Many Filipinos would love to travel to Japan, but we need to apply for a visa for that to happen. You’re reading this post because you’re probably a freelancer, newly graduated, newly employed, or unemployed. Whatever your reason is, you don’t have an Income Tax Return (ITR) which is one of the requirements to apply for a Japanese Visa. Luckily, I’ve done the whole process and got approved for a Single Entry Visa. I don’t have an ITR, I’m a freelancer, I have NO GUARANTOR, and it was my very first time traveling out of the country too. So my tips are based on my own experience. Below is my guide on how to apply for a Japan Visa without ITR, with a sample explanation letter, and tips. If you prefer watching a video instead of reading, you may watch my guide in my YouTube video here.
YOU MAY WANT TO READ: How to Apply For A Korean Visa Without an ITR and COE?
Table of Contents:
- Japan Visa Application Center (JVAC)
- Japan Embassy’s Accredited Travel Agencies
- Requirements for the Japan Tourist Visa
- Additional Requirements For Those With Guarantors
- 2024 Requirements for a Multiple-Entry Japanese Visa
- Freaquently Asked Questions
- Explanation Letter Sample For Japan Visa Application
- Klook Promos
Japan Visa Application Center (JVAC)
Going to travel agencies is no longer necessary unless you’re busy or live far from the center. Starting April 7, 2025, you can now submit your Japan Visa application to the VFS Global also known as JVAC center. But before going there, you must set an appointment.
📌 GUIDE ON HOW TO BOOK A JAPAN VISA APPOINTMENT IN JVAC THROUGH THE VFS WEBSITE
But if you still prefer to go through a travel agency. Here’s the list of the Japan Embassy’s Accredited Travel Agencies:
- Reli Tours & Travel Philippines (This is where I submitted my application.)
- Discovery Tour
- Universal Holidays, Inc. (UHI) (They accept online processing of visas)
- ATTIC Tours PH
- Rajah Travel
Here are the requirements for the Japan Tourist Visa for first-time applicants:
UPDATE: It was announced that there are new Japan Visa requirements effective starting June 10, 2024. This list is now updated.
- PASSPORT
- Must be at least 6 months valid before applying and traveling.
- The holder’s signature is required on the signature page.
- FULLY ACCOMPLISHED JAPAN VISA APPLICATION FORM
- It must be printed on A4 paper. You can download the form here or ask for a copy from the travel agency.
- Write or type in ALL CAPS, black ink only, and NO ERASURE.
- This post by The Poor Traveler has a great guide on how you should fill out your Japan Visa Application Form. You can download the form in his post too.
- PSA BIRTH CERTIFICATE
- Issued within 1 year, they don’t accept older ones.
- (OPTIONAL) Form 137 or Baptismal Certificate, if your birth certificate was late registered or unreadable.
- If NO RECORD in the PSA, submit a Birth Certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar and a Negative Certificate issued by the PSA.
- PSA MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
- Only if you’re married.
- It should be issued within 1 year.
- BANK CERTIFICATE
- You can request this from your bank.
- (Updated) Must have an average daily balance for the last 6 months. If your bank certificate does not have an ADB, you must submit a statement of account covering 6 months. (Read the FAQ below to know how much should be in your bank account.)
- If you have a guarantor, you have to submit theirs.
- It should be a personal bank account. A corporate business bank account is not allowed even if you own the business. Same with the guarantor.
- VISA PHOTO
- Tell the studio it’s for a “Japan Visa” because they have a specific size (4.5cm x 3.5cm).
- Show your ears, and don’t smile!
- Heavily edited photos are not allowed.
- Write your name & signature on the back.
- INCOME TAX RETURN (ITR)
- Photocopy of your ITR.
- Form 2316 signed by Employer and Employee.
- For business owners and freelancers, submit proof of actual payment of tax and a copy of BIR Tax Payment Form 1701 or 1702.
- (OPTIONAL) Explanation Letter, if you don’t have an ITR you need this. I have a sample below. If you’re a freelancer, you can provide the most recent contract with your client with the letter.
- You can submit last year’s ITR if you don’t have the latest one yet. Just provide a letter from your HR or a Certificate of Employment.
- If you have a guarantor, you have to submit their ITR.
- EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATE (New requirement)
- aka Certificate of Employment. Must show period of employment, salary, and position.
- For business owners, submit a copy of the SEC/DTI Certificate and Mayor’s Permit.
- If you’re a student, submit a copy of your school ID or Certificate of Enrollment.
- For freelancers, since this is a new requirement, I suggest bringing a copy of your latest contract (I did this in a Korean Visa application where CoE is required). Or you can ask your client for a CoE.
- JAPAN ITINERARY
- This post by The Poor Traveler has examples and a sample template.
- Should include the name, address, and contact number of the hotel or Airbnb where you’re going to stay.
- It must be printed on A4 paper.
- It’s okay if it is not your final itinerary.
REMEMBER: All documents you submit must be original. Photocopies will only be accepted for the Tax Payment Certificate requirement.
