How to Become a Frequent Flyer Ninja: Tips for Obtaining a Multiple-Entry Visa in Japan

Jan and I absolutely love Japan. The first time we went, we stayed for 8 days. And let me tell you, 8 days in Japan is like getting one sushi roll when you want the whole platter. We tried to cram everything in—ramen in Tokyo, temples in Kyoto, USJ in Osaka, deer in Nara, beef burger in Kobe. That's a whole lot of walking that made our legs scream murder. It was exhausting and the thing is, we barely scratched the surface.

That’s when we realized one visit wasn’t going to cut it. So despite the recent surge in applications and the increasing number of visa denials, we decided to take the next logical step and apply for a multiple-entry visa. Why all of a sudden? Well, for one, I'm craving dangos. 🍡

Kidding aside. 

The application process wasn’t too bad... if you don’t count the stress of obsessively double-checking every document and subjecting myself to the cycle of anxiety for reading visa denial stories in different travel groups while awaiting for the results. But when we finally got our hands on these sakura-adorned visas, it was totally worth it. 🌸

This is such a big win for us.

So to pay it forward because the universe has been incredibly kind to us, here are some TIPS that might help you secure a multiple-entry visa. Please keep in mind that I won’t go into a step-by-step guide on the application process since this information is widely available online. For the nitty-gritty details and requirements, check out the Japan embassy’s website directly.

On Which Agency to Choose

For those in Davao, Japan visa applications can be processed through two accredited agencies: Attic Tours at SM City Davao and Discovery Tours at Quimpo Blvd cor Sandawa (beside Ice Giants). Of course, you can opt for other travel agencies, as some of them work in partnership with the accredited ones. Just be cautious and stay vigilant to avoid falling victim to scammers who offer visa assistance services.

I highly recommend choosing a legitimate travel agency that actively assists you throughout the visa application process. Some agencies simply collect your documents, submit the application, and leave it at that. However, there are others that go the extra mile. They will thoroughly review your documents to ensure they’re complete and consistent with your application. If they spot any issues, they’ll inform you and provide guidance on how to address them.

In our case, we had our visas processed through Attic Tours, the same agency we used for our first application in 2019. While their services are on the pricier side (₱1680 processing fee + ₱500 multiple entry fee + ₱300 courier fee), they were exceptionally helpful, especially in advising us on the best course of action for our situation to secure a multiple-entry visa. They made the entire process much smoother and less stressful for us.

The processing of Japan visa is typically short (usually less than a week). But since it was the holidays and a peak season when we applied, it took a little longer.  For context, here is the timeline of our application:

Date of Application: Dec 21, 2024

Date Lodged: I don't have this information but I would assume our passports were lodged at the embassy between Dec 23 and 27, 2024

Date of Issue: Jan 7, 2025

Pickup Date at Attic: Jan 11, 2025

On Ensuring You Submit the Correct Documents

When applying for a visa, applicants sometimes submit incorrect, inconsistent, or incomplete documents. A single mistake or a missed detail can sometimes cause your visa to be denied. Here are some of the most common documents that tend to have issues:

Passport

Ensure that your passport is still valid and not nearing expiration. Additionally, make sure it has at least two blank pages for visa stamp and that it is signed in the appropriate section.

Birth Certificate

The birth certificate should be original and an official copy from the PSA, not from the local civil registry. It should be issued within the last 12 months. It should also be in good condition, with no faded text or damage that could affect its readability.

If you've previously been issued a single-entry visa, a birth certificate is no longer required. However, if you’ve changed your surname and marital status, like I have, you’ll need both a birth certificate and a marriage certificate (issued within 12 months).

Visa Application Form

Complete all sections of the form. For any sections that don't apply to you, write "N/A." Ensure there are no blank fields left unfilled. 

The agency can provide you with an application form. Write legibly and avoid any erasures. Or you can download the form here. Complete the form on your computer and print it on A4-sized paper.

Photo

Photos should meet the embassy's size and format requirements (45×35mm with white background). It must be taken within the last six months prior to your application and must not be edited.

It's better to have your photo taken at a studio that offers visa-specific pictures. We had our photos taken at Great Image in SM City Davao.

Certificate of Employment (COE)

It must include applicant’s position, period of employment, monthly (or annual) income, certifier’s name and contact information.

If it is e-signed (especially for those who are working remotely), submit a cover letter explaining why the COE is digitally signed.

Income Tax Return (ITR)

Form 2316, must have signature of Employer and Employee. If there are discrepancies between your latest ITR and COE/monthly salary (e.g. you transferred to another company or got promoted), be sure to address and explain them in your cover letter.

Ensure that all the documents you submit are genuine and not falsified. Submitting fake documents could result in being blacklisted from future applications. Yes, they would know.

If you lack the required documents, submit a cover letter detailing the reason for the unavailability. Keep your cover letter straightforward and concise, but ensure you explain your points thoroughly.

For a complete list of requirements, you can check it here.

