(SPOT.ph) The chokehold Japan has on Filipino travelers is unmatched.
These days, it feels like everyone either has a friend currently in Japan or knows someone planning a trip there before the year ends.
So if you’re feeling a little FOMO and dreaming of your own adventure in the Land of the Rising Sun, here’s some good news: getting a Japanese visa just got a little easier.
Heads up, travel bugs: Filipinos are now eligible for the Japanese e-visa—but there’s one important requirement you need to meet first. Here’s everything you need to know.
Read: Pinoy visa applications for Japan rose to unprecedented levels
Filipinos are now eligible to apply for the Japan E-visa
As of May 2026, Filipinos are now eligible to apply for a Japanese e-visa, provided their vacation is part of a packaged tour organized by one of the Embassy's select authorized travel agencies.
Here's a list of the authorized travel agencies you can book with to be eligible for a Japan e-visa
- Reli Tours & Travel Company
- Website: https://www.relitours.ph
- Address: 3/F Dusit Thani Hotel, EDSA corner Pasay Road, Makati City
- Amkor Travel and Tours Inc.
- Website: https://amkortravel.com.ph
- Address: Suite 108, West City Plaza Bldg., #66 West Avenue, Quezon City
- Attic Tours Phils., Inc
- Website: http://www.attictours.asia
- Address: G-05 A Antel Sea view Tower 2626 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
- Golden Eagle Travel & Tours, Inc
- Website: http://www.goldeneagletravel.com.ph
- Address: 130 Timog Avenue, Cabrera Bldg. I-Unit 106 (Ground floor), Quezon City
- Friendship Tours and Resorts Corporation
- Website: http://www.friendshipmanila.com
- Address: 3/F Dusit Thani Manila, Ayala Center, Makati City
- H.I.S. (Philippines) Travel Corp.
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/HISWorld.Philippines
- Address: Unit 1404 Picadilly Star Building, 4th Avenue corner 27th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
- JTB Asia Pacific Phil Corp.
- Website: http://www.jtbphilippines.com
- Address: 18/F A.T. Yuchengco Center Bldg. 26th & 25th Streets, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
- Luxury Vacation Holidays and Tours Inc.
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/LVholidays/
- Address: Suite 401, Mario Co Bldg 1945 M.Adriatico St. Malate Manila
- Rajah Travel Corporation
- Website: http://www.rajahtravel.com/
- Address: 3/F 331 Building, 331 Senator Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City
- UHI (Universal Holidays Inc.)
- Website: https://www.universalholidays.com/JapanVisa
- Address: Receiving G/F, Releasing 4/F Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, Ayala Center, Makati City
What is a Japan e-visa?
Under the new policy, Filipinos with ordinary passports can apply for their travel permits via the Japan E-Visa website rather than the usual route at the Japan Visa Application Center.
By doing this, travelers forgo the tedious process of booking an appointment at the application center and applying in person.
An e-visa application is completed online, with required appearances more the exception than the rule. And yes, you can submit e-visa application forms, along with the required documents, 24/7.
Bonus: it's also typically a shorter wait for your results, as e-visa decisions are released within 5 business days (give or take, depending on current application volume) of receiving a completed visa application.
After receiving the decision, you'll just have to pay the visa fee, which is typically JPY 3,000 (roughly P1,130), and you'll get access to your permit, just like that.
As the name implies, applying for an e-visa means your passport won't receive a sticker visa from the embassy.
Instead, at the port, you will be asked to display the "visa issuance notice" on your smartphone or tablet to prove that you have a valid e-visa.
But before you rush to apply, you should know that e-visas are only for single-entry, short-term tourist stays.
Specifically for Filipinos applying for an e-visa, short-term stays are limited to 15 days.
This means that if you are gunning for that 10-year multiple-entry visa or entering Japan for purposes outside of leisure and tourism, such as education or attending conferences, or visiting relatives/friends/family, you still need to go through the Japan Visa Application Center.
When you think about it, this new e-visa application is a great way for more Filipinos to experience Japan. This way, you can skip all the DIY stress of manually booking all your tours and accommodations.
By using an authorized travel agent and booking their packages, you can just sit back and enjoy the ride during your trip.