A Complete Guide on Japan Visa Requirements for Filipinos

1. Determine the type of Japan visa you need. 

Japan issues various types of visas such as a visa for medical stay, a visa for business, a visa for transit, a visa for being a spouse, and the like. Each type of Japan visa is intended for a specific purpose such as visiting the attractions or tourism, visiting friends, seeking medical services, etcetera. Same with the purpose, the requirements also vary per visa type. Example of this is when you travel to Japan for business-related meetings or training, you are required to have a certificate of employment, but not in tourist visa. 

It is indeed very important to know the type of visa you need according to your purpose of visit before you apply for a Japan visa, to submit the correct requirements and save time. 

For this guide, Japan Tourist Visa will be discussed. However, if you have a different purpose of visit, go the official website of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines for more information. 

2. Complete the Japan Visa requirements. 

Prepare for the necessary documents for the Visa Application. 

Note: The Japanese Embassy only accepts the original copies and documents printed on A4-size papers. 

Below is the checklist of Japan Visa Requirements for Filipinos: 

A. Philippine passport 

✓ Must be valid for more than six months 

✓ Passport must have signature and at least two blank pages 

✓ Must be in good condition 

 B. Duly accomplished Japan visa application form.

You can download and get Japan Visa Application Form HERE

▪ or you can also do it hand written and get the form from  any accredited travel agency 

Reminders when accomplishing the Japan visa application form: 

▪ You can fill out the visa application form either by hand or digitally in CAPITAL LETTERS and black ink or font. 

▪ If your handwriting is hard to read, better type your answers on a computer. Just add text to the digital form in the PDF format. 

▪ Print the accomplished digital application form on an A4-size paper and sign it. 

▪ If submitting a handwritten form, make sure it is easy to read, not stapled, has no erasures and blank field/s. 

▪ If a question doesn’t apply to you, just write N/A. 

C. ID photo

✓ Photo must be taken within six months before the visa application date. 

✓ Measurement: 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm or 45 mm x 45 mm 

✓ Centered with plain white background 

✓ With the applicant’s full name and birthdate written at the back of the photo 

✓ No obstructions to the applicant’s facial features (e.g., headbands, sunglasses, caps, eyeglasses with reflection, etc.). 

✓ Pasted or glued (do not staple) on the designated part of the visa application form. 

D. Birth certificate. 

✓ Applicant’s birth certificate must have been issued within a year by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 

Note: 

• • If it happens that there’s no birth record at the PSA, submit a Certificate of Non-Record from the PSA along with your birth certificate from the Local Civil Registrar. 
• • For a birth certificate with late registration, submit your baptismal certificate, Form-137 from elementary or high school, and school yearbook in addition to the birth certificate. 
• • If the PSA-issued birth certificate is hard to read or has information deficiencies, submit it along with your birth certificate from the Local Civil Registrar. 
• • Birth Certificate is no longer required if you can submit your passport with used Japan visa or if you were already granted a visa before. 

5.E. Marriage certificate (for married visa applicants) 

1. ✓ It must be issued within a year by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 
2. ✓ If it happens that there’s no marriage record at the PSA, submit a Certificate of Non-Record from the PSA along with your marriage certificate from the Local Civil Registrar.
3. ✓ Marriage certificate is no longer required if you can submit your passport with used Japan visa. 

F. Daily schedule in Japan.

1. ✓ The applicant must provide the specific details of his entire trip to Japan, and this includes the following: • Dates 
2. • Activities 
3. • Accommodations 
4. • Contact information (of the hotels and tours he is joining) 

Here is the Template and sample schedule of stay in Japan: ( You can download the form here)

G. Necessary documents

✓ For applicants WITH a guarantor or sponsor living in the Philippines who will cover part or all of the applicant’s travel expenses 

Submit the following documents: 

• • Guarantee letter o Addressed to the ambassador or consul-general of Japan 
• o States that your guarantor or sponsor guarantees your travel expenses in Japan 
• o States your compliance with the country’s laws and regulations 
• o Must be completely filled out and signed by the guarantor. 

