Going to Japan is one of the most fun things you can do in your entire life — especially if you are an anime fan. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Tokyo (where I stayed for over a year as a university student), Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagano, Kanazawa and a number of other cities — both for business and for pleasure, four times so far. I still haven’t had enough of Japan, and you can bet your entire manga collection that I have plans of going back very soon.
One of the largest hurdles for Filipino J-pop fans planning to visit Japan is obtaining an entry visa. Due to the number of Filipinos in search of employment entering the country via tourist visas, the Consul Office of the Japan Embassy has implemented stricter rules in granting them. I’ve gone through three distinct kinds of visa application procedures, all of which I will be describing below. I hope that my personal experiences shed some light on the sometimes archaic and often very scary process of applying for a Japanese visa.
Applying For a Visa as a University Exchange Student
Students flying to Japan under the auspices of the Ministry of Education or the Japan Student Services Organization have a distinct advantage over almost everybody else when applying for a visa. They are in possession of a special document called the Certificate of Eligibility, which eliminates the need for many of the requirements such as Income Tax Returns, Bank Certificates, and Letters of Guarantee.
The Certificate of Eligibility is exclusively issued to university exchange students (whether postgraduate or undergraduate) so to be able to obtain one, it would be best to start off by applying for a Japanese exchange student programme via your college or university. Application procedures vary for different universities (UP, ADMU, DLSU, etc.) and areas of discipline (language, liberal arts, engineering, etc.) so it would be best to consult with your school’s Foreign Exchange offices.
Once you have cleared their selection process and are bound for Japan, your certificate will be issued to you alongside your Japanese school admission forms and other documents. All you need to do is submit it to the Consul Office along with your current passport to obtain your visa. For more information, you can also view the complete application procedure from the official website of the Embassy of Japan.
Applying For a Visa on Business
If you are employed in a private company with business ties to Japan, you can apply for a commercial visa. With this type of visa, your company vouches for you, eliminating the need for you to find a Japanese individual to act as a guarantor. Instead, your company and the Japanese company affiliated with you will need to issue a Letter of Dispatch or a Letter of Invitation, stating the nature of your business, the business relationship of the two companies involved in the transaction, and the purpose of your visit to Japan.
In my case, both my employer in Manila and our affiliate in Japan issued the letters described above, as well as Certificates of Employment and Length of Service, and a timetable detailing all my travel plans within Japan. Photocopies of my round-trip airline tickets were also given to prove that I will be returning to the Philippines once business has been completed. The travel agency handling my trip then took care of the rest, and my passport with my new visa attached arrived after three days. For more info, you can also view the complete application procedure from the official website of the Embassy of Japan.
Applying For a Visa as a Tourist
There are two ways of going about applying for a tourist visa. The first way is easier but is more expensive and also very limiting: joining a package tour. Since your tour facilitator will act as your guarantor, there is no need to obtain a Letter of Guarantee. However, you will still need to submit all the other documents like your Income Tax Returns, Bank Certificates, and Itineraries. The other option is to go it alone. I actually prefer this method since I can pick my flight schedule, my hotel/hostel, and my itinerary. Unfortunately the Consul Office will be a little bit stricter with your requirements, so it’s best that you make a good impression and get it right the first time.
The first step still means going through a travel agent. The Embassy of Japan has disallowed personal applications for entry visas, and we all now have to apply through accredited travel agencies to apply for visas. I personally recommend Universal Holidays and Rajah Travel since I have used them both and have been happy with their service so far. Just drop by their offices in Makati Avenue for Rajah and Dusit Hotel for Universal, with your completed documents and the PhP 2500 fee. For more information or additional clarification on visa application requirements, you can also view the complete application procedure from the official website of the Embassy of Japan.
Required Supporting Documents for Your Application
What are the most crucial documents needed for the application? From personal experience, it all boils down to three things: 1) proof of good financial standing; 2) history of travel; and 3) proof of return.
