Japan Tourist Visa requirements, varies depending on your situation or purpose. This particular list of requirements is only applicable for those applicants who will be visiting Family or Friends who reside in Japan.
For those applicants who are NOT visiting Family or Friends who reside in Japan, READ THIS: JAPAN VISA REQUIREMENTS LIST for Filipinos
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I. Japan Tourist Visa Requirements for Visiting Family or Friends (with or without sponsor/guarantor)
1. Philippine Passport
A) Philippines passport must have at least 6 months’ remaining validity prior to your intended travel date with 2 blank pages for stamps.
B) The passport must be in good condition and have a signature (on page 3 in new 10-year passports).
2. A Duly Accomplished Japan Visa Application Form
A) Download the Japan Visa Form here or get the form from the accredited travel agency.
- Print the application form in A4-size paper ONLY (also, don’t staple the form).
- Application Form must be filled up truthfully and do NOT leave anything blank (write N/A if not applicable).
- Handwritten and typed/typewritten are both acceptable, but only use black pen or font (pencils or other erasable pens are NOT allowed).
- Avoid erasures as much as possible, but if necessary, only use double line/strikethroughs. Other types of erasures such as correction tapes or liquids are NOT allowed better yet, start over.
- For sample, click here.
3. ID Photo
A) Photo size: 4.5cm x 4.5cm (colored photo against white background taken within the last 6 months).
- The photo must be clear (pixelated photo is NOT allowed).
- Write your name and birthdate on the backside of the photo, then paste it properly on the application form (staple is NOT allowed).
- For sample, click here.
4. Birth Certificate (from SPA)
A) Must be issued within one year from the date of your visa application by PSA Main Office or Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide). Certificates issued beyond one year are NOT allowed.
- If your birth certificate states “Late Registration”, submit a baptismal certificate and School Record [Form 137] from high school or elementary (it must have complete address and telephone information of the school and/or the issuance).
- If you have no record in PSA, you can submit a “Certificate of Non-Record” from PSA along with the birth certificate from the Local Civil Registrar.
5. Marriage Certificate (from SPA)
A) Only applicable for married applicants (if you aren’t then you can skip this).
6. Daily Schedule In Japan
A) To download the form and for sample, click here.
- Must be issued within one year from the date of your visa application by PSA Main Office or Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide). Certificates issued beyond one year are NOT allowed.
- If there is no record in PSA, you can submit a “Certificate of Non-Record” from PSA along with the Marriage Certificate from the Local Civil Registrar.
- This is your daily itinerary and activities in Japan.
- Print the form in A4-size paper ONLY (also, don’t staple the form).
- Must indicate the addresse/s and telephone numbers of your accommodation.
- For the question on the application form regarding flight details, you can simply check the airline’s website and copy the details of the flight you are eyeing for. For hotel/s, you can reserve it online (for FREE) through Agoda.com with a REFUNDABLE option if you cancel it a day before your intended stay. That way, you can also fill up the exact address and contact information needed on the application form.
TIP! This doesn’t have to be your actual itinerary, so don’t over complicate it. Just fill out the form properly to give the Embassy an idea of your travel itinerary. Also, this is one way to convince the Consul that you are indeed a tourist, so make it simple and realistic.
7. List of Visa Applicants (ONLY if traveling as a Family or Group (if not, skip this)).
A) Download the form, here.
- Print the form in A4-size paper ONLY (also, don’t staple the form).
- There must be a representative or key person on behalf of the group.
NOTE: Financial, Employment, and/or Business Certificates are required for each applicant, not unless you have a sponsor/guarantor then you have to submit their Financial, Employment, and/or Business Certificates instead.
8. NCOV Questionnaire Form
- As of February 2020, Embassy of Japan in Manila required applicants to accomplish and submit this form due to Covid situation.
9. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
If you will take care of all or most of your travel expenses in Japan, you must provide your financial documents, if another person is funding your trip, you need to provide theirs instead. Required documents varies depending on your status as follows;
A) IF VISITING AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY or CLOSE RELATIVE:
This is only applicable if your relationship with your relative residing in Japan is one of the following: parent, brother, sister, child, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece (if not, proceed to section B).
- Invitation Letter: This must explain your Visit and Relationship with your relative in Japan with their Signature. Download the Invitation Letter Form here: Form in English or Form in Japanese, also this MUST be issued within 3 months from your Visa application.
- Birth Certificates: This is to prove your relationship with the said relative. The certificates must be issued within one year from the date of your visa application by PSA Main Office or Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide). The Birth Certificates you need to provide depends on your relationship as follows;
- Parent – Child: Yours + your relative in Japan.
