Have you ever tried booking a flight just out of nowhere? I mean it’s just there in front of you, so bloody cheap and you can’t think of any excuse not to book it. Like why would you not book it?! Oh, the crazy things you do at 3 AM! Realizing the next day, damn you don’t even have vacation leave (Paid Time Off) balance anymore. Literally negative. 😅
Read More: How To Apply for Japanese Tourist Visa for first timers
Disclaimer: This guide on how to apply for Multiple Entry Japanese Tourist Visa for Filipinos is solely base on Laagan Kaayo’s personal experience and doesn’t necessarily mean you will undergo the same. This does not guarantee your visa approval and it only applies to Philippine Passport Holders living in the Philippines | Single | Employed | Self-Funded | Has visited Japan before. Otherwise, please search further on google. 😂
So yeah, I’m going back to Japan! After 4 long years of traveling around Southeast and East Asian countries, I think it’s time to see my dearest Ghibli friends again and finally, eat that Ichiran ramen everyone is raving about.
The dilemmas in Applying for Japanese Tourist Visa – Multiple Entry 😂
September 23 – Being Spontaneous 😅
I randomly booked a round trip ticket to Japan. Literally flying in the next 4 weeks, just for a weekend and I’ve yet to apply for a visa. 😅 Someone told me I’m crazy to fly to Japan for a weekend. Maybe. But so what. I think it’s still crazier to spend a day in North Korea than enjoy ramen in Japan on a weekend. 😜
September 24 – Single Entry or Multiple Entry? 🤔
I was deliberating about applying for just a single entry or go all-in with multiple entry Japanese tourist visa. They have specific conditions that you must meet at least one to be eligible to apply. The process for applying Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is basically the same as applying for Single Entry Tourist Visa. There’s only one mandatory document added for multiple entry application, which is the form to Request for Multiple Entry Visa.
Japanese Tourist Visa Multiple Entry – Conditions
hahaha. Fuck my life!
Condition #1 – It’s been 4 years (2015) since I last visited Japan so obviously it’s not applicable to me.
Condition #2 – I’m not sure if my US trip last April matters since it’s just my first time. G7 countries are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Plus the fact that I haven’t visited Japan within the last 3 fucking years. So
Condition #3 – HAHAHA there’s no way I am an applicant with abundant financial capacity. I’m just
Condition #4 – Not Applicable unfortunately 😣
September 27 – Whatever will be, will be… 🤞
I went to Discover Tours Inc. in Banilad, just beside the University of Cebu to submit my Japanese tourist visa application. I chose a different agency this time because they are nearer and cheaper. Read my first Japanese Visa application here.
I asked the girl who received my application if I’m okay to apply for a multiple entry Japanese tourist visa base on my current situation and she said, “Yes, you meet conditions 2 and 3
I submitted the following documents: (All in A4 size except for Bank Certificate because the bank has its own template)
- Visa Application Form – Filled out online and printed
- Philippine Passport – Must be signed and must have at least two (2) blank visa pages. I have here my valid US Tourist Visa.
- Photo – 4.5cm x 4.5cm with white background ( I didn’t paste this in the form. I just gave it to her and she’s the one who pasted it in the form. haha)
- Schedule of Stay
- Certificate of Employment
- Old Passport with expired Japanese Tourist Visa – Single Entry
- BIR 2316 – No stamp
- 3 months payslip
- Bank Certificate – contains more than ₱ 100,000 (a joint account of me and my mom)
- Hotel Booking Confirmation via Agoda
- Latest Credit Card Statement – RETURNED
- Birth Certificate – RETURNED
- Roundtrip Flight to Japan (it was just ₱ 4965.72)
- Multiple Entry Form of Reason
Why do you need a Multiple Entry Japanese Tourist Visa?
This is what I wrote, just being me with feelings:
Hello, Good day! I would humbly like to apply for multiple entry tourist visa as I’m planning to come back next year(2020) for the Tokyo Olympics and also spend winter in Niseko. Since I have visited all Southeast and East Asian countries already, I now have more time to explore Japan. Also, if the Studio Ghibli theme park will open in 2022, then, by all means, I will come back to Japan because I’m a huge fan. Hoping for your consideration.
..then she stapled my current passport together with my old passport! 😱 😠
The girl reviewed my documents thoroughly. She took a piece of paper from the cabinet, it was like a checklist and she filled it out according to the documents I submitted. Next thing I know, she stapled my current passport to my old passport! I was so shocked, it happened so fast. It was too late for me to react or even stopped her. While I didn’t encounter any issues with the stapler holes at the back of my passport during my actual trip to Japan BUT FFS YOU DO NOT PUT HOLES ON PASSPORTS!!! RUBBER BONDS EXIST FOR A REASON.
So if you’re planning to lodge your Japan Tourist Visa application at Discover Tours Inc., please be aware of this. I’m not sure if you can tell them how to handle your passport but that’s your passport! I still feel like valid passports should not be stapled. GRRRRR
OK move on. I paid ₱ 1000 for the processing fee. She then printed the acknowledgement receipt and strictly told me to bring it back when I claim my passport.
September 28 to October 6 – Waiting foreveeeeer 😂
I called them on October 3 to follow up and they said it’s not yet available. To be honest, I was expecting to have the results within this week since I submitted my application last Friday afternoon. But nothing happened! They told me the standard processing time is 10 to 15 business days including the shipping from Manila to Cebu. And my flight is in the next 2 weeks already. I really told myself, this is going to be the first and last spontaneous trip ever! I was already anxious because I have a colleague who applied for Japan Tourist Visa together with her mom but they got denied. Note that she already visited Japan before. It’s her mom who is visiting for the first time. Their application has a guarantor. But I still don’t understand why they got denied. The longer the days I’m waiting the more I think about the possible things why they’ll reject my application. Like they caught me eating inside the train before 😭 But I didn’t know it was prohibited. I’m really sorry 😭 😭 😭
October 7 – The agency called after 6 business day 😪
4 pm in the office, a landline number was calling my phone. I immediately answered it because I knew who it was. The girl informed me that my passport is ready for pick up. I asked what time they will close and she said 6 pm and told me to bring the acknowledgment receipt which, unfortunately, I left at home. So technically, there’s not enough time to pick it up today so I just ask what’s the result. And she said, “Mam, we cannot disclose the result over the phone. You have to come here and bring the acknowledgment receipt.” HAAAAY NAKUUUUUUUUUUU 😫 😫 😫
October 8 – The precious result!
I went back to the Discovery Tours Inc office across Gaisano Country Mall. The guy chilling at the sofa greeted me as soon as I came in inside. I told him I’m here to pick up my passport and handed him the acknowledgment receipt. He proceeded to a box in the corner full of passports and started searching. It took some time before he found mine, reviewed the details if it matches with the acknowledgment receipt and then handed them over to me. My current and old passport stapled together. 😭 I immediately scanned my current passport and ……..
I literally raised my hands to celebrate when I saw the word “multiple”. 😂Kuya was laughing at me. And it rained hard after that. I was stuck inside the building for a
This trip is the result of just trying. No excuse. Not giving a damn about the outcome. JUST TRY. YOU’LL NEVER KNOW WHERE LIFE WOULD TAKE YOU.
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Really Great Post ! I have read your other posts which are really informative for any traveler. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful informative information on the blog.
you’re welcome 🙂