UAE residents planning to travel to Japan no longer need to visit the Japanese embassy to apply for a visa. The Asian destination has introduced eVisas for UAE residents, as well as for Saudi residents and nationals.
Effective immediately, Japan has eased visa regulations for travellers from the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Tourists keen on exploring Tokyo’s neon streets, Kyoto's temples and shrines, or the snow-covered slopes of Hokkaido can apply online for a short-term tourist visa that allows stays of up to 90 days.
No screenshots or print outs of the visa are required. Instead, travellers will access Japan's eVisa website on arrival in the country to show approved documents to immigration authorities.
The easing of travel rules for visitors from the Gulf region follows visa-free regulations for Emirati travellers that have been in place since November.
Citizens from 68 other nationalities, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia and several countries across Europe, are also exempt from applying for a visa to travel to Japan.
“I am delighted with the commencement of the online applications for short-term stay visas in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as the visa waiver arrangements for short — term stay for Qatari nationals, as it will ease the process to visit Japan for touristic purposes,” said Kobayashi Daisuke, executive director of Japan National Tourism Organisation in Dubai.
Earlier this month, Emirates resumed flights to Tokyo-Haneda airport, the Dubai airline's third destination in the country. The service joins Emirates' daily A380 flights to Tokyo-Narita and daily Boeing 777 fights to Osaka. at Japanese embassies or Consulate-Generals and can then travel visa free to Japan for short -term visits over a period of three years.
Qatari nationals are also able to travel easier to Japan as authorities have added a visa waiver registration for travellers from the Gulf country. Before travelling, Qatari nationals should register their passport details at Japanese embassies or Consulate-Generals and can then travel visa free to Japan for short term visits over a period of three years.
Japan drops lingering Covid-19 restrictions more than three years after the pandemic
Japan is also set to drop its last remaining Covid-19 regulations for travellers.
From May 8, visitors from overseas will no longer need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test when arriving in the country.
Japan introduced some of the toughest travel restrictions after the Covid-19 pandemic as the country effectively sealed off its borders to non-residents. Since the lifting of restrictions, airlines around the world have added more flights to Japan to satisfy traveller demand.
Earlier this month Emirates resumed flights to Tokyo-Haneda airport, the Dubai airline's third destination in the country. The service joins Emirates' daily A380 flights to Tokyo-Narita and daily Boeing 777 fights to Osaka.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
WORLD CUP SQUAD
Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Angelo Mathews, Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Oppenheimer
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristopher%20Nolan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECillian%20Murphy%2C%20Emily%20Blunt%2C%20Robert%20Downey%20Jr%2C%20Florence%20Pugh%2C%20Matt%20Damon%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E5%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km
Kandahar%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ric%20Roman%20Waugh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EGerard%20Butler%2C%20Navid%20Negahban%2C%20Ali%20Fazal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
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Company Profile
Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
MATCH INFO
Sheffield United 0 Wolves 2 (Jimenez 3', Saiss 6)
Man of the Match Romain Saiss (Wolves)
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
The Internet
Hive Mind
four stars
