We’ve all heard the horror stories about getting a Japan Visa: some applications have taken six months or more, other applications have been lodged multiple times to no avail, and even some applications attached to a large stack of supporting documents but still no Visa.
Every Visa denial means a six-month wait before another application can be sent. All of this can get very frustrating and disheartening, especially for people who have been looking forward to their trips very much.
So, how did I end up applying for, and getting a Japan visa, in just three days? Here is what I did:
Application
The first step was visiting the Visa section of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines website. I downloaded and printed out the form (PDF and DOC files are both available), as well as the checklist of the required documents. The printed application form must be filled out in block letters with black ink. You can also opt to just type in your details in the downloaded form, and then print it out in one go.
Documentation
Checklist in hand, I tried to put together as many required documents as possible. I had bank certificates made, photocopied my latest Income Tax Return since I had to submit the originals, and had our company HR team make out a Certificate of Employment. I went to a professional photo studio to have pictures taken — very important since even a small error in the photo size can delay the approval of your application.
I also hunted down my old passports and very carefully stapled them to my newest one — I wanted the Japanese Consul’s office to see that I held several used Japan Visas as well as plenty of stamps from other ASEAN countries (used US, Australia, and Schengen Visas may also help). I also checked to make sure that my passport was valid for at least another six or seven months.
Submission
I went to my preferred travel agent (the Embassy has a list of accredited agencies here) early on a Monday morning to submit all my requirements; the Embassy does not accept walk-in applicants. Try to file your application on a Monday or a Tuesday, so that it gets processed by Wednesday — which is the day the Japanese Consul office stays closed, just to process and approve/deny Visa applications.
After a quick inspection of all the papers I submitted, the travel agent asked me to pay the processing fee, and then sent me on my way. Everything took less than thirty minutes, from start to finish. Early Thursday morning, I got a call from the travel agent saying that my passport — with my approved Visa attached, was ready for pick-up at their office.
The entire process took a mere three business days from application to approval — easy, right?
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 
Have to note that it really turns out well in your favor if you have made previous trips to Japan, like you have Mami Rotch. First timers won’t probably have it so easy…
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uhmmm….
ask ko lang po kasi im planning to apply a visa, but im confuse po if what kind of visa should i put. my guarantor is my japanese boyfriend, ok lang po ba kung ” tourist / visit friend (boyfriend) or (fiance) ??ano po ang mas maganda??
ano po ang mga need??? at ganu katagal pwede mag stay sa japan??
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hi, my friend and i would meet halfway in japan. I got no previous travels/visa’s abroad. how can i get a tourist visa fast?
any agency that you can recommend?
btw, my friend is not a japanese.
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My top three most trusted agencies (in no particular order) are Universal Holidays, Rajah Tours, and Attic Tours.
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hi ,ma,am my friend want to go to japan he has a lot of travel experience as seaman and holding different visa like u.s and aust..chinese and had travel also japan but not as any business basis like tourist or working in japan but as a seaman cause the vessel where he is working was their for cargo operation, He also told me that his visas are not for working their just an entry visa because his a seaman like joining purposes only were the ships is located during his joining date.He told me that he has an ITR and a savings on his account for the show money and can easily have a certificates of employment from his employer.Ma,am his for purpose of traveling japan is not to tour but to study .We want to ask help from you for some information on how he can get a student visa and is he possible to have it for he has travel experience and have a visas.He has a friend their married to a japanese and told him that he can stay on him while he is studying and can give him a sideline job during his weekends for his additional allowance ma,am it is possible for him to work while studying. thank you and god bless you always.
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that may be true~ however, i wrote the post to dispel the perception that it is impossible to get a japan visa in less than a month — let alone three working days.
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HI CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE I WANT TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF PAPERS I NEED TO PREPARE IF I APPLY A TOURIST VISA GOING TO JAPAN TO SEE MY FIANCEE THANKS
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yeah i got one too, as long as you have all the required documents. i dont have US, Australia, and Schengen Visas but i have Korea visa, which i think also helped.
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see — it’s easy, right? i think other people just have a hard time because their intentions are not exactly pure; many of them have no plans of coming back to manila once they get to japan
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ms magnetic rose…im 19 years old na po, and this year po nagbabalak po ang sister ko na kunin ako as a visitor and para narin alagaan ang mga pamangkin ko para po makapag work na siya..meron na po siyang 2 anak sa hapon.Tanung ko lang po,
1) anu po kaya ang magandang idahilan para ma approved ang aking visa?
