If you are in the Philippines and thinking of a getaway in the Land of the Rising Sun but somehow feeling reluctant because this requires a visa, then here’s a good news for you. These days, applying for a tourist visa, with no guarantor or reference in Japan, is easy (or should I say, a lot easier than I thought). If you are first time applicants, you might want to know these things in order to make your visa applications successful. 

Okay, first things first. In filing your application,  please remember that:

1. Application for tourist visa for Japan is done THROUGH ACCREDITED AGENCIES.  (for full list of accredited agencies, please click here)  

2. If you are outside Manila, you can send your documents via courier, yes, ONLY through COURIER. You can send your documents to the agencies of your choice which in turn will file the application on your behalf.

3. Visa applications DO NOT require personal appearance or interview at the  Embassy of Japan in Manila

4. If your documents are in order, the fastest visa approval only takes a week or less than a week. In my case, the agency submitted my application on September 3 and the approval date was on the same date. I received my passport from my agency with stamped visa on it via courier in four days, including Saturday and Sunday!

5. Visa processing fee is P1,680 plus P600 for handling fee (if you are outside Manila).   You can ask your agencies about their preferred courier, or in most cases, they directly give the names of their preferred companies through which you can send your documents and your payments. By the way, payment and documents are sent separately.

6. The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines is usually giving 3 months of stay  for tourists in Japan. So if you’re planning to book a flight, make sure that your intended stay in Japan shall be covered by the effectivityof the visa. 

This is what I did: I grabbed a 2-way flight promo at Cebu Pacific but did not file my visa application right away as my scheduled flight would be in October. I waited until September to apply for my visa. In some instances though, it’s always safe to get a visa first then after release of your visa, plan out and schedule your trip accordingly.

Now that you know these things, here are the documents that you need to prepare:

DOCUMENTS/REQUIREMENTS:

1. The duly accomplished VISA APPLICATION FORM TO ENTER JAPAN which is downloadable at Japan Embassy website (please click here) . Take note that you can find in the website guide on how to properly fill out the same (click  here).

2. PASSPORT at least 6 months valid

3. OLD PASSPORT/S, if any

TIP: This works well if you have previously been issued a tourist visa for Japan. But if you have no previous travels or visa to show, this is not necessary. The agency told me about this.

4. COLORED PHOTO (2pcs)

Photo studios know the standard photo size for Japan visas. Just state that it's for Japan and they will give you what you need.

5.NSO copy of birth certificate (one year valid)

TIP: Please avoid committing my mistake: I submitted an old NSO Copy of my birth certificate ASSUMING that an NSO copy would always be valid. Little did I know that the barcodes reflected in the NSO copy of birth certificate indicate the time of its issuance. I’ve had doubts before about the validity of my copy but I didn’t ask. I just learned about this when the agency called up informing me that I have to submit a recently issued NSO copy of my birth certificate.  In short, I assumed! So the lesson: When in doubt about the requirements you are submitting, don't assume. It's always better to ask and clarify with your agency.

6. BANK CERTIFICATE

The big question here is: how much savings do I have to have in the bank in order for me to get approved? THE MORE (savings), THE BETTER (the chance of getting approved). This was the answer I got when I raised this question. So I cannot give a definite amount of the savings that you must have to get a visa but I think this would help: You just have to show the embassy that you have enough savings to sustain the entire duration of your stay in Japan.

I’ve come across some sites and blog articles saying that there were applications which have been approved with bank savings ranging from P50,000 –P90,000 for a week travel to Japan. From here you can take a clue on how much savings you should have in the bank 😊 to guarantee your visa approval for your intended travel.

Please remember: only bank certificate NOT bank statement that you have to submit.

7. DAILY ITINERARY which you yourself have to personally prepare. The itinerary shall include addresse/s of your hotel/s during your visit to Japan. This requires research and readings. I personally made a research and asked some friends who have been to Kyoto and Osaka and a good friend in Singapore provided me a good jumpstart preparing my itinerary.

Note: This does not necessarily require actual hotel bookings but only to show the embassy that you DO have a travel plan. In my case, I have put names of the guesthouse of my choice at the time of my application.  But when I finalized everything about my trip, I got final hotel bookings different from the ones reflected in the itinerary that I submitted to the embassy.

8. CERTIFICATE OF EMPLOYMENT FROM YOUR CURRENT COMPANY
9. LATEST INCOME TAX RETURN
10. ANY REAL PROPERTY DOCUMENTS
11. VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS (CR & OR)
12. AIRLINE BOOKING
13. COMPANY ID
14. APPROVED LEAVE OF ABSENCE

I submitted all requirements except for items under Nos. 10 & 11. In addition, I forwarded a PERMIT TO TRAVEL issued by my current employer stating that I am cleared of any property of financial accountability and further guaranteeing my return after my approved leave of absence, 

So there. It is as simple as that. And last but not the least, remember to keep your documents neat and presentable. So what are you waiting for? Apply now and plan your much desired Japan trip. Go guys :-) !