Japan Visa Requirements & Application for Pinoy Tourists

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Read on to get a run-through on what you need and other tips about how to get that elusive Japan Tourist Visa stamped on your passport!

There are daily three-hour flights from the Philippines to Japan. But because of the visa requirement, most Filipinos think that Japan is farther from the Philippines than it actually is!

Visas tend to scare Filipino tourists who just want to explore the world. It was put in place as a deterrent for unscrupulous travelers which actually makes sense. Fortunately, the Manila Embassy of Japan has eased its guidelines and has become more welcoming to legitimate Pinoy Tourists!

This is what we did to apply for our own Japan Tourist Visa (note that business and visiting relatives visas are different categories).

What's covered in this guide?

List of Japan Tourist Visa Requirements:

All documents must be original unless otherwise stated and should ALL be printed on A4 paper

Japan Visa Requirements for Pinoy

Primary requirements

1. Philippine Passport 

•    should be valid for more than 6 months
•    mutilated or torn passport is not accepted
•    must be signed on Page 3
•    must have at least two (2) blank visa pages

2. Visa Application Form

•    You may download it here
•    form should be TYPEWRITTEN
•    printed on A4 paper
•    If not applicable, please write “N.A.”
•    Embassy may not accept an application with blanks, no signature, or no date
•    Embassy may deny an application that is filled out incorrectly or with wrong information

3. Photo

•    specs: 4.5cm x 3.5cm white background
•    decent attire with collar and sleeves and no earrings taken within 6 months and has not been previously submitted to the same embassy

4. Birth Certificate (BC)

•    issued within one year from PSA Main Office/Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide)
•    If the birth certificate from Philippine Statistics Office (PSA) is unreadable or has incomplete information, please submit it together with:
       1.   a birth certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar.
•    If the birth certificate is registered late (late registration), please submit it together with:
       1.   a baptismal certificate
       2.   school record (Form 137) from high school or elementary
       3.   School Yearbook (if possible).
•    If there is no record in PSA, please submit:
       1.   a “Certificate of Non-Record” from PSA
       2.   a birth certificate from the Local Civil Registrar

5. Marriage Certificate (MC) if the applicant is married

•    issued within one year from PSA Main Office/Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide)
•    if there is no record in PSA, please submit
       1.   a “Certificate of Non-Record” from PSA 
       2.   a Marriage Certificate from the Local Civil Registrar 

6. PSA Authorization form

•    You may download it here
•   This letter authorizes ALBRESSA Travel to submit your application to the Japanese Embassy and collect your passport once they have released it

7. Agency Authorization Letter

•    You may download it here
•  This letter authorizes the Japanese Embassy to verify the details and documents submitted from the Philippine Statistics Authority for your tourist visa application

8. Itinerary in Japan

•    You may download it here
•    this is your proposed day-to-day activity log based on your arrival and departure dates
•    it should give an idea to the consul as to what you will be doing in Japan as a tourist
•    your itinerary does not need to be complex. mine was this simple:

Financial Requirements

9. Original Bank Certificate

•    Ideal amount for the current balance is P100,000
•    must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB
•    Validity of Bank Certificate is three (3) months from the date of issue

10. ITR (Income Tax Return)

•    Form 2316 for individual / Form 1701 or Form 1702 for companies
•    It must have the Gross Income and a “RECEIVED” mark if tax is not withheld (e.g. self-employed)
•    If No ITR – kindly provide a notarized affidavit explaining why there is no ITR 
•   If Income Tax Return (BIR Form) is not available and there is no ADB (Average Daily Balance) shown in the Bank Certificate, submit a 3-month Bank Statement together with the Bank Certificate with no ADB.

Additional Requirements

if Employed

•    Original Signed Certificate of Employment (must include applicant’s position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number (cell-phone number is not allowed), and HR email address)
•    Photocopy of Company ID
•    need approved leave of absence if government employee

if Business Owner or Self employed

•    Photo Copy of DTI or SEC Permit (includes Names & signatories of the corporation)
•    Photocopy of the Mayor’s Permit

for Professionals

•    Photocopy of PRC Card or IBP Card

for Students

•    Original Copy of School Certificate
•    Photocopy of School ID

for Senior Citizens

•    Photocopy of Senior Citizen ID

If Guarantor who lives in the Philippines will shoulder part or all of the applicant’s travel expenses

•    You may download the Guarantee Letter here. Please address to: Embassy of Japan in Philippines 2627, 1300 Roxas Blvd, Pasay, Metro Manila
•    Proof of relationship between applicant and guarantor (e.g. birth certificate, company letter/invite)
•    Bank Certificate (original) and clear Photocopy of Income Tax Return of Guarantor (ITR Form 2316/1701/1702)
•    Business documents
       ○   Photo Copy of DTI or SEC Permit (includes Names & signatories of the corporation)
       ○   Photocopy of the Mayor’s Permit
       ○   Audited financial documents

How to apply for a Japan Tourist Visa:

1. Complete the requirements, as listed above.
2. Contact the ALBRESSA Travel via Facebook to assist you so the visa specialists can assess the help you need.
3. Submit the documents to ALBRESSA Travel.
4. Pay the Processing Fee.
5. Wait for your visa. On average, it takes about 7-14 working days unless extended depending on the number of passports being processed at the embassy.
6. ALBRESSA Travel will inform you once your passport is ready for pick-up or delivery.
 
