2023 is the year of travel, especially now that Japan has opened its borders to tourists! It’s likely that you’ve seen your friends, your relatives, and the celebrities you follow spending their holidays in the Land of the Rising Sun and it’s made you go green with envy. Don’t fret; you’ll make it there soon too! Just follow this step-by-step guide on how to apply for or renew your Japan tourist visa.
View of Niseko Hokkaido Japan during Summer (Photo provided by Hotel101)
How to Apply for or Renew Your Japan Tourist Visa
Note: This guide is for those who are not applying to join a group/package tour (doing DIY travel)
Requirements:
- Valid passport (with your expired Japan tourist visa, if you’re renewing)
- Application Form
- Passport-size photo with your full name written on the back (note: double-check with your agency what photo size they require)
- PSA-certified Birth certificate obtained within one (1) year (note: not required for those renewing their visas)
- PSA-certified Marriage certificate obtained within one (1) year, if married (note: not required for those renewing their visas)
- Itinerary in Japan
- If shouldering own expenses in Japan:
- Bank Certificate
- Photocopy of Income Tax Return / BIR Form 2316
- If guarantor in the Philippines will shoulder part/all of the applicant’s travel expenses:
- Guarantee Letter
- Proof of relationship between applicant and guarantor (e.g. Birth Certificates)
- Guarantor’s Bank Certificate
- Guarantor’s photocopy of Income Tax Return
- Multiple Visa Request Form (if applying for multiple-entry visa)
- List of visa applicants
How to fill up your application form
You can download the tourist visa application form here. There are two ways to fill it up: by accomplishing it electronically or by printing it out.
Remember to write in black ink and block letters. Don’t leave anything blank. If not applicable, write or type “N/A”. Make sure you check with your agency what photo size they require (some will ask for a passport-sized photo while others will ask for a 2×2).
Other notes: It’s okay if you still haven’t booked your airline ticket or a hotel when renewing your tourist visa. Just make sure that the date you are putting down as your intended travel date is within three (3) months from the date you are applying for it. For example, if you are applying in January, it’s best to put a travel date that’s scheduled for March even if you really aren’t going to travel in that month. You can also put down a random hotel as your accommodation. Take note that these tips are just for those renewing their visas and not applying for one for the first time. If you are a first-time applicant, it’s still best to apply for a visa strictly three months before the date you really want to travel, just in case you are granted a single-entry visa instead of a multiple-entry one.
How to fill up a sample itinerary
How to fill up a sample itineraryYou can download the Japan itinerary form here. Accomplishing your sample itinerary is easy as it doesn’t have to be super detailed. Here’s a format you can follow:
How to fill up a multiple-entry visa request form
You can download the multiple-entry visa request form here. The conditions for being granted a multiple-entry visa are as follows:
- You have traveled to Japan as a temporary visitor in the last 3 years and have sufficient financial capacity
- Requirements: used Japan visa and landing permission as a tourist in the last three years (you can submit your expired passport if your current one does not have your old visa), photocopy of Income Tax Return / BIR Form 2316, and Bank Certificate
- You have traveled to Japan (as a temporary visitor) and G7 countries (several times, except Japan)
- G7 countries include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States
- Requirements: used Japan visa and landing permission as a tourist, and/or used visas and landing permissions in any of the G7 countries in the last three years (you can submit your expired passport if your current one does not have your old visas)
- You have sufficient financial capacity
- Requirements: Birth Certificate (issued by PSA within 1 year), Marriage Certificate if married (issued by PSA within 1 year), photocopy of Income Tax Return, and Bank Certificate
- You are the Spouse or Child of an applicant with sufficient financial capacity
- Requirements: Birth Certificate (issued by PSA within 1 year), Marriage Certificate if married (issued by PSA within 1 year), photocopy of Income Tax Return, and Bank Certificate
The processing fee for a multiple-entry visa application is much more expensive than if you are only keen on applying for single-entry. However, in the event that your request is denied and you are only granted a single-entry visa, your agency will refund you the difference. So, might as well already apply for a multiple-entry visa!
How to obtain PSA-certified forms
If you don’t have the time to go request your birth and marriage certificates yourself, you can conveniently do so online and have them delivered to your doorstep. We wrote a guide on how to do that here.
(ALSO READ: You Can Now Use GCash When Traveling to Singapore, Japan, and More)
And that’s it! Submit the complete requirements to your chosen accredited agency and hope for the best! If you aren’t sure about certain requirements, it’s best to ask for help from the agency.
Also note that the tips listed above are based on personal experience from renewing my Japan tourist visa last December 2022.
You can check the complete details and more about obtaining a Japan Visa here.
Are you excited to go back to Japan this year? Tell us all your plans in the comments below!
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