Ramen in Osaka, cherry blossom in Tokyo, snow in Hokkaido: Japan is one of the most popular trips for Filipino travellers. A Philippine ordinary passport still needs a visa for Japan. Japan now issues some of these visas as an electronic visa (eVISA), so there is no sticker in your passport.
Where you live, and how you travel, decide your route. If you live in the Philippines, the eVISA is only for packaged tours run by travel agencies registered with the Embassy of Japan. If you live in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia or a few other countries, you can apply online yourself.
We checked every official page listed under Sources on 6 October 2026. Voyfaro does not apply for visas, book visa appointments or sell tours.
Japan eVISA for Filipinos: quick answer
- Do Filipinos need a visa for Japan? Yes, with an ordinary passport. The Philippines is not on Japan’s list of visa-exempt countries.
- Living in the Philippines, travelling on a package tour: your registered travel agency handles it, and the application goes through the Japan Visa Application Centre (VFS Global). The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines says eVISA issuance for these tours started on 15 December 2025. The stay is 15 days.
- Living in the Philippines, travelling on your own: apply for a paper visa through the Japan Visa Application Centre, by appointment. You get a visa sticker, not an eVISA. Use the embassy’s Tourism checklist for a holiday, or its Visiting Relatives or Visiting Friends checklist if someone in Japan invites you.
- Living in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Cambodia, South Africa or Taiwan: you can apply online yourself on evisa.mofa.go.jp.
- Living in the UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea (except the Jeju consulate’s area), Indonesia, India, Macau or Mongolia: apply through the accredited agency in that country.
- Visa fee for Philippine nationals applying in the Philippines: free (gratis). The Visa Application Centre charges a service fee of PHP 800 per application. Agencies charge their own fees.
- What the eVISA covers: tourism only, single entry, valid for 3 months. There is no multiple-entry eVISA.
- At the airport: show the “visa issuance notice” live on your phone, with internet. MOFA does not accept a PDF, screenshot or printout.
Who this applies to
This guide is for Philippine citizens with an ordinary passport who want to visit Japan as tourists. It covers Filipinos living in the Philippines and Filipinos living abroad, including OFWs in the Gulf, Asia and elsewhere.
It does not cover work, study or long stays. The embassy says stays over 90 days and paid activities need a Certificate of Eligibility and the matching visa. Short visits to relatives or friends, or by the spouse or child of a Japanese national, use the embassy’s separate temporary visitor checklists, not the eVISA. The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines says Japan and the Philippines have had a visa exemption arrangement for diplomatic passport holders since 1 October 2024. Official passport holders should check with the embassy.
Which route applies to you?
| Where you live | How you apply | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| The Philippines, joining a package tour from a registered agency | Through the registered travel agency, with the application submitted via the Japan Visa Application Centre | eVISA, single entry, 15-day stay |
| The Philippines, a self-planned holiday | Paper application at the Japan Visa Application Centre, by appointment, with the embassy’s Tourism checklist | Visa sticker in your passport |
| The Philippines, visiting relatives or friends in Japan | Paper application at the Japan Visa Application Centre, with the embassy’s Visiting Relatives or Visiting Friends checklist (invitation letter needed) | Visa sticker in your passport |
| UK, US, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Cambodia, South Africa, Taiwan | Online, yourself, at evisa.mofa.go.jp | eVISA, single entry, 15, 30 or 90-day stay |
| UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea (except the Jeju consulate’s area), Indonesia, India, Macau, Mongolia | Through the accredited agency named by the Japanese embassy or consulate there | eVISA for tourism |
| Anywhere else | The Japanese embassy or consulate for where you live | Usually a visa sticker |
Why the split? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) eVISA page, updated on 15 May 2026, puts countries into two groups. In the first group, every foreign resident who needs a visa can apply online. In the second, people apply “through an accredited agency”. For the Philippines, MOFA limits the eVISA to Philippine nationals who live in the Philippines and join “a packaged tour organized by designated travel agencies”.
MOFA’s list of countries where residents can apply online themselves has nine entries: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, the UK and the US. The Philippines is not one of them.
Living in the Philippines: the package tour eVISA
Who can use it
MOFA and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines set these conditions:
- You are a Philippine national and you live in the Philippines.
- You hold an ordinary passport.
- You are going for tourism, on a packaged tour run by a travel agency registered with the embassy.
- You fly to Japan, or use the scheduled passenger ferries to Japan from Busan or Shanghai.
- Your stay is no longer than 15 days. MOFA says eVISAs for Filipinos living in the Philippines are issued with a 15-day stay.
