Philippines to Japan transit visa
What Filipinos need for a Japan transit visa when passing through a Japanese airport to a third country. The visa itself is free, JVAC charges a ₱520 service fee, and you don’t need one if you already hold a valid Japanese visa.
- Visa
- Japan Transit Visa
- Fee
- Free
- Processing time
- About 5 working days (standard Visa Center processing)
- Length of stay
- Short stopover only, usually up to 72 hours
Required documents
- Valid Passport — Signed, and with a valid visa for your final destination if one is required there
- Passport Bio Page Copy — Photocopy of your passport’s identification page
- Visa Application Form — Official Visa Center form with your facial photo (4.5×3.5cm) attached
- Flight or Vessel Booking — E-ticket or confirmed itinerary showing your onward connection through Japan
- Itinerary in Japan — Your layover schedule, even if it’s brief
- PSA Birth Certificate — Issued within the past year. Not needed if you’ve held a Japanese visa before
- PSA Marriage Certificate — Only if married, and only if you don’t already have a previous Japanese visa on your passport
- Bank Certificate — Showing your account standing, to demonstrate funds for your trip
- Income Tax Return (BIR Form) — Photocopy of your latest BIR income tax return
How to apply
- Check if you actually need this visa — Filipino citizens aren’t on Japan’s visa-free transit list. But if you’ll stay airside and never clear immigration, check your airline’s routing, because some layovers don’t need a visa at all.
- Book a JVAC appointment — Schedule at visa.vfsglobal.com/phl/en/jpn.
- Complete the visa application form — Fill out the official form in English, matching your passport exactly.
- Gather your supporting documents — Flight booking showing your onward connection, PSA birth certificate (skip if you already hold a prior Japanese visa), bank certificate, and income tax return.
- Submit at JVAC — Bring originals and photocopies, all in A4 size and unstapled. Pay the PHP 520 service charge.
- Collect your passport — Go back to JVAC, or use the courier service, when you’re notified. Do it before your travel date.
Common questions
- Do Filipinos need a transit visa for a layover in Japan?
- If you’ll leave the airport during your layover, or clear immigration for any reason, yes. Filipino citizens are not on Japan’s visa-free airside transit list. If you already hold a valid Japanese tourist or multiple-entry visa, that covers transit too and no separate transit visa is needed.
- How long can I stay in Japan on a transit visa?
- A transit visa covers a short stopover, usually up to 72 hours. It isn’t meant for sightseeing or longer stays.
- Do I need a Japan transit visa fee?
- No. It’s free for Philippine nationals under the Temporary Visitor category. You still pay the PHP 520 JVAC service charge.