Proof of financial standing just means that you have the ability to support yourself during your Japan stay; it also implies that you will not be seeking illegal employment once you have entered the country. This proof comes in the form of your original Income Tax Return, which explicitly states how much you pay in taxes and earn in a year. Another important document that proves you are financially capable is a Bank Certificate stating that you have at least PhP 100,000 in savings, which would roughly be the amount you need to cover the 15 days you spend in Japan as allowed by your tourist visa.
History of travel is basically the number of used visas or old immigration stamps that you have accumulated in your passport. As a rule of thumb, the more stamps you have the better your chances of being granted a visa, since this implies that you regularly travel abroad and that you return to the Philippines after every trip. Used visas from the US, Europe, Australia, and of course Japan are also helpful in getting you an entry visa, since this guarantees the Consul Office that you have entered and left other foreign countries in good faith.
Last but not least is your proof of return: your round-trip airline ticket. This reassures the Consul Office that you will be returning to the Philippines once the fifteen day limit of your tourist visa expires, and will not attempt to stay in the country illegally for employment purposes. You can also submit land titles, business permits, and other documents that will outline your properties and business interests in the Philippines that you will return to once your trip is finished.
Visa Approval
Once your application has been received, it will take the Japanese consuls office three to five business days to review it and approve or deny your application. If approved, you will receive your passport from your travel agent with the visa attached. If your passport has been returned to you with no visa attached, your application was denied, and you will have to wait another six months to lodge another application. Under no circumstances will the visa office explain why your application has been denied, so there is really no point in pursuing the argument further.
Please note that this is a summary of our experience in applying for a Japanese visa. Mileage may vary with each individual. For more tips, you can also read How to Get A Japanese Tourist Visa in 24 Hours, How to Get a Japan Visa in Three Days, Getting a Japan Tourist Visa: An FAQ for Filipinos, and Tips on Obtaining a Japan Tourist Visa.
JPOP Manila 
Thanks Rotch! This will really come in handy next year. Tokyo 2010!
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LOL good luck BB — am really looking forward to that trip with you guys~
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man… Php 100,000? 😦
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unfortunately, living costs in japan are some of the highest in the world, while our currency is one of the lowest in asia, so you have to compensate for the disparity.
you also have to prove to the consul office that you’re not out to get a job once you make it there, by showing them that you are earning a good living back here in manila.
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Omg, 100K, that’s like a year’s worth of savings^^’ Lucky for you to have been there so many times already:)
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I have a question, do you need to submit both an Income Tax Return record and a Bank Certificate?
When I applied for a US visa they only required a Bank Certificate (wala akong tin e, nung nag-apply ako sa BIR ayaw ako bigyan. E di wag! XP)
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if you are employed by a private corporation, they will need you to submit your ITR. if you are unable to provide one, i suppose just the bank certificate will suffice.
however i speculate that the amount indicated in your deposit should be significantly higher than PHP 100,000, to ensure that your application will not be rejected.
also, they might ask you to come in for an interview and explain how you came up with a large amount of cash without being employed. i remember one distant acquaintance asked to come in, and she replied (and i quote) “uh my mom is rich?!” XD
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Wow thanks for the tips! I’ll be sharing this to my friends!
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hi! i was married since 2007.My husband wasn’t able to apply my eligibility in Japan, he got sick.How can i apply my eligibility here in the philippines? help me pls..
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hi — sorry but i am unfamiliar with the visa process for spouses of japanese nationals. please get in touch with the consul office directly, starting with their website.
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thank you! have a nice day!
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hello there…just wanna ask po do i still need a visa to go in japan? im here now in germany and married here..i work in japan na before as singer for alamost 2 years..u think i still need a visa to get there for tourist? pls help po…arigatou ne…
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yes — unless you’re already carrying a german passport (which has visa-free entry for 90 days), you’ll have to apply with your philippine passport at the japan consul’s office in germany. i hope you have a great holiday!
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Aikawarazu desu ne.
