If you’re a Filipino planning to visit Japan, getting a tourist visa is the first step to making that dream a reality. But with so many requirements and processes involved, it’s only natural to have questions–a lot, actually.
In the first part of our Filipinos’ Most-Asked Japan Visa Application-related Questions series of posts, we covered general visa information and requirements as well as the application process.
We know the confusion and concerns don’t end after submitting one’s visa application, so we’ll be answering more questions in this post, particularly those about visa validity, post-application matters, and other miscellaneous concerns.
***IMPORTANT: Please note that this post is exclusively for individuals applying for a Temporary Visitor (Tourism) Visa. If you are looking to apply for a visa to visit a relative or a friend, to attend a conference or for business, or apply for any other visa type, please visit the Visa and Consular Services section on the official website of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines for more information.***
Post-Application Concerns
Is there any way to track the progress of my Japan visa application?
At the moment, there is no platform made available for Filipino Japan tourist visa applicants to check the progress status of their visa application. After lodging your application, you have to wait for your chosen travel agency to call you or send you a message about your passport pickup. This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. You may also call your travel agency to check if your documents have been submitted or if your passport has been returned for collection. However, due to the number of applications that travel agencies process and submit to the Embassy of Japan, understand that their staff might not always be able to provide you with exact status information.
How will I know if my visa is approved?
You will know if you’ve been granted a visa by the Embassy of Japan once you collect your passport from your travel agency. Keep in mind that travel agencies also do not answer questions pertaining to whether or not your application was approved.
Can I retrieve my passport before the visa processing is complete?
In the event that you need to retrieve your passport before the visa processing is complete or shortly after lodging your application for whatever reason at all (change of plans, sudden international trip, etc.), call your travel agency to coordinate your request with the Embassy of Japan.
Now, if you have an upcoming trip to another country, it would be prudent of you to plan your Japan visa application early or risk having your passport getting stuck at the Embassy.
Will the embassy provide reasons for a visa denial?
No. The Embassy of Japan does not provide the reason why your visa application was denied. If you were not granted a visa, you may simply assume that your application did not meet the criteria of visa issuance.
According to the official website of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, it “does not give the specific reason of the rejection because if we do so, the information might be used to get around the visa examination process to enter Japan for illegal or unjust purposes.”
Can I appeal a visa denial decision?
No. If your visa was denied, there is no process in place for Filipinos to appeal the decision of the Embassy. However, you may still apply for other visa types (i.e. visiting relatives or visiting friends, business, conference, cultural exchange), and it will be treated as a new and separate application from your previous one.
Can I reapply immediately after a denial?
No. You cannot reapply immediately after your previous application was denied. The only time an immediate reapplication is accepted by the Embassy is if you intend to travel to Japan for humanitarian reasons. Otherwise, you will have to wait at least six months from the date of your application’s rejection to reapply.
Visa Validity
How long is a Japan tourist visa valid for?
If you were granted a single-entry visa, you have a three-month window to use it. Past this validity period, you may no longer use your visa and must apply for another.
Does the three-month validity period mean I can stay in Japan for three months?
No. The duration of your permissible stay in Japan actually depends on the number of days stated on your visa and Landing Permission sticker issued by the Japan Immigration officer upon your arrival. The number of days could vary and will depend on the type of visa you were granted.
Is it true that first-time tourist visa applicants can only be granted a 15-day stay in Japan?
Not necessarily. The periods of stay for a short-term visa for tourism could be 15 days, 30 days, or 90 days. The final duration that will be stated on your visa is made according to the purpose of your visit and the schedule or itinerary that you will provide.
I have just a few days left on my visa. Can I still enter Japan?
Yes. Even if you have just one day left on your visa, you can still travel to Japan and the number of days of your stay will depend on what’s specified on your Landing Permission. However, it is highly encouraged that you use your visa as soon as possible to avoid problems arising from expired visas.
If my flight is canceled, can I use the same visa for a later trip?
Yes, you may still use the same visa for a later trip if your flight was canceled, provided that you’ve still got enough days on your visa to use it. Once the validity period of your visa has lapsed, you must lodge a new application.
If I enter Japan and leave earlier than planned, can I re-enter with the same single-entry visa?
No, you cannot re-enter Japan with a used single-entry visa, even if you entered the country earlier than planned. Once you have used your single-entry visa, you must re-apply for a new one to be able to re-enter Japan.
If I get a new passport, do I need to reapply for a Japan visa?
It is unlikely that you will have a valid single-entry visa on a passport that is about to expire, but if you have to get a new passport, you might have to reapply for a Japan tourist visa, depending on your circumstances.
