How to Get a Japanese Visa: A Guide for Filipinos

Japan Philippines Tourist Visa

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.

378 Comments

  1. kat's avatar kat says:

    hi,your post is very informative. however I have a question regarding the “show money”. If I’m planning to go to Japan as a tourist for just 5 days and don’t have 100k in my bank account, will credit card statements suffice to show proof of financial capability and that my combined credit card limit (3 cards, Php200k+ credit limit)can support my stay in Japan?

    Like

    1. @kat i think the length of your stay has very little bearing on your approval because no matter how long everybody plans to stay it’s always going to be a fifteen day visa. as for your combined credit card limit taking the place of the bank certificate, AFAIK that won’t suffice. i have four cards with a combined limit of 400K, but i still need to submit a bank certificate nevertheless. good luck with your application!

      Like

  2. mary's avatar mary says:

    Hello… Is it ok if all my bank certificates were all in dollar accounts? I am a filipina. And how many percent is the possibility for me and my daughter on a package tour as to grant us a Japanese Visa? PLEASE HELP US…

    Like

    1. USD accounts are fine as long as they are the equivalent of PHP 100K or more. and generally, people on package tours stand a higher chance of being granted visas than those who are striking it out on their own. good luck!

      Like

  3. mary's avatar mary says:

    Is it ok, if I include to submit the ITR of my company? as an additional documents. but still, I have my own ITR. I am one of the stock holder of a small company. Thank you very much for the advice.

    Like

  4. angel's avatar angel says:

    my is in law and her friend wants to apply for a tourist visa in japan, her uncle will provide her a show money that she needed, but she dont have ITR yet bocause she just started working a month ago. what are the chances for her to have a visa? please give us some advice.. thanks a lot!

    Like

  5. @mary yes you can use that since you own the company 🙂

    @angel she can forgo submitting her income tax return, but i have to express my doubts about her application being approved because the income tax form is a huge factor in getting approval…

    Like

  6. Nego13's avatar Nego13 says:

    Good afternoon Honorable Consul Officer,

    I have something may i please to inquire about Japanese Visa,

    Question 1:

    what is your advisable amount of money (yen) in the bank of the Guarantor in Japan to to prove and consider by the Japan Embassy about the Financial Statements and Capabilities..??

    Question 2:

    My Japanese guarantor has a only reasonable amount of money in the bank
    however i also pass my bank account which consists of Large amount of money since im going to make most of my expenses for my travel..the guarantor will only provide my stay and some food,

    is it going to prove the eligibility of my travel regarding of the financial requirements.?

    Hoping your kind comply with may inquiry, Thank You and Have a Nice Day

    Like

    1. i am not a consul officer; please direct your official queries to the the embassy at: http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/visiting/index.htm

      Like

  7. angel's avatar angel says:

    my ate is a Japanese spouse and she already have her permanent visa or citizenship in japan, it is possible for her to take me and my husband to visit her? while my husband is on a vacation to his job in dubai. is there any chances for us to grant a visa??

    Like

    1. @angel i don’t have the final say in granting visas but as long as your sister submits all the documents needed as your guarantor, the consul’s office may consider your application.

      Like

  8. Mitch's avatar Mitch says:

    I just want to ask something about the show money. What if I have a friend who can make an official declaration that he can cover all my expenses and stay there? Should the show money still be necessary if I don’t have any bank certificates? What could my friend do to help me? Thank u so much.

    Like

    1. @mitch if your friend is covering all your expenses he should make a guarantee letter and accomplish all other forms required. please see the second entry on this post for details.

      Like

  9. Molly's avatar Molly says:

    Hey Rotch, just wanted to thank you so much for the tips on getting a visa. I’ll be visiting my sister on the 28th!!

    Thank youuuu again! =D

    Like

  10. Sad's avatar Sad says:

    Ooh Man,, Tourist Visa got denied today, i feel so so bad… i consulted the immigrant officers, people who already went to japan and travel agency agents..to give more informations..i completed all the requirements..plus additional supporting documents to prove that i will return back in the Philippines..i mean, why my visa is denied? i just want to visit my girlfriend and his family, i have 2 guarantor’s..i i mean what the f*ck went wrong?i even got a letter from my school and signed by the dean..what wrong with Japan, How can we appreciate there Country and There Countrymen if they are so unreasonable and stubborn..what if there love ones’ is in the Philippines, and the Consul here won’t Let Japanese Nationals to Visit them…

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    1. sorry but acceptance is on a case-to-case basis, and just because others were able to secure visas via this method it does not mean that everybody else will. the consul’s office must’ve found something remiss with your application, but they will never state the exact reason so you will never know for sure. those are the rules they have imposed on all applicants, and we must abide by those whether we like it or not.