^^; it’s easy to obtain a visa if you have a sponsor,especially schools. Schools/Organizations will give you an endorsment letter for your application. 🙂
ANd, yeah. it is expensive. X_X;
specially tourist visa costs 2K.
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agreed — having your university take care of your visa for you is the cheapest and most painless procedure. the only deterrent i could think of in this situation is if you are not on a scholarship programme, and you come from a middle class family, you wouldn’t be able to afford basic living expenses — let alone school fees
japan is really that expensive 😦
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Hi! Do you have any idea about applying for ALTs (assistant language teacher) in Japan? When I visited the Japanese Embassy website, yung application procedure nila for ALT programs, the last information is dated 2007 pa! Do they still hire ALTs from the Philippines? Or discriminated na naman tayong mga Pinoy as English teachers coz we’re not “native speakers”?
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sorry but i have no information at all on the embassy’s teaching programs. it would be best to call them directly and ask for the JICC office, which may be able to help you with your query. good luck!
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hi i’m a filipina and my japanese bf wants me to come with him to japan. just want to know the exact requirements to get a tourist travel visa? can you help me bout this? thanks.
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hi wendy — if you’re not officially married to a japanese national (i believe this classification includes fiancees and girlfriends), you’ll have to apply for a regular tourist visa via the recommended channels. a complete list of requirements can be found here. good luck!
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hi..is there another scholarship coming?
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hey there mira. i haven’t heard news of any open application scholarship programmes but if i do hear of some i’ll let you know. cheers!
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wow thanks for the info.
by the way do you know any scholarship programs for students who want to study medicine in Japan…
thanks
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nope — sorry; please get in touch with the JICC for scholarship inquiries. cheers!
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Very informative post, rotch-sempai! I wish I read it before I submitted my visa application. Hm. The agency said the result will be out tomorrow *crosses fingers*
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Hi, ask ko lang po kasi yung cousin gusto akong kunin sa japan to work there, what are the requirments?
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as far as i know, your employers and not your cousin should be taking care of your visa and work permit, because the local consulate does not issue work visas to individuals who have not yet found employment in japan. please get in touch with your prospective employers first to facilitate your paperwork, and then courier the original documents and other requirements to the philippines. good luck!
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Konbanwa! i want to ask if we really need an invitation letter. thanks =)
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hi there.
needing an invitation letter from a japanese national (or a permanent foreign resident) is crucial if you cannot provide the consul office with information that proves you are financially capable — even wealthy. they need reassurance that you are not entering the country with intent to seek employment and stay there as an illegal.
personally, i had never needed one as my previously issued visas were more than enough proof to assure them that i would and will return to the country once my stint is done. however if it is your first time to japan then, yes — having a letter of invitation will help your cause.
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super big thanks for this! xD
ugh. 100,000?
i hope i could reach that quota before Arashi makes another con tour next year!! ~
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lol i know it sounds steep but it is kinda expensive booking airline tickets and hotel rooms, so the money will be gone before you know it. it’s better to be prepared than get caught out empty handed 😀 good luck!
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wow! Php100,000.. that’s a lot of money
I have a question.. What are the main reasons that tourists get denied for a visa?
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lol it’s still just a third of the PhP 300,000 needed for a schengen visa 😀
anyway, the consul office never divulges the reasons for rejection, but i’m taking an intelligent guess to say that insufficient evidence of previous travel — such as used visas and old immigration stamps, may play a factor in determining whether or not you are granted a tourist visa. that’s why some people who are after japanese, EU, or US tourist visas travel to nearby visa-free countries like thailand, hong kong, and singapore first to better their chances.
also if the consuls office suspect that the applicant is trying to enter japan to unlawfully gain residency they will deny you a tourist visa. this is where your ITR and bank certificate/s play an important role — if these documents prove that you are not planning to seek illegal employment in japan, then the chances of you being granted a visa become quite good.
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Also, I’m wondering if I can apply first for a visa before buying tickets.. so I won’t be wasting any money if I get denied..
