u/obeyDaddy1998

Finally got SINGLE ENTRY Japan tourist VISA without guarantor

Timeline : Submitted 8-April-2026 , Received passport 17-April-2026

==== Documents ===

1. My journey is planned for May last week to June first week
2. Started to check appointments from April-1, there were only premium slots available until a week
3. Booked a normal slot (free) for April - 8
4. Documents:
   i) Documents check list - copy - referring these collected all documents
   ii) Passport 1st & Last page - copy
   iii) Passport size photos 2x2' - one-photo & one-spare
   iv) Travel tickets - dummy tickets from topOnWardTicket.com
   v) Hotel bookings - reservation without pay from Agoda
   vi) Cover letter & Iternary - chatgpt
   vii) 3-years ITR ACK, 6-Months bank statement sealed & signed - ₹2.8L balance
   viii) NOC / Leave Approval - screenshot of portal showing my leaves approved
   ix) Proof of employment - Payslips - Since I didn't have POE I mentioned in cover letter that I'm submitting payslips as POE
   x) VFS appointment letter
   x) optional (didn't accepted by VFS) - Travel insurance, MF statement, Order of stay

=== Charges ===
1. VISA fee + VFS fee = ₹1300
2. Photos = ₹250
3. Dummy tickets = ₹1800
4. Insurance = ₹280 (could've avoided)
5. Locker Charges at VFS centre = ₹300 (could've avoided, but since I had a laptop i opted)

=== Procedure ===

1. Appointment was at 9:15 , reached Panjagutta metro VFS by 9:00
   pro tip: I had only 30K balance till march-30, and my salary arrived on march-31
   I took bank statement for only until March-31, so that bank balance showed 2.8L

2. Used locker for ₹300 since I had a laptop. proTip: there's a locker with digital entry at Panjagutta metro before ticket - exit gate, it's super cheap ₹10 / hr

3. I was called during my turn at 9:15 and VFS appointment was checked
   pro Tip : Don't book premium lounge at all, it's almost waste of money. The crowd is very very less in VFS-Japan and counter staff are very friendly and fast.

4. All the documents were asked according to Documents checklist

5. Payment ₹1300 is done using UPI , I didn't opt for courier

6. Automated e-mail arrived with VFS details

7. timeline => April-8 documents submitted => April-9 doc reached consulate chennai => April 15 consulate processed => April 16 passport arrived at VFC => April 17 collected passport

--- Any follow-up questions I'm happy to reply :)