First snow experience in Japan

On How Much Money You Need

There’s no official amount specified by the Japanese embassy for proving financial capability for a visa application. However, here are some general guidelines to consider:

When applying for a single-entry visa, a typical recommendation is that you will need ₱10,000 per day per person. For instance, if you’ve submitted a 4-day itinerary, you should have at least ₱40,000 (10,000 x 4) in your account. Keep in mind that you should also factor airfare, hotel accommodations, and other incidental expenses, as the visa officer will assume these have not been booked yet. As a result, you will need at least ₱60,000-70,000 to cover all costs. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you will actually spend that amount, but it’s recommended to have a hefty amount in your account to be on the safe side because you want to show them you can afford to travel in an expensive country. Plus you might want to set aside extra funds on top of the travel expenses because you don’t want the visa officers to think you’ll go broke after your trip. 

For a multiple-entry visa, it’s crucial to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover multiple trips over the course of several years.

Savings/Bank Account Balance

A good practice is to maintain a balance of at least ₱100,000 in your account to prove financial stability when traveling for tourism purposes. Note that this estimate is based on one person for a single trip. While it may seem like a lot, it’s wise to cushion your savings to have an edge, especially with the number of visa denials nowadays. More is necessary if you’re applying for a multiple-entry. If you're traveling with family, the required amount will be higher to account for additional expenses. 

Additionally, your Average Daily Balance (ADB) should reflect that the funds have been in your account for a sufficient period, rather than being recently deposited as "show money." A higher ADB is typically viewed more favorably. If your bank certificate does not indicate the ADB or if your ADB is low, submit a 6-month bank statement to provide a flow or a clear overview of your financial transactions.

It's important to note that this can vary on a case-by-case basis. Some individuals may have lower savings and smaller ADBs but compensate with higher monthly income, which we will tackle further in the next section.

Monthly Income

Proof of regular income, such as a stable job or business earnings, strengthens your application. Providing an employment certificate, income tax return (ITR), or payslips/remittances (for remote workers) can help.

A consistent monthly income in the range of ₱30,000–₱50,000 or more is regarded as acceptable for a single-entry visa. But for a multiple entry visa, you need way more than that. Based on the anecdotes I've read, a safe amount would be at least ₱70,000 a month.

In some cases, individuals with low savings but high income have been approved, as well as those with low income but high savings. But I have yet to see anyone approved with both low income and low savings.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo 2019

On Chances of Approval Based on Employment and Personal Status

Employment is an important factor in securing a Japanese tourist visa because it serves as a strong indicator of your ties to your home country, financial stability, and the likelihood of returning after your visit. 

As an intellectual figure (e.g. Lawyer, Doctor/Dentist, CPA, Professor)

Intellectual figures typically have high approval rates for multiple-entry visas due to their established professional status, stability, and likely intention to return home after their trip. They are often perceived to have solid financial standing (high income) and may need to travel for business, conferences, or academic purposes.

If you are one of these, you must provide a copy of your PRC license/ID. 

As a freelancer

Freelancers can still be approved for a multiple-entry visa, especially if they can show a steady income, ongoing projects, or long-term contracts. However, because freelancers do not have a fixed employer, visa officers may look more closely at their financial stability.

Jan and I are both freelancers—he’s a software developer and I’m a web developer. In addition to providing bank certificates and statements showing the ins and outs of our finances, we also provided other sources of income beyond our salaries, including earnings from side hustles, blogging, and rental properties.

As a full-time regular private/government employee

Full-time employees, particularly those in government positions, tend to have one of the good approval rates for a Japan tourist visa. Being a regular employee strongly supports the notion of a stable and rooted life in the Philippines, reducing concerns about overstaying. Do remember though that the salary should be high enough to prove financial stability and cover the costs of the trip (multiple trips for that matter), ensuring that the applicant isn't relying on the tourist visa as a means to work in Japan.

As a self-employed individual

For self-employed individuals, the chances of approval largely depend on your financial standing. Those with well-established and mid to high-income-generating businesses typically have higher chances of approval compared to individuals running small-scale operations, such as online selling and other informal income-generating activities (or simply known as racket).

As a retiree

Retired individuals can still qualify for a Japan tourist visa, especially if they can show sufficient pension income or savings to cover their travel expenses. 

As an unemployed / a homemaker / student

Unemployed individuals, homemakers, and students often face lower chances of approval due to their lack of steady income and the perceived risk of overstaying or seeking employment while on a tourist visa. But don't fret! Approval is still possible if one can show strong financial backing from a sponsor (such as a spouse, a parent, or any family member).

With a sika deer in Nara,

On Travel History

Those with a good travel history often have a higher chance of being granted a single-entry visa.

Individuals who have previously visited Japan and/or other G7 countries are eligible of applying for a multiple-entry visa, albeit approval is not guaranteed. Even if you’ve previously been granted a multiple-entry visa or are applying for one, you may still be issued a single-entry visa on your next application if you do not meet the required qualifications for a multiple-entry visa. But remember, just because you applied for multiple-entry does not mean you automatically get single-entry as a fallback. You could get denied altogether.

Intellectual figures, however, may have a higher chance of being granted a 10-year multiple-entry visa, even without prior travel to Japan. Their professional status and stability often work in their favor, as the visa officers may view them as low-risk applicants with strong ties to their home country. But again, this is not a guarantee because you still need to show that you are financially capable.

