Japan visa application for individual tourists starts Oct. 11: Here are the requirements
The Land of the Rising Sun is ready to share its light with travelers once again.
On Tuesday, Oct. 4, the Japanese Embassy announced that it is accepting applications for all kind of visas including temporary visitor for individual travel, visiting friends and multiple-entry with issuance of visas starting October 11, 2022.
Previously, travelers to Japan could only visit through package tours arranged by a travel agency.
The suspension of validity of multiple-entry visas and APEC Business Travel Card imposed in March 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic will also be lifted and available for entry to Japan starting on October 11, 2022.
However, as part of the Japanese government's visa policy, travelers who earned their visa during the suspension period are required to submit a new visa application. If travelers need to enter Japan on or before October 10, application of visa is mandatory.
“Philippine nationals are not subject to the visa exemption arrangements and required to obtain an appropriate visa,” the embassy said.
“Please note that your multiple-entry visa will be cancelled when you newly obtain a single-valid visa,” it added.
Meanwhile, Japan entrants and returnees who got 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccine accredited by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare as seen in their valid vaccination certificates are not required to acquire a negative certificate.
“Other entrants/returnees need to obtain negative COVID-19 test result performed within 72 hours (3 days) prior to departure,” it announced.
Here's the newest visa application process starting October 4, 2022 as posted by the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.
- The embassy accepts applications for all kind of visas including Temporary Visitor for individual travel, visiting friends and multiple-entry.
- No need Registration to ERFS (Entrants, Returnee Follow-up System)
- Requirements for Visiting Friends are relaxed (No need inviter’s “Written pledge”).
Meanwhile, the requirements for individual tourist visas to Japan as of October 2022 include the following:
- Passport
- Application Form
If there is a used Japanese visa on your passport, the following below are unnecessary.
- Birth Certificate (issued by PSA within 1 year)
- Marriage Certificate (issued by PSA within 1 year for married applicants only)
- Itinerary in Japan
In case the applicant will shoulder part/all of the travel expenses
- Bank Certificate
- Photocopy of Income Tax Return (BIR: Form 2316)
In case the guarantor in the Philippines will shoulder part/all of the travel expenses
- Guarantee Letter
- Proof of relationship between applicant and guarantor (e.g. Birth Certificates)
- Bank Certificate
- Photocopy of Income Tax Return (BIR: Form 2316)
The full requirements for individual tourist visas to Japan as of October 2022 can be viewed here.