      Like

  11. @molly congratulations and have a great holiday!

    Like

  12. Mari's avatar Mari says:

    Hi! Very informative posts. But I have a few questions. I’ve been to Japan before but my visa was a working visa. Now, I wanted to visit Japan using a tourist visa. What do you think are my chances of getting a tourist visa? Also, I’m not employed but owned a small business. I’m wondering if the business permit can be a substitute document for the ITR since I have only started my business less than a year. Would that be a negative or positive points on my application? Hoping to hear your reply soon. Thanks!

    Like

  13. ana's avatar ana says:

    thank you so much for the info, i will be applying for the tin number this year. i have completed all the other requirements. i hope i can get the visa…:)

    Like

  14. ana's avatar ana says:

    btw sis, i have travelled taiwan as tourist and since its a visa-requiring country, will it help in my application?tnx

    Like

  15. @mari your used work visa will give you a leg up, but i suggest you comply with the recommended “show money” amount to allay misgivings with the consul office that you might attempt to seek employment in japan using a tourist visa. good luck!

    @ana yes, any and all stamps on your passport will help your application. good luck!

    Like

  16. celine's avatar celine says:

    hello…i have a friend and she wants to go in japan kasi nasa japan din ang boyfriend niya na may dugong hapon may anak sila pero hindi pa sila kasal at gusto nia mkapunta ng japan kahit ilang months lang at gusto niya mg applyng tourist visa pwede ba yon kahit wala siya income tax return.please help ma i want to help my friend.Thanks hope you can help me

    Like

    1. hello. i have a friend and she wants to go to japan kasi nasa japan din ang boyfriend niya (na may dugong hapon). may anak sila pero hindi pa sila kasal at gusto niya makapunta ng japan, kahit ilang months lang. gusto niya mag apply ng tourist visa — pwede ba yon kahit wala siya income tax return? please help ma i want to help my friend. thanks, hope you can help me.

      una sa lahat, fifteen days lang ang tourist visa. pangalawa, kasi hindi sila kasal ng boyfriend niya regardless of the fact that they have a child together, hindi siya pwedeng hingan ng spousal visa so regular tourist visa lang ang pwede sa kanya.

      third, to apply for a tourist visa if you are not being issued a guarantee letter (ibig sabihin hindi sasaluhin ng boyfriend niya sa japan ang lahat ng gastusin niya), the ITR is required.

      lastly please learn to use proper punctuation and spell your words out correctly — honestly nahilo ako sa tanong mo :/

      Like

  17. celine's avatar celine says:

    thanks….pasensiya na kng nahilo kita sa mga tanong ko ngmamadali kasi ako that time pasensiya na talaga.

    Like

  18. no problem — good luck with the visa!

    Like

  19. chacha2003's avatar chacha2003 says:

    hi! just want to ask things. gusto ko sanang mag apply for a tourist visa. wala akong guarantor. sarili ko lang ang mag shoulder ng lahat ng expenses. i can provide bank cert, itr and others kasi i own a business. i won’t stay there for long kasi nga may negosyo ako and nag iisa dito ung anak ko kasi my husband is in london. paano ko i-provide yung proof of return and tingin mo ba may chance akong mabigyan ng visa? thanks a lot!

    Like

    1. it looks like you have all your documents in order so i’m sure you won’t have trouble with your application. good luck!

      Like

  20. chacha2003's avatar chacha2003 says:

    thanks for your reply. but i have my follow-up question. about po sa proof of return. can you give me any idea kng panu ko gawin yun ayun sa naexplain ko na saung situation. thanks

    Like

  21. the most basic proof of return you can supply is your round trip airline ticket. you can also supply photocopies of your business permits, land titles, and other legal documents that tie you to the philippines.

