Japan visa for Filipinos: requirements, fees, how to apply

The rule for Philippine passports

What the Japanese foreign ministry publishes for nationals of the Philippines.

Short-stay visa: Needed
Standard processing: 5 working days
Visa fee: Free
eVISA where you live: Through an agency
Japanese missions: 3

Visa for a short stay: Required before travel
Visa on arrival: Not available
Standard processing: 5 working days after the application is received
Single-entry visa: Valid for 3 months, for one entry
Visa fee from 1 July 2026: Free of charge for Philippine nationals on a short-term visa (Embassy of Japan in the Philippines)
JAPAN eVISA: Through an agency, for package tours by designated travel agencies
List last revised: 1 September 2025

The official wording

MOFAVisas are issued in the Japanese embassy or consulate. Visas cannot be obtained at the port of entry in Japan.Visas and Landing Permission

MOFABased on the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, in principle a foreign national wishing to enter Japan is required to have a valid passport issued by the government of their own country with a visa issued by the head of the embassy or consulate-general of Japan.Visas and Landing Permission

Other passports from Asia

Short-stay visa rules for passports from Asia (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, exemption list revised 1 September 2025)
Passport	Short-stay visa	Visa-free stay
China	Needed	No visa-free stay
Hong Kong	Not needed	90 days
Philippines	Needed	No visa-free stay
South Korea	Not needed	90 days
Taiwan	Not needed	90 days
Thailand	Not needed	15 days

How to apply in the Philippines

The steps the foreign ministry sets out, with what the mission in the Philippines adds.

Step 1: Prepare the documents. If someone in Japan invites or guarantees you, they send their documents to you, not to the embassy.
Step 2: Apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate for the place you live, at an accredited agency, at a Japan Visa Application Centre or online, whichever that mission specifies.
Step 3: Wait for the examination. The standard time is 5 working days from the day after the application is received. It can take more than a month if the case is referred to Tokyo.
Step 4: Collect the result. The visa fee is paid only if a visa is issued.
Step 5: Enter Japan within 3 months. A single-entry visa is valid for three months and for one entry.

What the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines says

Embassy of Japan in the Philippines3. Visa Center start on April 7th 2025 . … ○ VFS Services Philippines Private, Inc. … (Note) Reservations for visa applications can be made through the following VFS Site.Visa/Consular Services

Embassy of Japan in the PhilippinesSingle-Entry visa for tourism purposes is valid for travel within “3 months” from the date of issuance … ( not earlier than 3 months before the planned date of travel )Visa/Consular Services

Embassy of Japan in the PhilippinesDue to the increasing number of applications, it may take several weeks to process an application for a tourist visa. … Therefore, we recommend that you apply well ahead of your travel date . … (The above is the standard processing time required and does not guarantee that passports, etc. will be returned by a specific travel date.)Visa/Consular Services

MOFAIf a visa is not issued, no visa fee will be charged. … Please note that if you apply through an agency approved by the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan, a separate handling fee charged by the agency will apply, in addition to the visa fee in the event a visa is issued.Visa Fees

Embassy of Japan in the PhilippinesFor smooth examination, we cannot accommodate requests of early release of passports based on scheduled date of departure, inquiries regarding the status of application or reason for denial of visa issuance.INQUIRIES CONCERNING VISA

Embassy of Japan in the PhilippinesDepending on the content of application, additional documents may be required through the JVAC. … If you fail to submit within 1 month from the date of request by the embassy, the application will be terminatedImportant Note on the Document Submission

MOFAOnce 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 applicationVISA

If an application is refused, the same purpose cannot be applied for again within six months.

Documents for a tourist visa

The foreign ministry publishes a separate outline for nationals of the Philippines.

The checklist above is the ministry's general one. For nationals of the Philippines it publishes its own outline, which lists the documents that apply.

What the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines says

Embassy of Japan in the Philippines(1) Passport（Holder’s signature required） (2) Photo copy of Passport（Identification page only） (3) Application Form ※（A facial Photo (4.5×3.5cm) must be attached.） … (5) Itinerary in Japan ※ … 【In case that applicant will shoulder part/all of travel expense】 (6) Applicant’s Bank CertificateVisa information

Embassy of Japan in the Philippines4. Facial Photo … Must be 4.5 x 3.5 (cm) and taken within 6 months from the date of application.Important Note on the Document Submission

Visa fee

Fees changed on 1 July 2026.

For applications accepted on or after 1 July 2026, the fee is about 15,000 yen for a single-entry visa and about 30,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa, converted and paid in the local currency. Depending on purpose and nationality, the fee can be waived or different. No fee is charged if the visa is not issued. An agency adds its own handling fee.

MOFAFor visa applications accepted at overseas diplomatic missions on or after that date, the fee, converted into Japanese yen, will be approximately 15,000 yen for a single-entry visa and approximately 30,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa.Visa Fees

MOFADepending on the purpose of your visit and your nationality, fees may not be required or the amount may differ.Visa Fees

Visa fees published by the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines (checked 5 October 2026)
Visa	Who	Fee	From
Single entry	Other nationals	5,750 PHP Source	1 July 2026
Single entry	Indian nationals	300 PHP Source	1 July 2026
Multiple entry	Other nationals	11,550 PHP Source	1 July 2026
Multiple entry	Indian nationals	300 PHP Source	1 July 2026

Embassy of Japan in the PhilippinesPlease note that Temporary Visitor Visa (for stay within 90 days at maximum) for Philippine Nationals remains as gratis.Visa/Consular Services

Japan visa fees by countryWhat each embassy charges

JAPAN eVISA in the Philippines

For Philippine nationals living in the Philippines, the JAPAN eVISA is available through an agency for package tours organised by designated travel agencies. The stay on these electronic visas is 15 days.

