Updated! JAPAN VISA REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION PROCESS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR TOURISTS

Planning a trip to Japan? What are the Japan visa requirements in applying for a tourist visa? Want to know the steps how to get a Japan tourist visa in the Philippines? It's so easy, fast, and best of convenient! Just follow these simple steps below.

As a Filipino, it's hard to travel abroad in countries that require a Visa. Japan for example, you need a visa to enter their country. But the good news is, it's now so easy to get a visa to Japan. It is now opening its country to attract more tourists. And I am so lucky because on my first try to get a Japan Tourist Visa in 2015, I got approved for a single entry. And on my 2nd try the following year, I got 5 years multiple entry Japan Tourist Visa! Yey!

Now, let me share to you the Japan Visa Requirements and how to apply for a Japan Tourist Visa in the Philippines (with tips, reminders and steps in application). This Japan Visa Blog is intended for Japan Tourist Visa application for Filipinos or Philippine passport holders.

How to apply and get a Japanese Tourist Visa for Filipinos in the Philippines?

Updated: March 2019

STEP 1: PREPARE THE JAPAN VISA REQUIREMENTS

1. Philippine Passport

• Signed Passport with a validity of more than 6 months.
• Broken lamination of the Picture Portion will not be accepted.
• Must have at least 2 blank pages left in the passport.
• Passport should be signed and in good condition.

2. Visa Application Form

• You may download the application form HERE.
• Print the visa application form in A4 size paper.
• It should be duly accomplished. Hand-written or electronically is okay.
• Do not leave anything blank. Write N/A if not applicable and avoid any erasures.
• To help you in filling out the form, sample application form and how to accomplish it can be found HERE.
• Make sure that all information are correct.
• Don't forget to sign it and put the date of your application.

3. ID Photo

• One (1) copy of 4.5cm x 4.5cm with white background.
• Just go to any photo processing stalls and tell them to take your photo for Japan Visa Application.
• Write applicant’s name and birth date on back side of the photo.
• Photo must be properly pasted to the designated portion of the visa application form.
• Photo must be taken within the last 6 months.
• For the guidelines on ID Photo, click HERE.

4. PSA (NSO) Birth Certificate

• PSA (NSO) issued with receipt and valid within one (1) year.
• If you are pressed for time, I suggest that you get your birth certificate from NSO Serbilis Centers. I got mine on the same day.
• If the applicant has his/her passport (old or valid) with used Japanese visa, birth certificate is not required. Just submit your old passport with your expired/used Japan visa.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• If your PSA birth certificate is blurry or unreadable, or has unreadable information, you need to submit the PSA birth certificate along with a birth certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar.
• For late registered PSA birth certificates, you have to submit additional requirements such as baptismal certificate and school record (Form 137) from high school or elementary and School Yearbook (if possible).
• If there's no record of live birth certificate at the PSA office, get a "Certificate of Non-Record" from PSA and submit a birth certificate from the Local Civil Registrar of the city or town where you were born.

5. PSA(NSO) Marriage Contract (If Married)

• PSA(NSO)-issued marriage certificate.
• It should be issued within one year.
• If the applicant has his/her passport (old or valid) with used Japanese visa, marriage contract is not required and can be exempted.
• If there's no record of marriage contract at the PSA office, get a "Certificate of Non-Record" from PSA and submit a marriage contract from the Local Civil Registrar of the city or town where your marriage was held.

6. Tour Itinerary or Schedule of Stay

• Prepared by the applicant or the travel agency.
• It doesn't need to be very complicated or detailed. What I usually do is I put the date, places to visit, and the name, address, and contact number of the hotel.
• You can download a sample copy of the itineraryhere.

SAMPLE JAPAN ITINERARIES: You can follow these sample Japan itineraries. Again make it as simple as possible.

• Sample Tokyo Itinerary
• Sample Osaka-Kyoto Itinerary
• Sample Nagoya Itinerary
• Sample Kyoto Itinerary
• Sample Fukuoka Itinerary

7. Bank Balance Certificate for Applicants without Guarantor

• Must be the most recent and must be issued within the past 3 months.
• There is no pre-defined amount that should be on your bank account. As long as you'll be able to sustain your stay stated on what you've presented on your tour itinerary, (I think) would be okay.

8. Income Tax Return for Applicants without Guarantor

• Original and one (1) photocopy of Form 2316 or 1701.
• In the absence of an ITR, you should submit a letter of explanation.
• In the explanation letter, just explain your source of income, and why you don't have an ITR.
• If you own a business, submit a copy of your business registration, business permit, DTI registration certificate, or BIR receipts, along with an explanation letter why you don't have an ITR.
• If the applicant is unemployed, a minor or a student, I recommend that you apply with a guarantor.

What if you don't have an income tax return? You may refer here: How to Get a Japan Visa without ITR (Income Tax Return)?