2)mas may chance po ba if ang gagawin kong guarantor is my brother-in law?
3)magkakaroon po ba ng epekto sa pag approve ng visa ko yung age ko?
salamat po…
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1) anu po kaya ang magandang idahilan para ma approved ang aking visa?
honesty is the best policy.
2)mas may chance po ba if ang gagawin kong guarantor is my brother-in law?
as long as your guarantor is able to provide all the necessary documentation, the relationship is not a deciding factor.
3)magkakaroon po ba ng epekto sa pag approve ng visa ko yung age ko?
as far as i know, age is not a factor; even babies can get visas as long as their paperwork is all in order.
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How much is the processing fee and the cost of obtaining the visa?
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the processing fees depend on which travel agent you use.
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Hi, im planning visit my mom on Sept for 2 weeks. I purchased my ticket already. Im paying for all my expenses. I can easily furnish all requirements that should be coming from my end,then my mom will send me her certificate of residence with INKAN, IDs in Japan.
So my concern is the letter of invitation, letter of guarantee, and inteneray. Can somebody show me a sample of these documents(not a template)? Also, am i still required to submit a letter of guarantee? Thanks!
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samples of the letter of invitation, letter of guarantee, and itinerary are available from the embassy website.
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good day po…just wanna have some info bout may situation…isa rin po aq sa nag aasam na makabalik sa japan.this is may case..my father is us navy(retired na yta) and i havent met him my entire life.this past yrs nalaman ko nasa japan xa nagsstay..ask ko lng sana kung may rights ba ang isang US NAVY na kunin ang anak nya or pwede ba nya ako mabgyan ng visa para makapunta sa japan.im 30 yrs old right now.married. yun lng po i appreciate any advise that yo can give.thanks.
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obtaining a japan visa for relatives of US personnel based in japan undergo a different process; please see the SOFA application process at the embassy website.
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ilang percentage po kaya ng nag aapply ng visiting relative visa ang naaaproved….some ideas??..hopeful!!!
tnx..
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it’s hard to say — really; i don’t have the numbers to come up with a figure, so your guess is as good as mine 😦
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Hi,
I have a long distance japanese bf for 4 years na, im just wondering kung ano ang dapat kong i reason ng pag aapply ng japan visa, kasi sya ang guarantor ko. Should I apply for a Fiance visa? which i know that after u will be granted one you have to make sure you will get married there within 3 months or just a visit visa and declare that he is my guarantor? As of now kasi di pa fix ang plan namin to get married so nag dadalawang isip ako what kind of visa will i apply for..need help..please..Thanks!
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sorry but even if you wanted to get one, there is no “fiance visa” for japan 😦
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Thanks for the info..I hope to get one soon..
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hi mam gud am po.. ask ko lang po kung ok lang na gamitin kong status ay single kahit na married ako.. sa passport ko po kasi single ang gamit ko.. kasi po matagal na po kaming hiwalay ng mister ko..
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hi mam, para mas maliwanagn po kayo sa tanong ko.. iniinvite po kasi ako ng ate ko at asawa nyang hapon sa japan, nandun na po ang mommy ko.. bale pag-uwi po ng mommy ko gusto nmn po nya ako ang kuhanin.. ang tanong ko lang po kasi ang gamit ko po sa passport ay single, d ko po ginamit yung apelyido ng asawa ko. kasi po matagal na kaming hiwalay. ok lang po ba na gamitin ko po ay single sa pagapply ng visa?
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hi rowena. you will have to talk to an expert travel agent or family court lawyer since i do not have the expertise to answer your question. sorry.
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ask ko lang po kugn maliit po b ang chance n ma approvahan ang visa kahit po kakagaling lang po sa japan last march this year as a student for 2years.. and now ng apply po ako ng tourist visa ngpasa po ako ng mga doc. like itr,bank cert ,coe,leave of absences ,confirmed flight and hotel accomodation and daily sched.. during my stay s japan ng tour din po ako s korea for 3 days and nugn papauwi n po ako ng transit po ako sa malaysia 1 day adn ask ko rin po kung makkaapekto s application ko ung certificate of employment kc po during may stay s japan ng work po rin ako s phil company pero laht po online transaction at di rin po gnun ka lakihan ng salary ko wla p 8k ang monthly and ung bank ko 200k plus lang ang laman ..naipon ko pa po un ng nsa japan ako kc ngpart -time work din po ako dun .. sa tingn nyo po b gaano po kaliit ang chance ko maaprovhan.. nung wed po ako ngpass ng doc. till now wla pa po twag s agency.. little bit nevous here..pls reply thnx..
