Do Philippines passport holders need a visa for Japan?

我が国に上陸しようとする外国人は、原則として有効な旅券を所持していることのほかに、所持する旅券に日本国領事官等が発給した有効な査証を所持していなければなりません。

「特定国（日本が査証免除措置（査証免除措置の一次停止又は査証取得勧奨措置をとっている国を除く）をとっている国・地域）」とは、以下の特定国覧に記載する国・地域です。

Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with 74 countries and regions listed in the table below.

Visas are issued at the Embassy, Consulate-General, Consular Office of Japan abroad. They cannot be obtained when you arrive in Japan or while you are staying in Japan.

Once all the documents are ready, you may apply for a visa at the consular section of the Diplomatic Mission of Japan with jurisdiction over your place of residence, at an accredited agency, the Japan Visa Application Centre, or online, by the method specified by the Diplomatic Mission of Japan where you will submit your application (visa application cannot be made inside Japan.).

All nationals of the countries and regions listed below require a visa to enter Japan.

A5: There are four ways to apply for a visa: (1) the visa applicant him/herself goes directly to the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General, (2) the visa applicant writes a Letter of Proxy and get a proxy to go to the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General in his / her place, (3) the visa applicant uses an accredited travel agent approved by the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General and (4) the visa applicant uses the JAPAN eVISA website and apply for visa online.

However, depending on the circumstances in your country or region, there are cases that the documents should only be submitted by the applicant him/herself going to the Japanese Embassy/Consulate General, or through an accredited travel agent.

Application should be made through an accredited agency in countries/regions below. For details, applicants are advised to check the website of the Japanese overseas establishment with jurisdiction over their place of residence.

Nationals of the Philippines, who reside in the Philippines and participate in a packaged tour organized by designated travel agencies

Please note that Temporary Visitor Visa (for stay within 90 days at maximum) for Philippine Nationals remains as gratis.

In light of the unprecedented surge in visa applications, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Embassy of Japan decided to introduce the new “Visa Center”, which is going to start from April 2025.

(Note) Reservations for visa applications can be made through the following VFS Site.

Electronic Visa(eVISA) issuance starts on December 15, 2025. Please note that applications for eVISA has to be submitted through the Visa Center. For more details, please click here

All nationals of the countries and regions listed below require a visa to enter Japan. Click on the nationality of the visa applicant traveling to Japan. * Philippines * Viet Nam * China * Russia * CIS countries, Ukraine, Georgia * Other Nationalities

Foreign nationals/people who wish to travel to Japan for tourism for a short-term period can apply for a visa online and receive an electronic visa (eVISA) through the JAPAN eVISA system. As of May 15 2026, the JAPAN eVISA system is available for nationals/people residing in the following countries/regions. Eligibility 1. Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, U.S.A. All foreign nationals/people residing in these countries/regions, except those who are exempt from short-term visa, can apply for an eVISA through the JAPAN eVISA websiteImage: Open a New Window. 2. Application should be made through an accredited agency in countries/regions below. For details, applicants are advised to check the website of the Japanese overseas establishment with jurisdiction over their place of residence. * (1) China Nationals of China, who reside in China * (2) The Philippines Nationals of the Philippines, who reside in the Philippines and participate in a packaged tour organized by designated travel agencies * (3) Viet Nam Nationals of Viet Nam, who reside in Viet Nam and participate in a packaged tour organized by designated travel agencies * (4) Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and United Arab Emirates All foreign nationals/people residing in Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea (except jurisdiction over the Consulate General of Japan in Jeju), Singapore and United Arab Emirates, except those who are exempt from short-term visa 3. Notes (for both 1. and 2. above) * (1) Japan eVISA is available for those traveling to Japan by air or sea (limited to international scheduled passenger ferries between Japan and Busan or Shanghai). * (2) During the application process, the applicant may be requested to appear in person at the Japanese overseas establishment with jurisdiction over the place of the applicant’s residence for an interview. * (3) Only ordinary passport holder is eligible to apply through JAPAN eVISA website.

A5: There are four ways to apply for a visa: (1) the visa applicant him/herself goes directly to the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General, (2) the visa applicant writes a Letter of Proxy and get a proxy to go to the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General in his / her place, (3) the visa applicant uses an accredited travel agent approved by the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General and (4) the visa applicant uses the JAPAN eVISA website and apply for visa online. However, depending on the circumstances in your country or region, there are cases that the documents should only be submitted by the applicant him/herself going to the Japanese Embassy/Consulate General, or through an accredited travel agent. Check with the embassy or consulate general to which you plan to apply before making the application. For information on the countries/region where the JAPAN eVISA website is available, please refer to the online visa application page.

3. Visa Center start on April 7th 2025.     ○ VFS Services Philippines Private, Inc.     Paranaque     Unit No. 305, 306, 307, Level-3, Parqal Abaca Building 5, Along A. Luz Drive Corner Imao St, Aseana City, Barangay Tambo, Paranaque- 1701, Metro Manila, Philippines     Makati     Ground Floor, Makati Circuit Corporate Tower Two, AP Reyes Street, Brgy. Carmona, Theater Drive, Circuit, Makati City- 1207, Metro Manila, Philippines     Quezon City     Space no. GT03014S, Level 3, Gateway Tower Mall, Araneta City, Barangay Socorro, Quezon City- 1009, Metro Manila, Philippines     Cebu     Unit 9, 7th floor Faustina Center, Bonifacio District, Cabahug St. Kasambagan, Cebu City, 6000     Davao     FES -09 , Second Floor, Alfresco Are, Felcris Centrale, Quimpo Boulevard, Barangay 40 – D, Davao 8000     (Note) Reservations for visa applications can be made through the following VFS Site.     〖https://visa.vfsglobal.com/phl/en/jpn/book-an-appointment〗     ○ Help Desk〖info.Japanphp@vfshelpline.com〗

(2) Packaged Tour arranged by Registered Travel Agency       "List of Registered Travel Agency"      Electronic Visa(eVISA) issuance starts on December 15, 2025. Please note that applications for eVISA has to be submitted through the Visa Center. For more details, please click here

(1) Original Documents   (a) All documents issued/prepared in the Philippines must be original except those specifically stated on our HP.   (b) A photocopy of documents issued/prepared in Japan is acceptable. However, we will request the submission of the original document, if it is necessary for inspection.   (c) The submitted documents cannot be returned. If you want, submit it with its photocopy and request of return.

(2) Must be glued on the designated space on the form. It can be either monochrome or colored, must be clear with white background.