FOR MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA

If you're applying for a multiple entry Japan visa, just submit the same requirements, except for the birth certificate and marriage contract. Then ask the travel agency for the form in requesting for a multiple entry visa. In the form, you just need to fill it up with information on why you want to have a multiple entry visa. Submit it along with the requirements, then proceed to step 2.

FOR VISA APPLICANTS WITH GUARANTOR

• Submit a guarantee letter. You can download sample guarantee letter here.
• Proof of relationship with guarantor
• Bank Certificate and Income Tax Return (ITR Form 2316) of guarantor.

SOME PERSONAL TIPS AND REMINDERS

• When preparing your tour itinerary for visa application, make it as simple as possible. A 3 to 4 days itinerary in one city is enough for visa application purposes. Don't make it too complicated.
• When your visa application is approved, you don't need to follow the itinerary that you submitted. For example, even if you submitted a 4-days Tokyo itinerary for your visa application, you can go to Osaka, Sapporo, or Nagoya or in any parts of Japan and maximize the number of days given to you.
• For the amount of money in the bank, it would be great if your bank certificate contains 100,000 pesos or more. That's based on my experience.
• Flights and hotel bookings are not part of the Japan visa requirements when applying for a tourist visa. Don't book your flights or hotel if you're not sure if you'll get approved.
• In filling out the flight number, hotel address, and contact numbers, you can simply use Google to search for it. Or you may use airlines' websites to search for flight datails.
• If you have a guarantor/sponsor from Japan, just write down your sponsor's address in Japan and contact numbers if you intend to stay in your sponsor's home in Japan.

After preparing all your Japan Visa Requirements and travel documents, proceed to Step 2.

STEP 2: FIND AN ACCREDITED AGENCY

• Walk-ins are not allowed. Don't go to Japan Embassy and submit your application.
• Visa application should be coursed through an accredited travel agency.
• The list of registered agencies can be found HERE.
• Please note that Visa Application is FREE. But travel agencies will charge a processing fee of around 1,000 to 2,000 pesos, depending on the agency.
• The visa processing fee is non-refundable, whether you visa visa application is approved or denied

TIPS AND REMINDERS: Make sure that your Japan visa requirements are complete before submitting them to the accredited travel agency. You may ask the help of the travel agency in checking all the requirements.

STEP 3: WAIT FOR YOUR JAPAN VISA

• After submitting all the requirements and paying the processing fee, you just have to wait for the result of your application.
• If additional requirements are needed, the agency will let you know.
• Processing time is about a week. But sometimes, you can get it in as fast as 3 days.
• If granted, the Single Entry (SE) Japanese Visa is valid for 3 months.
• For Multiple Entry (ME), it is valid for 5 or 10 years.
• The usual granted number of days for tourist visa is 15 days for SE and 30 days for ME, from date of arrival in Japan.

For the complete information on Japan Visa Requirements and Application in the Philippines, visit www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp.

I wish you all the best and good luck on your visa application! See you Japan!

To help you plan your Japan trip, you may read my Japan blog posts below:

TOKYO

• TOKYO TRAVEL GUIDE 2020 with a ₱10,000 Pesos DIY Itinerary and Budget
• TOKYO, JAPAN: Free Things To Do, Tourist Spots and Attractions
• Mt. Fuji and Hakone Day Tour from Tokyo
• Top 10 Things You Should Not Miss at TOKYO DISNEYLAND + Tipid Travel Tips

SAPPORO (HOKKAIDO)

• How to get to Sapporo from Manila Philippines?
• DAY TOURS FROM SAPPORO: Lake Shikotsu in Chitose, Hokkaido Japan

OSAKA AND KYOTO

• TRAVEL TIP: Osaka and Kyoto Japan 4D/3N Tour Itinerary
• Kyoto Travel Guide Blog with DIY Itinerary
• THINGS TO DO IN OSAKA: Experience Thrill and Excitement at Universal Studios Japan
• What's the Big Deal about PABLO Cheesecake and Tarts?

NAGOYA, TAKAYAMA AND SHIRAKAWA-GO

• Top 10 Best Things to Do in Nagoya, Japan
• HOTELS IN TOYOTA, JAPAN: Hotel Route Inn Toyota Asahigaoka
• THINGS TO DO IN JAPAN: Toyota Museum and Plant Tour in Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture
• Top 5 Best Things To Do at Laguna Ten Bosch in Gamagori, Aichi Japan
• Japanese Food Sample Making at Sample Village Iwasaki in Gujo Hachiman, Gifu Japan
• THINGS TO DO IN JAPAN: Orange Picking at Gamagori Orange Park, Aichi Japan
• THINGS TO DO IN JAPAN: Experiencing Takayama Autumn Festival in Gifu Prefecture
• Walking Tour at Shirakawa-go Village, "A UNESCO World Heritage Site"

FUKUOKA

• FUKUOKA TRAVEL GUIDE: Things to do, Tourist Spots, Attractions, and More!

OKINAWA

• Ishigaki Shore Excursion, Things to do, Tourist Spots, Attractions, and More!