What happens if I lose my passport while my Japan visa is still valid?
If you lose your passport carrying a valid Japan tourist visa, you must report the incident to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General that issued your visa. You will then have to reapply for another visa.
Miscellaneous Japan Tourist Visa Matters
There are parts in the application form that do not apply to me. Should I leave them blank?
No. You must never leave an item on your application form blank. If there are parts in the application form that do not apply to you, write “N/A.” Leaving parts completely blank can impede the assessment process of your application and could potentially lead to undesirable results.
Can I reuse my photo from my last Japan visa application?
If you are applying for another Japan visa within six months from the time your picture was taken, you can definitely submit it again. If the photo was taken beyond the six-month mark, though, you must have another professionally shot photo taken.
Can I enter Japan through a different airport than the one I mentioned in my application?
Yes. If your plans change from the time you lodged your application to the time you finalized your travel schedule, that’s totally fine. You can use the visa that was issued to you for your trip to Japan, regardless of the airport you’ll be arriving in.
Can I change my travel dates after my visa has been issued?
Just like the answer above, yes, you may change your travel dates after your visa has been issued. The Embassy wouldn’t closely monitor your activities and check if you are sticking to the itinerary that you submitted in your application. As long as your travel dates fall within your visa’s validity period and duration, you’re good to go!
What are the common reasons for visa application delays?
There are many reasons why the Japan visa application process take longer than expected. These days, one of the biggest reasons is the sudden influx of Filipinos lodging visa applications. Both the travel agencies and the Japanese Embassy operate on a limited capacity, so if there’s a surge in visa applications, the processing can take longer than the standard five days. There are also instances where the Embassy has to verify the information on one’s application, and that process, in itself, can take some extra time.
Will the Japanese Embassy ask me to provide additional documents?
This doesn’t often happen, but it does happen every now and then. There really are just some scenarios where the Embassy will require you to provide additional information or documents for your assessment to be completed. Keep in mind that if you fail to submit the additional documents being asked of you, your application cannot be processed any further, and you will not be able to get a visa.
What should I do if my passport is expiring soon?
If your passport is expiring soon, it would be best not to push through with your visa application, since you must have at least six months of validity on your passport for your application to be acknowledged. Even then, a passport with a six-month validity can pose a lot of risks. The wisest way to go about this is to have your passport renewed first and then lodge your application with your new passport.
Would it be beneficial to include copies of visas from other countries in my application?
Presenting copies of visas from other countries is not among the requirements. While they can serve as proof of your travel history, they wouldn’t really impact your application as much as others make it out to be. After all, there are countless first-time travelers who get granted a Japan tourist visa.
If my visa expires without being used, does it affect my chances of approval in the future?
While it may raise questions, having an expired and unused Japan tourist visa on your passport isn’t among the critical decision-making factors of the Embassy. If it will put you at ease, you may include a cover letter explaining why you have an expired and unused Japan tourist visa the next time you apply for another visa.
If I had a previous Japan visa, does it make it easier to get a new one?
Perhaps, in a sense that there are some documents that you no longer have to submit on your next application. These include birth and marriage certificates. However, being granted a Japan tourist visa in the past does not guarantee that you will be granted a visa on your next application.
I have a long layover in Japan. Can I get out of the airport for some sightseeing without a visa?
No. If you are a Philippine passport holder, you cannot exit Japanese airports without a visa–even if it’s just for a short while. If you wish to go sightseeing in Japan during your layover, you must apply for a Transit Visa, which comes with its own set of requirements, including a valid visa for your final destination and your outward plane ticket.
How soon can I reapply for a new visa after my current one has been used or expires?
Unlike the conditions surrounding reapplication following a visa denial, which requires the applicant to wait for six months, you can reapply for a new Japan tourist visa right after you use your previously issued one or as soon as it expires.
If you find our Filipinos’ Most-Asked Japan Visa Application-related Questions series helpful, just stay tuned, as we are about to cover multiple-entry visa application concerns in the next post!
From the snowy mountains in Hokkaido to the warm sandy beaches of Okinawa, Big Sky Nation ensures top-rated connectivity wherever your travels take you! Book your travel Wi-Fi device with us now and explore Japan with easy access to high-speed internet.
PROMO ALERT: Enjoy up to 50% OFF on Travel WiFi Premium for select destinations when you book 30 days before your trip! Promo runs until March 18, 2024. Travel period is until December 31, 2025. Book now or email info@bigskynation.com. You may also call the numbers 0917 713 2855 and 0918 964 7626 to place a reservation. You wouldn’t want to miss this deal!
