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Thursday, January 05, 2012

Japan: Applying for a Japanese visa in the Philippines


Applying for a Japanese visa is no longer done at the Japanese Embassy. Most visa applications must be made through the agencies accredited by the embassy. Which is why it is very important that you submit complete and accurate documents. The embassy may require certain applicants to appear in person for an interview at the embassy or consulate.

Where to Apply
Contact any of the following accredited agencies of the Japanese Embassy to submit your application for a Japanese visa:

Universal Holidays
http://www.universalholidays.com
Manila Branch: G/F Shopping Arcade, Century Park Hotel, P. Ocampo Sr. St., Malate, Manila
Tel. No. (02) 5250606/5229074/5244370
Makati Branch: Mezzanine, Dusit Thani Hotel, EDSA cor. Arnaiz Ave. Ayala Center, Makati City
Tel. No. (02) 8593811 to 15/(0922) 8403785/(0906) 4665899
Cebu Branch: 2/F JY Square Mall, 1 Salinas Dr., Lahug, Cebu City
Tel No. (032) 5056227/5056228/(0932) 9174873

Rajah Travel Corporation
http://www.rajahtravel.com
Manila Branch: G/F GLC Bldg., A. Mabini cor. T.M. Kalaw St. Ermita, Manila
Tel No. (02) 5238801 to 07

Reli Tours and Travel Agency
http://www.relitours.ph
SM Mall of Asia Branch: SM Department Store South Building, SM Mall of Asia, Bay City, Pasay City
Tel No. (0906) 5136777, (02) 5561445 to 47/5560546
SM Megamall Branch: 5/F Bridge Way, SM Megamall, EDSA, Mandaluyong City
Tel. No. (0906) 5136555/(02) 6374694 to 96/6375020/6329207
SM Southmall Branch: SM Southmall, Las Pinas City
Tel. No. (0906) 5136222/(02) 8004948 to 50/8053588

Attic Tours Phils., Inc.
http://www.attictours.ph/index.html
Manila Office: Unit 203 Coko Bldg. 1, Patio Madrigal Compound, 2550 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City 1302
Tel. No. (02) 5566301 to 05
Traders Hotel Branch: G/F Traders Hotel Manila, 3001 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City 1305
Tel. No. (02) 9840566/6689845
Cebu Office: Waterfront Airport Hotel 1, Airport Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island, Cebu
Tel. No. (032) 3412299/3412011/3412012/3412015

Friendship Tours and Resorts Corporation
http://www.friendshipmanila.com
Main Office: 3/F Dusit Thani Manila, Ayala Center, Makati City
Tel. No (02) 8401060/8188896/8195644
Cebu Branch: Unit 101 Bldg.1, Oakridge Business Park, 880 A.S. Fortuna St., Banilad, Mandaue City
Tel No. (032) 3453459/3444825

Pan Pacific Travel Corporation
http://www.panpacifictravel.ph
Main Office: 353 E.T. Yuchengco St., Binondo, Manila
Tel. No. (02) 2436666
Ermita Branch: Space A, G/F and 2/F Pacific Pace Apartelle Suite, 539 Arquiza St., Ermita, Manila
Tel. No. (02) 5213141 to 46
Makati Branch: LG01 Herrera Tower Condo, 98 V.A. Rufino St. (Herrera St.) cor. Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
Tel. No. (02) 8108551 to 56
Cebu Branch: Diplomat Hotel, 90 F. Ramos St. Cebu City
Tel. No. (032) 2540343/45/47/49

The accredited agencies accept all types of visa applications except for Pan Pacific which can only receive applications without a Japanese guarantor (i.e. no Japanese documents). While the temporary visitor visa is free (gratis), the agencies collect a handling fee and each agency is free to set their own fees.

