TIPS: What you need to know about getting a Japan visa
Planning to travel to Japan any time soon?
Applying for a visa can be daunting, but it shouldn't stop you from taking that trip to see the Land of the Rising Sun. With some proper preparation of all the necessary documents, you'll be able to get approved for your Japan vacation.
There are different types of Japanese visas but we'll focus more on the tourist ones for those who want to go on a quick leisure trip to experience the country. There are two common tourist visas: the single-entry allowing holders to enter Japan once and stay for as long as 90 days, and the multiple entry visa which lets the holder enter the country many times within a specified period for at least 15 to 30 days each stay. Here are the requirements you'll need to get ready.
- Valid Philippine passport in good condition, must be signed and have at least two blank visa pages
- Visa application form which you can download here
- Your itinerary in Japan which includes your port of entry, where you intend to stay and the contact number of the accommodation
- A passport photo 2 x 1.4 inches with a white background taken within six months
- Original Birth Certificate issued from the Philippine Statistics Office
- If your birth certificate is "late registration," you must also submit a Baptismal Certificate and a Form 137 from high school or elementary, both of which must be issued within at least three months
- You only need to submit a birth certificate if you have never applied for a Japan visa before
- You will also need to write a letter of authorization for the Japan Embassy to verify your birth certificate
- Original Marriage Certificate (if married) issued within one year
- Bank Certificate of a personal account (not company/business) issued within three months
- A copy of your latest Income Tax Return
If someone else will be shouldering your travel expenses, you must also submit the following:
- Guarantee letter
- Proof of relationship between applicant and guarantor
- Bank Certificate and Income Tax Return of the guarantor
Once you've acquired all the requirements, choose an accredited travel agency from this list from the Japanese Embassy. Fees may cost P950 to P1,200 for a single entry visa, depending on the travel agency.
Multiple-entry requirements
Want to get a multiple-entry visa? This type of visa has some conditions for issuance, so it may not be as easy to get one. For instance, you will need to have a history of travel as a temporary visitor to the country in the last three years.
If you pass the conditions, you will need the same requirements as above but also include an explanation letter for requesting multiple entry, proof of your travel to Japan in the last three years, and proof of financial capacity.
Other FAQs
So how much money do you need in your bank account to get your visa approved? The Japanese Embassy hasn't really specified a certain amount but what's advised is to have enough to fund your travel expenses.
As for how long a tourist visa is processed, it will usually take seven to 10 business days. It's best to get your visa processed a month before your trip so you have ample time to request documents that you might not have around.
Additionally, you don't need to book a hotel or a flight before your visa is processed. In fact, travel agencies advise against it. It's best to book once your visa is approved.
Remember, just because you submitted all your documents, it doesn't automatically mean that you'll be granted the visa.