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ms. rose pls . reply nman po s inquiries ko.. plus if ever b mgrant ung visa ko as tourist eh my chance p b ako mquestion s airport ng immigration officer? ano ano b mga question nila?pls reply nman po… tnx
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hi po ask ko lang po kasi po kasal na po ako sa japon this year’ pero single po nakalagay sa passport ko kumuha po kasi ako ng passport lastyear,dumating na po certification of elgibility ko then now po balak ko na magapply ng spouse visa puede po kaya khit single prin nkalagay sa passport ko?at hindi apelyedo ng asawako nkalagay sa pssport ko..tanong ko lng po kung acepted po yun sa immegration..tnx po sana my magreply sa message ko ..
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sorry, no idea on how to apply for a spousal visa as i am not married to a japanese national 😦
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Hi!
Plan q kc visit yung cousin q for 1 week this 2011, since kkpanganak lng nya. ALso, i have a US fiance visa in my passport and i will be leaving for US on January. Will my fiance visa help my japanese visa approved?
your reply will be highly appreciated.
Thank you! =)
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Plan q kc visit yung cousin q for 1 week this 2011, since kkpanganak lng nya.
Sorry, what? I did not understand a word you just said 😐 Please mind the rules, and I quote: “Kindly refrain from using “txtspk” and “sTiCkY cApS” in your comments.”. Thanks.
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Hi ms. Rose! Just want to ask, kelangan pa ba ng bank certificate ng stepdad ko or okay na yung papers nya stating na nagbabayad sya ng tax? I’ve been to japan several times. May last time was 2years ago, pero single pa ako. Ngayon, married name ko na ang nasa passport ko and my son will be joining me to visit my mom and stepdad. I really hope, magrant din ulit ang visa ko this time.
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if your stepfather is acting as your guarantor, the certificate of deposit from his bank is required.
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thanks ms. rose. i got the papers na from japan. will apply on monday. wala syang bank certificate na sinama, income certificate lang. i hope, magrant pa rin kahit walang bank certificate. i asked the agent din kasi, sabi naman either bank cert or income cert. anyways, thanks so much sis! 🙂
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hi ms. rose
ask ko lang po kasi im planning to apply a visa, but im confuse po if what kind of visa should i put. my guarantor is my japanese boyfriend, ok lang po ba kung ” tourist / visit friend (boyfriend) and ilagay ko?
then ung mga form po na nafill-up nya, he just typr it in word then he print, ang handwritten lang po is ung signature nya, okay lang po ba un?
thank you.
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hi jocelyn. a tourist visa is fine, and everything can be typed in on the application form with just the signature done by hand. good luck!
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hi Ms. Rose,
thank u very much Ms. Rose, i hope i can get a visa, one more thing that im worried is i dont have account in bank,i can only submit a coe w/ yearly compensation attached, because our hr cant provide me itr. kasi wala pa daw akong 1 year sa work. any advice? thank you very much
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sorry i have no other advice for you — the ITR is a requirement and no substitutions are allowed 😦
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thank you Ms. Rose for your kind answer
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i Ms. Rose,
I have read your posts and they are all enlightening. We applied, as a family for a visa years ago and we were all denied. Looking back, the reasons for denial maybe, during that time, my bank account was not sufficient to cover our stay, though, I remember, in the interview, I mentioned that my sis in law will shoulder all our expenses during the visit. Secondly, we were never been abroad and last but not the least, my sis in law is a widow of a Japanese National ( a goverment employee during his time) and depends solely on the government. Now, we are planning to try our luck again, this time around, not to be denied twice, armed with requirements. Just to be sure, would like to know more from you. My husband is due for his annual leave (works in Middle East) on December and would like us to visit his sister in Japan for a week. I work for a big company here in Manila for 17 years already. We plan to bring our kids to visit their cousins, too. We’ve been on family trip to Hongkong twice and in Macau. Previously, I was a UAE resident visa holder and have been to Dubai several times already. Requirements, on our side are already complete (bank account with fair balance). What about on my sis in law’s part. She is unemployed, depends on the goverment, but has a sizeable amount of money in bank left by her husband. What does she needs to provide for us to get visa this time? Another thing is, do I need to provide a copy of the return ticket of my husband to Middle East, to assure the Embassy of his return to his work? Do I need to secure my kids school records as additional requirements? What are our chances in obtaning visa? Thank you so much and more power.