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oooooh sorry, but i’ve never had any experience applying for a visa without a ticket beforehand
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can you please tell me the meaning of “background to the invitation” in the invitation letter? can you also please tell me what should I put under that section? thank you very much in advance ma’am!
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“can you please tell me the meaning of “background to the invitation” in the invitation letter?”
sorry — i’m afraid i didn’t understand the context of your question. where did you pick up the phrase “background to the invitation”? maybe a bit more information can help me answer your question better. thanks!
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Good Day Magnetic Rose..
I’m Rain, 19, college graduating student,
can i ask you some few question?
let me tell you the scenario 1st..
My Fiance is inviting me to go to japan this November,
since its our anniversary on Nov. 21, also her birthday is Nov. 27, My Birthday is Dec. 21 days after that is Christmas Holidays, the point is we want to spend time with each other to this events, also im going to visit my relatives and friends there. probably i will stay there for about 1 month and 2 weeks max.
What Visa will i need or use?
I’m Still dependent, though i’m managing the small some business of my parents to have money for myself, im still getting money from them, special big amount of money,
do i need bank account of my own? or can i use the bank acc/certificate of my parents?
also the ITR, i’m not employed, can i use the ITR of my parents?
and, one of the proof that i will go back here is that i’m enrolled in school, attending class and going to graduate in march
do i need to present some documents from my school or college institution?
that’s all for now..
(excuse me) but damn, i need to go to japan before our relationship goes complicated..
thank you magnetic rose..
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lol okay that’s a lot to take in all at once.
1) the standard tourist visa is just fifteen days long; if you need something longer than that you will have to apply for a special ninety day visa — and they don’t give that out very often (you have to have a diplomats passport for that one, i think)
2) yes, the bank account has to be under your name.
3) no, the ITR should be under your name. since you said you run your own business, you should have a business-owners special income tax return.
4) yes, you can request a letter of enrollment from your university to present alongside your other documents so they know that you are in college and that you will be coming back to the philippines to finish your studies.
good luck!
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sorry for some wrong gramma, it’s 3am…and i’m knock sleepy..haha..
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Hi,
I hope you could help enlighten me with some things. YOu see, my boyfriend, a US citizen (resident), would want us to go see japan. He has been there before, I havent. I’m in the Philippines. Is there any chance that I could get a tourist visa? We’re planning for just a week stay there. I have already been issued a US tourist visa and went there last year for two months. Would that help ? Also , would I need to provide a guarantor letter as required? My boyfriend will be the one to shoulder all the expnses there, the hotel, transpo, food and everything. would I still have to provide a bank account with a large amount of money?
Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks a lot.
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hi there! in your case i believe your boyfriend may act as your guarantor as long as he fulfills all the necessary requirements for guarantors listed in the official JAPAN CONSUL website. as for the “show-money” amount on your end — if your boyfriend will also guarantee that he can and will cover all your expenses (bank account info, a list of existing credit cards, etc.) then that should’nt be a problem. and yes, your valid/used US visa will help in securing your JAPAN VISA. however — please don’t take my word for it as i have never gone through this particular process before so it would still be better for you to consult with an accredited travel agent. good luck!
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wow what a great guide!
Basically, I have a boyfriend who is half japanese and I believe his father(japanese national) is already working on his papers so he can become a japanese national by next year after he graduates and pass the nursing board exam. My question will be if it is possible for me to go and live there (Japan) with him without getting married?Which type of visa do i need? Thanks for any help!
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hi jk! if you’re just visiting a regular tourist visa should be just fine, but i’m sorry i’m afraid one of the very few ways you can become a permanent resident in japan is if you were married to a japanese national.
