The embassy said requirements will be liberalized for Filipinos applying for multiple-entry visa, as well as those applying for single-entry tourist visas.
"For nationals of the Philippines, multiple-entry visa requirements will be substantially relaxed, and requirements for single-entry tourism visas will be relaxed to a quasi-exemption-equivalent level when applied via specified travel agencies," the embassy said.
For me I think this isn't bad, Japan is one of my dream destination and getting visa is one that worries me. For years of lurking and reading forums/blogs about getting Japanese visa, I was really afraid to get one. With the said news about Japanese visa relaxation for Filipinos, I finally take the risk and to my surprise it is not hard to get a Japanese Visa!
Single Entry Visa
Japan Embassy does not accept walk in applicants for visa processing, only accredited travel agencies accept visa application. Refer to this link for the list of accredited agencies: click here.
Japanese Visa is FREE, however you need to pay a handling fee from accredited agencies. Handling fees is from 800php to 2000php.
I applied my Japanese Visa at
Discovery Tour , Inc.
(Japan Visa Department)
301 G/F Sagittarius Bldg., HV Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
Why I'd choose Discovery Tour, Inc? because they have the cheapest handling fee of 800php. ^.^
Japan Visa requirements that I've submitted:
- Application Form with picture
- Passport
- NSO Birth Certificate
- ITR
- Bank Certificate
- Daily Schedule
- Affidavit of Support for my sister
- Certificate of Employment
* Certificate of Employment is just "add-on" to my requirements and not prerequisite.
For my sister (student):
- Application Form with picture
- Passport
- NSO Birth Certificate
- Daily Schedule
- Photocopy of School ID
- School Certificate
Daily Schedule
This is exactly what I submit to the agency, my itinerary is only for 5 days. This is only fake/dummy schedule, I have never booked any hotel yet nor ticket to Japan.
Application Form
Application form is downloadable at Embassy of Japan website, click here.
You can edit the form and print it, make sure to put N/A on every blank that is not applicable to you.
Schedule of stay data must matched the info on your application form (length of stay, hotel name, hotel address, hotel phone number, etc)
Photo must be pasted on the application form, with 4.5 cm by 4.5 cm size (white background)
Page 1
Page 2 (don't forget your signature)
Income Tax Return (Form 2316)
Original copy, issued 2014 with 2013 record.
Bank Certificate
I only have1xx,xxxphp for 5 days length of stay, shared with my sister. I've read that one traveler recently applied for visa has only 40,000php on his bank and was approved for single entry visa. I think it also matter with the length of stay you input to your application form. If your intended stay is only 4 days, then the 40,000php on your bank certificate is enough. Assumed that your 1 day expense is equal to 10,000php. In our case, since my intended length of stay is five(5) days, sharing my 1xx,xxxphp with my sister and that would be 5x,000php each for our bank certificate.
Some tips:
Shorten the length of your "daily schedule"
Don't submit unnecessary requirements
Good travel history
Japan Visa process is simple and fast!
I've submitted my requirements on August 11, 2014(Monday morning) at Discovery Tour Inc, paid 800php for handling fee. Got a call on August 13 (Wednesday) that I can claim ny Passport on August 14(Thursday). The agency will not disclose any information when they contact you to claim your passport, they will not tell if your visa is granted or denied. So you'll end up thinking overnight ^_^