MOFANationals of the Philippines, who reside in the Philippines and participate in a packaged tour organized by designated travel agenciesThe JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa)

MOFAFor nationals of Viet Nam residing in Viet Nam and Filipino nationals residing in the Philippines, the period of stay of electronic visas will be "15 days".The JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa)

At check-in you show the visa issuance notice live on your phone. A PDF, a screenshot or a printout is not accepted.
Visiting relatives or friends, business and transit are not covered: those applications are made on paper.

Embassy of Japan in the Philippines(2) Packaged Tour arranged by 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.Visa/Consular Services

MOFANovember 11, 2024 … Currently, you can apply only for a single-entry short-term stay (up to 90 days) visa for the purpose of tourism.FAQ about JAPAN eVISA

JAPAN eVISA: who can apply onlineBy country of residence

Working, studying or staying longer

The short-term visa covers short stays only.

Paid work is outside a short stay. To work for pay, or to stay more than 90 days, you need a visa. The foreign ministry says to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Services Agency first, in principle.

Japan's pre-entry tuberculosis screening applies to nationals of the Philippines who come as mid- to long-term residents or under the digital nomad status. It does not apply to short stays as a Temporary Visitor.

At the airport in Japan

The same steps apply to every foreign visitor.

On arrival you complete the Disembarkation Card for Foreigner (online through Visit Japan Web, or on paper), give your fingerprints and a facial photograph, and an immigration officer decides whether you can land.

JESTA, Japan's travel authorisation

JESTA is the electronic travel authorisation Japan is creating for visa-exempt visitors, starting no later than 31 March 2029. The law bars entry to foreign nationals who have neither a JESTA authorisation nor a visa; Filipinos need a visa in any case.

JESTA: what is decided so farDates, who it covers, what is not yet set

The Philippines and Japan in numbers

885,023 visitors from the Philippines came to Japan in 2025, 8th among the markets JNTO counts separately. That was up 8.1% on 2024.

Japan issued 522,057 visas to Philippine nationals in 2025, 7% of all visas issued and number 2 by nationality.

Japanese embassy and consulates in the Philippines

The missions the foreign ministry lists for the Philippines. The rules on this page can change, so confirm with the mission before you book.

This page is compiled from the official pages below and was last checked on 5 October 2026. It is not legal advice. The embassy or consulate has the final word on your case.

Frequently asked questions

Do Filipinos need a visa for Japan?

Yes. Filipinos need a visa to enter Japan, including for tourism. The Philippines is not on the Japanese foreign ministry's list of 74 visa-exempt countries and regions, revised 1 September 2025, and Japan does not issue visas on arrival.

Can Filipinos get a visa on arrival in Japan?

No. The foreign ministry states that visas cannot be obtained at the port of entry in Japan. Apply before you travel.

How much is a Japan visa for Filipinos?

Nothing for a short-term visa. The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines states: “Please note that Temporary Visitor Visa (for stay within 90 days at maximum) for Philippine Nationals remains as gratis.”

How long does a Japan visa take in the Philippines?

The foreign ministry's standard is 5 working days from the day after the application is received. It can take more than a month if the case is referred to Tokyo. The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines adds: “Due to the increasing number of applications, it may take several weeks to process an application for a tourist visa. … Therefore, we recommend that you apply well ahead of your travel date . … (The above is the standard processing time required and does not guarantee that passports, etc. will be returned by a specific travel date.)”

How long can Filipinos stay in Japan on a short-term visa?

The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines states: “The periods of stay for a short term visa is either 15 days, 30 days or 90 days. … The examination will be made according to your purpose and schedule.”

Can Filipinos apply for a Japan eVISA?

For Philippine nationals living in the Philippines, the JAPAN eVISA is available through an agency for package tours organised by designated travel agencies. The stay on these electronic visas is 15 days.

Related items

Sources for this page

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)checked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Visas and Landing Permissionchecked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan VISAchecked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Visa Processing Timechecked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Validity of a Visachecked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Visa Feeschecked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Frequently Asked Questionschecked October 5, 2026
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Visa/Consular Serviceschecked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Visa Feeschecked October 5, 2026
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines INQUIRIES CONCERNING VISAchecked October 5, 2026
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Important Note on the Document Submissionchecked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Nationals of Philippines who wish to come to Japan for a short-term staychecked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Checklist for Single-Entry Short-Term Stay Visa (PDF)checked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Visa Application Form to Enter Japan (PDF)checked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Single-Entry Short-Term Stay Visas: nationals of the Philippines (PDF)checked October 5, 2026
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Visa informationchecked October 5, 2026
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Visa informationchecked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan The JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa)checked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan FAQ about JAPAN eVISAchecked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan FAQ about JAPAN eVISAchecked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Japan's Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screeningchecked October 5, 2026
Immigration Services Agency of Japan 入国審査時には「外国人入国記録」をご提出ください (Japanese)checked October 5, 2026
Immigration Services Agency of Japan 外国人の上陸手続 (Japanese)checked October 5, 2026
Immigration Services Agency of Japan 令和8年入管法等改正法について (Japanese)checked October 5, 2026
Immigration Services Agency of Japan 改正法の概要：JESTA（電子渡航認証制度）の創設 (Japanese, PDF)checked October 5, 2026
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Visitor arrivals by nationality and month: 2025 (finalised)checked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Statistics for the number of visas issued in 2025 (PDF)checked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Number of Japanese Visas Issued in 2025checked October 5, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Websites of Japanese Embassies, Consulates and Permanent Missionschecked October 5, 2026