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🇵🇭PHILIPPINES

🇯🇵JAPANPH-JP

Do Philippines passport holders need a visa to visit Japan?

Q: How much does the Japan visa cost for Filipinos?

The visa fee is waived for Filipinos. The only cost is the VFS Global service fee at the Japan Visa Application Center (PHP 520 per applicant). Optional services like express courier add to the total.

Q: How long does the Japan visa take?

5-7 working days for standard processing. Peak seasons like cherry blossom (March-April) or autumn (October-November) can extend this to 10-15 working days. Apply at least 4 weeks before travel during peak periods.

Q: How long can I stay in Japan?

Single-entry tourist visas typically allow 15-30 days stay per visit. The visa itself is valid for 3 months from issuance — you must enter Japan within this period.

Q: Can I get a multi-entry visa?

Yes — multi-entry visas are available for travellers with prior Japan visits or for specific business and family categories. The visa fee remains waived.

Q: Is there an eVisa for Filipinos?

A limited eVisa route exists for Filipinos travelling via designated packaged tours, with a maximum 15-day stay. Most independent travellers still apply for the traditional paper visa at JVAC.

Visa required. Fee waived (PHP 520 VFS service fee). Single-entry 15-30 days stay. Philippine ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter Japan — the Philippines is not on Japan's visa exemption list. The visa fee itself is waived for Filipino nationals; applicants only pay the VFS Global service fee (around PHP 520 per application). The single-entry tourist visa is valid for 90 days from issuance with stays typically capped at 15-30 days. Filipinos residing in the Philippines can also access a limited eVisa route through designated packaged tours (15-day stay maximum). Multi-entry visas are available for repeat travellers with prior travel history.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-27

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27

Visa type

Tourist Visa (paper or limited eVisa)

Maximum stay

15-30 days (single); longer for multi-entry

per entry

Entries

Single (standard); multi-entry with history

from issue date

Visa fee

Free (PHP 520 VFS service fee)

consular fee only

Processing time

5-7 working days

standard track

Validity

3 months from issue (single-entry)

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Check passport validity

Must be valid for the entire stay with at least 1 blank page (2 blank pages recommended).

· valid for stay

/02

Prepare documents

Application form, passport, photo (45×45mm), birth certificate (PSA), employment certificate or ITR, bank certificate (last 3 months), day-by-day itinerary, flight + hotel bookings.

· full document set

/03

Submit at JVAC (VFS Global)

Submit application at Japan Visa Application Center (Parañaque, Makati, Quezon City, Cebu, Davao). Pay PHP 520 service fee.

· VFS centres

/04

Wait for decision

5-7 working days standard. Peak seasons (March-April cherry blossom, October-November autumn, December holiday) can extend processing.

· 5-7 working days

/05

Travel to Japan

Collect passport with visa sticker. Submit Visit Japan Web after visa is issued for faster QR-code entry on arrival.

· Visit Japan Web

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 11 complete

Philippine passport

Valid for entire stay, 1-2 blank pages

Visa application form

Completed and signed

Passport photo

45×45mm, white background, taken within 6 months

PSA birth certificate

Original copy

Employment certificate

With leave dates and salary

Bank certificate

Last 3 months bank statements

ITR (Income Tax Return)

Last 1-2 years

Round-trip flight booking

Confirmed reservation

Accommodation bookings

Hotels for entire stay

Day-by-day itinerary

Detailed plan strongly recommended

PHP 520 VFS service fee

Per applicant

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Single-entry visaFreeVisa fee waived for Filipinos; VFS service fee PHP 520 applies

VFS service feePHP 520Per applicant at JVAC

Multi-entry visaFreeFee waived; for repeat travellers with prior visit history

Express courier (optional)PHP 350+Return delivery to home/office

Overstay penaltiesDetention + banStrict enforcement

Total estimatePHP 520 — PHP 870incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Single-entry tourist visa

5-7 working days

Standard processing at JVAC.

Multi-entry visa

5-7 working days

Available for travellers with prior visits or for select business/family categories.

Peak season

10-15 working days

March-April, October-November, December — submit at least 4 weeks ahead.

Visit Japan Web (post-visa)

Same day

Recommended after visa approval for QR-code airport entry.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Insufficient funds shown

Bank certificate should show stable income and reserves; sudden lump-sum deposits raise concerns.

Medium

/02

Weak travel history

First-time international travellers may need stronger supporting evidence (employment, family ties).

Medium

/03

Inconsistent itinerary

Mismatched dates, vague plans, or contradictions between forms and bookings can lead to refusal.

Medium

/04

Previous overstays

Any prior Japan, US, UK, or Schengen overstay heavily affects future approvals.

Medium

/05

Incomplete documents

Missing PSA birth certificate, employment letter, or ITR is a common cause of returned applications.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Customs

Declare cash over JPY 1,000,000 equivalent and avoid bringing restricted fresh food, meat, plants, or controlled medicines.

/02

Immigration

Fingerprints and a photo are normally collected on arrival. Visit Japan Web can speed up immigration and customs forms.

/03

Connectivity

Tourist SIMs, eSIMs, and pocket WiFi rentals are widely available at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and major city pickup points.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-27

Philippines to Japan route verified

Confirmed visa required, visa fee waived, PHP 520 VFS service fee, single-entry 15-30 days.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Filipino citizens need a visa for Japan?—

Yes — Philippine ordinary passport holders need a tourist visa to enter Japan. The visa fee itself is waived; applicants only pay the VFS Global service fee (PHP 520).

How much does the Japan visa cost for Filipinos?+

How long does the Japan visa take?+

How long can I stay in Japan?+

Can I get a multi-entry visa?+

Is there an eVisa for Filipinos?+

/11 — Passport tools