- Brother – Sister: Yours + your relative in Japan.
- Aunt/Uncle – Niece/Nephew: Yours + your relative in Japan + parent of your relative in Japan.
- Niece/Nephew – Aunt/Uncle: Yours + your parent + your relative in Japan.
- Residence Certificate or Foreign Residence Certificate: Must be issued within three (3) months (whichever is applicable).
- Photocopy of Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate (must both sides).
- Family Registration Certificate: Only applicable if your relative in Japan has a Japanese Spouse or Relative (must be issued within three months). If not, you can skip this.
- If WITHOUT Sponsor/Guarantor: This is only applicable if you will be funding your own expenses in Japan (if not, move to #7).
- Proof of Income: Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) or (Form 2316) photocopy in A4 paper. If you do not have an ITR, you may write a letter explaining why you’re unable to provide it. (e.g. newly employed, etc.) In addition, you can submit copies of your payslip or other proof of income.
- Bank Certificate: Must be issued within 3 months from the date of your visa application along with the receipt. Make sure to ask for receipt of your bank certificate when you get one.
- Certificate of Employment: This is NOT a requirement anymore, but if you’re employed and able to provide (COE) then, I highly recommend it. Especially if you’re several years tenured with your employment this really helps increase your chances. You can request this in your company’s HR and ask them to indicate your position, start date and salary.
- If WITH Sponsor/Guarantor: This is only applicable if your Relative in Japan will be funding/sponsoring your expenses of your trip.
- Guarantee Letter: This letter must indicate that your Relative in Japan is funding your trip with their contact information (such as address, email, and contact number). Must be printed out in A4-size papers. Download the Letter of Guarantee Form here: Form in English or Form in Japanese.
- Proof of Income (any, or all);
- Income Certificate (Shotoku Shomeisho) from City Hall.
- Tax return certificate (Nouzeishomeisho: Form 2) from Tax office
- Kakuteishinkokusho Hikae or Bank Certificate (Yokin Zandaka Shomeisho).
- Note that Gensen ChoShusho, Nouzeishomeisho Form 1, and Soushotoku (without annual income) are NOT accepted.
B) IF VISITING a FRIEND or NON IMMEDIATE/CLOSE RELATIVE:
This is applicable if your relationship with your contact in Japan (did NOT match the description of #9 A above). So this can be a friend or a distant relative who resides in Japan.
- Invitation Letter: This must explain your Visit and Relationship with your friend/contact person in Japan with their Signature. Download the Invitation Letter Form here: Form in English or Form in Japanese, also this MUST be issued within 3 months from your Visa application. Together with;
- Proof of Relationship: These documents can be your pictures together, passport copies if you have traveled together, printed copy of your email or chat messages, etc.
- Residence Certificate or Foreign Residence Certificate (Juminhyo): Must be issued within three (3) months (whichever is applicable).
- If WITHOUT Sponsor/Guarantor: This is only applicable if you will be funding your own expenses in Japan (if not, move to #5).
- Proof of Income: Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) or (Form 2316) photocopy in A4 paper. If you do not have an ITR, you may write a letter explaining why you’re unable to provide it. (e.g. newly employed, etc.) In addition, you can submit copies of your payslip or other proof of income.
- Bank Certificate: Must be issued within 3 months from the date of your visa application along with the receipt. Make sure to ask for receipt of your bank certificate when you get one.
- Certificate of Employment: This is NOT a requirement anymore, but if you’re employed and able to provide (COE) then, I highly recommend it. Especially if you’re several years tenured with your employment this really helps increase your chances. You can request this in your company’s HR and ask them to indicate your position, start date and salary.
- If WITH Sponsor/Guarantor: This is only applicable if your Friend/Distant Relative in Japan will be funding/sponsoring your expenses of your trip.
- Guarantee Letter: This letter must indicate that your Friend/Distant Relative in Japan is funding your trip with their contact information (such as address, email, and contact number). Must be printed out in A4-size papers. Download the Letter of Guarantee Form here: Form in English or Form in Japanese.
- Proof of Income (any, or all);
+Income Certificate (Shotoku Shomeisho) from City Hall.
+Tax return certificate (Nouzeishomeisho: Form 2) from Tax office
+Kakuteishinkokusho Hikae or Bank Certificate (Yokin Zandaka Shomeisho).- Note that Gensen ChoShusho, Nouzeishomeisho Form 1, and Soushotoku (without annual income) are NOT accepted.