    Like

  22. chacha2003's avatar chacha2003 says:

    thank you so much po. more power!!!!!

    Like

  23. Unknown's avatar sam says:

    hi can you help me, iam a wife of a japanese national but a after a month , he abandoned me, no calls ,no letters.. im worried. How will I know if he still alive? And do i have the right to sue him? because of abandonment?

    Like

  24. baguio residents, take advantage of this special promo by UHI to secure your visa applications this friday!

    Like

  25. ayumi's avatar ayumi says:

    hello poh may tita po akong nasa japan kinukuha mag tourist sa japan kasi po mangangank sya tanong ko po san kung makkpasa po ba ako sa interview kasi po wala po akong bank account wala rin po akong tin # ang pinanghahawakan kulang yung letter of invitation mula sa tita koh..ano po bang dapat kong gawin para mapprove po ang visa koh?

    Like

    1. hi, can you help me? i am a wife of a japanese national but after a month, he abandoned me. no calls, no letters — i’m worried. how will i know if he is still alive? and do i have the right to sue him because of abandonment?

      @sam sorry but if you read my blog entry thoroughly then you would have realized that i am simply giving out visa tips, and that i am not the right person to ask for help with your personal problems. i am not a family court lawyer who can help you with your separation problems, nor am i a private investigator who can track down your husband for you. and even if i was, i am not obliged to help you because i am not getting paid to sort out your family problems for you.

      please refrain from spamming my e-mail inbox as well as my blog’s comment box with your repeated attempts at contacting me. i am sorry if you think this is unfair but i will have to be very firm with you, as your actions are already bordering on harassment.


      hello po — may tita po akong nasa japan, kinukuha ako mag tourist sa japan kasi po manganganak sya. tanong ko po sana kung makakpasa po ba ako sa interview kasi po wala po akong bank account wala rin po akong tin no. ang pinanghahawakan ko lang yung letter of invitation mula sa tita ko. ano po bang dapat kong gawin para ma-approve po ang visa ko?

      @ayumi first of all there is no interview since the applications are all document-based. second of all, since you do not have a bank certificate for PhP 100K nor an ITR, your aunt must supply you with not just an invitation letter but a letter of guarantee as well. having said that though, i am highly sceptical of your chances because the two documents missing from you are the most important for your application.

      lastly, please refrain from using TXTSPK or FRIENDSTER POH when commenting on my blog — it’s very distracting and i honestly cannot take your questions seriously when you talk like that. i wish you the best of luck!

      Like

  26. Mark Jose's avatar Mark Jose says:

    Hello magnetic-rose,

    I just would want to ask if a bank certificate from my parents plus an affidavit of support would suffice if I do not have any bank certificate?

    And regarding to the plane ticket, do I need to have them already when I apply a visa? I mean, what if (and I pray not) my visa application would be denied and I already had a plane ticket?

    My cousin’s aunt-in-law is the one inviting me to stay in Japan. First off, she’s Filipina married to a Japanese. My cousin has invited me to join her and her husband to visit her aunt-in-law, and seeing this as an amazing opportunity, I agreed. I know this might be of common sense but I am not sure: what is her aunt-in-law and mine’s relationship then?

    And lastly, I am still a student. I study in UPLB, and I’m supposed to go to Japan after the classes ended (on the end of March). I am returning of course, but I will resume studying until this June. Will a certificate that I am a student in my university suffice, even if I am not enrolled for, in this case, summer classes?

    I’m so sorry for this long post. Thank you for your answers in advance. 😀

    Like

    1. hi there!

      1) yes, those two documents can take the place of a certificate of deposit made out in your name.

      2) i’ve never attempted applying for a visa without a round-trip ticket at hand, but i suppose if your other documents can make up for it then it should be no problem.

      3) you are your cousin’s husband’s aunt’s nephew-in-law, twice-removed. if you think this is a bit of a stretch, “family friend” also works for most applications, especially if you have solid proof like handwritten letters and postcards or photographs of the two of you together.

      4) yes, your certificate of enrollment is still valid. to support your claim, you can include a copy of your academic calendar to show that march-june are summer vacation months in the philippines (in japan, we had it around june-september).

      good luck with your application!