It’s actually that simple. Just be ready with your documents and you’re set to see the Land of the Rising Sun!

Frequently-Asked Questions:

What’s the process when I was already issued a Japanese visa and I just want to renew it?

Same process and requirements: fill-out the visa form again to renew your visa. Attach the passport with the old visa (plus, a photocopy of it). No need to resupply your PSA Birth Certificate and/or Marriage Certificate. You can also apply for a multiple entry visa by this time.

Is there a multiple-entry Japan visa?

Yes, there is an option to apply for a multiple-entry visa form of the Japanese visa application. We do not recommend first-timers to apply for this unless you have visas issued in the past 3 years to other G7 countries; or have high financial capability or have a spouse or parent who does (7-figure bank account). Second-time tourist visa applicants should apply for this.

Is a travel agency needed to apply for a Japanese tourist visa?

Yes, only travel agencies are allowed to deal with the Japanese Embassy.

Are flight and hotel bookings needed before applying for a Japanese tourist visa?

Only an itinerary is needed for the application (giving an idea to the Japanese consul as to where you will be staying, what you will be doing, and your proposed arrival & departure dates). Hence, ALBRESSA Travel advises clients to have their visas processed at least 3 months before departure so that there will be ample time to arrange the bookings.

What is the validity of the Japanese tourist visa?

The validity is decided upon by the Japanese consul. There are no guidelines or explanations from the embassy on how long it is but it will depend on your proposed arrival and departure dates. 

The standard single-entry visa is valid for 90 days upon issuance and allows you to a 15-day stay in Japan while the standard multiple-entry visa allows a 15 to 30-day stay for every entry during a specified number of years (3-5) upon issuance.

How much time should we allot for visa processing?

It is safe to assume 7-14 working days depending on the tourist season.

How long before my proposed arrival in Japan should I start having my Japanese tourist visa processed?

ALBRESSA Travel advises clients to have the Japanese tourist visa processed at least 3 months before arrival date to give ample time for booking after the issuance.

Can I apply 1 week before the travel date?

Yes you can. But ALBRESSA Travel cannot guarantee it will come out immediately. Tourist visa applications should be allotted 7-14 working days.

Is there a certain amount in my bank certificate to get approved? 

Enough to fund your trip plus a little shopping as indicated on your proposed itinerary. The rule of thumb is to have savings proportional to the length you your stay in Japan.

I am tax-exempt. Do I need to submit an ITR?

No. But a Certificate of Tax Exemption from the Bureau of Internal Revenue should be supplied instead.

What do I do if I don’t have an ITR?

A notarized explanation why you do not have an Income Tax Return (ITR) should be attached to the application and pertinent documents supporting the explanation.

What do I do if I’m a freelancer and I don’t have a Certificate of Employment?

A letter from your clients stating their address, contact details, what you did/do for them, compensation, and tenure will suffice. I did this before and I got my visa after!

I have a guarantor. Do I still have to submit my own bank documents?

No, your guarantor will submit his/her own financial documents in lieu of your

I don’t have a bank account. Can I still apply for a Japanese visa?

Yes if you get a guarantor to speak on your behalf and supply his/her financial documents.

Can my boyfriend or girlfriend sponsor my trip?

You may try to make him/her be your guarantor and supply his/her financial documents but having an immediate family member such as a parent or sibling (proven by PSA Birth Certificate linkage) be your guarantor has better chances of approval as a sound proof of relationship is needed to establish the connection.

Can I submit a birth certificate issued more than a year ago?

No, the Japanese Embassy will only accept PSA Birth Certificates less than a year old even if the Philippine government abolished the expiration of said documents.

Is personal appearance required for a Japan visa?

No, the Japanese Embassy will only deal with travel agencies.

What are the common reasons why Japan visa applications are denied?

The Japanese Embassy will never explain their reasons for denial but if all requirements have been met, the application is in order, and there have been no past incidents with Japan, there should be no problem.

If the question doesn’t apply to me, should I write N/A or just leave it blank?

Never leave a blank on your Japanese tourist visa application. If it doesn’t apply to you, write “N/A” for not applicable.

I plan to submit documents X, Y and Z, and I have been to other countries before. Will my application be approved?

An extensive travel history especially to other visa countries may help but only the Japanese consul can determine if you are actually granted a Japanese tourist visa. However, ALBRESSA Travel can guide you with its experience in document submission that has seen zero denials for its Japan visa applicants.

Applying for a Japanese tourist visa need not be a daunting task. It’s actually quite simple, much more so if ALBRESSA Travel guides you from the beginning! 

Do you have any unusual Japan visa experiences to share with our fellow travelers? Share them and other questions you may have in the comment section below!