[UPDATED February 03, 2020] Every once in a while, rumors start circulating on social media about the possibility of Japan removing visa requirements for Filipino visitors. It always excites Filipinos as Japan is a dream destination for many. Unfortunately, those rumors always end up being just rumors. While Japan has slowly been relaxing visa requirements since 2014, Filipinos still need them to enter Japan. In an effort to make your application as seamless as possible, we’ve come up with this handy guide on how to get a Japan visa in Manila. 2019-nCov update: Because of the Novel Corona Virus, Japan visa applicants are now required to answer a questionnaire on whether they plan to travel to China's Hubei Province within 14 days before arriving in Japan. Note that starting February 1, 2020, foreign nationals who have traveled to Hubei Province within 14 days will not be permitted to enter Japan, regardless if they hold a valid visa.

Japan has 17 kinds of visas for foreigners visiting the country. Aside from the tourist visa, Japan also has visas for those visiting friends or distant relatives, those attending conferences, and for those in the country for a medical stay.Head over to the website of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines to find out which one you need.

Your passport has to be valid for the next six months and in good condition. At least two pages of the passport must also be blank. Renew a damaged or expiring passport before applying.

Download the application form here. You can check out a sample filled-out form here.

The embassy has specifications with regards to the photo needed for your visa, so it's best to check them outhere. But in any case, you will need to submit a 4.5cm x 4.5cm photo with white background, taken no longer than six months prior to your application.

Most photo studios will know the photo requirements of embassies, so tell them you’re applying for a Japanese visa when you have your photo taken.

An NSO-certified birth certificate will cost you P350 if you have it delivered, and P140 if you pick it up personally. Order it online here. The embassy also accepts abirth certificate from the local civil registrar if your NSO-certified birth certificate copy is unclear.

If your birth is not registered with the NSO, you will need to get a Certificate of Non-Record from the NSO and submit it with a birth certificate from the local civil registrar. You will pay P350 if you have this delivered and P140 if you pick it up personally.

If the birth certificate is a late registration (your birth was not registered with the NSO within 30 days), you will need several documents: a birth certificate from the local civil registrar, the original baptismal certificate, the school record (Form 137 or school report card), and school yearbook are required. The contact number of the church and the school is also needed.

If you don’t have a marriage certificate with the NSO, you will need to get a Certificate of Non-Record together with a marriage certificate from the local civil registrar. You will pay P350 if you have this delivered and P140 if you pick it up personally.

The embassy will also need an itinerary that covers your entire stay. If the travel agency you booked with doesn’t have an itinerary for you, then you can make one for yourself.Make sure that your itinerary for your Japan trip is as detailed as possible. Download a sample form here.

The certificate you present to the embassy should be recent (within 3 months of submission of the application) and the amount should be enough to cover your airfare and your stay.

The embassy will require an original and photocopied version of your income tax return. If you don’t have an ITR for some reason, the embassy will require a letter from you explaining why.

Here are some of the accredited travel agencies:

If you already have your Japan visa, go plan your trip. Discover cheap hotel deals and cheap flights from carriers like Philippine Airlines and more with Traveloka!

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is up-to-date as of February 2020 and may be updated occasionally. Given the changing nature of laws, rules, and regulations of visas, there may be outdated information in this article. The information contained on this webpage is intended to provide general guidance on matters of interest for the personal use of the reader only.