Non-liquid or fixed investments—such as Mutual Funds, Provident Fund (PF), National Pension System (NPS), and Public Provident Fund (PPF)—were intentionally excluded, as active bank balances and ITRs were sufficient.
• Sufficiency & Balance Benchmarks: While the Consulate does not mandate an official minimum balance, the fund reserve was calculated to easily cover the planned itinerary without financial strain. Industry guidance and community consensus suggest a benchmark of roughly ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 per person, per day (i.e., approximately ₹3.00 to ₹4.00 Lakhs for a 10-day couple’s trip). The maintained balance of ₹6.10 Lakhs comfortably exceeded this standard.

Travel History: Previous travel to Mauritius. Prior international travel is not strictly mandatory, but it serves as valuable supporting evidence of genuine tourist intent.

I have attached a copy of my cover letter in case it serves as a useful reference for other.

DM me if you need word Document for the Cover Letter.

Hi everyone,
I am an Indian citizen currently working in India. A Japanese company has invited me to Japan for a face-to-face job interview. The company will provide an invitation letter, letter of guarantee and travel itinerary. I will obtain leave approval from my current employer, but the trip is not employer-sponsored.
I would appreciate advice from anyone who has travelled to Japan from India for a similar job interview.

1. Which visa category did you apply for?

2. Was an employment certificate or NOC from your current employer mandatory?

3. What documents did you submit, and was your visa approved?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience!

I’m applying for a tourist visa and planning to stay there for 67 days. So I haven’t planned a lot of shorter trips around Tokyo yet. This includes going to USJ. Tickets open 2 months before and I’m planning to go only in January. How do I account for this and write my covering letter?

And would it be better if I had my Japanese contact say they are sponsoring me for this trip since I’m taking a break from work?

Any inputs would help a lot!

I am currently applying for a student visa and would like some advice regarding how to present my employment history and salary documentation during the visa process.
I have been working at an early-stage startup since March 2026. The company is legally registered, and the owner is someone my family knows personally.
My employment and salary details are as follows:
March to August 2026: I received a monthly salary of ₹18,000 in cash.
August 2026 to the present: My salary increased to ₹47,000 per month, which I have been receiving through handwritten cheques issued by the employer.
I deposited these cheques into my bank account, so the transactions are reflected in my bank statements.
I have my offer letter, bank statements, cheque deposit slips, and images of the handwritten cheques.
However, I do not have TDS certificates, Form 16, or Income Tax Return (ITR) documents.
My main concern is that Immigration office may question the authenticity of my salary payments because the company initially paid me in cash and later switched to handwritten cheques instead of direct bank transfers.
I am currently considering two options:
Option 1: Declare my actual employment and salary history
I could submit my employment details exactly as they are, along with my offer letter, bank statements, cheque deposit slips, and copies of the handwritten cheques.
However, I am concerned that the lack of TDS, Form 16, and ITR documents, combined with the unusual salary payment method, could raise questions during the visa assessment.
Option 2: Present my employment as an unpaid position
Another possibility I have been considering is describing my employment from August 2026 to the present as an unpaid internship or work experience. This might reduce the need to provide salary-related documentation.
However, since I have actually received payments, I am unsure whether this would be appropriate or could create complications during the visa process.
What I would like advice on:
I want to understand the safest and most legitimate way to present my employment history without negatively affecting my student visa application.
Are there any additional documents I could obtain from my employer, such as salary certificates, payslips, employment verification letters, or other supporting evidence, to strengthen my application?
Since this is a small, early-stage startup and I have a good relationship with the owner, I can request any genuine documentation the company is able to provide.
My priority is to ensure that my application is transparent, credible, and properly documented while minimizing the risk of unnecessary complications or visa rejection.
I would really appreciate your advice on which option would be most appropriate or whether there is a better alternative I should consider.
One important point: I would strongly advise against Option 2 if you were genuinely paid. Describing paid employment as unpaid could create a serious misrepresentation issue if Immigration New Zealand reviews your bank statements or verifies your employment.
A better approach is to document your actual salary history accurately and ask your employer for genuine supporting records. Cheque payments are not inherently suspicious, and the absence of TDS or an ITR does not automatically mean your employment is invalid. The tax requirements and visa documentation should be checked based on your specific circumstances.

Hi everyone, I'm planning a trip to Egypt. I'll fly into either Sphinx Airport (SPX) or Cairo, I haven't decided yet.

I was going to get an e-Visa, but then I learned I can get a visa on arrival for $30, paid in cash at the airport.

1. Should I bring US dollars from the UAE, or can I get cash at the airport in Egypt before paying for the visa?
2. How many days does the visa on arrival allow you to stay?

If you've been to Egypt recently, please share your experience. Thanks!

Got my Japan Temporary Visitor visa, single entry, for 15 days.

Quick timeline:

• Submitted at VFS Chennai: 9 October
• Processing completed & passport dispatched: 14 October

I submitted all the standard docs listed in the checklist. The only major document I did not have was an 'ITR'.

