Japan is another country in Asia where a lot of Filipinos go. The food is good, there are a lot of theme parks if you are traveling with children, you can shop til you drop, and lots and lots of other things to do.
Like South Korea, Japan has four seasons, and for us who live in perpetually hot weather, we love to go to places where we can experience snow in winter, autumn and spring weather, and of course not to mention taking loads of pictures to post on Facebook, Instagram and other social media websites.
According to the Embassy of Japan, visa restrictions have been relaxed for Philippine passport holders intending to visit Japan for business or culture purposes. Effective August 1,2018, the Embassy will be extending visa periods from 5 years to a maximum of 10 years, and also, the number of visa applicants eligible for multiple entry visas for short-term stays have been expanded.
Here is a guide to the application process, but please take note that the approval or denial of the visa application will be on a case to case basis, so make sure you prepare everything that is required, and pray your application gets approved.
Step 1: PREPARE THE REQUIREMENTS
Please note that documents required must be original- scanned copies and photocopies are discouraged unless stated otherwise.
For tourists traveling to Japan for the first time, and without a guarantor, here are the requirements:
- Passport. This must be in good condition, valid for at least six months, and with at least two blank pages left. If your passport is damaged in some way or about to expire in a few months, renew your passport first before applying for a Japan tourist visa.
- Visa Application Form. You can download the application form here. If you are downloading the visa form, please make sure that it is printed in A4 size. Any other size will not be accepted. The form must be filled out in CAPITAL LETTERS. No erasures are allowed so please make sure you are writing the correct information. Do not leave any blanks unfilled. Where not applicable, put N/A. For the sections that ask for information on flights and accommodations, you can just indicate the airline and hotel you want to use in the meantime.
- Photograph. One copy, 4.5cm x 4.5cm with white background. When you go to have your photo taken, just let the photographer know that it's for a Japanese visa application. Most photo studios are also aware of the requirements of embassies, so make sure to tell them to which embassy you are applying for. Make sure the photo was taken within 6 months, and write your name and birthday on the back of the photo.
- PSA-certified birth certificate with receipt; you can order it online here. I paid P350 via Metrobank and the birth certificate arrived in 2 days. If you have time on your hands and don't want to pay the P350, you can go to your nearest PSA office to get a copy. It is released on the same day. (This is not required with the submission of an old, used Japan visa.)
- If the PSA certificate is not clear, a birth certificate from the local civil registrar is required.
- If there is no registration of live birth in the PSA, submit a Certificate of Non-Record from the PSA and a birth certificate from the local civil registrar instead.
- If the birth certificate is a late registration, a birth certificate from the local civil registrar, the original baptismal certificate, the school record (Form 137 or school report card), and school yearbook are required. Note that you also need to submit the contact number of the church and the school.
- PSA-issued marriage contract, if applicable. (This is not required with the submission of an old, used Japan visa.) If there is no record in the PSA, submit a Certificate of Non-Record together with a marriage certificate from the local civil registrar.
- Tour Itinerary. The itinerary should cover your entire stay in Japan. You can prepare this yourself or have your travel agency prepare it for you. It doesn't have to be very detailed, just put in the places where you plan to go everyday during your trip.
- Bank Balance Certificate. This should be recent (within 3 months of submission of the application) and the amount should adequately cover your airfare and your stay in Japan.
- Income Tax Return. (Form 2316). One original and one photocopy. (If you don’t have an ITR for some reason, write a letter addressed to the Japan Embassy explaining why.)
For OFWs:
- Provide a Tax Exemption Form from the BIR
- Certificate of Employment or Contract of Employment
Step 2: CHOOSE AN ACCREDITED TRAVEL AGENCY
Please be informed that the Embassy of Japan DOES NOT allow walk in applicants. All applications are coursed through accredited travel agencies. Submit your requirements to them and they will process it on your behalf at a certain fee.
Note that while the embassy itself doesn’t charge a fee for visa applications, the agencies do, ranging from less than P800 to P1,500. For a list of the accredited travel agencies, click here.
Note that while the embassy itself doesn’t charge a fee for visa applications, the agencies do, ranging from less than P800 to P1,500. For a list of the accredited travel agencies, click here.
Just choose an agency, pay the fee, submit the requirements, and that’s it. Wait for their call and you will get your passport back in less than 7 days. It's just that simple!
TIPS IN APPLYING FOR A JAPAN TOURIST VISA
While the visa policies have been relaxed by the Japanese Embassy, it doesn't mean that they've completely removed it. You can still get denied if you give them reason to doubt your application.
Your travel agency will probably catch any missing requirements, but there are other aspects of the application that they have no control over. That said, here are some tips to help make sure that you get your visa application approved.
Make sure you have enough in your bank account to cover your expenses in Japan. For first time applicants (staying a maximum of 15 days), around P100,000 should be enough.
Ideally, you would have this amount in your bank account for at least half a year, because the average balance for the past 6 months as well as the most recent balance will be reflected in the bank certificate. A sudden (and recent) infusion of money will be a red flag to those who will review your application.
Show proof that you will return to the Philippines before your visa expires. It can be in the form of your certificate of employment, an approved leave of absence, an ITR, or your travel history (in the form of old passports).
The more stamps you have in your passport, the higher your chances of getting approved because it will show the consul that you have always returned to the Philippines after your travels.
Review your application thoroughly before submitting it. Make sure all requirements are complete (original copies unless otherwise specified), and if you filled out the application form by hand, and make sure it's neatly done.
Remember as well that you can only get a 15-day visa if you're a first time visitor, so request for less than 15 days of stay. You can always go back, knowing that the second time you will apply for a visa, you might get a multiple entry for 5 years. Good luck!
Another good thing is that having a Japan visa can also make it easier for you to visit other countries. Taiwan, for example, has recently announced that Filipinos with either valid or expired visas to Japan can easily get a 3-month multiple entry visa to Taiwan, as long as the Japan visa was issued within 10 years of one’s expected arrival in Taiwan.
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