JAPAN VISA UPDATE: Update from Japan Embassy in Manila during Coronavirus Outbreak

Do you have a Japan Visa? Were you planning to go to Japan but have changed your plans? This article will update tell you the announcements of the Japan Embassy in the Philippines. It will also inform you of what to do with our visas due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Filipinos need a Japan Visa to enter Japan. The single-entry visa is good for 3 months and will allow you to enter depending on the days stated on your visa. Should you not be able to use it, please read further on what to do. In case you also have pending travel, please also take note of some restrictions.

Japan Embassy Directory

Japan Visa Issuance FAQs

Is the Embassy Stopping the Issuance of visas to Japan?

As of March 21, 2020, the following are accepted:

• Diplomatic or Official Visas
• Visas to be issued for humanitarian consideration or urgent need

How do I apply?

• Call the Embassy for the requirements – 02-8834-7514 for Filipinos
• Go to the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines between 8:40 am to 11:00 am during working days

Is there a ban in Japan?

Yes, Filipinos are included in the Entry Ban. Even if you have a visa, their validity is suspended until the last day of May.

Is there an additional requirement for Japan Visa?

Yes, as per the Embassy, you need to fill in a Japan Visa that’s related to your travel history or plans.

Is the Embassy closed due to community quarantine?

The Japan Embassy and its consulates in Cebu and Davao are still open. However, you’ll need to call before coming. 

I have an unused visa, what will I do?

If you are still planning to go to Japan, the Embassy says to please apply again. You may follow the same procedure and documentation.

Do I need to state that I have an unused visa due to coronavirus?

Not necessarily as per the Embassy. In case you want to be sure, you can submit a cover letter and a copy of your unused visa.

Will this affect my visa application?

Not necessarily, your application will be based on the documents you have submitted.

Can I submit a cover letter, what should be inside it?

Yes, you can. You can write that you were not able to use it due to coronavirus outbreak and canceled flights. You can also submit a copy of your unused visa. You can avail of our cover letter writing services.

Are there documents I don’t need to renew?

So far, an extension of the validity of documents is only for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) as per this announcement. Certificate of Eligibility is issued by the Ministry of Justice; this is usually for those who have sponsors in Japan. Instead of being 3 months valid, it will be extended to 6 months.

Japan Visa Novel Coronavirus Announcements

Travel Restrictions

July 28, 2022 Notice 

Denial of permission to entry – foreign nationals who stayed in the following places 14 days prior to the application:

• Latin America and the Caribbean – Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia
• Europe – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kyrgyz, Moldova
• Middle East – Afghanistan, Iraq
• Africa – Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Cote d’lvoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Visa Validity

• From 0:00 am (JST) December 2, 2021, as emergency precautionary measure from a preventive perspective against coronavirus variant Omicron (B.1.1.529), validity of visas already issued by December 2, 2021 are suspended except for those issued for the holders of status of residence as “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National”, “Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident” or “Diplomat”.

March 14, 2020 Notice

• Not allowed to enter Japan – those who traveled to the following places 14 days before traveling to Japan
  • Brunei, China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Viet Nam, Bahrain, Israel, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates
  • Australia, New Zealand
  • Canada, USA
  • Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Uruguay
  • Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican
  • Cabo Verde, Cote d’lvoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Morocco, Sao Tome and Principe
  •  Aboard a passenger ship that carries a risk of being afflicted by the coronavirus
• Foreigners who have Chinese passports issued in Hubei Province or Zhejiang Province of China
• Foreigners who were on the cruise ship Westerdam, departed from Hong Kong

Visa Validity

• Single and multiple-entry visas issued by March 27th, 2020 by Japanese Embassies and Consulates General in the Philippines are suspended until the last day of May

So far, these are the updates and announcements made by the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines. Should you need more information, please feel free to contact the Embassy or follow their Facebook Page, contact details are provided above. We will regularly update this article for your convenience. Keep safe and stay at home!

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About the Writer

Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and fell in love with the journey since. I’m aiming to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, photography, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.