Japan places great importance on its bilateral relationship with the Philippines and the people-to-people exchanges that form the foundation of that relationship.

In light of the unprecedented surge in visa applications especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Embassy of Japan is currently in the process of transitioning its screening system. This is to further streamline the visa process, as well as to continue strengthening our robust people-to-people exchanges as a vital part of Japan and the Philippines’ bilateral relations.

As part of this process, we have been recommending that visa applications for tourist purposes be submitted to the Embassy two (2) months in advance since January of this year.

Please be informed that the Embassy will continue to make efforts to complete the procedures and return the visa within five (5) working days, after it is submitted to the Embassy by the travel agencies.

For official and commercial purposes (e.g. Business, Conference, Cultural Exchange, Long-Term Stay Visas, etc.), and other types of visa applications, the same procedures will be followed as in the past.

For more information on the visa application process, kindly visit the Embassy’s official website here: https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html.