How to Get a Japan Visa in Cebu

Japan is definitely on everyone’s bucket list. But as Filipinos, we need to get a visa to visit this beautiful country.

Here is a very simple guide on how to get a Japan visa in Cebu.

Before traveling to Japan, I personally read a lot of blog posts about others’ Japan Visa experience; hence, I want to share my experience and hope it will be helpful to you as well.

I am currently in Cebu, and this is how to get a Japan Visa in Cebu.

IMPORTANT: Before applying, please determine the type of Japan visa you need to apply for. For this particular guide, I will only be discussing the requirements for a tourist visa

Japan Visa Requirements

Please know that all of the following requirements are taken from the Japan Embassy link.

1. Philippine Passport

• Holder’s signature required
• Passport must be in excellent condition.
• The photo should not have broken lamination.
• Must have a signature and at least two (2) blank pages.

2. Application Form

• A facial Photo (4.5×3.5cm or 2 in × 1.4 in) must be attached. Taken within the last 6 months
• Get your application form here. You can also fill it out directly and download it with your changes (Example).
• Print the Japan Visa Application Form in A4 size.
• Fill out the form completely. Put “N/A” in all spaces that are not applicable. Make sure that you sign it.

3. Birth Certificate (issued by PSA within 1 year)

• You can get your Birth Certificate on PSA Serbilis.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• If the certificate is unreadable or incomplete, submit a Birth certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar.
• If the birth certificate is “LATE REGISTRATION”, submit a Baptismal Certificate and School Record (Form 137).
• If there is no record of birth in PSA, submit Birth Certificate issued by Local Civil Registrar and a Negative Certificate issued by PSA.

NOTE: If you are unable to provide any requirement (for example, you need Form 317 if you are late registered, you can simply provide a letter of explanation)

4. Marriage Certificate (issued by PSA within 1 year. For the married only.)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• If the certificate is unreadable, submit a Marriage certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar.
• If there is no record of marriage in PSA, submit a Marriage Certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar and a Negative Certificate issued by PSA.

IMPORTANT: Birth Certificate & Marriage Certificate are NOT necessary for submission IF you have already been issued a Japan Visa before (old or still valid).

5. Itinerary in Japan

• You can download the Embassy Itinerary in Japan Document here. You can also fill it out directly and download it with your changes.

6. Bank Certificate

• This must be an original copy from your bank and must be issued within the past 3 months.

How much money should you have in your bank account? The Japanese Embassy did not mention any minimum amount requirement, but it is good to ensure that you have enough during your travel. When I was applying, my friends told me to have at least Php 50,000 in the bank for a 5-7 day trip in Japan — so let’s use that as a minimum standard.

NOTE: If you are ONLY submitting a Bank Certificate from a Digital Bank like (CIMB, Seabank, Tonik, or Maya), you need a letter of explanation. I didn’t need a letter of explanation because I have a BPI bank certificate, which is already enough.

7. Photocopy of Income Tax Return

For employed persons:

• Latest ITR (Form 2316) clear photocopy on A4 paper with the receipt stamp from BIR (or if you used e-Tax, submit the receipt notification).
• Certificate of Employment

For self-employed / business persons:

• If you’re a freelancer, provide a clear photocopy of your latest ITR (Form 1701A) on A4 paper.
• If you own a business, submit the company ITR and a copy of the Certificate of Registration issued by DTI/SEC.
• If you can submit a Business Permit, even better.

NOTE: If you do NOT have an ITR, write a simple letter explaining why you’re unable to submit it.

In case a guarantor in the Philippines will shoulder part/all of the travel expense

• Guarantee Letter
• Proof of relationship between applicant and guarantor(e.g., Birth Certificates)
• Bank Certificate
• Photocopy of Income Tax Return (BIR: Form 2316)

Updated Japan Visa Application via VFS Global

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Japan visa application process in the Philippines has changed since my original application experience.

