Travel to Japan is now easier for Filipinos.

The Japanese government, in a press release posted by its Embassy in Manila, said it has relaxed the visa requirements for short-term stay for nationals of the Philippines traveling to Japan for business or cultural purposes effective August 1, 2018.

The decision aims to “to promote people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines.”

The embassy said that “the number of visa applicants eligible for multiple entry visas for short-term stay will be expanded.” Likewise, the validity period of the visas will be extended from 5 years to 10 years maximum.

The embassy grants visa for the following short-term stay periods: 15, 30, or 90 days and visa validity: 1, 3, 5, 10 years.

“The abovementioned relaxation of visa requirements is expected to contribute to the improvement of convenience for tourists and increase in repeat visitors as well as further advancement of people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines,” the Embassy said.

The Embassy also noted that though the visa is for the purpose of business affairs for the first visit, it is possible to use as a tourist or visiting relatives or acquaintances on the second visit.

However, the guidelines stressed that the holder “is not permitted to perform activities to undertake revenue generating business operations or activities to receive remuneration” while on stay in Japan. – Marje Pelayo

Share This Post