WHO CAN GET MULTIPLE ENTRY JAPAN TOURIST VISA IN THE PHILIPPINES

WHO CAN GET MULTIPLE ENTRY JAPAN TOURIST VISA IN THE PHILIPPINES 

If you can tick off any of the boxes in the form below, you can apply for a multiple entry temporary visitor visa to Japan in the Philippines. 

What are the additional requirements/documents you will need aside from the usual requirements of passport, application form, passport picture, itinerary to Japan, and birth and/or marriage certificate? 

1. Frequent traveler to Japan

- current and old passports with Japan visa and landing stamps. 

- current and old passports with G7 country visa and arrival stamps

- savings account bank statements or certificate of deposit issued within 3 months of the date of application. Travel agencies recommend having a 7 digit deposit amount in said bank account. Printouts of certificate of deposit issued by digital banks are accepted

  

- for the spouse of the frequent traveler applying together with the frequent traveler: marriage certificate issued within 3 months from date of application. (if spouse applies separately from the frequent traveler, you need to submit the frequent traveler's documents proving frequent travel to Japan) 

- for the child of the frequent traveler applying together with the frequent traveler: birth certificate issued within 3 months from date of application. (if spouse applies separately from the frequent traveler, you need to submit the frequent traveler's documents proving frequent travel to Japan)

2. A regular employee by ONE of the following enterprises and his/her spouse or child

- certificate of employment: must include applicant’s position, period of employment, monthly (or annual) income, certifier’s name and contact information.

- for the spouse of the employee applying together with the employee: marriage certificate issued within 3 months from date of application. (if spouse applies separately from the employee, you need to submit the employee's certificate of employment)

- for the child of the employee applying together with the employee: birth certificate issued within 3 months from date of application. (if spouse applies separately from the employee, you need to submit the employee's certificate of employment) 

3. A cultural or intellectual figure and his/her spouse or child

-  only the people listed below are eligible. 

-  You must submit documents and certificates proving you're such a person. A lawyer can submit an IBP ID. A full-time professor can submit a certificate from the university. An accountant can submit a PRC ID.

MY TIP: You don't have to check only one of the boxes. Check as many boxes as applicable to you to increase your chance of getting a visa. 

The request for multiple entry temporary visitor visa form is available here: https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html

For complete information on how to apply for a multiple entry temporary visitor visa, see here: https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html

Why get an IBP ID? Coz lawyers are now eligible to apply for a multiple entry Japan tourist visa

Why get an IBP ID? Coz lawyers are now eligible to apply for a multiple entry Japan tourist visa

Membership to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) is compulsory for lawyers admitted to the Philippine Bar. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID is issued to lawyers who  have paid their IBP membership dues for the current year and have no outstanding obligations.

Aside from the use of the IBP ID in the same manner as other government issued ID, it can be used as proof that you are a lawyer when applying for a multiple entry 5 year Japan tourist visa. A lawyer, and the spouse and child of a lawyer, are eligible to apply for a multiple entry 5 year Japan tourist visa.

Check out this page and download the request for a multiple entry temporary visitor visa on this page to see who are eligible to apply for a multiple entry 5 year Japan tourist visa: https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html

This is the request for multiple entry temporary visitor visa
with a list of those eligible to make the request. 

How to get an IBP ID?
1. Download the myIBP app at Google play store or at the Apple store. 
2. Register an account using your Roll of attorney number.
3. Pay the IBP annual dues at the app. 
4. Request for an ID at the app. 
5. Upload any photo you have on file.
6. Pay for the ID
7. Wait for it to be sent to you by courier.

JAPAN: My Guide on How to Apply for a 5-Year Multiple Entry Japan Tourist Visa

JAPAN: My Guide on How to Apply
for a 5-Year Multiple Entry Japan Tourist Visa

Before you start applying for a visa, these are the things you should know first:

1. You can only apply for a visa through an accredited travel agency.

The Japanese Embassy site states that "Effective 30th July 2007, all visa applications except cases indicated in (2) below must be coursed through travel agencies accredited by the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines." (see the exceptions HERE)

This is the list of accredited travel agencies given by the Japanese embassy in Manila: You can access it HERE

I applied for a visa through Rajah Tours and Travel. They charge 1500 pesos as assistance fee and 84 pesos for pick-up and delivery fee (depending on location of pickup and delivery). The Japan visa is free.