The embassy publishes a List of Registered Travel Agencies for Package Tour on its website. The version we checked is dated 1 August 2025 and names 10 companies. Book only with an agency on that list, and check the list again before you pay. Voyfaro does not rank or recommend agencies.
How it works
- Choose a tour from a registered agency. Check the agency’s name against the embassy’s list yourself.
- Give the agency your documents. The embassy says eVISA applications for package tours must be submitted through the Visa Center (the Japan Visa Application Centre run by VFS Global). Ask the agency how it handles the submission and whether you need to attend.
- Wait for the decision. The embassy can ask for more documents or an interview.
- Get your visa issuance notice. Your agency should give you a Visa Issuance Notice with a QR code. Under MOFA’s general instructions for applications made by someone else, you scan the code, enter the details asked for, and the notice appears on your phone with a countdown timer. The official pages do not set out this handover step for Philippine package tours, so ask your agency to confirm how you will display your notice before you travel.
Documents for the package tour route
VFS Global publishes a package tour checklist (dated April 2025, before the eVISA started). It lists:
- Your passport, signed, plus a colour copy of the bio page and of any used Japan visa
- A signed visa application form and one colour photo, 4.5 x 3.5 cm, taken in the last 6 months
- A PSA birth certificate and, if married, a PSA marriage certificate, issued within the last year. You do not need these if your passport already has a used Japan visa
- Documents from the agency: the list of tour participants, the tour itinerary, a copy of the tour advert, round-trip flight reservations, and hotel and transport bookings in Japan
- An authorisation letter and a company ID if a representative submits for you
The embassy can ask for more. Your agency should give you the current list.
Living in the Philippines and travelling on your own
If you want to plan your own trip, visit relatives or friends, or stay longer than 15 days, the eVISA is not for you. MOFA says visiting relatives or friends needs a paper visa. You apply through the Japan Visa Application Centre, by appointment, and get a sticker in your passport.
The embassy lists Visa Application Centres in Parañaque, Makati and Quezon City in Metro Manila, and in Cebu and Davao.
Pick the right checklist. The embassy has a separate checklist for each purpose. The Tourism checklist is only for a holiday you plan yourself.
- Visiting relatives within the third degree: use the embassy’s Visiting Relatives checklist.
- Visiting friends or more distant relatives: use the Visiting Friends or Distant Relatives checklist.
- Both need an invitation letter and documents from the person in Japan, such as their residence certificate (jumin-hyo), plus a guarantee letter and income papers if they pay. The embassy says a vague reason such as “visiting relatives” is not accepted in the invitation letter.
- Spouse or child of a Japanese national living in the Philippines: the embassy has its own checklist for this too.
The embassy’s Tourism checklist (April 2025) asks for:
- Your passport (signed, with two blank visa pages) and a copy of the bio page
- A visa application form with a 4.5 x 3.5 cm photo
- A PSA birth certificate and marriage certificate (if married), issued within 1 year. Not needed if you have a used Japan visa in your passport
- A day-by-day itinerary in Japan. The embassy says flight and hotel bookings are not needed for the itinerary form
- If you pay for the trip: a bank certificate showing your balance over the last 6 months, an income tax certificate (BIR Form 2316, or proof of tax paid for business owners) and an employment certificate showing your position, salary and how long you have worked there
- Business owners: the DTI Certificate of Business Name Registration and a Mayor’s Permit, instead of an employment certificate
- Students: a copy of your school ID or certificate of enrolment
- If you cannot give the tax or employment documents for another reason (other than being retired, a full-time housewife or unemployed): a letter of explanation
- If someone in the Philippines pays: their guarantee letter, proof of your relationship, and their bank, tax and employment documents
The embassy says all documents must be originals issued within the last 3 months (birth and marriage certificates within 1 year), on A4 paper, and in English or Japanese.
Multiple-entry visas
The embassy lists multiple-entry visas for Philippine nationals. These are paper visas through the Visa Application Centre. The JAPAN eVISA FAQ says you cannot get a multiple-entry visa online.
- Multiple-entry visa for a frequent traveller: each stay must be within 30 days. You need to meet one of the embassy’s conditions, for example a trip to Japan as a temporary visitor in the last 3 years, plus the financial documents.
- Multiple-entry visa for Philippine nationals with considerable financial capacity: for applicants with a considerably high income, and their spouse or children. Each stay must be within 90 days.
Both need the embassy’s “Request for a Multiple-Entry Visa” form. If you apply on the basis of your financial capacity, the embassy decides which of the two types you fall under.
Living outside the Philippines
UK, US, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia and the other online countries
MOFA says all foreign residents of these nine countries who need a visa can apply online on the JAPAN eVISA website. You create an account, upload your documents, and pay by card if a fee is due. The Japanese embassy or consulate for where you live decides your application and the stay: 15, 30 or 90 days.
