How to Apply for a Japan Visa as a Freelancer (PH)

Nakapag-Japan na ba ang lahat? It seems like more and more Filipino tourists have been traveling to Japan since they opened their doors in November 2022 after the lockdown. It’s not surprising because there is soooo much to see and do, the food is BOMB, and it’s easy to apply for a tourist visa! Yes, as long as you have the basic requirements, you can definitely try your luck. I’m sharing with you the steps to apply for a tourist visa in Japan as a Filipino freelancer, including the exact documents I submitted as a freelancer myself. Let’s dive in!

How to Apply for a Japan Visa as a Freelancer

Freelancers are technically self-employed. So I will only include the requirements needed for self-employed individuals, AND if you’re funding your own trip – since that is my experience!

Tourist Visa Requirements

1. Passport
2. Application Form
3. Photo (4.5×3.5cm) – idikit mo na sa form
4. Birth Certificate
5. Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
6. Itinerary in Japan
7. Bank Certificate
8. Photocopy of Income Tax Return (including a copy of the tax payment receipt!)

Notes:

– You will only submit a Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate if you don’t have a USED Japan visa. If you have been granted one before AND have used it, you can skip these two requirements.

– If you don’t have an ITR and there is no ADB (Average Daily Balance) on your Bank Certificate, also submit a Bank Statement to prove transactions for the last 6 months.

Multiple Entry Tourist Visa

If you’ve been to Japan in the last 3 years or just want to try applying for a Multiple Entry visa, you can try! You will need the basic requirements above and add the following:

1. Request form for Multiple Entry Visa
2. Used Japanese visa and landing permission as a temporary visitor in the last 3 years
3. Photocopy of PRC/IBP ID if applicable

For the rest of the requirements in other categories, you can visit the website of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.

What I Submitted

Now to the fun part. Here are the exact documents I submitted when I decided to apply for a Japan visa as a freelancer:

1. Passport
2. Application Form
3. Photo (4.5×3.5cm) – nakadikit na sa form
4. Birth Certificate
5. Itinerary in Japan
6. Bank Certificate (from 2 banks)
7. Photocopy of Income Tax Return (+photocopy of receipt of tax payment)
8. Certificate of Registration (COR) – photocopy
9. Upwork Certificate of Earnings

Granted: Single Entry

Then when I applied for ME visa after my first Japan trip:

1. Passport
2. Application Form
3. Photo (4.5×3.5cm) – nakadikit na sa form
4. Used Japan visa AND landing permission (This is in my current passport but I also included photocopies)
5. Itinerary in Japan
6. Bank Certificate (from 2 banks)
7. Photocopy of Income Tax Return (+photocopy of receipt of tax payment)
8. Certificate of Registration (COR) – photocopy
9. Upwork Certificate of Earnings

Granted: Multiple Entry

That’s it! The requirements are pretty straightforward and I love the no-fuss approach! Comment below if you have questions! Good luck and see you in Japan! Check my blog for more posts like this. ^^