      Like

  27. Stephanie's avatar Stephanie says:

    Hello there,

    I have a few questions I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. You see, I will be getting a Certificate of Eligibility from a company in Japan and i’ll be starting to work there in March. I think having the CoE would make my Visa application much more easier, right?

    But my problem is that I want my Fiance to come along with me. He has never travelled abroad, and i’m pretty scared that his visa application might get rejected. If that happens, i don’t think i wanna push through with the job offer given to me there. (Although that would be a big sacrifice, since it’s a very big opportunity). So we really want it to work out (visa). 

    Is there any way he can get a 3-month, or even just a 1-month visa? My cousin, who is also my Fiance’s friend, can be his guarantor. My contract with the company is 1 year, and i don’t think i can live with a long-distance relationship. As much as possible, i hope that he could stay there with me for the first few months to help me get settled. 

    Or… Do you think that when I go there first, I could invite him over for 3 months? (or is it just really not possible to get a 3-month visa?)

    Please help me think of ways on how he can come with me there. Hoping to hear from you soon. Thank you!

    Like

    1. hi. i’m afraid that i’ve repeatedly stated in earlier posts that the 90-day visa is only issued under very special circumstances — for example, for cultural exchange ambassadors, high-ranking political figures, and academics on research grants. even if you flew ahead of him to japan and invited him to join you later, or if your cousin acted as a guarantor for him, your fiance can only avail of the standard 15-day tourist visa (which is problematic at best given his blank passport and lack of travel history). best of luck with your application.

      Like

  28. lucy-tony's avatar lucy-tony says:

    hi,im from philippine may gusto lang po ako malaman,may boyfriend po ako sa japan.brazilian po sya half japanese.resedence na po sya sa japan..nakapunta na din po ako before ng japan,over stay po at illegal entry..npenalty po aq five years..ngayon pu nakaka-isang taon npo ako dito sa pinas,at nag-pplano na po kaming mag-pakasal,at gusto na po nya akong kunin dito sa pilipinas..anong proseso po kaya ang pwede naming gawin para makakuha ako ng visa para makapunta ulit ng japan..pls help me

    Like

    1. hello, i’m from the philippines. may gusto lang po ako malaman kung may chance pa ako makabalik ng japan. i’ve been there before. pero po over stay at illegal entry. may bf po ako half japanese(brazilian) doon na po sya naninirahan sa japan, resident na po sya roon. may chance kaya na matulungan ako ng bf ko makabalik ng japan? nag-paplano na din po kaming mag-pakasal. pwede nyo po ba akong tulungan para makakuha ng visa sa japan sa tulong na rin ng aking boyfriend. sana po matulungan nyo ako. please help me.

      the five-year ban stays and you cannot enter the country even if your fiance marries you and applies for a visa on your behalf. as far as i know you are now on a visa blacklist and may not be given another japan visa even after your five years are up.

      those are the consequences of your previous actions; you should never have entered the country under false pretenses, overstayed your tourist visa, and then gotten deported in the first place.

      and let me say that i think it’s illegals like you who are the reason the rest of us are having a tough time getting a japan visa in the first place — so no, i’m afraid i will most respectfully decline assisting you with your application.

      Like

  29. shaun24's avatar shaun24 says:

    hi.gusto ko lng itanong kung madali bang magapply ng visa papuntang japan kung ngwo2rk sa ibang bansa.kasi ngwo2rk ako d2 sa dubai,at mayron akong gf na pinay sa japan,kinausap nya ung friend nyang hapon para mainvite ako papunta doon,nasakin na ung invitation letter at letter of guarantee na nakasulat sa wikang hapon,kailangan ko pa rin bang humingi sa kanya ng income tax return na binabayaran nung hapon as a proof,at ano po ba ang mga requirements na dapat kong ipasa. malaki ba ang tyansa kong makakuha ng visa?Sana matulungan mo ko.

    thanks..

    Like

    1. hi. gusto ko lng itanong kung madali bang magapply ng visa papuntang japan kung nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa. kasi nagtratrabaho ako dito sa dubai, at mayron akong gf na pinay sa japan. kinausap nya yung friend nyang hapon para ma-invite ako papunta doon, nasakin na yung invitation letter at letter of guarantee na nakasulat sa wikang hapon. kailangan ko pa rin bang humingi sa kanya ng income tax return na binabayaran nung hapon as a proof, at ano po ba ang mga requirements na dapat kong ipasa. malaki ba ang tyansa kong makakuha ng visa? sana matulungan mo ko. thanks.

      since you have a letter of guarantee, then yes — your japanese contact has to furnish the rest of the requirements listed here. also, approval of applications lies squarely with the consul’s office, so i have no say on how good or bad your chances will be.