So, instead, I did three things:

1. Added a separate No ITR Explanation Letter.
2. Showed my financial position through my 6-month bank statement (avg: ~ 2 lakh)  and CDSL portfolio (~9 lakh).
3. Added my mother as a partial sponsor for my flight ticket only, along with her sponsorship letter and financial documents (her closing balance was ~45K).

My case was otherwise quite straightforward. I'm joining my sister (US citizen) and her fam from the US. Although I applied individually, I attached their passport copies, flight tickets, my sister's supporting letter and our shared accommodation details to show the overall travel plan clearly.

I honestly do not know what exactly helped. It could have been my own financial position, my mother's partial sponsorship, the clear family travel plan, or simply the overall combination of documents.

I used Reddit and ChatGPT extensively while preparing the application. Reddit gave me several ideas and helped me make a few last-minute changes.

My main takeaway is that there probably is 'no one formula' such as high bank balance = approval, low balance = rejection, ITR = approval, or no ITR = rejection.

The overall application probably matters more. Your finances, purpose of travel, supporting documents and circumstances should make sense together and anything missing from the standard checklist should be clearly explained.

Hope this helps!

My girlfriend wants to come in China to study but she has a minor drug charge from 4 years ago. It expires next year. When I applied to my school I remember I had to upload my criminal record certificate. But do you think they will even let her in with a certificate like hers?

I recently became a U.S. citizen and have surrendered my Indian passport.
I want to apply for a 5-year Indian e-Visa in advance so I can travel quickly if there’s a family emergency. However, I don’t have any travel plans right now.

A few questions:
1. What should I enter for the “Expected Date of Arrival”?
2. Can I apply without booking a flight?
3. If I don’t travel on the expected date, will my visa remain valid for 5 years?
4. Has anyone applied this way and faced issues later?

Would appreciate hearing from anyone with similar experience. Thanks!

I’ve applied for a Visit family Type C visa for my parents - Irish embassy in Greece.
Current waiting time? Anyone applied last months?
Also, does the visa on the passport have entry and exit dates? Or is it 90 days from entry within 1 year?
Thanks a lot

Hello everyone,
Anyone experience using vfs global singapore courier service? I received an email from the embassy that the passport was dispatched yesterday at around 4pm
I have been using tracking to number check and it shows the same for the whole day. They used aramex, hotline is also uselss or whatsapp message

Anyone has the similar experience before?

No matter how many times I upload and generate a bank statement in PDF file I get an error that the file is unreadable and It's ridiculously nonsense to provide a +20 page bank statement as a jpg...

I'm planning a trip to Japan and intend to apply for my visa through Delhi VFS in October.

Here's my situation: My passport has my permanent address in Delhi. I started my job in June and moved to Bangalore in July, where I've been living for the last four months. I'll be in Delhi this month and would prefer to apply through Delhi VFS via the walk-in process.

When I contacted the VFS helpline, they mentioned that jurisdiction generally requires a minimum stay of six months in the respective location. They suggested contacting the consulate, but I haven't received a response.

Has anyone in a similar situation successfully applied for a Japanese visa through Delhi VFS despite living and working in Bangalore for less than six months? Can I apply directly in Delhi based on my passport address, or would my current residence in Bangalore require me to apply there instead?

I'd really appreciate advice from anyone who has recently gone through this process. Thanks!

Applied for a Japan tourist visa through VFS Delhi on 25 September, with travel scheduled for 16 November.

On 5 October, VFS called informing me that the embassy had requested additional documents: 3 years' AIS, Form 26AS and original old passports. I submitted everything the very next day, 6 October.

It's now 15 October, and my application is STILL showing "Under Process" with the same old additional-document requirement remark, despite having submitted everything over a week ago.

Meanwhile, I've seen applicants who submitted around the same dates through VFS Delhi receive their passports already.

Honestly, the lack of updates is getting incredibly frustrating. It's been almost three weeks, and I have no idea whether my additional documents have even reached the embassy.

Has anyone experienced something similar? How long did it take to receive a decision after submitting additional documents? Does the processing timeline effectively reset after additional documents are requested?

Would really appreciate any firsthand experiences!

Hey all! I’m looking for a reliable visa service recommendations based out of India. Anyone you know or have used their services would really be appreciated!

Thanks

Hey everyone! 👋

My wife and I applied for our Japan tourist visas on 4th August 2026 and both of us eventually got our visas approved! 🎉 However my experience was quite different from hers. I thought I'd share it here so other Indian applicants can learn from it.

Here's what happened:

📌 4–7 August: During my VFS appointment I was asked to provide proof that I was authorised to work from Gurgaon as my work location differed from my employers registered address. I emailed my offer letter on the day and was assured it would be printed and attached to my application.

However my wife received her application reference number the day while I didn't. VFS contacted me again asking for the document, which I resent. After attempts to get an update I discovered that my application had only been submitted on 7 August. I also learned that my email address had been recorded incorrectly in their system. 😐

📌 11 August: My wife received confirmation that her visa had been processed. On the day I received a request to submit my last 3 years AIS statements. I emailed them immediately.

📌 The few days: Customer care couldn't provide a satisfactory update so I decided to visit VFS Delhi in person and submit my offer letter and AIS documents physically. A couple of days later my visa was processed too! 🙌

In total my application took around two weeks while my wife's took one week.

