Starting April 7, the new Japan Visa Application Centre (JVAC) will be open to Filipino visitors to the Land of the Rising Sun.
The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines on Wednesday launched the opening of the center to streamline the visa application process for Filipino travelers.
New visa application process
With the launch of JVAC, visa applications will now be handled exclusively by the Japan Visa Application Centre, managed by VFS Service Philippines Inc. This means that starting April 7, 2025, accredited travel agencies will no longer accept visa applications.
Those who have applied through accredited agencies before April 6, 2025, will still retrieve their passports from the same agencies.
JVAC will operate in five key locations across the country: Parañaque City, Makati City, Quezon City, Cebu City, and Davao City. The business hours for these centers are Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Application and releasing schedule
Metro Manila Locations (Paranaque, Makati, Quezon City)
Visa applications: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Releasing of visas: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Provincial Locations (Cebu, Davao)
Visa applications: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Releasing of visas: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The visa centers will be closed on weekends and holidays observed by the Embassy of Japan.
Fees and appointment system
Visa applications at the JVAC will require a visa fee and a center usage fee of ₱520. Fees may vary depending on nationality and application type, and they must be paid upon submission.
Applicants are advised to check the website for detailed application procedures and booking requirements.
Special cases and assistance
For diplomatic or official passport holders, as well as humanitarian cases requiring urgent attention, the Embassy of Japan and its consulates in Cebu and Davao remain available for assistance.
For more information, applicants may reach out to the JVAC via their help desk at info.Japanphp@vfshelpline.com. Further details, including the addresses of each branch, can be found on the official website of the visa application centers.
