Group urges Japan Embassy to release more slots for visa processing

The Global Tourism Business Association, Inc. (GTBA) on Monday sought assistance from the Embassy of Japan to intervene in the ongoing scarcity of slots for securing a Japanese visa.

In a press release, the GTBA said that travel agents are having difficulties in letting their client travelers secure the needed documents to enter Japan. 

GTBA founding chairman Michelle Taylan said that accredited travel agencies were advised by VFS Global, the official partner of the Japanese Embassy responsible for scheduling appointments and acceptance of e-passport renewals, that the next available Japan visa slot is slated in April.
 
“We are asking the Embassy to open more slots for Metro Manila, because what’s the use of the appointment procedure? The role of the VFS is to secure slots for Visa applicants, and that’s not what’s happening right now,” she said.

According to Taylan, the VFS website’s appointment scheduling system has not shown any available slots. She said that most of their members were even considering going to Cebu or Davao to secure slots. 

''Most likely, these clients will choose another destination instead of Japan because that April date remains uncertain if they will get slots,” she said.
 
Taylan said that they are raising the concerns not to drag the VFS into controversy, but for them to be aware and for the Japanese Embassy to resolve the issue.

The GTBA said that Japan is one of the favorite nations being visited by Filipinos from December to February because of its cold climate, destinations, and delectable food.
 
It cited a report, released in November last year by the Japan National Tourism Organization, saying that foreign visitors to Tokyo in October 2025 surged by 17.6% from a year earlier to 3,896,300.

The GTBA also said that the number of Filipino tourists visiting Japan rose in the first quarter of 2025, with an estimated 211,200 arrivals. This was a 5.2% increase compared to the same period of 2024. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KG, GMA Integrated News