How to Apply for a Japan Visa in Singapore

If you’re planning on a short vacation to Japan, and you’re residing in Singapore the process of getting a visa is actually so much easier here than in Manila. Well, I guess that applies to a lot of things.. but that’s another topic!

Since it’s supposed to be that easy, I won’t keep you waiting.
This guide applies to you if:

• You’re a Filipino (or maybe other nationalities required to get a Japan visa) currently residing in Singapore (PR, student/dependent pass, or work permit).
  Filipinos are required to get a visa when entering Japan. For other nationalities please check this site:
  http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/visa_exemption.htm#visatable
  *if you’re not listed in the exempted countries, then you require a visa.
  
• You are planning on a short Japan visit (max 15 days only).
  For multiple entries, training, study, business you’d have to do more than what is given in this guide. Better to check the embassy website for details.
  
• You are currently in Singapore.
  What?! I need to make sure you’re not somewhere else having a vacation. Haha.

Here’s what you need:
Oh, by the way, you DON’T need a travel agency! I think that is only required when applying in Manila. And, it’s free for Filipinos!

1. Flight itinerary.
   Book your return flight, then print out your (reservation) flight schedule from the airline or e-ticket. It has to be a round-trip flight (Singapore to Japan, and Japan to Singapore).
   And yes, it’s fine if you’re hopping somewhere else instead of directly going back to Singapore – the important thing is that your itinerary shows you’re exiting Japan at some point and finally back to Singapore.
2. Certificate of Employment
   Just go ask for a copy from your company's Human Resource Dept. It's just a simple letter stating that you are employed, your salary, position and start date. They would either sign or put a company seal. 
3. Bank account containing a recommended amount of SGD3000.
   Get your latest bank statement, which they usually mail to you or you can ask a bank branch for a copy.
   If you only have an e-statement, print it out, making sure that the first page contains your full name and the balance. Only when they are on different pages would you need to go to your bank branch and have it certified.
   And yes, it is recommended to have at least 3000 remaining funds or have your regular income (e.g. Salary) included in the statement's entries.
   To certify your statements, bring print outs to any bank branch. They would simply stamp it for you.
4. Hotel accommodation details.
   Just print out the reservation details (address, telephone number, dates of stay). You don’t actually need to buy and confirm the reservation, though. As a suggestion, you can use Booking.com as it offers free cancellation. Book your hotels there (it will ask but will not charge your card yet) – and cancel/change as needed. Airbnb reservation is also fine. 
5. Valid passport.
   Always check the expiration date!
   It has to have at least 6 months AFTER your planned exit from Japan.
6. Filled-up visa form.
   Download this form from the Japan Embassy (in Singapore) website. Fill it up (it’s a pdf form), print out and sign. Also follow the required photo format, then attach it on the form.
   http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/visa_shortterm.htm
   *look for the download button in the document table.

Now that you have all the required items, here’s what you need to do:

• 1. Compile all the needed documents in the correct order. Just follow the order as they are listed in the embassy website. Again, here is the address:
  http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/visa_shortterm.htm
• 2. Bring the documents (with your passport) to the Japan Embassy. It’s located here (next to Philippine Embassy) in Orchard:
   *image sourced from embassy website
  Go there in the MORNING. They only accept visa application before lunch. I went there before going to work at around 8AM. There was 2 others queuing up at the gate. Don’t worry, it won’t ever get any longer. The guards would let you in after they log your names.
• 3. Go to the Visa counter and submit all your documents.
  (they use a queue number).
  They would check your documents very briefly and do a little bit of processing and give you a schedule slip for releasing in a short while. Get the slip and say thank you.
• 4. Waiting time.
  It takes about 3-4 days.
• 5. On the scheduled date, pick your passport with visa at the embassy.
  Please follow the schedule diligently as they only release in the afternoon (before 4pm).

Congratulations!
You should now have a visa.. oh, that is if you’re actually following the instructions and not just enjoying the read. Hehe.
I was actually very pleasantly surprised as to how easy and efficient this process was.
Good luck!





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As an update, i'll add a sample of how a filled up form looks like. Of course, i had to remove all my real details.
Some notes on page 1:

• for ID No. i put in my E-Pass number (the embassy seem to accept that just fine) 
• for Telephone: i put in the same number as my mobile. 
• for Hotel: you can just put in 1 or 2 hotels, if you can fit the info at the provided space. No need to put every single hotel if you're moving to different areas. 
• for Addresses: don't forget to put in the zip codes 
• for the picture: the standard passport-size isn't 2x2 so i didn't use that and instead opted for an actual 2x2 photo just to be on the safe side. 

 For the second page, there really isn't much to fill-in since i didn't need a guarantor nor an inviter.