      Like

  30. Friend's avatar Friend says:

    Hi,

    My friend wants to study in Japan. How can he enroll there/how can he get a student visa?

    -Is it legal to enroll in a Japanese school with a tourist visa? (He plans to enroll in a school in Japan during his 15days of stay there on a tourist visa)

    -What will happen if he enrolls there on a tourist visa? Will the visa be converted to Student visa or does he need to come back to the Philippines first and go back again to Japan?

    -Is there a way he can get a student visa before going to Japan?

    -If he gets a tourist visa (15 days), what other ways can he get a student visa in Japan?

    – He plans to either study Masters program (Economics), or enroll in a Japanese language school.

    THANK YOU!

    Like

    1. hi! as far as i know your friend cannot enroll with just a tourist visa while in japan — the school will decline him outright.

      he can, however contact the school and initiate enrollment from here in the philippines via the internet. once he has been accepted, he can ask them to assist him with his student visa by sending an application for a certificate of eligibility to the japanese ministry of education on his behalf.

      once all documents have been issued they need to be couriered to him. both his admission forms and his certificate of eligibility from the japanese ministry of education must be on hand before he can apply for a student visa at the embassy of japan in manila.

      he does not need to go through a travel agent unlike the tourists, since the consul’s office will honor his certificate of eligibility. the visa approval rate for holders of certificates of eligibility from the ministry of education is 100% so he really needs to have one of those if he hopes to study in japan for extended periods 🙂

      Like

  31. mjting's avatar mjting says:

    konnichiwa!

    I’m submitting my requirements to Rajah today at 8 am. i have the following.

    bank cert stating 123k in amount

    form 1700

    form 2316
    application form

    passport birth certificate

    photocopy of two way airline ticket

    employment certificate
    itinerary

    do i REALLY need the hotel booking confirmation? rajah told me i dont need to anymore-and i also want to ask, since i;m shouldering my expenses, should i still bother with the guarantor/reference person in the application form? also, do you think these are good enough? my only disadvantage is that this is my first ever attempt to go abroad…domo arigatou gozaimasu.

    Like

    1. hi! it looks like your documents are in order so there is no real need to supply a hotel voucher or reservation. if pressed, you can simply name any hotel offhand to satisfy any questions. and no, it is not necessary to supply a guarantee letter since you are covering your own costs; the letter is only for applicants who have all or part of their expenses covered by their japanese contact. however i do express a small amount of concern with the fact that this will be your first trip abroad. the history of travel does carry a certain weight with the visa screening committee. anyway, i wish you the best of luck.

      Like

  32. mjting's avatar mjting says:

    yeah that’s my problem….but i cant really do anything abt it anymore now can i?

    Like

  33. Roel's avatar Roel says:

    hello po. ask ko lang regarding “show money”. meron akong bank account (2yrs na) pero madalas laging ZERO balanced kaka-withdraw. dahil sa ang recommended show money ay at least php100,000 pwede ba akong mangutang sa kakilala para mgkaron ng ganung halaga ang bank account ko. at pagka deposit ko ng hiniram kong 100k eh mag-pagawa ako agad ng bank certificate sa banko (mga 2 days lang ata yung process nun) at pagka-kuha ko ng bank certificate, iwi-withdraw ko na yung 100k ng kaibigan ko at isosoli ko na din agad sa kanya.

    pwede po ba yun, para magkaron ng bank certificate na matino ang deposit amount. o masyadong mahigpit ang embassy at baka pagka-submit ng application ko eh, tatawagan nila ang bank ko para i-check kung anu talaga status ng depositing habit ko, at kung anu ang average deposit ko monthly for one whole year o simula ng i-open ko ung account ko na yon.

    Like

    1. yes, that balance has to be maintained while the application is being reviewed. and it does not matter how long you’ve had your account , it is how much that’s still in it that counts.