Letter of Guarantee template

• • Proof of the 
  • relationship between the applicant and guarantor. o Birth certificate of the guarantor (if parent or sibling) 
  • o Marriage certificate (if spouse) 

• • Clear photocopies of the Guarantor’s ITR and bank certificate, to prove the financial capacity to sponsor the trip 

✓ For applicants WITHOUT a guarantor or sponsor or he’ll shoulder his own travel expenses 

1. • Submit the following as proof of financial capacity to travel to Japan at own expense o Bank certificate – Japanese embassy did not mention any minimum balance requirement but some are granted a Japan Visa even with only PHP 50,000 in the bank ▪ serves as the “show money” for Japan visa application 
2. ▪ must be original copy from your bank and must be issued within the past three (3) months 
3. ▪ addressed to the Japanese Embassy 

Note: It shows the monthly average balance of your savings, depositing a sudden large amount of money for the visa application is not a wise undertaking 

• • Clear photocopy of the Latest (ITR)/BIR Form 2316 
• • Proof of Income 
• o For employed persons ▪ clear photocopy of the Latest Income tax return (ITR)/ BIR Form 2316 in A4-size paper. 
• ▪ If you do not have an ITR, write a simple letter explaining why you are unable to submit it 
• ▪ Certificate of Employment 
• o For self-employed / business persons ▪ Provide clear photocopy of the Latest Income tax return (ITR)/ BIR Form 2316 in A4-size paper. 
• ▪ If you own a business, submit the company ITR and Business Registration issued by DTI / SEC 
• ▪ If you do not have an ITR, write a simple letter explaining why you are unable to submit it ▪ Must provide tax exemption form from BIR. 
• ▪ Certificate of Employment or Contract of Employment 

• o For OFWs 

• o For unemployed persons ▪ Given the way the Embassy of Japan presents its requirements for visa application, it’s best that you acquire a guarantor/sponsor who can provide an ITR. 
• ▪ Acquire or find a guarantor/sponsor who can provide an Income Tax Return (ITR) 

✓ Japan Tourist Visa with Japanese Guarantor/Sponsor Living Inside Japan 

• • Guarantee letter o Addressed to the ambassador or consul-general of Japan 
• o States that your guarantor or sponsor guarantees your travel expenses in Japan 
• o States your compliance with the country’s laws and regulations 
• o Must be completely filled out and signed by the guarantor. 

• • Residence Certificate o known as “Juminhyo” 
• o this must be issued within the past 3 months . 
• • Proof of Income. Submit any of this: o Income Certificate (Shotoku Shomeisho) from the City Hall, important in measure the capability to support your expenses 
• o Kakuteishinkokusho Hikae or Bank Certificate (Yokin Zandaka Shomeisho) 
• o Tax Return Certificate (Nouzeishomeisho: Form2) with Gross Income from Tax Office ▪ Gensen ChoShusho, 
• ▪ Nouzeishomeisho Form 1, and 
• ▪ Soushotoku (without annual income) 

The abovementioned documents must be issued within 3 months. Submission of Withholding Slip (Gensen-Choshu- Hyo) in lieu of these is unacceptable. 

The following are NOT accepted: 

NOTE: 

If invited or intended to stay in your Japanese guarantor’s residence who is your close or distant relative, submit the additional documents like: 

• • Invitation Letter 
• o must be issued within the past 3 months 
• o signed and completed by your Japanese guarantor/sponsor 

• • Family Registration o known as “Koseki Tohon” 
• o must be issued within the past 3 months 

If invited or intended to stay in your Japanese guarantor’s residence who is your Friend submit the additional documents like: 

• • Invitation Letter 
• o must be issued within the past 3 months 
• o signed and completed by your Japanese guarantor/sponsor 

• • Proof of Relationship 
• o Must provide photos of you together, screenshots of chats, conversations or emails 

✓ Japan Tourist Visa with Non-Japanese Guarantor/Sponsor Living Inside Japan 

Submit the following documents: 

• • Guarantee letter o Addressed to the ambassador or consul-general of Japan 
• o States that your guarantor or sponsor guarantees your travel expenses in Japan 
• o States your compliance with the country’s laws and regulations 
• o Must be completely filled out and signed by the guarantor. 

