Category: Travel

Are you a Filipino resident in Japan looking to invite a freelancer family member for a visit? As someone who has successfully navigated this process, I’m here to share my experience and tips to help you do the same.

Our Profile

First, let me introduce our situation. I am a housewife, married to a non-Japanese citizen who holds a permanent visa in Japan. He served as the guarantor and inviter for my sister’s visa application. My sister, a freelance virtual assistant (VA), has visited Japan a few times before, as well as other Asian countries. This time, we applied for a visiting relative visa for her, allowing a 30-day stay.

Requirements

PH Side	JP Side
1. Applicant’s birth certificate (PSA) 2. Family’s (in Japan) birth certificate (PSA) 3. Family’s (in Japan) marriage certificate (PSA) 4. Applicant’s ID picture 5. Authorization letter (format provided by the agency) 6. Application form (provided) Additional (due to my sister’s birth late registration): 7. Applicant’s baptismal certificate 8. Applicant’s Form 137	1. Invitation letter (format provided by the agency) 2. Itinerary in Japan (format provided) 3. Guarantee letter (format provided) 4. Residence card (both) 5. Residence certificate 6. Income certificate* 7. Tax certificate* *Should be valid within 3 months

The Application Process

Navigating the visa application process can be a bit complex, but in our case, it was thankfully straightforward. As you may know, Philippine passport holders who are residing in the Philippines are required to apply through an accredited agency. Keeping this in mind, we meticulously collected all the necessary documents. My sister then visited one of these accredited agencies to submit the application. The response from the agency arrived within a week. The anticipation during this waiting period is often the most nerve-wracking part of the process. However, to our relief and joy, my sister was granted the visa, allowing her a 30-day stay in Japan.

Tips for a Successful Visa Application

While the Japanese embassy does not explicitly state the criteria for visa approval or denial, especially for this type of visa, there are a couple of factors that seem crucial based on our experience:

1. Guarantor’s Financial Capability: The financial stability of the guarantor is a key aspect. This is typically demonstrated through the income certificate.
2. Up-to-Date Taxes: The guarantor residing in Japan must be current with their tax obligations. Japan places significant importance on tax compliance.

Managing the visa application process can be daunting, but with the right preparation and understanding of what’s expected, it can be a smooth experience. I hope this insight from our personal journey aids you in your application process. If you have any questions or need further guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Best of luck with your application!