      Like

  34. mjting's avatar mjting says:

    hello again! just something to ask, about the hotel details, it doenst need to be THAT detailed right? and for the itinerary?

    Like

  35. at the very least you should have the exact street address of the hotel you intend to stay at, even if you end up going to a different one once you’re there.

    Like

  36. mjting's avatar mjting says:

    ah yeah! got the exact one. hehe! hope it goes well though. applied with rajah last sat. why are they better?

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  37. who — rajah and UHI? i just find their service more efficient and convenient since i live and work in the makati area.

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  38. mjting's avatar mjting says:

    rose-san!

    Weird things happened lately. Yesterday while I was at work, someone random just called my house and was asking for me. After my brother told me about it through ym, I got a call in the office for someone looking for me as well. when I got to talk to the person, the moment she confirmed my name, she hung up. Coincidentally, my friend who applied for a jap visa with me at the same time got calls just now with the same pattern. Could this possibly be the embassy confirming our info? If yes, what a weird (and rude) way of doing it. I don’t really mind though.

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  39. i have no idea what’s up with that — i’ve personally never been on the receiving end of such “confirmation calls” so i have no idea if that was from the consul or your travel agent.

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  40. mjting's avatar mjting says:

    Hello!

    Visa application successful! Thank you very much rose-san!

    Like

  41. sherah's avatar sherah says:

    Good Day,

    I applied tourist visa last January 29,2010. The husband of my sister in law is my guarantor.February 2, the agency call me to pass some documents, The NSO Birth of my Husband and my sister in law to prove that they are real Children.Feb 10, The agency call me and inform that my visa was denied.
    My question,: What do you think is one of the reason that I’m Denied.The Documents I submit are the following:(INVITATION LETTER/GUARANTEE LETTER/OUR PHOTOS/AND THE NSO BIRTH OF MY HUSBAND AND SISTER IN LAW AND THEIR KOSEKITOHON)

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  42. @mjting congratulations and have a great holiday!

    @sherah sorry but i am not privy to the selection process so i have no idea why the consul chose to deny your application.

    Like

  43. Guarantor's avatar Guarantor says:

    Hi,

    I’m applying for a tourist visa. I saw in your previous post that “proof of return” is needed, therefore a return ticket is necessary. What if I already bought the roundtrip ticket but my Visa doesn’t get approved? 😦

    And also, my father is going to be the one paying for all of my expenses, and I also have an inviting person in Japan who is my friend. Do I still need to submit the Guarantor’s letter? What are the only things that I should ask my friend (inviting person) in Japan to send me, and what are the only things that my father needs to prepare?

    Thank you!

    Like

    1. i’m afraid you will just have to ask a refund on your airline ticket. as for your japanese contact, since you (or rather, your father) will be covering all your expenses, all he is required to issue is a letter of invitation, but the letter of guarantee and all the other documents like income tax returns are optional. i do however still suggest that he sends them, in order to better your chances at getting approved.

      Like

  44. Hoping's avatar Hoping says:

    Hello… Is it true na mas complicated at mas strict for an OFW or mga naging OFW ang pag-apply ng Japanese tourist visa? Dahil sa may experience na sila at sanay na sila mag-trabaho outside the philippines, so baka ma-mislead ang consul na baka once makapunta cla ng japan using tourist visa eh mag overstay cla at maghanap ng trabaho dun?
    Kaya it is strongly recomended for an OFW to show the japanese embassy proper documents, especially your bank certificate containing large amount of cash na savings mo for a long time at hindi palaging nawi-withdraw (does bank statement of at least 6mos will be a big help din po ba) at prove the japanese embassy that you no longer needed to go abroad to work, but you are already capable to go as “tourist”.

    Like

    1. hi — sorry but i have no experience as an OFW so i have no idea if the application process is more difficult. please consult with a proper travel agent for your queries. thanks!

      Like

  45. sutashi's avatar sutashi says:

    so need pala ng round trip ticket?
    pwede ba ko kumuha ng visa pero hindi pa ko aalis?

    Like

    1. yes, you need a return trip ticket for your application. when granted, the visa is only valid for ninety days — after which it becomes expired and you need to apply for a new one.

