Japan Visa: How to Apply and Increase your chances of getting approved

Note: This is only a guide and suggestions - based on my personal experience and presented in a subjective manner. This will not answer your Visa problems, but hopefully will help you in preparing your Japan Visa requirements.


SEPTEMBER 2013

My Japan visit is long overdue. My boyfriend of 6 years is an Filipino Engineer, working for the last 5 years in Japan. We have been preparing for my visit years ago, but it was only this year that we had the courage to push them through.

Although I have a "friend" living in Japan, I should have applied for "Visiting Relatives/ Friends" status in the Visa application. However, I find it very tedious for me and my boyfriend to prepare all the documents needed, so we decided to apply on "Tourist" status instead. Less documents will be prepared and you will not bother your friend or relative the Japanese documents needed.

We planned that during our anniversary this November, I get to visit him. Japan Visa is valid for 3 months - starting from the actual date of approval. September is definitely a good month for my application - November falls somewhere in between the validity.


THE PREPARATION

PinoyExchange Japan Visa Section is of great help for me. I have been reading all the recent posts (2011 onwards) to understand the what not's and what to's on the application. There are some suggestions on the how much money should you have in the bank, and if you are lucky, some of the applicants post their profile and what they have submitted during their application.

Aside from document preparation, you must know that you can only apply through Japanese Embassy- accredited travel agencies. List are down below:


THE REQUIREMENTS

For Tourist Visa application, the requirements are as follows:

1. Birth certificate
2. Application form
3. Valid Passport
4. Japanese visa sized ID picture
5. Tour Itinerary
6. ITR
7. Bank Balance Certificate

Here are the documents that I submitted for my application and some notes.

What I submitted. 

Itinerary. This is the exact itinerary I submitted to Friendship Tours. 

APPLICATION

I went to Friendship Travel and Tours in Dusit Thani early Friday morning to submit my documents. I chose Friendship Tours since I read many good reviews from this agency - and all of it is true.

The agent who checked my requirements is so helpful and fast. They have a checklist of what you submitted, making sure you have complete requirements. Once checked, you have to pay Php 1,200.00 for the Visa application fee. They will give you a receipt that you need to present upon claiming of your passport.

The agent also explained to me that since it was a Friday and there is no Embassy on the weeken, Monday is the earliest submission of my passport to the Embassy. 7 days is the longest processing time, but passports can be claimed as early as the third day.

Make sure you have complete documents so the checking and transaction will be faster. I came in at 8:30am and I am done by 8:45am (I have to leave since I still have work).


WAITING TIME

I was informed that I can follow up my application status as early as Tuesday afternoon. Friendship Tours has a scheduled follow up time, which is 4:00 - 6:00pm.

I called up Tuesday but was informed that my passport is not back yet. I was asked to call up the next day. Wednesday came, and when I called up, agent congratulated me because I have 15-day Visa to Japan.

The very next day, I dropped by their office to get my passport, around 8:15am and the Japanese agent accommodated me, despite formal opening hour is at 8:30am.

My approved visa. (Personal details are removed)

NOTES:

1. The best advice is that you should present enough and valid documents that would justify your ties with the Philippines. An Employment Certificate is a best example of this - meaning, you have a reason to go back to the Philippines.

2. Aside from COE, I attached my Leave form, indicating that I am only allowed to be off my job on certain dates.

3. Your itinerary should be plain and simple. Make sure you research on the places to visit. Japan Guide is the best source of information for this (You can also use my Itinerary as well).

4. Your bank account should complement your itinerary and your profile. If you are a student with Php 200,000.00 in your bank account, they will doubt you on how you come up with that money. Similarly, if you have indicated a 4-day stay, having Php 500,000.00 on your bank account will also give raised eyebrows. They would think that if you have that big amount, then, you can stay longer in Japan - thus TNT.

5. Tokyo will definitely need more money than Osaka and Kyoto. Make sure you take into account the transportation, lodging and food on your bank balance certificate.

6. More passport/ immigration stamps will help you. This means you are a traveller and thus, tourism is the only reason for you to visit Japan. Although there are some first timers who were able to have Japan Visa, they might have presented some documents that convinced the Japan Embassy.

7. MOST IMPORTANTLY, Your documents will talk for you. There is no personal appearance in the Japanese Embassy, you cannot defend yourself to them. They won't give you their reason for denial either.