Points that catch people out:
- Stay where you live while you wait. MOFA says you must remain in your country of residence during processing, because you may be called in for an interview.
- Tourism only. If you are visiting family or friends in Japan, apply on paper at the embassy or consulate.
- The fee depends on where you apply. MOFA puts the eVISA fee at the equivalent of JPY 15,000, but says some nationalities pay less or nothing under reciprocal arrangements. The free visa for Filipinos is stated by the embassy in Manila. Your eVISA account tells you whether a fee is due, and the local embassy or consulate website has the details.
UAE and Saudi Arabia (many OFWs)
Filipinos in Saudi Arabia can apply online themselves. Filipinos in the UAE apply through VFS Global in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and still receive an eVISA. Our Japan eVISA guide for UAE and Saudi residents covers both routes step by step, with documents and fees.
Hong Kong, Singapore and other agency countries
MOFA lists Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Mongolia, South Korea (except the Jeju consulate’s area), Singapore and the UAE as places where every resident who needs a visa applies through an accredited agency. Check the website of the Japanese embassy or consulate for where you live.
Fees and processing time
| Item | What the official sources say |
|---|---|
| Visa fee, Philippine nationals applying in the Philippines | Free for a temporary visitor visa, single or multiple entry (Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, consular fees from 1 July 2026 to 31 March 2027; VFS Global) |
| Visa Application Centre service fee | PHP 800 per application (VFS Global) |
| Agency fee | MOFA says agencies approved by the embassy charge a separate handling fee. Package tour prices are set by the agency |
| eVISA fee when applying online from another country | Equivalent of JPY 15,000 since 1 July 2026, but some nationalities pay less or nothing (MOFA) |
| Processing in the Philippines | The embassy says at least one week (five working days) from its acceptance of the application. VFS says at least 6 working days: about 6 in Metro Manila and 3 to 4 weeks in Cebu and Davao. The embassy warns tourist visas can take several weeks |
| Processing for online eVISA abroad | Normally 5 working days after a complete application; can take more than a month (MOFA) |
| Earliest you can apply | 90 days before travel at VFS; 3 months before travel online (MOFA) |
MOFA says no visa fee is charged if a visa is not issued. Once an eVISA is issued, the fee is not refunded. If you are refused, the embassy in Manila says you can reapply for the same purpose only after 6 months, and it does not give reasons.
Before you fly and at the airport
- Use it within 3 months. MOFA says an eVISA is valid for 3 months, counted from the day after it is issued. It covers one entry and cannot be extended.
- Your stay is set at the border. The landing permission you get on arrival shows how long you can stay. The embassy says paid work is not allowed on a temporary visitor visa.
- Same passport. Travel on the passport you applied with. If you renew it, you need a new eVISA.
- Have data at check-in. You must log in and show the live notice at the departure airport. Set up roaming or a travel eSIM before you leave. Our eSIM vs roaming vs local SIM guide explains the options.
- Visit Japan Web. The embassy recommends using it for smoother immigration and customs on arrival.
- Travel insurance. The embassy links to the Japan Tourism Agency’s advice to buy private medical insurance before you travel. Compare travel insurance.
Common mistakes and scams
- Trying to apply online from the Philippines on evisa.mofa.go.jp. Residents of the Philippines use the agency or Visa Application Centre route
- Booking a “visa assistance” package with an agency that is not on the embassy’s registered list
- Paying anyone who promises a guaranteed or faster visa. MOFA says applications are not expedited, and only the embassy decides
- Using a look-alike website. MOFA warns about fraud sites that copy the JAPAN eVISA site
- Using the eVISA to visit relatives or friends. That needs a paper visa
- Using the Tourism checklist when relatives or friends in Japan invite you. The embassy has separate checklists for these visits, with an invitation letter
- Planning more than 15 days in Japan on a package tour eVISA
- Applying online from Saudi Arabia, the UK or elsewhere and then leaving that country before the decision
- Submitting fake or altered documents. The embassy says the visa will not be issued
- Buying non-refundable flights before your visa is approved. VFS advises against buying tickets first
- Relying on a screenshot or printout at check-in
How Voyfaro can help
- Visa: we point you to the official Japanese sources and explain them in plain English. We do not apply for, issue or guarantee visas, book visa appointments or sell tours. See our visa guidance.
- Bookings: we help you compare flights, hotels, eSIMs and travel insurance from partners we reach through the Travelpayouts affiliate network. Until your visa is issued, we suggest refundable fares and free-cancellation hotels.
- You stay in control: you book and pay directly with the partner. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
- Questions? Contact us with where you live, your dates and who is travelling. Asking is free.
FAQ
Can Filipinos apply for the Japan eVISA online?
