How to Apply for a Japanese Tourist Visa in the Philippines
The Cupcake and I are leaving soon for our next trip, and based on the title of this post, you guessed it right! We’re going to the Land of the Rising Sun! One of the most important and tedious parts of our preparation, of course, was to apply for a Japanese Tourist Visa (if you’re holding a Philippine passport, you need this). A lot of our friends who have been to Japan told us that it’s really easy (especially now that Japan is a lot more lenient towards tourists). Most of them even said that we can apply for our visas a few weeks before our trip. Since we leave in August, the Cupcake and I targeted to do this by July.
Photo Credit: Jeric Pena of Just Jeric
As early as June, I started my research and even began collecting requirements to be submitted. I felt really overwhelmed at first, and I sort of wished there was a blog entry that was thorough in explaining everything—which is why I decided to write this! Hopefully it helps my readers (especially the ones looking to visit Japan soon) on how to apply for a Japanese Tourist Visa in the Philippines.
Before I list down the requirements and how to get them, let me start by saying that you don’t apply for a visa at the Japanese Embassy in Manila. All applications must be made through accredited agencies. Based on the Japanese Embassy’s website, there are six. The Cupcake and I chose UHI because of the positive feedback from family and friends, the accessibility (it’s near both our offices), and they had the lowest processing fee (Php 1,200 per application). There are a few exceptions with regard to who can apply directly at the Japanese Embassy—you can view it here. Otherwise, you need to go through an accredited agency.
Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Philippine Passport
Make sure it’s not going to expire within the next six months! It also needs to have at least two blank pages for the visa.
2. Application Form
You can download or print the form here. Apart from filling up the form, you need a 2×2 ID picture pasted (not stapled!) on the form. The photo has to have a white background, and you need to be wearing a collared shirt as much as possible. The photo also has to be recent, and you can’t be wearing jewelry, headbands, caps, clips, or any other accessory. You can view the complete photo requirements here.
A little tip when filling out the application forms—make sure your handwriting is neat and you don’t make any erasures! The forms will most likely be the first thing the Japanese consuls will look at, and you want to make a good impression.
3. 2×2 ID Pictures
When we applied for our visas, the agency only got one photo (the one pasted on our application forms). But best to bring extra copies just in case!
4. Bank Certificate
This basically shows how much money you have, so that it shows the consul you’re able to pay for your trip. This was the part I was most nervous about because I wasn’t sure how much money was enough. But based on my research, if you’re staying in Japan for a week and had about Php 50,000 to Php 90,000 in your account, then you’re fine.
My main account is BDO, and I had to request for my bank certificate from my home branch. At first, I tried sending my brother to do it for me because I didn’t want to file a leave for it. I gave him an authorization letter, my government ID’s, and even my passbook—but BDO informed him that it had to be me to do it. So I took a half day off and applied for my bank certificate as soon as the bank opened. I assumed it would take a couple of days to get my bank certificate but the teller was nice enough to tell me that she was already processing the document and I could get it in 10 minutes.
Since this is a formal document, the bank will ask for the address of the Japanese Embassy:
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines
2627 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 1300
551-5710
I don’t know the bank certificate format of other banks, but BDO just shows the total amount in your bank account as of a certain date. It doesn’t show the transaction history for the past few months. I think with some banks, it does. And the embassy could be a little skeptical if for example, you deposited an unusually large amount just days before you applied for your visa. So as much as possible, try to avoid any activity that could jeopardize your application. Remember that applying for a Japanese Visa doesn’t require you to do an interview anymore, so your documents will do the talking for you.
5. Original NSO Birth Certificate
Applying for our original NSO Birth Certificate was really quick and easy. We just ordered it online here for Php 350 each! A couple of days later, it was delivered to my office and to the Cupcake’s house.
6. Income Tax Return or Form 2316
I borrowed the original copy from our HR and Accounting Officer, and had it photocopied—then I brought both original and photocopy just to be sure. The morning we submitted our documents to UHI, they only got the photocopied one. So I think it’s okay to just bring a photocopy. The Cupcake didn’t have a chance to photocopy his, but UHI did it for him.
7. Itinerary
You can download a template from the Japanese Embassy’s website, but ever since the Cupcake and I started traveling together, I was always the one in charge of our itinerary and I have my own format, which is more detailed. I submitted this instead. The guy at UHI who was processing our documents kind of laughed at how specific the itinerary was, because it even included breakfast time, bath time, and travel time.
8. Other Important Documents
The first seven I listed are the main requirements, but it also helps a lot if you can submit the following:
- Copy of Your Flight Ticket – I submitted a printed copy of our Cebu Pacific Itinerary which shows our flight to Japan and our flight back to Manila
- Receipt or Reservation Form from Hotel – The Cupcake and I are staying in an AirBnB Apartment, so I just had to print our Itinerary (which is also the receipt of our transaction). Since it contains the details and contact number of our host, I was able to write these down on the Application Form as well.