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hi donna! i’ve broken down your question into sections:
– your sister in law can send you a letter of invitation and a certificate of deposit from her bank as a proof of income. they have to be the actual documents, sent via courier — email scans are not acceptable.
– yes, a return trip airline ticket from the middle east for your husband will help — it is proof that he will leave the country when his holiday is done.
– a certificate of enrollment for the kids is recommended — again, it is proof that they will be returning to the philippines when their holiday is over.
– your guess is as good as mine when it comes to getting approved or denied — however from personal experience, as long as your finances and your documents are in order you will have no trouble getting a visa.
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Thank you so much for your prompt and enlightening reply. One more thing please, do we need to add more immigration stamps to our passports for better chance in aquiring visa. God bless, Ms. Rose.
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yes, immigration stamps will give you a leg up in your application; try going to hong kong or singapore for a weekend break.
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Hi Ms. rose, you know i got my japan visa. thank you for some information.
I just wanna share my experience when i applied for my visa.
tourist visa ( with guarantor)
from applicant:
passport
nso birth cert. with receipt
coe
leave permit
copy of air ticket
proof of relationship
application form with pic
from guarantor
residents certificate
income certificate
guarantee letter
invitation letter
copy of passport ( all page except blank page)
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thanks for the update jocelyn 😀
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Please can anyone help me?
I want to visit Japan this Feb. but the agency is asking me for an invitation letter from my Japanese father, whom I haven’t seen in a while now and probably won’t invite me anyway.
Told the agency that I’m going there as a tourist, but I want to make my own itinerary and don’t want to avail of their package tours.
I had a japanese visa on my previous passport and all necessary documents, well EXCEPT for the INVITATION LETTER.
Does anyone here knows if this is really important?
Thanks in advance
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hello, im worried about my application, its been 3 weeks already, wala pang resulta… in my passport, i have singapore stamps and hongkong -macau twice…does my chance of getting visa big? please reply
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i submitted all the requirements except ITR since i am a student and sent enrollment cert instead…huhuhuhu… malaki ba ang chance for approval? my guest will shoulder everything.
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hi magnetic rose. i just want to inquire about commercial visa. i apply for commercial visa last week. ask ko lang what are the chances na madeny ang visa ko? i submitted 2 letters from my sponsor company in japan, guarentee and invitation letter. i also submitted the letter from my company stating that they will provide all the expenses in japan as well as the accomodations and flight.I was expecting to have the result on friday nov18. ask ko lang kung may chances na madeny ang visa ko. and may edge po ba kung ang sponsor company mo is big? sakin mo kasi malaki at kilala worldwide ang company ko lalo na sa japan. help naman po medyo nabobother kasi ako di ako makatulog kakaisip kung maaaprove ba ang visa ko. salamat po.
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i also send the daily activities in japan and the accomodation details (fuji view hotel) and my return tickets.
thanks po
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hi question lng po if mag aaply po ako. kasi po 2 times na po ako na deny ppnta sa japan po. pag nag aply po kaya ko ngaun xmas vacation magkakaroon po ba ako ng visa help naman po please.
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we personally applied for visa last thursday. we will be staying in japan for four days as invited speakers in a university symposia. i called up the embassy last friday and they told us to go to window 6 to pick up our visa. would just like to inquire if it is okay to send an authorized representative? my boss and i both have classes during the pick up time. thanks.
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yes, it should be fine. please supply your representative with a signed letter of authorization and photocopies of your government or university IDs. have fun in japan!
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thanks!
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pls help me….
kasal po ako sa isang hapon…nadeny nanaman ung visa namin.
pwede po ba ako mag aply ng tourist visa kahit na may asawa na akong hapon at sa kanya ang punta ko?5yrs na kami kasal…this time gusto ko akonaman ang pupunta sa kanya…pls help po
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Hi! thank you so much for the tips I plan to visit Japan again soon and it’s actually my first time to apply for a visa in the Philippines. Got my first two Japanese visas in Korea and I never had a problem getting one because the requirements are simpler.
I plan to go to Korea this summer and from Korea fly to Japan then to back to the Philippines. Luckily Korea issued me another tourist visa… hopefully Japan will give me one too.