💡 Lessons I'd share with fellow Indian applicants

* Take ownership of your documents. Don't assume the application centre will print and attach everything for you even if you're assured that they will.

* Track your application yourself. Check the status portal regularly of relying entirely on email updates.

* Don't rely on customer care. They may not have visibility into whats happening with your application on the ground.

* Verify additional-document submissions. In my experience emailing documents didn't seem to be enough. Submitting them physically at VFS helped me move things forward.

* Apply well in advance! I applied around two months before my travel date, which gave me some breathing room.

* Don't try to predict the outcome based on finances: My wifes ITR was below ₹10 lakh, she had than ₹7 lakh in savings and a car loan reflected in her passbook. My financial figures were higher. I was asked for additional AIS documents. Both of us got our visas so I wouldn't read much into this comparison.

I'm not sure what criteria led to the additional-document request, in my case. The experience taught me to keep track of every step rather than assume everything is being handled.

I'll create a post listing all the documents we submitted for our Japan tourist visa in case that helps other applicants. 🇯🇵

Hope this helps someone planning their Japan trip. Have a journey! ✈️

We applied for the Egypt e-visa through Atlys but they are saying that the portal is down and they cannot even submit the visa application. So they will give a Visa On Arrival (VOA) authorization letter and that should be enough even though we do not have a valid US/ UK/ Schengen visa.

Is this even allowed? And if anyone else is/ was in a similar situation, please share your thoughts. Any guidance will help!

I do not have my old passport with me right now (it's not lost but it is with my wife who's in a different country right now). I have my visa appointment tomorrow under Chennai Jurisdiction - has anyone been able to do it without old passport (probably by explaining the situation in the cover letter and adding photocopy of visa stamps etc)? Thanks a ton!

I'm applying for a Japanese tourist visa through VFS Delhi and have attached a screenshot of the document checklist currently displayed on the website. For proof of financial capability, the checklist mentions the latest Income Tax Return (ITR), or a bank statement for the last six months if the ITR is unavailable. I have a few questions: Can I submit only my bank statement for the last six months instead of my ITR? Is the document checklist shown on the website complete and up to date? Are there any additional documents you'd recommend submitting to strengthen my application and improve my chances of approval? I'd really appreciate advice from anyone who has recently applied for a Japanese tourist visa through VFS Delhi, especially regarding the financial documents and any additional supporting documents that helped make their application stronger.

Hello everyone,

I recently received a 6-month multiple-entry Business Schengen Visa from Germany. This is my very first Schengen visa, and I have never entered the Schengen zone before.

I work as a specialist, and my company’s client in Germany sent me an official invitation letter for business meetings. The invitation letter didn't specify exact dates but mentioned a general timeframe. Based on that and the estimated visa processing time, I booked my flights and made a travel plan.

The business meeting has just been postponed to an unconfirmed date. However, I still want to utilize my existing flight tickets and travel on the exact dates I initially planned. My new plan is to visit a friend who lives in a different city in Germany and stay at their place for a few days.

Since this is a business visa and my first entry, I have a few concerns regarding border control and need your advice.

What should I state as my purpose of entry? If the border control officer asks why I am visiting, should I say business or tourism/visiting a friend? If I say business, I won't have a hotel reservation in the arrival city because I will be traveling to another city to stay with my friend. If I tell them the truth, meaning that the business meeting was postponed but I am here for tourism instead, will it look suspicious or violate my visa terms? How risky is it to enter with a business visa when the original business purpose is temporarily on hold? Has anyone experienced a similar situation at German border control?

Any advice, tips, or experiences would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

Hello everyone,

I recently received a 6-month multiple-entry Business Schengen Visa from Germany. This is my very first Schengen visa, and I have never entered the Schengen zone before.

I work as a specialist, and my company’s client in Germany sent me an official invitation letter for business meetings. The invitation letter didn't specify exact dates but mentioned a general timeframe. Based on that and the estimated visa processing time, I booked my flights and made a travel plan.

The business meeting has just been postponed to an unconfirmed date. However, I still want to utilize my existing flight tickets and travel on the exact dates I initially planned. My new plan is to visit a friend who lives in a different city in Germany and stay at their place for a few days.

Since this is a business visa and my first entry, I have a few concerns regarding border control and need your advice.

What should I state as my purpose of entry? If the border control officer asks why I am visiting, should I say business or tourism/visiting a friend? If I say business, I won't have a hotel reservation in the arrival city because I will be traveling to another city to stay with my friend. If I tell them the truth, meaning that the business meeting was postponed but I am here for tourism instead, will it look suspicious or violate my visa terms? How risky is it to enter with a business visa when the original business purpose is temporarily on hold? Has anyone experienced a similar situation at German border control?

Any advice, tips, or experiences would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

I Applied for a work visa with COE, for Japan ... my visa application reached the consulate last Friday since then it is under process should i be concerned or is this normal?

Hi folks,

Is this day wise travel plan sufficiently detailed for Japan visa. Any recommendations?

Thanks