Ask anybody who’s been to Japan and they’ll tell you one visit to this exciting country that has something for everyone to enjoy will never be enough. The thing is… once you’ve been to Japan, you’ll always want to keep coming back for more!
This is why a multiple-entry–also referred to as “ME”–Japan tourist visa is much-coveted among Filipinos. It gives one almost unlimited access to adventures in the Land of the Rising Sun. However, getting one also isn’t the easiest, as there are specific types of travelers who qualify for applying for a multiple-entry visa.
In this post, we will run through all the most-asked questions of Pinoy travelers looking to apply for a multiple-entry Japan tourist visa and provide answers that could bring clarity (and, hopefully, confidence, too!) to first-time ME visa applicants. Let’s go!
***IMPORTANT: Please note that this post is mainly for individuals applying for a multiple-entry Temporary Visitor (Tourism) Visa for Frequent Travelers. 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 multiple-entry visa type (for high-income individuals or for business and cultural or intellectual figures), please visit the Visa and Consular Services section on the official website of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines for more information.***
General Information, Eligibility, and Requirements
What are the different types of Japan multiple-entry visas?
There are three types of Multiple-Entry visas available for temporary visitors:
- Multiple-entry Visa for a Frequent Traveler
- The type of visa that this post covers, the Multiple-entry Visa for a Frequent Traveler is intended for travelers who have a good travel history and have, ideally, visited Japan in the past.
- Period of stay is up to 30 days.
- Multiple-entry Temporary Visitor Visa (Philippine nationals with considerable financial capacity)
- This is for high-income individuals and their spouse and/or children, who intend to visit Japan several times as a temporary visitor for tourism, business or visiting relatives, etc.
- Period of stay is up to 90 days.
- Multiple Entry-Visa for Business Purpose and Cultural or Intellectual Figures
- This visa type is first and foremost a visa for business affairs that eligible individuals and their spouse and/or children can apply for.
- Validity of this visa is 1, 3, 5 or 10 years, and the period of stay may be 15, 30 or 90 days.
What are the requirements for a multiple-entry Japan visa?
The documents you need to prepare when applying for a multiple-entry Japan tourist visa are similar to those for a regular tourist visa application. The only difference is that you will need to fill out another form for the multiple-entry visa request.
Regular Requirements
- Accomplished Visa Application Form
- You may download the application form here. It must be duly filled out and signed by the applicant.
- Passport
- The passport must be valid for at least six months from the intended date of travel and should have at least two blank pages. The passport must also have the signature of the bearer.
- Photo
- A recent 4.5cm x 3.5cm photograph with a white background, taken within the last six months. Make sure to write your full name and date of birth at the back of your photo.
- Birth Certificate
- Issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and printed within the past year. If you have previously traveled to Japan and have the used visa on your passport, you don’t have to submit this document anymore.
- Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- For married applicants, this should also be issued by the PSA and printed within the past year.
- Daily Itinerary in Japan
- A detailed schedule of activities for the entire duration of the trip. You can download the itinerary form here.
- Financial Documents
- An original bank certificate with the applicant’s average daily balance (ADB) in the last six months. If the bank certificate does not indicate the applicant’s ADB, include the accountholder’s bank statements over the past six months to prove the applicant’s capacity to cover their travel expenses.
- Photocopy of BIR Tax Payment Certificate
- The applicant’s BIR Form 2316—also known as the “ITR” (income tax returns form)—must have the signature of the Employer and Employee for employed individuals. Meanwhile, for business owners, a photocopy of the proof of actual payment of tax must be submitted in addition to the BIR Tax Payment Certificate Form.
- Certificate of Employment (if employed) or Business Registration (if self-employed)
- This will serve as proof of the applicant’s stable income or business operations in the Philippines.
- For students, a copy of School ID or Certificate of Enrollment in School must be submitted.
- Additional Documents
- Any supporting materials to clarify the purpose of travel or financial capability of the applicant. These can come in the form of a cover or explanation letter.
Multiple-entry Visa-specific Requirements
- Request for Multiple-entry Visa form
- You may download the form here.
- Passports (including old passports) that carry used Japan visas and Landing Permission stickers over the past 3 years
- If you’ve been to a G7 country in the past 3 years, submit all used visas and landing permissions of G7 member countries (except Japan).
Do I need to have previously visited Japan to qualify for a multiple-entry visa?
Not necessarily. As you may have read above, there are some multiple-entry visa types that don’t require you to have visited Japan before. For instance, if you have visited any G7 member country up to three years ago, then you may apply for a multiple-entry tourist visa.
Is there a minimum income requirement for multiple-entry visa applicants?
The Embassy of Japan has never disclosed the amount that applicants should have in their bank accounts to qualify for a multiple-entry tourist visa. Each application is assessed individually after all.
Are there specific professions prioritized for multiple-entry visas?
It’s not that there are some professions that are “prioritized,” rather, there is a specific multiple-entry visa application category for people who hold a certain job, such as medical doctors, lawyers, and professors. That being said, people from various professions may apply for a multiple-entry visa.
Can I apply for a multiple-entry visa under a guarantor?
Yes. This is especially applicable for spouses and/or children of multiple-entry visa applicants. If you are applying for a multiple-entry visa under a guarantor, you must prepare the following documents:
- Guarantee letter
- Download the Guarantee Letter here and fill out completely.
