Do Filipino citizens need a visa for Japan?▾
Yes. Filipino passport holders need a visa for every visit to Japan, including short tourism. There is
no visa-free entry and
no visa on arrival — see
Japan visa on arrival guide for the full picture.
What are the Japan tourist visa requirements for Filipino citizens?▾
Valid passport (6 months validity + 2 blank pages), completed MOFA visa form with 4.5×4.5 cm photo, PSA birth certificate (and marriage certificate if applicable), certificate of employment with compensation, bank certificate and statements (last 3 months), round-trip flight reservation, hotel bookings, and detailed itinerary. A Japanese guarantor greatly increases approval chances, especially for first-time applicants.
Is there free visa for Filipino tourists to Japan?▾
No — Japan does not have a visa-free or fee-free arrangement with the Philippines. The "free visa" searches typically refer to visa-free entry available to other nationalities (74 countries/regions per MOFA 2025-09-01); the Philippines is not on that list. Filipinos always need a pre-issued visa (paper through the embassy/DTA, or digital via JAPAN eVISA for packaged tours).
Can Filipinos apply for Japan visa online (eVisa)?▾
Partially. The Philippines is on the JAPAN eVISA list, but only for Filipino nationals participating in a packaged tour organized by a designated travel agency. Independent / FIT tourists still apply through the Designated Travel Agency (DTA) route or at the embassy in Manila, Cebu, or Davao. eVisa is tourism-only (single entry, up to 90 days) and requires displaying the "visa issuance notice" on your phone/tablet at airport check-in — PDFs and screenshots are not accepted.
How do I apply for Japan multiple-entry visa as a Filipino citizen?▾
After 3+ successful single-entry visits to Japan with clean records, Filipinos can apply for a multiple-entry visa (typically 3 years, max 90 days per entry). Requires submitting all previous Japan visa stamps, stable income documentation, and a cover letter requesting multi-entry. Applicants with frequent OECD country travel have a stronger case.
What is the Japan visa fee for Filipino citizens?▾
Single-entry ~PHP 6,000, multiple-entry ~PHP 12,000, transit ~PHP 1,500 (consular fees). Using a Designated Travel Agency adds another PHP 800–2,500 for their service. Fees are non-refundable if the visa is denied.
Do I need DMW/MWO clearance for Japan work visa?▾
DMW (Department of Migrant Workers, formerly POEA) and MWO (Migrant Workers Office, formerly POLO) clearance is required for entertainer (興行) and most specified skilled worker (特定技能) visas. Standard engineer/office-work visas (技術・人文知識・国際業務) typically do not require DMW involvement, but an OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) from DMW is still needed at the Philippine airport when leaving as an OFW. Confirm with your Philippine employer or recruitment agency.
Can Filipinos apply for Japan permanent residency?▾
Yes, under the standard rules: 10 years continuous residence in Japan + 5 years on a qualifying work visa or residence-based status. Filipinos married to Japanese nationals qualify after 3 years of marriage + 1 year in Japan. See the
permanent residency guide for the complete requirements.
How does a Filipino caregiver get a 特定技能 介護 visa to Japan?▾
The standard path: (1) pass the Nursing Care Skills Evaluation Test and the Japanese Language Test for Nursing Care (介護日本語評価試験) or JLPT N4+, both typically offered in Manila by Prometric; (2) get a job offer from a Japan-accredited sending organization and an accepting facility (SOMPO Care, Nichii Gakkan, Benesse Style Care are among the largest); (3) the Japanese facility files the Certificate of Eligibility (COE); (4) your Philippine recruitment agency and the Japanese facility must be registered with MWO-Tokyo; (5) apply for the visa at the Embassy of Japan in Manila after the COE arrives; (6) obtain an OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) before airport departure. Total timeline is typically 4–6 months from offer to Japan arrival.
What is the OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) and do I need it?▾
The OEC is a clearance issued by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW, formerly POEA) that all OFWs must present at the Philippine airport when leaving for work abroad. For Japan, it is mandatory for Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能), Entertainer (興行), Technical Intern Trainees (技能実習), and any DMW-registered worker. It is not usually required for Engineer/Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務) applicants traveling as direct hires, but some airlines still ask — carry your employment contract and COE copy. OEC costs PHP 100 and is issued at any DMW regional office or online via the BM Online portal.
How long does the Embassy of Japan in Manila take to process a tourist visa?▾
Official processing is 5–7 working days from embassy receipt, but real-world turnaround through a Designated Travel Agency (DTA) is typically 7–10 working days including DTA handling. During peak seasons — March–April (sakura), July–August (summer holidays), and November–December (koyo/year-end) — add another 3–5 working days. The Embassy does not offer expedited or premium service for tourist visas. Submit your application at least 3 weeks before your planned departure to have buffer room.