Note that there are exceptions. When I applied for a Japanese visa last year, I did direct at the Japanese Embassy since I was invited by a UN agency. If you fall under any of the following cases, you can apply directly with the Japanese Embassy:
(1) Diplomatic or official visas
(2) Visas for invitees by Japanese government organizations or institutions, independent administrative agencies of Japan
(3) Visas for invitees of Japan local governments or national, municipal educational institutions of Japan to participate in educational, cultural exchange programs and youth exchange programs
(4) Visas for scholarship awardees sponsored by the government of Japan
(5) Visas for commercial purpose of employees of a joint venture company or a branch office of a Japanese enterprise listed in the Japanese Stock Exchange or a member of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines
(6) For cases requiring humanitarian consideration such as serious illness of a relative in Japan

To clarify if you fall under any of these cases, you can contact the Japanese Embassy:
Manila: (02) 8347514
Cebu: (032) 2317321/2317322
Davao: (082) 2213100/3200

Requirements
All documents must be original unless otherwise stated:
(1) Philippine passport (broken lamination of the photo part is not accepted; must have signature and have at least two blank pages)
(2) Visa application form
(3) Photo (4.5cm x 4.5cm with white background; photo must be pasted on the application form)
(4) Birth certificate of applicant (NSO issued within one year)
(5) Marriage contract (if the applicant is married; NSO issued within one year)
(6) Daily Schedule
(7) If visiting a friend, documents or photos to prove relationship
(8) Invitation letter from guarantor in Japan (must have handwritten signature)
(9) Bank Certificate
(10) Income Tax Return (Form 2316) original and photocopy
(11) Residence Certificate or Juminhyo (if guarantor is a Japanese)
(12) Foreign Registration Certificate from City Hall (if guarantor in Japan is not a Japanese)


If the applicant presents an old or valid passport with a used Japanese visa, no need for (4) and (5). If on package tour, no need for (8). Make sure you can produce all the requirements for the visa. You can also submit additional documents such as proof of income, economic and social ties with the Philippines, or urgent cases such as medical certificate or a wedding invitation. Remember that submission of requirements does not guarantee issuance of visa.

If guarantor in Japan will shoulders any part of travel or living expenses, you will need to submit (i) guarantee letter (mimoto hoshosho) and (ii) income certificate of guarantor (shotoku shomeisho) from City Hall, tax return certificate (nouzeishomeisho form 2) from tax office, kakuteishinkokusho hikae or bank certificate (yokin zandaka shomeisho).

Application Procedure
(1) Applications filed through accredited agencies
Applications will be accepted from 8:40 to 9:40 a.m. on weekdays except Wednesdays. After accepting the application, a receipt stating the verification date will be issued to the accredited agencies.

If the examination of an application is not completed by the verification date, the additional required documents or reasons for the delay in processing will be noted in the receipt. If you wish to know the status of your application, please inquire with the accredited agency.

(2) Applications filed direct with the Japanese Embassy
Manila: Applications will be accepted from 8:40 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on weekdays except Wednesdays. A receipt stating the verification date will be issued for accepted applications.
Cebu and Davao: Applications are accepted on weekdays from 8:40 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. After an application is accepted, applicant will be contacted by telephone on when to report at the consular offices.

Multiple Entry Visas
To see if you qualify for a multiple entry visa, you can read the eligibility and requirements in the Japanese Embassy website.

Download Japanese Visa Application Form (print on A4 paper)

23 comments:

  1. Anonymous9.1.12

    Hi Sir Ivan.. I'm planning to go to Japan to visit a relative for the first time. Is it better for me to buy an air ticket (round trip) first before applying for a visa or the other way around? Thanks a lot.. Big help po itong post nyo..:)..

    -Cory

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Ivan,

    I got hired by Interac to be an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) I got my COE but the Japanese embassy here in NY wants me to apply for it in my country of residence. The Philippines.

    Do I have to go to a Embassy or Agency?
    Would I be able to apply for it via mail?
    Any help you can give me would be helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I believe you have to apply for it through an agency. Best to call any of the accredited agencies to ask if sending it to them via mail is okay.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous26.2.12

    To Cory,


    Embassies dont encourage applicants to purchase a ticket prior to their visa application. Having a ticket is not an assurance that you'll be granted for a visa! Still, they will base everything on all documents presented to them. I got my Japan visa and i just waited for 2 days.