If you have a guarantor and they will shoulder a part or all of your expenses, you need to submit:
- Guarantee letter (new requirement)
- Proof of relationship between applicant and guarantor (birth certificate and/or photos).
- Guarantor’s Bank Certificate. Must be a personal account, not a business bank account.
- Guarantor’s photocopy of ITR.
- Guarantor’s employment certificate.
Here is the updated requirement for a Multiple-Entry Japanese Visa:
Starting June 10, 2014, the Japanese Embassy will require more documents for individuals applying for a multiple-entry visa under the “considerably high-income individual” category. Although it is undisclosed how the embassy qualifies someone as “high-income,” if you tick the box stating this as your reason to qualify for an ME visa then you’re going to need more documents to support your application.
The requirements and documents you need to submit when applying for Multiple-Entry are all mentioned above. If you are unable to provide any of these new financial requirements, you must submit a letter explaining why (sample provided below). Retirees, housewives, and unemployed individuals are exempted from this, but it is still safer to provide one.
Spouses and children of individuals with considerably high incomes are also eligible for a multiple-entry visa. All they have to do is submit proof of their relationship with the high-income applicant. Documents such as a PSA-issued Birth Certificate or Marriage Certificate will suffice.
If you’re a freelancer and getting your hands on these financial documents may prove troublesome, you could still qualify for a multiple-entry Japanese Visa for other reasons, such as being a frequent traveler to Japan or other G7 countries. Just make sure to check the appropriate category you fall under in the form the travel agency will give you, and make sure to submit all the necessary documents for that group.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you will use Klook to book your train passes or attraction tickets, use my code “ALYRECOMMENDKLOOK” to get 5% off Klook. You can use it up to 3 times!
FAQ: Should I book plane tickets before applying for a visa?
No, you are not required to book your plane tickets before applying for a Japan Visa. But I’m not going to lie: My friends and I booked our roundtrip tickets months before applying for a visa because of a seat sale. It is very risky, so I don’t recommend it.
FAQ: Do I need a travel agency to apply for a visa?
Yes, you do. The Japanese Embassy doesn’t accept applications in their office. You have to apply through accredited travel agencies.
FAQ: How much money should I show in my bank certificate?
There is no real fixed amount, but many suggest that your bank account should have at least Php10,000 per person per day during your stay in Japan. So if you’re planning to stay for 5 days, you should at least have Php50,000 in your bank account. But just to be sure, you should aim for a higher amount than settle for the minimum amount required especially if you’re aiming for a multiple-entry visa.
FAQ: Can I submit more than one bank certificate?
Yes, you can. I submitted 2 bank certificates. “But wHy diDn’t yOu jUst trAnSfer yOuR mOnEy iNto oNe aCcOUnt?“ Well, I’ve heard some people submit more than one bank certificate, so I did the same. One even said she submitted 3 bank certificates even though the third one only has Php3,000. I’ve heard of people getting rejected because of a sudden huge deposit in their accounts. So to be safe, I just submitted 2 certificates instead of making a huge deposit.
FAQ: Should my bank account be 6 months old upon application?
This is case-to-case basis. I presented 2 bank certificates as mentioned above, but one of them with a higher amount was barely 2 months old upon my Japan Visa application. But again, I don’t recommend being risky like me. As much as possible, stick to the 6-month-old bank account and bank certificates issued within 3 months.
Explanation Letter Sample For Japan Visa Application
When writing an explanation letter, you should be straight to the point, honest, and stick to one page only. Make it as short as possible. But also show enthusiasm for the trip, tell them the things you want to do in Japan, and end the letter with a subtle hint that you have reasons for going back to your country aka to prove you will not illegally stay to find a job. I have a full guide here on how to write a No-ITR explanation letter.
Here’s a sample explanation letter I submitted for my Japan Visa application:
Need an eSim? Use Airalo:
What Should You Book in Klook For Your Japan Trip?
My friends and I traveled to Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. It was a DIY trip, so we had control of our own time and it was cheaper that way. We research all the places we want to visit and book the rest in Klook (Use my code “ALYRECOMMENDKLOOK” to get 5% off in Klook. And you can use the code 5 times.). Below are the things we booked:
- OSAKA AMAZING PASS – You can use this card for unlimited train rides (except for JR Express), bus rides, and free entrance to tourist spots around Osaka. Just read their list.
- KANSAI THRU PASS – Just like OAP above, you can use this for unlimited train rides (except for JR Express), bus rides, and free entrance to tourist spots around Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Wakayama, and Koyosan. Just read their list.
- UNIVERSAL STUDIO PASS – Make sure to check the Universal Studio Pass Price Calendar before booking. Different days require a different type of ticket, and there are 4 types: A, B, C, and D. You’ll see in their calendar which type of ticket you will need. A lot of people made the mistake of buying the cheapest in Klook without reading the USJ Calendar, and so they ended up desperately selling it online. Also, we didn’t book Express Passes because we went there on a weekday, so there were fewer people and fewer lines. Here’s a thorough guide.