(By the way, if you’re married, I think you need to bring an original and photocopy of your marriage certificate as well.)
So those are the documents you need to submit in order to apply for a Japanese Tourist Visa! I kept them neatly inside recycled brown envelopes to make sure the papers didn’t get folded or crumpled.
UHI is open from 9am to 3pm every Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12nn every Saturday. We submitted our documents as soon as they opened last Saturday, July 11. It took us less than an hour to finish because the line wasn’t very long, and we were informed it takes about 3 to 5 working days to process (we had to leave our passports with them). But a couple of days later, they already texted and e-mailed that our passports were ready for pickup!
Since the Cupcake was really busy with work, I was the one who picked up our passports from UHI. He just needed to write an authorization letter and lend me one of his government ID’s. Thankfully, we both got approved with a Single Entry Tourist Visa that’s valid until October 2015!
If you’re about to apply for a Japanese Tourist Visa in the Philippines, I really hope this blog entry helped you. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to comment below!
August 6, 2015 @ 6:30 pm
Thank you so much for this! I just went to your blog to see if you posted anything new lately and to take a break from work (which I think doesn’t make sense because as much as possible, i want to rest my eyes, and reading articles online doesn’t really rest my eyes but anyway!). I kind of just skimmed on it, but I will surely read this again next time! My family and I are planning to visit Japan next year and as early as now I am freaking out about that bank account detail you put there. (Good job for BDO, though!) I am still freaking out, though. Haha! I hope I can save up enough for it! 🙁
August 7, 2015 @ 9:05 am
Hi, Bae! You’re very welcome! 🙂 And don’t worry about it! They’re really lenient naman na talaga when it comes to tourist visas. 50k in your bank account is safe na, I think. Especially if you’re gonna be there for less than a week lang. And if you’re going with parents naman, you can declare that they’ll be paying for your expenses so it should be fine. 🙂
September 9, 2015 @ 2:28 pm
Hi, I have a few questions. Are you aware if they consider your “show money” combined if you are travelling with someone? Or they really review it on a per person level? I mean, is the considerable amount of 50k – 90k for two or per person?
Also, I just wanna check if they’re strict on using their own template in listing down you itinerary. Thanks!
September 10, 2015 @ 11:24 am
I think they really review per person. The 50k to 90k is for one. 🙂 And no, they’re not strict naman with the itinerary template.
September 10, 2015 @ 6:55 pm
Great to know! Maybe I’ll wait for your next article with your itinerary 🙂 Thanks.
November 23, 2015 @ 10:18 pm
how bout for our case.. im not married but we have a child and we’re planning to go there three on our son’s 4th birthday on may 2016.. i dont have work but we have joint accounts both php and dollars (remittances comes from my sister abroad)..
November 26, 2015 @ 8:18 am
I think that’s okay. 🙂 As long as it shows that you’re able to fund your trip and you’ll be heading back home.
September 29, 2015 @ 3:31 pm
Wow! Your article is so helpful! I really want to vist Japan but I’m afraid of the language barrier. Did you study the language?
http://www.budgetbarbara.blogspot.com
September 29, 2015 @ 6:30 pm
No, I didn’t! I was just there for 4 days. 🙂
December 8, 2015 @ 4:09 am
hi! nice blog sis .. I would like to ask if the show money or bank statement would be individual if youre traveling with another person or both of you should have a bank statement? thanks :3
December 9, 2015 @ 9:44 am
Hi, Sarah. Thank you! It should be individual. 🙂
January 2, 2016 @ 6:18 pm
Hi, in the application form there is a guarantor and inviter sections. Did you right the details of your airbnb host? Wouldn’t that be a problem if it is not a hotel address or contact? Also, is it alright to fill it out first before I print it so I won’t worry about the penmanship?
January 3, 2016 @ 10:39 pm
Hi, Clarence! So sorry, I can’t remember anymore if we put the details of our Airbnb host in that section. Although I do remember giving his complete details in the hotel address part of the form. And yeah, I think it’s fine to fill out the form first before printing!
January 8, 2016 @ 10:10 pm
Thanks. Is the Schedule of Stay document (Itinerary) should be presented per person? Or 1 copy can support all applicants?
January 12, 2016 @ 10:07 am
Just to be sure, I printed two copies of the same document. One for me, and one for the Cupcake.
January 14, 2016 @ 3:36 pm
Hi Gretchen, Thanks sa blog, very helpful. I was planning to go to Japan this June, plano ko sana dun ecelebrate ang Birthday ko. I been there last 2012 and I stayed there for 3 Months however ang nag process ng visa ko is the company na panagtatrabahoan ko before. Now I would like to visit Japan again na sarili ko lang. Now my question is..