• • Foreign Registration Certificate o Must provide an Alien Card attained from the City Hall 
• o must be issued within the past 3 months . 
• • Clear Photocopy of all pages of the Passport 
• • Clear Photocopy of the both sides Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate 

• • Proof of Income. Submit any of this: o Income Certificate (Shotoku Shomeisho) from the City Hall, important in measure the capability to support your expenses 
• o Kakuteishinkokusho Hikae or Bank Certificate (Yokin Zandaka Shomeisho) 
• o Tax Return Certificate (Nouzeishomeisho: Form2) with Gross Income from Tax Office ▪ Gensen ChoShusho, 
• ▪ Nouzeishomeisho Form 1, and 
• ▪ Soushotoku (without annual income) 

The abovementioned documents must be issued within 3 months. Submission of Withholding Slip (Gensen-Choshu- Hyo) in lieu of these is unacceptable. 

The following are NOT accepted: 

NOTE: 

If invited or intended to stay in your Japanese guarantor’s residence who is your close or distant relative, submit the additional documents like: 

• • Invitation Letter o must be issued within the past 3 months 
• o signed and completed by your non-Japanese guarantor/sponsor 
• • NSO Birth & Marriage Certificates o Parent – Child: You and your relative living in Japan 
• o Brother – Sister: You and your relative living in Japan 
• o Aunt/Uncle – Niece/Nephew: You, your relative and parent of your relative living in Japan 
• o Niece/Nephew – Aunt/Uncle: You, your parent, and your relative living in Japan 
• • Invitation Letter 

If invited or intended to stay in your Japanese guarantor’s residence who is your Friend submit the additional documents like: 

• o must be issued within the past 3 months 
• o signed and completed by your non-Japanese guarantor/sponsor 

• • Proof of Relationship o Must provide photos of you together, screenshots of chats, conversations or emails 

3. Find an accredited travel agency. 

All applications for tourist visa must be filed through an accredited travel agency as required by the Japanese Embassy. Your accredited travel agency will submit your application and there’s no need to go to the Japanese Embassy for an interview 

To date, there are seven travel agencies in the Philippines authorized to receive visa applications. All of them accept walk-in applications from Mondays to Saturdays and few offices located in malls operate on Sundays. But most agencies are closed on Sundays and holidays. 

Here’s the complete list of the official accredited travel agencies of Japan: 

Attic Tours Phils., Inc 

• • Manila Main Office Unit 202 Coko Building 1, Patio Madrigal Compound, 2550 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City Telephone Nos.: (02) 556-6301, (02) 556-6302, (02) 556-6303, (02) 556-6304, (02) 556-6305 

• • Hotel Jen Branch Ground Floor, Hotel Jen Manila, 3001 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City Telephone Nos.: (02) 984-0566, (02) 668-9845, (02) 516-0699 

• • SM North EDSA Branch Ground Floor, The Block, SM North EDSA, Quezon City Telephone Nos.: (02) 372-3254, (02) 373-2594 Mobile No.: 0917-898-0905 

• • Cebu Branch Waterfront Airport Hotel, 1 Airport Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island, Cebu Telephone Nos.: (032) 341-2011, (032) 341-2012 

• • Davao Branch Level 3, SM City Davao, Quimpo Boulevard, Talomo, Davao City Telephone No.: (082) 225-8920 Mobile No.: 0917-321-1328 

Discovery Tour 

• • Makati Main Office Unit301, Ground Floor, Sagittarius Building, H.V. Dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City Telephone Nos.: (02) 892-2849, (02) 843-5832, (02) 843-5083 Mobile Nos.: 0915-320-0780, 0999-943-5231 

• • Cebu Branch Door No. 203-A1, 2nd Floor, Northgate Center, Don Manuel Gotianuy Complex, Gov.Cuenco Avenue, Banilad City, Cebu Telephone Nos.: (032) 340-1822, (032) 340-1824 Mobile Nos.: 0916-958-3489, 0999-420-5556, 0922-769-8369 

• • Davao Branch Door 109, Ground Floor, Court View Inn Building, Quimpo Boulevard corner Sandawa Road, Davao City Telephone Nos.: (082) 285-7188, (082) 284-4114, (082) 321-1315 Mobile Nos.: 0915-326-0111, 0920-210-4677, 0923-423-2207 