I hope this will help you in preparing for your Japan Visa application. I will answer your questions if I can. :)

Staying safe and secure: Pacsafe Locks

I want to think that I am a traveller, thus, I want to make sure I won't experience the dreadful things that happened to my own kababayans when they go out abroad. Being safe and secure, not only during your flight and while on the road is a must. You will never know who handles your luggage while being transported on their respective baggage doors.

The same as my bag, I was in the look for a good lock for my baggage. I used an ordinary (yet colorful) lock when we did our Indochina trip last year, but I kept on misplacing (or sort of losing) the keys. So this time, I was thinking, should I get the key card or the key-based again?

I religiously pass by any of the bag and luggage stores when I see them. Travel club and ROX both have a huge collection of TSA approved locks, but I can't seem to find the one that calls me when I first laid my eyes on them. My second resort, SM.

Just late last week, I was able to find the lock I was looking for. My main consideration is that something that I won't lose. Second is that it should be TSA approved (for added security and peace of mind). Luckily, I passed by the luggage section of SM and skimmed through the Pacsafe section and found these babies!

My new lock(s)!

One, this solves my problem of losing and misplacing the keys. It comes with keycards, 2 of them, one that you can place in your wallet and another on your travel notebook (if it has inner pockets, like mine) or your passport holder. Each lock has a keycard identification card, which tells you what is the card's ID is. In cases that you misplace them or break them, as long as you know the one letter identification, Pacsafe can give you the replacement for the keycards.

The holes are the "keys" for the lock. Insert it on the slot and push and voila! It will open. 

I bought mine in the set of two, since I am more of a backpack lady and is very happy with all sorts of zippers and closures.

Two keys, one card. (I stored already the other in case). Two set of holes on either side of the keycard. You can use either side when opening your locks. 

Pacsafe keys are TSA approved. And according to the one that assisted me (thanks for the lessons buddy!), should there be random inspections in the airport and your bag was selected, you do not need to go to the baggage department and open it for them. Pacsafe has the TSA master key, which the customs and inspectors have. It saves you the hassle of running in the long airport hallways and coming back.

Will road test my new lock as we go to a 10-day trip in Malaysia and Singapore by the end of this coming week! :)

Now, I am back to writing down directions.

New Travel Buddy (yet again): High Sierra Access Bag (45Liters)

I think I will never stop finding a new travel buddy. Last year, I ended up bringing a TNF bag for our Indochina trip, but I was not happy on how it fits my body. Similarly, despite its size, the back panel is such a space limiting, I cannot maximize its space.

Now, I am on the trial of this new travel buddy. And hopefully, this will be the last. Introducing Cess.

I was able to buy this bag at 40% discount. High Sierra is known for the travel and school bags that are quality made. My new buddy is the biggest of their bag line, a 45-L backpack.

Backpack Specifications

One thing I loved with this bag is that it has that many pockets. Many pockets mean many compartments, thus, bigger space.

Front Shot

The easy access pocket is on the top, where you can put your MP3. Two smaller pockets are in the front panel, one which can hold your mobile phone, or things that should be access readily. The bigger pocket contains a organizer - for your pens, probably your passport, and other documents. It has two zippers, which means you can lock it.

Easy access pocket on top. Two views of the inside pockets of 2nd compartment

The main compartments are divided into two. The first is a smaller one, which this time, contains my undergarments and my sleeping clothes. The bigger one, has two zippers. The main with two, which you can lock and the tech spot zipper - which you can use when you need to grab your laptop without opening the main zippers.

Left: Small Compartment 1; Right: Big Compartment 2 (with laptop and document packets)

The bigger compartment can hold your laptop, documents that should not be folded and your clothes.

(Left) Opened zips for big compartment. (Right) The tech spot zip. 

One more thing that I liked about this bag is that it has its waist band, a back support and a chest band. This means you can keep your bag secured on your body as you travel with it. There is also a detachable cellphone pouch at the shoulder pad.

(Left) Cellphone pouch. (Right) Packet for waistband.

Similarly, it has hidden pocket that can store your waist band if you are not using it.

Aside from the front panel zippers, it has its side panel slot which can also store several more items. Side panels are garterized, which you can put your water bottles while on the road.

Side compartments. 

Probably the best thing in this bag is the inclusion of this rain cover, which can be accessed at the bottom of the bag. It is sewn on the packet, so you won't lose it. Unfortunately, it comes only in one color - yellow- but at least you can see if from afar.

(Left) Accessing the rain cover from the bottom of the bag. (Right) Bag in its rain cover. 

I will be road testing Cess in my upcoming 10-day trip in Singapore and Malaysia. Will be posting updates when I am about to finish packing so we can see the full extent of it. :)