There are cases when an intellectual figure with a low income—perhaps a recent graduate or someone still early in his/her career—was only granted a single-entry visa.

To determine if you’re eligible for a multiple-entry visa, check out this form and see if any of these criteria apply to you.

In our case, we selected 'Frequent traveler to Japan with sufficient financial capacity.' And eventhough the criteria 'traveled to Japan within the last 3 years with financial capability' no longer applied to us since our previous visit was in 2019, we still included our old passports with a used single-entry visa in the application.

On Planning Your Itinerary

If you're planning an 8-day trip but your savings cannot cover that duration, it's advisable to submit a shorter itinerary to make your application more realistic and consistent with your financial documents. Once your visa is approved, you can proceed with your original itinerary—just ensure you don't overstay.

While it's often recommended to include only free attractions like parks and temples in your itinerary, in our case, we included at least one paid attraction. This was to show the visa officers that they can profit from us and that we are genuinely visiting for leisure, contributing to the local economy. Of course, I made sure that our finances are sufficient to cover these expenses.

What Could Be Considered Red Flag?

While there's no guaranteed formula for approval, certain red flags have been observed based on the experiences shared by those who have gone through the visa application. Keep in mind, these aren't absolute rules—visa decisions are still made on a case-by-case basis.

Large Current Balance, Low ADB

Having a large current balance but a low Average Daily Balance (ADB) can raise a red flag because it may suggest that the funds were recently deposited solely for the purpose of the visa application, rather than being part of your regular financial activity. Visa officers are very much aware of this scheme.

That's why an ADB or a bank statement is required because they want to see that the money is yours and you’ve been consistently managing your finances. A higher ADB shows that the money has been in your account over time, rather than just being borrowed for a temporary boost.

If you have a low ADB and a large amount was deposited in your account—let's say you received a bonus or a commission—you can explain this in your cover letter to provide context.

Unemployment

Without a stable income, visa officers may question how the applicant plans to pay for travel expenses, such as accommodation, transportation, and daily costs.

Unemployed applicants might also be perceived as having a higher risk of staying beyond the allowed period to seek work opportunities illegally.

No Travel History

Having a travel history increases your visa approval chances because it shows that you’ve traveled abroad before and returned home as required. This builds trust with visa officers since it shows you are likely to follow the rules and respect the terms of your visa, making it less probable that you'll overstay or violate immigration laws. 

If you lack a travel history, I recommend starting with trips to visa-free countries.

History of Overstaying

Having a history of overstaying in any country is a red flag because it suggests that you may not follow visa conditions and could potentially overstay again. It raises concerns about your intentions and whether you will respect the rules during your upcoming trip. Visa officers want to ensure that applicants will leave the country before their visa expires. 

Criminal Offenses 

If you have been convicted of a crime or involved in illegal activities in the Philippines or any country, it can severely impact your chances of obtaining a visa.

Again, these red flags are not absolute rules. Some applicants with these issues have still been approved, but do you really want to take that risk?

Should You Apply for Visa or Book a Flight First?

It’s strongly recommended to apply for a visa first because approvals are not guaranteed. However, if you come across a seat sale and are willing to take the risk of losing the ticket in case of a denial, feel free to do so. But I tell you, this is just going to stress you out because we went through the same thing with our first application. 😅 A safer approach is to book tickets with a flexible option, allowing you to rebook in the event of a denial.

When Should You Apply?

It is best to apply 2 to 3 months before your trip to allow enough time for requests for additional documents or any unforeseen delays (especially during peak application periods). The same applies if you are applying for a multiple-entry visa. If your multiple-entry visa is denied but you’re granted a single-entry visa, you’re still covered, as your visa is typically valid for use within 3 months from the date of issue. 

Applying too early may result in the visa expiring before your intended travel date. Applying too late leaves little time for your visa to be processed. There's a greater chance your visa might not be issued on time, leading to missed flights and whatnot.

Advisory from Japan Embassy as of Jan 2025

Final Thoughts

Even with the best intentions to return after traveling, your strong ties to the Philippines is MOSTLY based in your financial stability. Whether we like it or not, that's just the way it is. We have no choice but to meet their requirements. After all, we are the ones requesting entry into their country.

So if your income isn't high, then save, save, and save more. If you're currently not employed, a family member who has a reliable source of income can back you up and be your guarantor. And to further increase your chances, consider traveling to other countries first (which also shows your financial capabilities). 

If you believe you have a strong profile—such as being a tenured employee, having a good income and sufficient savings, and having previous travels abroad—make sure to thoroughly review your documents. Many visa denials are simply due to inconsistencies or missing information. Triple-checking your paperwork can help avoid these issues.

These tips are based on my personal experience and insights gathered from various Japan Visa guide groups on Facebook. Again, these are not absolute. The chances of being approved for a Japan tourist visa depend on several factors, but ultimately, it is at the discretion of the consular officer.

I hope these tips are somehow helpful in your application and increase your chances of success. Best of luck! I hope you get the opportunity to visit Japan soon! 🇯🇵⛩️🍣🏯