The agency charges assistance fee for assessing the documents and evaluating if it's complete. They also make suggestions on what documents to add based on your situation to give you the best chance being granted a visa. That's why I personally think not all agencies are the same. You have to find an agency with a great deal of experience in this respect, with people who will actually assess your unique situation, keep your financial documents secure and private, take care not to lose or misplace your passports, especially the ones with visas attached.

The agency delivery fee covers picking up the passport and the required documents from your stated location and returning the passport to you after the Japanese embassy has returned it to the travel agency.

I highly recommend Rajah Tours. If you wish to make inquiries, you can contact Sandy at jpsese@rajahtravel.com

2. Apply only 3 months before the end of your travel.

If the last day of your visit to Japan is on June 1, make sure that the EARLIEST time that you will submit your application is March 1. I tend to apply for a visa very early but I was advised by the travel agency to submit it only 3 months before, since it's not certain that the Japanese embassy will issue a multiple entry 5-year visa.

Apparently, upon submission of the passport and documents, they immediately evaluate and issue the visa. In the experience of the travel agency, if they issue a single entry visa, the usual duration of the visa is only 3 months. So if the last day of your visit in Japan is June 1, and you submit your visa application on March 1, even if they immediately issue a single entry visa good for 3 months, that would be from March 1- June 1. This means the whole duration of travel will be covered by the duration of the visa issued.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE JAPAN VISA APPLICATION:

Click this for Japan Tourist Visa Requirements from the Japanese Embassy


BELOW IS THE SAMPLE VISA CHECKLIST FOR A FAMILY: THE EMPLOYED HUSBAND, THE NON-WORKING WIFE, AND THE CHILD

VISA CHECKLIST FOR THE EMPLOYED HUSBAND:

1. CURRENT VALID PASSPORT 

This means you need an unexpired passport that is valid 6 months from date of travel. For example, if you're leaving the country on December 1 and returning December 8, 2019. You need a passport that remains valid until June 8, 2020. Although Japan allows entry of tourists as long as their passports are unexpired, Philippine immigration and airline check in counters are very strict and does not allow passengers with passports less than 6 months valid to leave the country.

2. ALL OLD PASSPORTS

Although not required by the Japanese embassy site, Rajah tours requires it. The reason perhaps is to give additional information on previous travels that may help in requesting a visa.

If you have a valid US visa, include the passport with the US visa and all passports between the US visa and your current visa.

3. COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM

• You can print the pdf pplication form at https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/files/000163096.pdf
• Print the application form in A4 size paper.
• Fill up the application form having in mind the following rule: 

• All items should be filled out. If an item is not applicable, put N/A. 

• It must be signed and dated. 

• View this sample application form to guide you how to fill up the application form: https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/files/000163097.pdf
• If you're applying for a multiple entry visa, in the portion asking for intended length of stay, write in the blank "no. of days - Requesting for multiple entry". For example, 7 days - Requesting for multiple entry.

4. PHOTO

• One (1) 2 inches x 2 inches or 4.5cm x 4.5cm recent colored photo, with white background.
• The applicant's dress code for the photo: decent, colored top with sleeves (If you're not dressed properly when having the photo taken, Great Image studio lets you choose from a list of outfits they can photoshop in the photo)
• Photo must be recent and taken within 6 months of submission of visa application.
• The photo must not have been previously submitted to the Japan embassy.
• Write applicant’s name and birthdate on back side of the photo.
• Photo must be pasted on the application form, NOT STAPLED.

5. NSO ISSUED BIRTH CERTIFICATE

• It must be issued within one year from date of application from PSA Main Office/Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide). You cannot cheat this requirement. The barcode on the lower left portion of the birth certificate reveals the date of issuance of the birth certificate.

• If the birth certificate from Philippine Statistics Office (PSA) is unreadable, or has incomplete information, please submit the birth certificate issued by PSA together with a birth certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar.

• If the birth certificate is “late registration”, please submit in addition, a baptismal certificate and school record (Form 137) from high school or elementary and School Yearbook (if possible).

• If there is no record in PSA, please submit a “Certificate of Non-Record” from PSA together with a birth certificate from the Local Civil Registrar

• The NSO issued birth certificate is not required if the applicant can submit old or valid passports with USED Japan visa

You can apply for an NSO birth certificate online at PSASerbilis.com. It's best if you have a xerox copy of your old birth certificate when applying online so you can refer to it when typing all the information. Typographical errors can lead to failure to find records at the NSO. 

