Japan embassy vows return to 5-day visa processing time

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MANILA, Philippines — The Japanese Embassy in Manila said on Tuesday that it was working to revert the tourist visa application process for Filipinos to the original five-day period although it did not give a specific timeline for when this would happen.

In a statement, the embassy said that “Japan places great importance on its bilateral relationship with the Philippines and the people-to-people exchanges that form the foundation of that relationship.”

“Please be informed that the Embassy will continue to make efforts to complete the procedures and return the visa within five working days, after it is submitted to the Embassy by the travel agencies,” it added.

The embassy also clarified that visa applications for official and commercial purposes such as business, conference, cultural exchange, long-term stay and other types of visas would follow the previous five-day visa processing period.

READ: Visiting Japan soon? Tips in getting that tourist visa

Last month, it announced that the usual five-day processing period would now be extended to two months due to a “surge” in visa applications, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Longer wait

Travelers were advised to submit their visa applications at least two months before their scheduled departure date.

As a precaution, travel agencies authorized by the Japanese Embassy to receive visa applications also limited the number of applicants they could entertain daily to avoid being blamed should there be a delay in the release of processed documents.

However, this resulted in long lines forming as early as 3 a.m. in front of their offices as travelers with scheduled Japan flights were caught by surprise by the longer processing period.

According to the Japanese Embassy, the number of Filipino tourists going to Tokyo has steadily increased from 73,143 annual temporary visitors in 2013 to 450,087 in 2023.