1. Mas ok po bang mag booked ng ticket at hotel before applying Visa? Nagwoworry ako kasi baka di maapprove your application.
2. Ang 50k ba na show money enough na for 1 week na stay? Sa ngayon hirap na akong iponin yang pera hehe mukhang yan lang talaga ang makakaya ko.
Salamat po.
January 15, 2016 @ 11:18 am
Hi, Reyco! 🙂 Glad my article helped! To answer your questions:
1. Yes, you have to book your ticket and hotel first because this is part of the application form. You have to include your flight number and accommodation details. 🙂
2. I think 50k is safe naman na.
Thank you also!
July 7, 2016 @ 1:38 pm
Hi Gretchen, thank you so much sa info, I had a great time in Japan, I visited last month and i went to Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka and by the way I was approved for multiple entry valid for 5 yrs. I will be going back again on August 03 but this time Tokyo naman. Yung blog mo is very helpful and I thank you for that. Godbless you.
July 7, 2016 @ 6:41 pm
Awww. You’re very welcome! 🙂
March 23, 2017 @ 12:24 pm
hi Reyco!
If it’s ok to ask, how much estimated show money did you have in your Bank Cert? I’m planning kasi to stay 8 days and have flight and hotel bookings na. What’s left in my account is around 6xxxx. I was also in Japan many years ago. Sana maapprove ulit visa.
TIA!
April 12, 2016 @ 3:42 am
Hello. Good day! Nice article. Very helpful.
I applied last Friday. I am freaking out about the thought that I might get denied. I am invited by my military boyfriend under sofa status. Anyone can help me and make me feel confident about my application? I only submitted photos and I kinda forgot to submit our convos I’m so dumb! Ugh. Also he’s in the Air Force and the proof of service doesn’t have his commander’s signature so basically what we did is a letter of explanation attached with his digital signature. Do you guys have experienced the same thing? Please help me I’m so stressed. I don’t wanna get denied. I badly wanna see him. Just him really.
April 12, 2016 @ 9:33 am
Hi! Sorry, I’m not really sure with the process for that kind of situation. The visa we applied for was just a tourist visa, and the agency gave us all the necessary requirements to submit.
September 15, 2016 @ 5:19 am
Hello,
I already booked my flight to Japan on February next year for 8 days and planning to apply for visa on January. However, I have a friend in Osaka and inviting me to stay on his house but he will not be my guarantor during my stay. Is it okay to apply for visa even though I will not book for hotels during my stay? Is it also okay to include on my itinerary that the place I will stay is a friend on Japan?
September 16, 2016 @ 10:10 am
Hi, Mhards. You’ll need a visa anyway, so when you apply, just indicate that you’ll be staying with a friend. In our case, since we stayed at an Airbnb apartment, we had to include the address and the apartment owner’s details.
September 16, 2016 @ 10:14 am
You’ll need to apply for a visa anyway, so just state that you’re staying with a friend. In our case, since we stayed at an Airbnb apartment, we had to include the complete address and apartment owner’s details.
September 22, 2016 @ 5:08 pm
Hi. How about i cant provide ITR cuz i didnt pay my tax but my company gave me certification? Is it possible?
September 27, 2016 @ 2:19 pm
The ITR is required because it gives them an idea of how much money you earn, which in turn shows if you can afford the trip. Maybe you can try?
November 18, 2016 @ 9:14 pm
Hello. My mom is my guarantor in Japan. I will apply for visit relatives. Is it fine if her bank certificate is worth 100 000 php. ? Thank you.
November 22, 2016 @ 8:37 am
Yes, that’s okay! 🙂
February 12, 2017 @ 10:38 am
Hi! I just want to ask, nung nagsubmit ka ba ng bank certificate sa kanila, kailangan ba nka enclose pa sya sa enve or not necessary na? Thanks!
February 14, 2017 @ 2:42 pm
Hi, Diana! I actually don’t remember anymore, but I think it wasn’t enclosed in an envelope. 🙂
April 15, 2017 @ 10:56 pm
Hello! Very Nice and Informative article! My family and I are going to Japan this June and we will be staying at an Airbnb in Tokyo. Its our first time using Airbnb so I’m sort of sceptical about everything, Hahahaha. When you filled out the visa application form, what address and contact did you place in the visa application form? did you guys contact your host and asked for this info? I don’t want to seem creepy to them quasi.
Hope you have a great day!
April 20, 2017 @ 1:42 am
Hi, Lou! Sorry for the late reply. Anyway, I put the address and contact details of our Airbnb host. 🙂 I didn’t have to contact our host about it anymore, because his details were in the Airbnb app. 🙂