Japan to open new visa processing center in PH on April 7, 2025

A new Japanese visa processing center will open in the Philippines on April 7, 2025 to address the current backlog and fast-track applications, the embassy of Japan said Wednesday.

All short-term and long-term visa applications will be handled by VFS Global, a visa outsourcing and technology services company for governments and diplomatic missions.

"In order to provide better service and convenience to those applying for visas, we have decided to open the Japan Visa Application Centre (JVAC) to accept and issue visa applications," the embassy said in a statement.

Under the existing system, all applications need to go through accredited travel agencies as the embassy does not accept walk-in applications.

Amid the surge of leisure travelers from the Philippines, the embassy in January advised Filipinos to apply for a tourist visa at least two months before their planned departure for Japan, resulting in long queues and waiting times in travel agencies.

The new visa center will have the capacity to process a higher volume of visa applications per day and ensure a faster and seamless system.

Applicants or their representatives such as travel agents can submit their applications in designated VFS Global Visa Application Centers.

There are five VFS branches in the Philippines:

• Parañaque City, 
• Makati City, 
• Quezon City, 
• Cebu City, and 
• Davao City.

Applicants are advised to check the VFS website for details on how to apply for a Japan Visa.

Applicants, it added, must first secure an appointment online through the VFS Philippines website.

All visa applications will be accepted from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Metro Manila centers and 7 a.m. to 12 noon in Cebu and Davao from Monday to Friday.

Releasing of passports with visa is Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visa application at the center will incur a visa fee and a center usage fee P520, the embassy said.

"Fee may vary depending on nationality and application. Visa fee and center usage fee must be paid at the time of application," it said.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) said more than 710,000 Filipinos visited Japan from January to November 2024 - a 30.7% increase from the same period of 2023.

Japanese Ambassador to Manila Endo Kazuya said in November 2024 alone, a record-breaking 87,100 Filipino tourists visited Japan, which is a 37% increase from 2023.

The Philippines is Japan’s eighth largest source of tourists behind the United States, South Korea, China, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand. —AOL, GMA Integrated News