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hi po, pwd po ba malaman kung aning travel agency kayo nagpunta?thank you.
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The post and the comments are very informative, pero may mga questions rin po ako. My friend and I are planning to go to Japan next year (balak namin while students pa kami). Pwede po ba na ITR ng parents namin pero bank certificate namin ang ipepresent? Na-mention niyo rin po na medyo mahirap din pag wala pang stamps yung passport, at hindi pa kami nakakatravel palabas ng bansa.
Sabi niya may friend siya na willing maging guarantor for the two of us, though I am skeptical about this kasi hindi ko po kilala yung friend niya. Ok lang po ba yun?
Thank you and sana po masagot ang mga tanong ko… 🙂
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Hi Ms Rose,
Where can i chat you? I really want to go to Japan. Please please. Thanks much.
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Hi po pinanganak po ako sa Japan then inuwi po ako ng mother ko dito 7 yrs old pa lang po ako 32 yrs old na po ako ngaun..ngaun po pagkita na po kami ng father ko gusto nya po na pumunta po kami dun ng family ko paano po ba ang gagawin ko.and possible po ba?thank you po
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Hi. My boyfriend and I plan to apply for a visa yet our bank account is joint. Is it okay if we submit the bank certificate into two separate applications?
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Yes, I think you can submit the same bank joint account for two visa applications, as long as you have twp bank certificates made — one for each application. Good luck!
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my friend adopted 3 Filipino kids ,the problem is they are all using FAKE BIRTH CERTIFICATE.my friend name is SUSAN BUEMIO OMURA married to a japanese Tsuyoshi Omura. the 3 kids are not legitimate or illegitimate child of Susan Buemio Omura,,,the couples sponsored them to visit japan ,,they gave fake school records, fake school diplomas to the japan embassy…….my question is?…is there any case to be filed against to this person SUSAN OMURA?…its possible to the Japanese Government to deport this person?
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Hello. First of all, I’m sorry I cannot help you as I am not a Family Court lawyer who specializes in adoption and migration. Thanks.
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Hi! I just submitted my father’s paperwork for visitor’s visa thru Reli Tours Agency. Will the agency let you know if you’re approved or denied when they get the passport back from the embassy? TIA!
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The travel agency will call informing you that your passport is ready for pick-up; they will also inform you if you have been approved.
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Hmmm… I wonder if it was denied since they refused to tell me the results of the application. They just told me that the passport is ready for pick up. Would they also inform me if it was denied?
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Unfortunately, if they refuse to divulge the results of the application, it is usually a sign that the visa has been denied 😐
From personal experience, the travel agent always tells me off the bat that the visa has been issued before he or she mentions that the passport is ready for pick-up.
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Good afternoon po!
My brother who lives in Japan for almost 8 years is planning to get me by sending me a Certificate of Eligibility for me to be able to work there, (I just don’t know how he’ll get one since I’m still not applying in one of the companies there yet.) I just want to ask if in any case I could have a COE:
> do I still need to go through an accredited agency?
> what are the documents that are needed to be sent by my brother and also the documents that I need to prepare?
> does he need to prepare at least Php100,000.oo in his bank account for my visa to get approved?
Thanks and God bless. 🙂
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Hi. The Certificate of Eligibility is issued by the Ministry of Education in Japan for undegraduate and postgraduate university students — I don’t think your brother will be able to “issue” you one even if he tried.
Also, work visa applications are initiated by your employer in Japan and not you. If you are trying to secure a holiday visa for Japan but are attempting to look for work, you are in violation of labor and immigration laws and will be deported and blacklisted if caught.
As previously stated, all applications must go through an accredited agency — including your case, since I doubt you will be able to secure a valid Certificate of Eligibility from Japan. The list of documents has already been given above, as well as linked to on the Japan Embassy site — please check there before asking me again.
The Certificate of Deposit for the bank account must come from you. However if your brother will act as your guarrantor, he can supply his bank certificate. I have to warn you though that the money should be well above PhP 100k if you have a guarrantor. Your guarrantor should also supply his income tax form and other documents other than the bank certificate.
Last but not least, I will have to be frank but yes — your empty passport will hurt your chances of getting approved. Well- travelled people with plenty of immigration stamps are more likely to get approval for their visa applications than absolute first- timers who have never even been to visa-free states like Singapore or Hong Kong. Hope that helps.
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