Starting April 7, 2025, Japan visa applications in the Philippines are handled through the Japan Visa Application Centre (JVAC), operated by VFS Global. Applications for tourist visas are no longer submitted through the previously accredited travel agencies.

If you are applying for a Japan tourist visa from Cebu today, you will need to apply through the VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre in Cebu.

Japan Visa Application Centre in Cebu

The current VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre in Cebu is located at:

Unit 9, 7th Floor, Faustina Center, Bonifacio District, Cabahug St., Kasambagan, Cebu City, 6000

The centre is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. VFS currently lists Cebu as one of the five Japan Visa Application Centres in the Philippines, along with Davao, Makati, Parañaque, and Quezon City.

How to Apply for a Japan Tourist Visa Through VFS

The basic process is now:

1. Prepare your Japan visa requirements.
   Make sure all your documents are complete and follow the latest requirements listed by the Embassy of Japan.
2. Create an appointment through VFS Global.
   Japan visa applications require an appointment before visiting the Visa Application Centre. You can book your appointment through the official VFS Global Japan website.
3. Visit the VFS Japan Visa Application Centre in Cebu.
   Bring your appointment confirmation and complete set of documents on your scheduled date.
4. Submit your application and pay the required fees.
   The application now involves both the applicable visa fee and the VFS centre usage fee. The fees may vary depending on the applicant’s nationality and visa type.
5. Wait for the visa processing.
   The Embassy states that the standard processing period is generally 5 working days from the date the Embassy receives the application from the Visa Application Centre. However, tourist visa applications may take several weeks when application volumes are high, so it is recommended to apply well ahead of your planned trip.
6. Track your application and collect your passport.
   You can use the VFS Global website to track your application and check the instructions for passport collection.

Do You Still Need a Travel Agency?

For a regular Japan tourist visa, you no longer need to submit your application through one of the previously accredited travel agencies. The Japan Visa Application Centre operated by VFS Global now handles the submission process. The Embassy announced that applications through the former accredited agencies stopped on April 6, 2025.

VFS Global handles the administrative side of the application, such as receiving your documents and submitting them to the Embassy. The Embassy of Japan makes the decision to approve or refuse the visa. VFS Global does not make the visa decision.

Always check the official Embassy of Japan and VFS Global websites before applying, as visa requirements, fees, appointment availability, and processing times can change.

Official VFS Global Japan Visa Application: Japan Visa Application Centre – VFS Global

My Japan Visa Application Experience in Cebu

Please note that during our time, we needed to apply through an accredited Travel Agency.

FRIDAY: We went first to Friendship Tour and Resort Corporation, but unfortunately, it was a holiday at that time, so they were only open in the morning. They only release passports and are not accepting any applications.

So we went to Attic Tours Phils., Inc. in SM City Cebu, which is the most convenient for me since they are located at the mall, so they are open every day. We sent our applications to them. My friend and I completed our applications. Unfortunately, my boyfriend still needs his COE, so we went back next Monday.

MONDAY: We submitted the COE, and this is when I submitted my additional CIMB Bank Certificate 😅. And the travel agent said that my application is already complete, but she accepted it anyway.

We got our Japan Visa the next week (on Monday as well), which is basically 5 working days. My boyfriend and I got a single-entry visa. My friend got a multiple-entry visa. It was very fast, and we are all happy to get our visas.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

• Always check the travel agency’s social media accounts; most of them are very active, so you can see if they are closed during holidays. You can also message them; they do respond most of the time.
• Better prepare your complete application so you do not need to go back and forth.
• If you think you need to submit more additional details, just submit them.
  • My boyfriend submitted a photocopy of his previous US visa.
  • My friend submitted a photocopy of her previous 2 Japan single-entry visas.
  • I submitted an additional bank certificate.
• Be patient and wish for the best.

Good luck with your Japan Visa application!

Feel free to download my Japan Travel Details + Notion Template below!