Japan relaxes Visa Requirements for Filipinos

Japan is relaxing their visa requirements beginning this month of August for Filipinos travelling for business, cultural, and intellectual activities, as released in a statement by the Japanese Embassy in Manila.

The embassy said that the scope of applicants eligible for multiple entry visas “will be expanded”, and the validity period will be extended from five (5) years to a maximum of ten (10) years.

According to the statement, this move aims to promote “people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines,” and “contribute to the improvement of convenience for tourists, as well as increase in repeat visitors.”

The Japanese embassy website (http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/files/000386537.pdf) outlines the entire application process for multiple entry visas. As of this writing, the requirements for applying for a multiple-entry visa to Japan are:

• Valid Philippine Passport

1. 1. Visa Application Form – available at the Embassy Website
   2. 4.5cm x 4.5cm photo, with white background
   3. Employment Certificate (with applicant’s salary, tenure, and position)
   4. Documents proving that you are a qualified applicant for business/cultural/intellectual purposes – old passports with visas or entry stamps from previous travels to any G7 country (except Japan), copy of Profession Regulation Commission (PRC) ID card

• Personal Explanation letter for requesting multiple-entry visa

1. (for business purposes) Letter of mission or travel requisition by employer, etc. (stating the reason for applying for the visa)
2. Documents to prove kinship – birth certificate, marriage certificate, and copy of passport and visa page of a multiple entry visa holder (parent or spouse)

*all documents must be original unless otherwise stated. A4 size only for all documents