      Like

  46. ANNA's avatar ANNA says:

    hi po and a blessed day! ill go directly na po sa mga tanong ko. Currently my husband is in yokohama japan, hes employed under japanese company here in manila for 11 yrs at ang mother company nga po nila eh in yokohama, pinadala po sya der for engineering dun sa project nila na gagawin dito sa phils. At gusto nga po nmin itake yng opportunities na mkapunta din ako jan. nung nag inquire po kmi sa travel agency maganda po yng rate na nbigay samin, so wat we did eh ginarab n nga po nmin yng rate. kso po yng napareserve po nmin eh May 1 po ang alis dto sa mla at ang balik po ay May 31, ksi nga rin po May 31 din po ang balik ng asawako dito sa mla. so para po sabay na kmi pabalik. at nbasa ko nga po na ang standard tourist visa nga lang po ay for 15 days, pano po kaya yun, malabo po bang ma approve yng visa ko for 1 month? at kailangan din po ba naming idetalyado ang itenerary namin everyday? i hope you can find time to answer this…God bless po

    Like

    1. hi po and a blessed day! ill go directly na po sa mga tanong ko. Currently my husband is in yokohama japan, he’s employed under japanese company here in manila for 11 years at ang mother company nga po nila eh in yokohama, pinadala po sya there for engineering dun sa project nila na gagawin dito sa phils. At gusto nga po namin itake yung opportunities na makapunta din ako jan.

      nung nag inquire po kami sa travel agency maganda po yng rate na nabigay samin, so what we did eh ginarab na nga po namin yung rate. kaso po yung napareserve po namin eh May 1 po ang alis dito sa manila at ang balik po ay May 31, kasi nga rin po May 31 din po ang balik ng asawa ko dito sa manila. so para po sabay na kami pabalik.

      at nabasa ko nga po na ang standard tourist visa nga lang po ay for 15 days, pano po kaya yun, malabo po bang ma approve yung visa ko for 1 month? at kailangan din po ba naming idetalyado ang itenerary namin everyday? i hope you can find time to answer this…God bless po

      hi. i’m afraid that i’ve repeatedly stated earlier (over four times now, including this reply) that the 90-day visa is only issued under very special circumstances — for example, for cultural exchange ambassadors, high-ranking political figures, and academics on research grants.

      regular tourists can only avail of the standard 15-day visa, regardless of their circumstances. sorry but that’s just the way it is. if you like you can ask your travel agent to make arrangements for you, but i doubt it will be succesful.

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  47. ANNA's avatar ANNA says:

    ok po iniisip lng po ksi namin mag asawa na baka bgyan ng consideration yng 1month, so dapat ko na po bang ipa-rebook yng booking ko? na instead na May 31 pa ang return ko eh May 15 na…pra po malinaw tlaga sa embassy. thanks for the immediate response.

    Like

  48. i’m sorry i have no other info that can help you. good luck with your application!

    Like

  49. haide's avatar haide says:

    hi..ask ko lang po nagtourist aq sa japan my sister invited me once..kaya lang i got overstay just for only 1day..mahirapan pa kaya ko bumalik sa japan? yoroshiku..

    Like

    1. i can’t say for sure, but i believe that all persons who entered the country illegally and/or overstayed their visas are put on a visa blacklist that prevents them from receiving another visa in the near future.

      Like

  50. haide's avatar haide says:

    may boyfriend po ako sa japan and he want me 2 marry him pero hindi po sya nihonjin..his mom married a japanese man..amf…step father nya japanese… kaya po nya q bigyan ng visa pag nagpakasal po kami?pro philippine passport yun boyfriend ko..

    Like

    1. may boyfriend po ako sa japan and he wants me to marry him pero hindi po sya nihonjin. his mom married a japanese man, step father nya japanese. kaya po nya ako bigyan ng visa pag nagpakasal po kami? pero philippine passport yun boyfriend ko.

      it does not matter of your fiance wants to marry you and issue you a letter of invitation (your boyfriend cannot issue you a visa, only the japanese embassy can) — as i said earlier you are on a visa blacklist because of your previous case of overstaying so any application made by you will be automatically denied. please do not insist on getting your way because the consuls office can and will reject your claims.

      also, since this is your second time commenting, i would appreciate it if you read and followed my rules. no SMS shortcuts please — you are not on your cellphone. you have a full-sized keyboard in front of you so use it. thanks.

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