Friendship Tours and Resorts Corporation 

• • Makati Main Office 3rd Floor, Dusit Thani Manila, Ayala Center, Makati City Telephone Nos.: (02) 810-9622, (02) 893-8180 Mobile No.: 0917-548-1810 

• • Cebu Branch Unit 2-508, 5th Floor, OITC 2 Building, Oakridge Business Park, A.S. Fortune Street, Banilad, Mandaue City, Cebu Telephone Nos.: (032) 345-3459, (032) 344-4825 Mobile No.: 0917-724-3373 

Grand Holidays Travel and Tours Inc. 

• • Pasig Main Office GF Emerald Bldg, F. Ortigas Avenue Pasig City Phone Nos.: (02) 687-3131, (02) 687-6480, (02) 687-3232, (02) 687-8989 Email: grandholidays_ortigas@yahoo.com 

H.I.S. Philippines Travel Corp. 

• • Serendra Office 2F Serendra – Shopping Arcade Serendra Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City Phone No.: (02) 915 0351, (02) 915 0352, (02) 915 0353 Email: serendra@his-manila.com 

JTB Asia Pacific Phil. Corp. 

• • BGC Main Office 18th Floor, Unit 2, RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Center 26th & 25th Streets, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City Phone No.: (02) 894-5528 

• • SM Mall of Asia Branch Ground Floor, Unit 107, Entertainment Mall, New South Wing, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City Mobile No.: +63 949-994-0249 

• • Cebu Branch 2F J Centre Mall, V. Albano, Mandaue City, Cebu Phone: (032) 260-8024 

• • Quezon City Branch 4th floor Japan Town Retail 2 Level 4, Ayala Mall Vertis North, Quezon City Phone: (02) 932-5600 

• • Makati Branch Unit G3-315B, 3F Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Makati City Mobile No.: +63 998-842-2118 

Luxury Vacation Holidays & Tours Inc. 

• • Manila Main Office Suite 401 Mario Co Building 1945 Adriatico Street, Malate, Manila Telephone No.: (02) 353-6339, (02) 353-6429, (02) 536-4681 Mobile No.: 0917-535-6300 

Multi Destinations Inc. 

• • Manila Main Office Unit 203 Avenue Square Garden Jorge Bocobo Street corner United Nations Avenue, Ermita, Manila Phone No.: (02) 526-8451, (02) 526-8452, (02) 526-8453, (02) 526-8454, (02) 526-8455 Email: multides@amadeusph.com, admin@multidestinationstravel.com 

Amkor Travel and Tours Inc. 

• • Quezon City Main Office Unit 108 G/F West City Plaza Building, #66 West Avenue, Quezon City Email: inquiry@amkortravel.com Telephone no.: (02) 359 8328, (02) 376 5398, (02) 376 5399, (02) 359 8328, (02) 410 1332, (02) 411 3852, (02) 411 6244 

• • Mandaluyong Branch Unit 805 Cityland Shaw Tower Shaw Boulevard corner St. Francis Street, Mandaluyong City Email: amkortravel@yahoo.com Telephone no.: (02) 411 3852, (02) 376 5398 

• • Ormoc City 2F PDCI Building, J. Rizal Street, Ormoc City Email: amkortravelormoc@yahoo.com Telephone no.: (053) 561 0483 Mobile no.: +63 917 8272008 

Golden Eagle Travel & Tours, Inc. 

• • Quezon City Main Office 129 Timog Avenue, Quezon City (beside GMA Network, Inc.), Email: goldeneagle97@yahoo.com Phone No.: (02) 928-0148 Mobile No.: +63 917 581 1969, +63 999 883 795 

Pan Malayan Express, Inc. 

• • Makati Head Office 4F, Grepalife Building, 

• 221 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City Phone Nos.: (02) 844-1216, (02) 844-1219, (02) 844-1262, (02) 844-1274 

Premiere Travel and Tours Inc. 