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hi there!
i am a college freshman here in the philippines. i have a cousin who works in japan as an engineer. on my birthday, my brother agreed to send me to japan for a vacation as his birthday gift to me. my problem is, i don’t have an ITR certificate but i have a bank account that has more than the amount you suggested it should have.
is it an advantage that i have a relative there to act as my guarantor? do is still need a letter of invitation from him? also, is it okay if i don’t book for a hotel since my cousin would have me stayed in his place?
and last question, does my enrollment in college will suffice as proof of return??
thank you very much! =)
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1) since you’re not yet working, you can forego the ITR 🙂 instead you can present the embassy/consulate with a certificate of enrollment from your dean’s office or registrar’s office — this can also help as your proof of return. when you submit your documents don’t forget your certificate of deposit from your bank — this is very important since you are still a student and this will prove that you are capable of financing your trip even without income 🙂
2) yes, having your relative act as your guarantor is a good idea. just have him prepare the formal letter needed (as prescribed by the japanese consulate website) indicating that not only will he act as guarantor, he will also be providing you with temporary housing while in japan so that you don’t have to present a hotel voucher or hotel reservation.
good luck and have fun!
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great post! one question though, would you know if the requirements for tourist visa for Philippine passport holders still apply if i am not living in the Philippines? I am living and working now in China (i have a one year contract and a residence permit) and my french bf (no visa for him!) wants us to go to japan for Christmas. seems like a pretty complicated procedure for just a few days of holiday…
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hi noemi 🙂 i’m afraid that as long as you are a philippine passport holder regardless of where you live or work, you’ll have to get a visa 😦 now if for example (and this is just an example) you are a naturalized american and bear a US passport, regardless of your philippine descent you can enter japan without a visa. as such, you’ll have to get in touch with the japanese consulate in china and go through all the necessary steps to obtain a tourist visa. hope this helps, and good luck!
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Hi, I just want to know if its ok to stay in Japan for 3-4 days? my cousin is inviting me to have a vacation there but I only have 3 day off because of my job.
I don’t have a 100k in my bank account but I do have a sufficient cash for my travel expenses.
This will be my first time to travel abroad. He said he can provide a guarantee letter for me and supporting documents for my requirements.
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hi there!
1) a tourist visa is valid for fifteen days, but you do not have to use them all up. when you leave japan after three days however, the remaining twelve unused days on your visa are now null and void.
2) PhP 100K is the minimum recommended “show-money” amount and this is how much i personally put up whenever i send in a visa application. it’s possible that you can apply with much less in your bank account, but i think (and this is just me, of course) this may negatively affect your chances of being granted a visa.
3) since this is your first time, it could be slightly problematic because as a rule of thumb, the more immigration stamps and used visas you have in your passport the better your chances are of having your application approved.
if your cousin is acting as your guarantor, i recommend that you ask him to send all (and i mean all) the required documents outlined in the japanese consul’s website to improve your chances of getting approved despite your blank passport.
good luck! 🙂
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my girlfriend CXXXXXXX RXXXXXXX OXXXXX has seen her application for a tourist visa being denied without clearly give a reason for that. I have acted as her guarantor and consider the decision to deny her entry as an injustice, unless properly explained. Not even further documentation has been requested before denying the tourist visa. I have clearly contacted the telephone number provided in the website just to be told again and again there is no guarantee to have the application approved (I know that) and that the reason for denial cannot be disclosed.
Cheradee will lodge documents again in the hope a more sensible decision will be taken.
Even though I am not Japanese, I pay taxes in this country which support your presence there. Hence I expect a personal reply from the Consul in Manila (please forward this email to him/her) even if for just remind me that the reason cannot be disclosed but Given that I act as guarantor for Cheradee, I feel that for Japan my guarantee is useless (and I have lived in several countries before: Italy, UK, Switzerland and HK where a similar thing has never happened) even though the Japanese authorities felt so kind to grant me a working visa here. And even if the decision relates in any way to Cheradee, I wonder what’s the use of a guarantor if that guarantee is not taken into consideration?
I look forward to your reply.