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous27.2.12

    hi sir ivan gud am! i am planning to invite my daughter for s short vacation,,is it possible if i will be the one who will be the sponsor of my daughter and is there any problem if i dont have big money in my account??


    aries..

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous16.4.12

    hello sir ivan..the accredited agency informed me earlier bout my visa application which was passed last Thursday on the Embassy of Japan and I am so worried of what would be the result since i havent got it yet..and im wondering if my application was approved or not since it was processed before the expected date..I'm so anxious to know if they do release it that early even if it got denied? or do they inform the applicant if some requirements are missing?

    ReplyDelete
  7. They'll inform you if there are missing requirements. At the moment, there's really nothing much you could do except wait.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous4.5.12

    Im a non-working college student of legal age who bought a ticket 8 months ago and then and submitted just #1, 2, 3, 4, 6, copy of school registration form, school I.D. and my bank certificate (no papers related to my parents or guardian)on May 1 at Rajah Travel Agency. I got my visa 2 days after :D i guess my past travels helped:D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10.1.13

      How much is your money in the bank when you submitted your application? Thanks! :)

      Delete
  9. Congrats! That's great to hear! :D

    ReplyDelete
  10. james2.6.12

    hi ivan,do i need to have a a friend or family in japan to be granted a tourist visa?

    ReplyDelete
  11. hi sir.tanung ko lng pho kung made2ny pho un 21 years old pho...kukunin pho kasi kame ng mother nmin..pa help nmn pho kung san pho may magandang agency..tnx pho

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous28.6.12

    hi sir avan..thnk you for all these information..it helps me a lot..salamat..god bles

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous3.7.12

    hello sir..ask lang poh wat are the requirement sa pag kuha ng visa..im married and my husband is also a Pilipino and already got there permanent in japan..ask lang poh anu ung requirement kc ung nkita ko lang sa mga site ung requirement lang sa Japanese ung asawa wala ung kung Pilipino din ang asawa.tnx you in advance and god bless

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous17.7.12

    hi sir,matagal po b tlga ang pagkuha ng visa sa japan?mahigit 1 month na po kc naming nai pass ang mga documents sa RELI AGENCY sa may megamall wala parin po km natatanggap na update kung problem nman cguro tatawag cla kaagad pero hanggang ngayon wala parin po,,tnx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous5.8.12

    Hi! I have a Japanese Citizen daughter & we are planning to go back to Japan. I was informed by some of the agencies that I need to apply for visa. I am planning to apply for long term visa but I was informed that I could only apply as a tourist. Could you help me understand this further

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous17.8.12

    Hello,

    Around how much money does the bank account should have for the bank certificate in order to get a Japan visa? And around how much for Schengen? Thanks! So that I can have a clue of how much I have to save :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous3.10.12

    My husband is half japanese!he want to go back to japan but he had a problem his visa was expired!he want to get new visa!he live in philipines right now!what should he do to get a new visa!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous14.1.13

    hi. we will be staying in 2 hotels in japan- one in kyoto and one in osaka. the appli form says that we should put the name and address of the hotels where we will be staying. the form however has only one space for the "name" and "address" for the hotels. should we just put in the "name" space the names of the 2 hotels and in the "address" space the addresses of the 2 hotels?

    ReplyDelete
  19. james8.2.13

    hi sir ivan...i want to know if im getting a japan visit visa do i need to get a medical?thanksss and lot

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous11.4.13

    nag aayos po ba kayo ng visa ?

    kase po 23 na ako di ako makapunta

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous18.5.13

    Hello po. May COE n po kc ung anak ko at ia-apply ko n po s japan embassy s manila. Ask ko lng po kung ilang days po kaya bago makuha ung visa? Thanks po

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous3.8.13

    sir Ivan my wife already received my certificate of eligibility, what is the next step to get an entry visa to Japan? My wife is a Japanese National.

    ReplyDelete