- Proof of relationship between the applicant and the guarantor
- Some examples would be birth or marriage certificates and photos
- Original Bank Certificate of the guarantor and applicant (if they will be partially funding their trip)
- Photocopy of the guarantor’s Tax Payment Certificate
- The employment certificate of the guarantor
Do I need to submit a separate letter, explaining why I wish to apply for a multiple-entry Japan tourist visa?
This is entirely optional. Some applicants find the space in the request form insufficient for their reasons, so they include a separate cover letter.
Application Process
Can I apply directly at the Japanese Embassy or do I need to go through an accredited agency?
Just as it is with regular visa applications, everything has to be coursed through an accredited agency. You may access the list here. The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines does not accept walk-in or direct applications.
What is the processing time for a multiple-entry visa?
According to the Japanese Embassy, as they are transitioning to a new system, the assessment of visa applications for tourism purposes which normally took five working days, might now take several weeks–a period longer than the standard processing time. Therefore, applicants are recommended to apply at least two months prior to the date of travel.
How much is the application fee for a multiple-entry visa?
The application fee for a multiple-entry Japan tourist visa varies from one agency to another. There is no fixed price, but agencies usually charge at least PHP1,500 per application.
Can I apply for a multiple-entry visa immediately after a single-entry visa?
If you have recently used your single-entry visa, you may apply for a multiple-entry visa if you are eligible under any of the categories specified by the Japanese Embassy.
Do I need to provide a detailed travel itinerary for multiple future trips?
No. You do not have to provide a detailed travel itinerary for future trips even if you are applying for a multiple-entry tourist visa. You only have to submit the itinerary for the trip you intend to take soon.
Is it possible to expedite the processing of a multiple-entry visa?
At the moment, travel agencies and the Japanese Embassy do not offer expedited visa processing for Japan tourist visa applicants. The duration of your visa application process highly depends on the amount of time the Embassy takes to review your documents.
Can I reapply for a multiple-entry visa immediately after a denial?
If you were denied a multiple-entry visa, but were granted a single-entry visa, you may reapply for a multiple-entry visa after using your single-entry visa. However, if your application was completely denied, you will have to wait for six months from the date of rejection before you can lodge another application.
If my multiple-entry visa application was denied, will I be able to get a refund?
This entirely depends on the travel agency that you apply at. Currently, only Reli Tours offer partial refunds for the processing fee of a multiple-entry visa application if an application is denied.
Validity and Usage
How long is a multiple-entry Japan visa valid for?
The period of validity of a multiple-entry Japan tourist visa depends on the type you get. For frequent travelers, the period of validity could either be 5 or 10 years.
What is the maximum duration of stay per visit under a multiple-entry visa?
The duration of stay per visit also depends on the the type of multiple-entry visa type you get. On average, though, this can last anywhere from 15 to 90 days.
Are there restrictions on the number of times I can enter Japan within the visa’s validity?
According to the Japanese Embassy, there is no limit to the number of times you can enter Japan. However, if you intend to stay in the country for more than half of the year (180 days) as with a “Temporary Visitor” visa, you might not be allowed to enter Japan since this duration may not be regarded as a temporary visit.
Are there any limitations to the regions I can visit within Japan on a multiple-entry visa?
No, there are no limitations to the regions that you can visit within Japan on a multiple-entry visa. Go and enjoy the culture and scenery of various prefectures!
Can I use a multiple-entry visa for purposes other than tourism, such as business?
According to the Embassy of Japan, you may use your multiple-entry tourist visa for purposes like inspection tours, participating in lectures or meetings, business contact, or other similar activities during a short stay in Japan. But, you cannot use any type of tourist visa (multiple-entry or not) for paid or remunerated activities.
If you wish to go to Japan to engage in such activities, you must secure a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan before applying for an appropriate visa.
If I renew my passport, do I need to transfer my valid multiple-entry visa to the new passport?
No, you don’t need to transfer your valid multiple-entry visa to your new passport. If you are traveling to Japan with a new passport, simply bring your previous passport with the valid multiple-entry visa.
What happens if I lose my passport while my Japan visa is still valid?
If you lose your passport while your multiple-entry visa is still valid, it is considered invalid and you must reapply for another after reporting the incident to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General that issued your visa.
Does the multiple-entry visa allow me to work or study in Japan?
No. There are specific visa types for working and studying in Japan. Using your multiple-entry tourist visa for these purposes could get you in trouble with the law.
Can I bring dependents or family members under my multiple-entry visa?
No. They must apply for their own visa to enter Japan.
If my multiple-entry visa expires without being used, will it affect my chances of approval in the future?
The chances of your application being approved mainly depends on your current circumstances based on the documents that you submit. If the Embassy deems you fit for another multiple-entry visa despite your previous one being unused, then they will still approve your application.
Will I be granted another multiple-entry visa once my current one expires?
Being granted a multiple-entry tourist visa doesn’t guarantee that your next one will also be multiple-entry.
Were we able to answer some of your questions regarding applying for a multiple-entry Japan tourist visa? If you found this post helpful, feel free to check out our other Japan visa-related articles here and here.
Happy travels to Japan!
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*Featured image by Benjamin Wong on Unsplash