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hi che! while i am sympathetic to your plight and understand your frustration, it has been indicated in the japanese consul’s official website that the submission of all necessary documents does not guarantee the approval of your visa application.
likewise, it has also been written on the consul website that under no circumstances are the the reasons for denial disclosed to the applicant. these are the rules the japanese consuls office have imposed on applicants, and even if we disagree with them we have to abide by them.
as for your complaints reaching the right persons, i am afraid that because i am neither an employee of or intimately connected with the consulate of japan in the philippines, i am unable to help you with your problem.
please contact the japanese embassy in manila via their trunkline, or if you are in tokyo send a fax directly to the ministry of foreign affairs at 03-5501-8490 stating the nature of your complaints.
i hope that your problem is resolved soon. good luck!
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would it be easy if my friend who’s a businessman in japan will act as my guarantor? he came to the philippines and i helped him around so he said his company will sponsor me. do i still need proof of income and bank account if i’m sponsored?
also, is there a chance that even i’ll be just applying for a tourist visa, the interviewer/consul may decide to grant me multiple entry if i am eligible for it?
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hi there!
1) yes, your friend may act as your guarantor.
2) unless your guarantor submits a document in writing stating that he will be shouldering all your expenses for your trip, you will still need to submit proof of income and a certificate of deposit.
actually even with a guarantee letter i still recommend submitting the above documents to better your chances of having your application approved 🙂
3) multiple entry visas are only granted to diplomats, sports or cultural personalities, and high-level business people with extensive ties to japanese companies, so i’m afraid your chances of getting one are quite slim…
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hello po. what if may friend is japanese tapos dun ako magstay? sandali lang naman, kelangan pa ba ng bank account? matagal pa ba ang process? kelangan ko sana makahabol sa promo.
impossible ba talaga makahabol ako kasi booking is from oct24-27. para makatravel sana ako in between dec’09-feb’10. thanks! paki email na lang din ako or if online ka ngayon much better. thanks
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1) if you are staying with a japanese friend, he or she will have to act as your guarantor and supply all the necessary documents as outlined in the embassy website.
2) unless your guarantor is paying for all your expenses and has said so in a legal document, you will need a bank certificate with the recommended minimum deposit amount.
3) applications take three to five business days to process starting from the day you submitted the complete set of requirements to your travel agent.
lastly, i am not obliged to e-mail you privately about your questions. i am not your personal secretary. if you need to find out the answers to your questions you will have to visit the blog — no ifs or buts.
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Panu po kung may friend ako na may spouse visa..can she still act as my guarantor even if she only has spouse visa?actually, how long does it take before they grant or deny ur visa from date of application?
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since your friend is on a spouse visa, that means that she herself needs somebody else to act as her guarantor. if she acts as yours it might not sound like such a good idea to the person reviewing the applications and it could be grounds for denying your visa.
perhaps you could ask her japanese husband to act as your guarantor instead, as letters of invitation from a japanese individual may carry more weight? it will also help immensely if you are able to provide proof of income and proof of return to the philippines.
applications are processed within three to five business days. if your application has been denied for any reason whatsoever you cannot apply again until six months have passed.
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Hi Rotch! My mom and I are planning to visit my sister who is an exchange student in Tokyo this year. My mom easily can produce a bank cert with more than 100k. I, however have only started working and don’t have that much in my savings account. Is the 100k savings per person or can I tell them my mom will be paying for my entire stay there?
Thanks~ 🙂
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hi there molly 🙂 i understand your concern about your savings account falling short of the recommended amount, as well as your lack of tenure with your new job, but i can see two ways that can help you augment that:
1) you can have your mother state in her visa application that she will be covering costs for the both of you, and supply a bank certificate with enough cash to back up that claim;
and
2) you can ask your sister to talk with her university’s foreign exchange student services to help her with your visas by supplying a letter certifying her status as a foreign exchange student, and that the university is aware that you and your mother are being invited to japan to visit your sister while she is there for her studies. once the letters have been secured, have her courier them to you as fax copies or emailed copies will not be accepted.
i had a friend who did just that and managed to secure a visa for her sister via this method.
good luck and i hope that you and your mom have a great time in japan!
