These days, a Japan visa is one of the most sought-after travel documents in the country—so much so that the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines has become overwhelmed with the surge of applications. To avoid unnecessarily inefficient processes, the embassy has since announced that in April, all Japan visa applications will be handled by a new Japan Visa Application Center (JVAC) handled by VFS Global.
Got a trip coming up soon? Don't be intimidated by the change. Here's everything you need to know about how to apply for a Japan visa at the upcoming JVAC.
Check out this handy guide for applying for a Japan visa at the soon-to-open Japan Visa Application Center:
First things first, you have to prepare all your requirements. The new Japan Visa Application Center is just a conduit for the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines to process your applications. You still need to accomplish all the required paperwork and supply the necessary documents to be granted a visa. Once those are ready, you can process them at the JVAC.
Pro tip: Check the visa type you need to apply for. A tourist visa isn't the only type of visa you can apply for at the JVAC. Requirements and processing time vary for each visa type. So, you need to have the correct requirements for what you are applying for and enough time for the process before your trip.
Locations of the new Japan Visa Application Centers:
To properly serve visa applicants from all over the country, there are five Japan Visa Application Centers. When making your appointment, make sure to select the JVAC closest to you.
Three JVAC locations are in Metro Manila, one in Cebu, and one in Davao. Here's where you will find the JVAC in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao:
- Japan Visa Application Center- Quezon City:
- Address: 3/F Gateway Tower Mall, Araneta City, Quezon City
- Japan Visa Application Center- Makati City:
- Address: G/F Makati Circuit Corporate Center Tower Two, AP Reyes St. Brgy Carmona, Theater Drive Circuit, Makati City
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch now - Japan Visa Application Center- Paranaque City:
- Address: 3/F Parqal Mall, Building 5, Diokno Avenue corner Macapagal Boulevard, Barangay Tambo, Paranaque City,
- Japan Visa Application Center- Cebu:
- Address: 7/F Unit 9, Faustina Center, Bonifacio District, Cabahug St. Kasambagan, Cebu City
- Japan Visa Application Center- Davao:
- Address: 2/F FES -09, Alfresco Area, Felcris Centrale, Quimpo Boulevard, Barangay 40 – D, Davao
All the JVACs operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, visa submission, whether DIY or through travel agents, is only until noon. Passport release is available throughout the day.
How to make an appointment at the Japan Visa Application Center:
Once you've completed all your requirements and have chosen the application center closest to you, you can proceed with booking an appointment on the website.
The first step to booking an appointment is to create an account with VFS Global. This is fairly straightforward. You simply register your email, set up a password, and activate the account through the link they will send to your email.
Once your account is all set, you can now proceed to secure your appointment date. This means identifying what visa you are applying for and providing pertinent information like your passport number, name, birthdate, etc. At this point, VFS will also show the earliest available slot you can get for the type of application and your JVAC location. If the date provided is too close to your travel date, we recommend checking the other locations to see if they have earlier appointment dates available.
Appointment dates are given with a specific timeslot. As mentioned earlier, visa application submissions are only accepted until noon, so all available slots are in the morning.
After confirming your slots, your appointment is now booked. You can also choose to add additional premium services to your application, such as courier delivery for your passport (P900), SMS updates for application tracking (P150), form-filling aid, visa ID photography (P180), and even premium lounge access (P1,500).
If you're applying for visas for your family with elders and young kids, the lounge access might be worth looking into, as this service comes with cold and hot beverages, a dedicated visa processing aid, and all the other premium services. Just note that availing of the Premium Lounge service does not affect the success of your visa application. It just makes the experience a tad more pleasant and convenient.
At the end of setting up your appointment, you have the option of paying for the service fees and ancillary services you availed of online. Alternatively, you can also just pay for this at the visa application center on the day of your appointment. VFS charges a P520 service fee, which is still different from the visa application fee. This means you still need to bring cash during your appointment to pay for the visa itself.
What happens during your appointment schedule at the Japan Visa Application Center:
On the day of your appointment, make sure to bring the following with you:
- A printed copy of your appointment email confirmation, which was received after booking your appointment.
- A valid passport, i.e. a passport with at least two blank pages on both sides.
- Two photocopies of your passport bio page.
- A printed copy of your completed visa application form.
- All your supporting documents, both original and photocopies.
In case you availed additional premium services, you must also bring a copy of the receipt.
It's advisable to be at your designated visa application center at least 15 minutes before your appointment. This allowance accounts for unforeseen delays, last-minute changes, or random searches before entering the center.
Aside from receiving your application and checking your requirements, your visa application appointment is primarily for getting your biometric information. During your appointment, you will undergo a fingerprint and full facial scan as part of your application. Keep in mind that your digital photograph must show your full face. You cannot wear sunglasses, tinted spectacles, or a head covering unless worn for religious or ethical reasons.
Submitting your application
After biometric information collection and submission of the necessary forms, your application will be considered submitted and subject to the embassy's processing times, which vary depending on your visa type.
You will receive an email update once your passport and the accompanying visa decision have been returned to the Japan Visa Application Center. Additionally, you can get SMS updates about your application if you avail of the SMS premium service.
Alternatively, you can track your visa application status online. Simply input the reference number on the receipt issued by the JVAC, along with your date of birth, on the website to access this service.
For more information, visit the Japan Visa Application Center's website.
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