Only if they live in one of the countries where MOFA allows online applications: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, the UK or the US. Filipinos living in the Philippines cannot apply online themselves. Their eVISA route is a package tour through a travel agency registered with the Embassy of Japan.
When did the Japan eVISA start for Filipinos in the Philippines?
The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines says eVISA issuance for packaged tours arranged by registered travel agencies started on 15 December 2025. MOFA’s eVISA page, updated on 15 May 2026, lists the Philippines among the countries where applications go through an accredited agency.
How much is the Japan visa fee for Filipinos?
The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines says the temporary visitor visa is free for Philippine nationals. The Japan Visa Application Centre charges a service fee of PHP 800 per application, and agencies charge their own handling fees or tour prices.
How long can I stay in Japan on the eVISA?
If you live in the Philippines and travel on a package tour, MOFA says the eVISA is issued with a 15-day stay. If you apply online from another country, the embassy or consulate decides: 15, 30 or 90 days.
Can I get a multiple-entry Japan eVISA?
No. MOFA says you cannot apply for a multiple-entry visa through JAPAN eVISA. The embassy in Manila offers paper multiple-entry visas for frequent travellers and for Philippine nationals with considerable financial capacity, through the Visa Application Centre.
I am an OFW in Dubai. How do I apply?
Through the VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, by appointment. MOFA lists the UAE as a country where all residents apply through an accredited agency. You still receive an eVISA. Our UAE and Saudi residents guide has the full steps.
I work in Saudi Arabia. Can I apply for the eVISA myself?
Yes. MOFA lists Saudi Arabia among the countries where all foreign residents can apply online. You must stay in Saudi Arabia while the application is processed.
Can Voyfaro get my Japan visa approved?
No. Only the Japanese authorities decide. We point you to the official sources and help you compare flights, hotels, eSIMs and insurance for your trip.
Sources
Official pages we checked on 6 October 2026:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, The JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa) (15 May 2026: online countries of residence, accredited-agency group, the Philippines package tour rule, 15-day stay for Filipinos living in the Philippines, air and ferry travel only, ordinary passports only, tourism single entry up to 90 days, live display of the visa issuance notice, fraud warning)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, JAPAN eVISA website (application steps and card payment)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, JAPAN eVISA frequently asked questions (3-month validity, single entry, no extension, 15, 30 or 90-day stays, JPY 15,000 fee and reductions, 5 working days’ processing, apply up to 3 months ahead, no multiple-entry eVISA, stay in your country of residence, proxy applications and the QR code, no expedited processing, no refund after issue, 6-month wait after refusal, same-passport rule)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, How to display the “visa issuance notice” (QR code method, countdown timer on the displayed notice; the guide does not list the Philippines by name)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, FAQ about JAPAN eVISA (tourism only; visiting relatives or friends needs a paper visa)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Visa Fees (24 June 2026: about JPY 15,000 single entry from 1 July 2026, no fee if no visa is issued, separate agency handling fee)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay) (1 September 2025: the Philippines is not on the list)
- Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Visa/Consular Services (24 June 2026: temporary visitor visa gratis for Philippine nationals, eVISA for package tours from 15 December 2025 submitted through the Visa Center, Visa Center locations, tourist visas can take several weeks, 3-month validity, visa types including multiple-entry, diplomatic visa exemption since 1 October 2024, Visit Japan Web, medical insurance advice)
- Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, List of Registered Travel Agencies for Package Tour (1 August 2025)
- Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, General Information (2025/8/15: at least one week, five working days, from the embassy’s acceptance; visa fee gratis for Philippine nationals; handling fee at the Visa Center; paid work not allowed on a temporary visitor visa; Certificate of Eligibility for stays over 90 days or paid activities; reasons for refusal not disclosed; 6-month wait to reapply)
- Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Important note on the document submission (originals, 3-month and 1-year document validity, A4, English or Japanese, two blank passport pages, photo size, no bookings needed for the itinerary, detailed invitation letter)
- Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Tourism checklist, Visiting Relatives (within the third degree), Visiting Friends or Distant Relatives, Spouse/Child of a Japanese National in the Philippines, Multiple-entry visa for temporary visitor and Multiple-entry visa for Philippine nationals with considerable financial capacity (April 2025)
- Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Consular fees, 1 July 2026 to 31 March 2027 (temporary visitor visa free for Philippine passport holders)
The embassy’s appointed Visa Center (not a government website):
- VFS Global, Japan Visa Application Centre in the Philippines (official partner of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines). We used its visa types page for the gratis visa fee, the PHP 800 service fee, processing times and the 90-day window, and its package tour checklist (April 2025: Philippine nationals only, stay within 15 days, documents)