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hello!
ive been to South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. Now, my fiance and i want to spend a holiday in Japan. i have all the requirements but do you think having travelled in asian countries i mentioned above would be a good edge to get a visa?
also, is there any place in Japan that wouln’t require any visa, like in Macau for example filipinos don’t need visa there but if i go to the city like Beijing we definetely need it.
thank you
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hi 😀 since you are well-traveled, it will work in your favor (although i won’t guarantee 100% that you’ll get your visa). and i’m afraid you will need a visa to visit any part of japan, even okinawa which is closer to taiwan than mainland japan 🙂
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hello.can i ask something.im a filipina married with half japanese half brasilian.i went in japan before.they can give me visa if i go there in japan alone to work
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hi there 🙂 i’m so sorry but i am not 100% sure about the process for people looking for work. however, i am pretty positive that your work permit and other legal requirements must be settled by your employer from the japanese side. please talk to your travel agent or give the embassy a call at the numbers given above. thanks!
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hi! about korean tourist visa? do you have tips?
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sorry — i’ve never been to korea and have no plans so far to travel there. it would be better to ask someone else. thanks!
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hi!
My sister is taking her doctoral degree in Tokyo and she wants me to visit her next year. i checked the japanese embassy website and listed the requirements for visiting a relative…she will be sending me the documents i need (the once listed in the website)
she will be shouldering my expenses for my vacation there….do i still need a 100thou bank cert? i only have 30thou in mine…I am a nurse and is unemployed because I have been managing the family business. the business has just been transferred to my name and i still don’t have a tin number. will the permit to operate by the mayor be enough? i heard it will take long to get the tin number. also, is the maximum days for stay only 15days? I still want to visit some friends working their and my aunts in nagoya…i don’t know if the 15days will be enough…lastly, do i need to book a ticket early? i still do not know if id get to be approved…sayang naman ang bayad sa ticket pag ma deny ako….tnx!
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hi ana.
1) if your sister will sends you all the necessary documents listed here, then the PhP 30K in your bank certificate will suffice.
2) unfortunately, a FORM 2316 (income tax return) is needed. please ask your travel agent if there can be substitutes made to replace this.
3) yes, the maximum is 15 days for tourists. only diplomats and businessmen covered by the special exemptions are granted visas for 90 days and above.
4) i have never experienced applying for a visa without a round-trip ticket in hand, so i can’t say if it’s a good idea to go without one. sorry 😦
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Hi! Very Informative posts you have there; can you help me with these ones?
1. how can i obtain the letter of Invitation and letter of guarantee form, for my guarantor in japan?..does the embassy or travel agency have this kind of form?
2. my friend invited me to attend to his birthday and spend xmas holidays in japan..wer planning to go there december 10 2009,…now it is november 10, can i still be allowed to apply the visa regardless of the date im appliying?
3. im using my father’s Bank account..total of 500K + money..is enough or will immesley improved my chances of getting visa???.all i need now is a Affidavit of Support since im using the account of my father on behelf that he will support my travel
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hi there.
1) the form can be downloaded from the embassy website.
2) processing only takes three to five days. you can even apply on the week you’re leaving as long as all your paperwork is in order.
3)yes, your dad’s certificate of deposit plus an affidavit of support to connect his account to your visa application will better your chances of getting approved.
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Hello!
After reading everything in this page, my hope in getting a tourist visa starts going down the drain 😦 My friend and I bought a round trip ticket to Osaka on Cebu Pac’s ticket sale. I didn’t know that getting a tourist visa will be this difficult. We both haven’t traveled outside the Philippines yet — Japan is supposed to be our first time. Anyway, these are the only things we have:
1) the show money
2) the round trip ticket
3) ITRs
We’re also a part-owner of a very-very-small 🙂 corporation. Will that help in any way? Do you think we’ll have better chances if we just obtain a package tour?
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@blecl on the safe side, yes — i’d say your chances are much better if you go on a package tour. however, you can also just go ahead and apply for a tourist visa on your own since you already have three of the more crucial factors needed for getting a visa approved. good luck!
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