• • Makati Main Office U33 3rd Floor, Legazpi Suites, 178 Salcedo Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City Phone No.: (02) 893-8484 Mobile No.: 0917-893-8456 

Rajah Travel Corporation 

• • Makati Branch 3rd Floor, 331 Building, 331 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City Telephone No.: (02) 894-0886 Mobile No.: 0917-529-6774 

• • Manila Branch Ground Floor, GLC Building, Mabini corner T.M. Kalaw Streets, Ermita, Manila Mobile No.: 0917-854-3614 

Telephone Nos.: (02) 523-8801, (02) 523-8802 

Reli Tours and Travel Company 

• • Makati Main Office 3rd Floor Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City, Telephone Nos.: (02) 894-1210, (02) 893-7259 

• • SM Mall of Asia Branch Bay City, Pasay City Telephone Nos.: (02) 556-1445, (02) 556-1446 
• • SM Megamall Branch Ground Floor, SM Megamall Building A, EDSA, Mandaluyong City Telephone Nos.: (02) 637-4694, (02) 637-4695, (02) 637-5020 

• • Binondo Branch 4th Floor Lucky Chinatown Reina Regonte corner Dela Reina Streets, Binondo, Manila Telephone No.: (02) 242-0640 Mobile No.: 0906-492-1000 

• • SM South mall Branch Alabang-Zapote Road, Las-Pinas City Telephone Nos.: (02) 800-4948, (02) 800-4949, (02) 800-4950 

Pan Pacific Travel Corporation 

Note:They only accepts applications WITHOUT documents written or printed in Japanese. 

• • Binondo Head Office 353 E.T. Yuchengco Street, Binondo, Manila, Philippines Telephone No.: (02) 243-6666 Email: panpacifictravel@gmail.com 

• • Cebu Branch Diplomat Hotel. Suite No. 6, 90 F. Ramos Street. Cebu City Email: panpaccebu@gmail.com Telephone Nos.: (032) 254-0343, (032) 254-0345, (032) 254-0347, (032) 254-0349 

• • Ermita Branch G/F Pacific Place Apartelle Suites. 539 Arquiza St. Ermita, Manila Email: trafalgarmanila@panpacifictravel.com.ph Telephone Nos.: (02) 523-1990, (02) 526-6427 

• • Makati Branch Unit LG-1 Herrera Tower Condominium. # 98 V.A. Rufino St corner Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. Email: pptcmkti@yahoo.com Telephone Nos.: (02) 810-8551, (02) 810-8552, (02) 810-8553, (02) 810-8554, (02) 810-8555, (02) 810-8556 

Sparkle Holidays & Travel Corporation 

• Manila Main Office Unit 301 Mario Co Building, 1945 M. Adriatico Street, Malate, Manila Telephone No.: (02) 328-3700, (02) 328-3701 

TRAVELSERVICES INC. 

• • Makati Main Office Ground Floor, Skyland Plaza Condominium, Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City 

• Phone Nos.: (02) 706-8646, (02) 706-8625, 0917-941-2534, 0927-684-5644 Email: travelservices.docs@ph.fcm.travel 

Universal Holidays, Inc. 

• • Makati Main Office Ground Floor, Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, Ayala Center, 1223 Makati City Telephone Nos.: (02) 859-3857, (02) 859-3858, (02) 859-3859, (02) 859-3860, (02) 618-2359 Mobile Nos.: 0917-634-8280, 0917-530-2998 

4. File your visa Application

Choice #1: Apply for a Japan Visa personally. 

It is still recommended and suggested for personally appear when applying for a Japan Visa. Go to your chose travel agency and submit all the requirements. After the documents have been checked, you will proceed for the visa processing fee payment. 

The Japan Visa is free, but travel agencies will charge a fee ranging from Php 800 to Php 1,500+ for their services. 

Here is the list of Japan visa processing fees per travel agency: ACCREDITED TRAVEL AGENCY	VISA PROCESSING FEE PER APPLICANT
Attic Tours	Php 1,500 + 12% VAT
Discovery Tour	Php 800
Friendship Tours	Php 1,200
Pan Pacific Travel Corp	Php 1,000
Rajah Travel	Php 1,500
Reli Tours	Php 950
UHI	Php 1,200