MANILA, Philippines – The Embassy of Japan is committed to lessen the waiting time of visa processing and return the visa within five (5) working days, after it is submitted to the Embassy by the travel agencies.
“Please be informed that the Embassy will continue to make efforts to complete the procedures and return the visa within five (5) working days, after it is submitted to the Embassy by the travel agencies,” the Embassy said in a statement.
The announcement was made in light of the unprecedented surge of tourist visa applications, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Japanese Embassy, it is currently in the process of “transitioning” its screening system.
“This is to further streamline the visa process, as well as to continue strengthening our robust people-to-people exchanges as a vital part of Japan and the Philippines’ bilateral relations,” the Embassy stated.
“As part of this process, we have been recommending that visa applications for tourist purposes be submitted to the Embassy two (2) months in advance since January of this year,” the statement added.
Travel agencies authorized by the Japanese Embassy also reportedly started limiting the number of visa applications they are receiving on a daily basis, which resulted in travellers who have already booked their flights to Japan being caught off guard by the longer processing period.
Meanwhile, the Embassy confirmed that visa applications for official and commercial purposes (e.g. Business, Conference, Cultural Exchange, Long-Term Stay, etc.), and other types of visa applications “will be followed as in the past.”
For more information on the visa application process, visit the Embassy’s official website here: https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html.