6. NSO ISSUED MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE (if married)

• IT must be issued within one year from date of applicationfrom PSA Main Office/Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide). You cannot cheat this requirement. The barcode on the lower left portion of the birth certificate reveals the date of applicaton for birth certificate.

• In case there is no record in PSA, please submit a “Certificate of Non-Record” from PSA together with the Marriage Certificate from the Local Civil Registrar. 
• The NSO issued birth certificate is not required if the applicant can submit old or valid passports with USED Japan visa

7. DAILY SCHEDULE/ITINERARY OF ACTIVITIES IN JAPAN

• You can find in word format the sample schedule of stay form that you can fill up at: https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html

• For sample itinerary, CHECK OUT MY POST:

• 7 days in Osaka: My Travel Guide and Itinerary
• 7 days in Tokyo: My Travel Guide and Itinerary

8. FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

IF APPLICANT WILL SHOULDER ALL OR PART OF HIS TRAVEL EXPENSES:

a. Original bank certificate

• Validity of Bank Certificate is three (3) month from the date of issue.
• According to Rajah Tours, savings account is the preference of the Embassy of Japan.
• If you are applying for a multiple entry visa under the category of abundant financial capacity, Rajah tours recommends that the savings account must exhibit at least 7 digit figures.

b. Clear photocopy of the applicant’s latest Income Tax Return (Form 2316)

IF GUARANTOR WHO LIVES IN THE PHILIPPINES WILL SHOULDER PART OR ALL OF THE APPLICANT'S TRAVEL EXPENSES:

a. Guarantee Letter signed by the guarantor

• You can find in word format the sample guarantee letter form that you can fill up at: https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html

b. Proof of relationship between guarantor and applicant like birth certificate, marriage certificate, employment certificate, etc.

c. Original bank certificate of the guarantor with the same requirements as the bank certificate mentioned above

d. Clear photocopy of the guarantor’s latest Income Tax Return (Form 2316).

9. LETTER REQUEST FOR MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA

• Fill up the following letter request form: https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/files/000386521.pdf

10. OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT YOU THINK WILL SUPPORT YOUR APPLICATION

THE JAPAN EMBASSY STRESSES: It is applicant’s responsibility to ensure that he/she meet the requirements for the grant of a visa. Submission of any supporting documents not listed above is encouraged (e.g. applicant’s economic or social ties with the Philippines, urgent reasons for visit: medical certificate, wedding invitation).

Although optional, I also submitted a certificate of employment stating position, tenure of service with gross annual income.

VISA CHECKLIST FOR THE NON-WORKING SPOUSE:

1. Current valid passport
2. All old passports
3. Completed application form
4. Photo
5. NSO issued birth certificate
6. NSO issued marriage certificate
7. Daily schedule/itinerary of activities
8. Guarantee Letter of the Husband who is covering the travel expenses
9. Original bank certificate of the husband/guarantor
10. Clear photocopy of the husband/guarantor’s latest Income Tax Return (Form 2316).
11. Letter request for multiple entry visa

VISA CHECKLIST FOR THE DEPENDENT CHILD:

1. Current valid passport

2. All old passports

3. Completed application form

4. Photo

5. NSO issued birth certificate

6. NSO issued marriage certificate of parents

7. Daily schedule/itinerary of activities

8. Guarantee Letter of the parent who is covering the travel expenses

9. Original bank certificate of the parent/guarantor

10. Clear photocopy of the parent/guarantor’s latest Income Tax Return (Form 2316).

11. Letter request for multiple entry visa

WHAT DOCUMENTS OR REQUIREMENTS YOU CAN PREPARE: 

6 MONTHS BEFORE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION:

Note: Do not fill up the date of the document until it's near the day of the application.

1. Current valid passport

2. All old passports

3. Completed application form

4. Photo

5. NSO issued birth certificate

6. NSO issued marriage certificate

7. Daily schedule/itinerary of activities

8. Guarantee Letter

9. Clear photocopy of the latest Income Tax Return (Form 2316).

10. Letter request for multiple entry visa

2 MONTHS BEFORE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION:

Note: Do not fill up the date of the document until it's near the day of the application.

1. Original bank certificate of the applicant or guarantor.

• The bank certificate is considered only valid for 3 months.