Booking a flight is just the first step. Meron pang mas importante na bagay na dapat gawin pag pupunta sa ibang bansa -- ang pag apply ng VISA. In my case, Japan, kelgan ng visa para pumunta doon as tourist.
Madami palang klase ng visa para pumunta ng Japan and it is important na piliin mo ang tamang klase ng visa na aapplyan mo.
In my case, and for the purpose of discussion, limit lang natin sa Tourist Visa na walang sponsor.
Siguro naman naiintindihan nyo ano ibig sabihin ng sponsor - pero sige na nga, sa madaling salita, walang gagastos para sa iyo, walang nagimbita sayo na pumunta ng Japan, na kusang loob kang pumunta doon at gamit ay sarili mong pera.
Before I enumerate all of the requirements, you need to know na FREE ang visa for Japan. Yes, FREE, BUT, you need to go through accredited travel agencies para makapag apply ng visa. Ilan ilan lang ang mga accredited na travel agencies, kaya if ever wala sa listahan, chances are, ang pinuntahan mong travel agency ay isang "middleman" lang.
Every travel agency has their own fee structure for the visa application. Sa madaling salita, ibaiba ang bayad nila, na usually nagrrange from Php 800 to Php 1,500.
Para sigurado, click this link to see the list of accredited travel agencies where you can apply for a Japan Visa. After mo malaman saan ang pinakamalapit na travel agency sa iyo, it is time to prepare the requirements.
I. Philippine Passport
Of course you need a passport. At least 6 months valid na passport, at ang mahalaga ay nasa maayos na condition ang passport mo - hindi gulagulanit na parang dinaanan ng bagyo. Sa mga owners ng new design na passport (with the Lupang Hinirang Lyrics, make sure na ma pirma ito. Also, make sure na meron pang 2 pages na bakante.
If wala ka pang passport, schedule an appointment na sa DFA.
II. Visa Application Form
Depending on the travel agency, meron na silang blank application forms sa office nila, but, if you want to fill it out na agad agad, you may download and print it here.
Please take note na WALANG BLANK FIELDS dapat. Write "N/A" pag not applicable sa situation mo. Also take note na if magpprint ka ng form, kelangan nasa A4 na size ng papel. Importante yan, A4 na size, dahil yan lang ang size ng paper na tatanggapin nila.
III. PICTURE
Self explanatory. Magpapapicture ka. Size ng picture ay 4.5 cm by 4.5 cm. Take note - centimeters po yan. Some say ok na daw ang 2x2 na picture - but just to be sage, follow what is required. Photo studios anyway know how to resize the picture. Make sure na within 6 months ang picture mo, hindi mo baby picture, or picture nung payat ka pa. Bottomline is, tanggapin mo na na tumaba ka na. And also, make sure lang na may collar para di naman panget tingnan. Paano pag wala kang collar nung nagpapicture? Ask the photo studio if meron silang edit, para kahit sa picture man lang eh maranasan mo naka amrikana ka.
Make sure you write your name and affix your signature at the back of the pictures tapos PASTE it on the appropriate box sa application form. Take note, PASTE/glue po, hindi po staple.
IV. NSO BIRTH CERTIFICATE
You need to order your birth certificate from NSO. Pwede itawag, pwede rin order online. I personally got mine online and paid tru credit card, and it was delivered after 2 business days.
I trust that every reader has a birth certificate. Pero may ilan siguro na 'special case'...
- if no record - submit a "Certificate of Non-Record" from NSO and include the local civil registrar record.
- if not readable - submit the NSO birth certificate and your Local Civil Registrar record
- if late registration, submit your NSO birth certificate and your baptismal certificate and school form 137 (report card)
V. MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
Applicable if married ka. Obviously if single ka, magwish ka na lang na meron ka niyan. Minsan nga jowa wala ka, asawa pa kaya?!
VI. DAILY SCHEDULE in JAPAN
Paano ito? Well, eto may mga sample naman.
