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We sent all of our docs including ERFS to a visa agent in London who is now telling us they can’t submit them to the Embassy until the 22nd Sep. We are due to fly on 30th Sep on a much rearranged BA 241, now on JAL (2 week trip for the F1 at Suzuka).
Apparently the agent no longer has their usual pre-booked slots and are being forced to go online daily at midnight to grab what appointments they can, via what was formerly the public appointment booking system (that stopped giving appointments to the public beyond the 16th, now it’s for agents only).
Last week we were assured it would be faster and more reliable to submit via an Embassy-approved agent, but now it seems a direct postal submission to the Embassy would have worked better (and might still be the only option).
I realise an announcement on re-introduction of the Japan visa-waiver scheme is also possibly coming this week, but that is unlikely to be in place by 30th Sept for us.
I may have to take a trip to London later today just to retrieve our documents from the agent assuming they can’t locate a better appointment date.
Then re-post everything to the Embassy (they don’t allow personal delivery now, only post/courier).Unless (and here is the long shot…) does some kind HfP person already have a pre-booked Embassy public appointment in the next few days that they don’t now need? I’m sure I read somewhere that people had speculatively reserved slots. It might have been on here or on FT…
Any help or advice gratefully received!
It’s no longer by appointment. Only postal applications and takes 3 weeks. Agent hasn’t told you the truth. I think slots were only issued to agents until mid-September.
A friend had this issue. He phoned up the Edinburgh consulate and begged them for an appointment as he needed to travel for work. The very nice lady slotted him in although he was able to give a Scottish address when prompted!
So if you’re super desperate then worth a try.
It’s no longer by appointment. Only postal applications and takes 3 weeks. Agent hasn’t told you the truth. I think slots were only issued to agents until mid-September.
Current position – https://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/entry.html
“Due to the high volume of applications received following the recent changes to the border restrictions, visa applications can only be submitted by post or through a registered visa agent.”Public were able to book appointments recently for dates up to 16th Sept. Appointments are now only available to visa agents, for dates from 19th Sept.
They are having to go online daily at midnight to try to get their slots and are competing with all other visa agents.Our documents are being returned FOC today and we will post them to the Embassy tomorrow.
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