You do not need to book a hotel/accommodation para magka schedule ka. Parang show mo lang na may patutunguhan ka naman sa Japan. You can create your own itinerary or schedule pero worth it na magbasabasa ng mga blogs at mga features on Japan so you will have an idea where to go and what to do. Take note that the itinerary or schedule that you will create must be 'feasible' within the days na allotted sayo, or your budget. Baka naman kasi dahil sa overly ambitious na itinerary eh pag sinilip ang bank records mo eh - magkaka discrepancy pa. Make it realistic and simple. You do not need to follow the schedule anyway.
If ever hindi matahimik ang kaluluwa mo dahil wala ka naman talaga na book at kating kati ka na mag book, try mo sa Booking.com maghanap ng accommodation. Pwede ka kasi mag cancel ng reservation for free sa Booling.com. At least may maipapakita kang proof of booking kunyari ng hotel or accommodation - na pwedeng pwede mo isama sa application form.
If ever hindi matahimik ang kaluluwa mo dahil wala ka naman talaga na book at kating kati ka na mag book, try mo sa Booking.com maghanap ng accommodation. Pwede ka kasi mag cancel ng reservation for free sa Booling.com. At least may maipapakita kang proof of booking kunyari ng hotel or accommodation - na pwedeng pwede mo isama sa application form.
VII. BANK CERTIFICATE
This is the tricky part. How much should I have in the bank to get approved?
I personally do not have a lot of money in the bank, but, I should say it is enough for the intended duration of my travel. Most blogs would probably advise to have at least Php 50,000 in the bank. It makes sense. But I think, it is really up to the proportion of the number of days that you will stay in Japan and the amount in the bank. It would not make sense if you only have 50K in your bank for a 15-day trip and a very ambitious itinerary.
Also take note that magkaiba ang Bank Statement at Bank Certificate. THe Bank Statement would have your transactions listed, whereas the Bank Certificate will only show our balance, and your average daily balance. Magkaiba naman ang current balance at average daily balance. Current balance, obviously, magkano ang laman ng account mo, average daily balance ay kung magkano ang average na laman ng account simula nung ito ay na open. It would be great if matagal na ang account mo sa banko, at hindi lang ito inopen para lang specifically para sa trip. Chances are, mas tinitingnan nila ang average daily balance mo - kesa current balance.
If you have stock investments or mutual funds investments, you may also ask for a certificate of ownership of these investments. I persinally have a mutual fund account and I got a certificate for that. Ask your bank or administrator how to get one. It usually comes with a minimal fee though.
VIII. INCOME TAX
Form 2316 from your employer. Sa company namin, naka upload online ang 2316 namin so download and print ko lang (sa A4 size na paper). Usually naman binibigay ang 2316 every January so you should have one. If wala, ask your HR.
If wala talaga dahil bago ka lang sa company? You may write a letter of explanation kung bakit wala. Maiintindihan naman nila ang kalagayan mo, dont worry. Wag lang masyado maangas ang tone sa letter mo. Kelangan mejo humble ang dating, afterall, nakikiusap ka lang na papasukin sa bansa nila.
IX. OTHER DOCUMENTS
- Certificate of Employment - coming from your HR and should have your compensation details (kasi additional proof of income din yan) and if possible, may nakasulat na approved ang leave of absence mo from work and that babalik ka for work after nung approved leaves. Importante din ang huli para ma establish ang econimic ties mo sa Pilipinas, na hindi ka mag TNT sa Japan.
Yun lang naman ang mga basic na kelangan sa pag apply ng visa sa Japan. Madali lang naman hagilapin ang mga papeles. If meron ka na ng mga yan, you can rush to the travel agency and submit them. They normally tell you 7-10 days (business) for you to get your passport back. Mine took only 3 business days.
Next naman is my kwento on the travel agency na pinuntahan ko for the visa application.