3/F Dusit Thani Manila ayala center, Makati City Tel. 8819-5644 / 8810-9622

VISITING RELATIVES/FRIENDS US MILITARY PERSONNEL (SOFA STATUS)

PURPOSE

Visiting US military personnel or spouse stationed at the US military base in Japan

NOTICE

  1. Original Documents
    • All documents issued/prepared in the Philippines must be original except those specifically stated ”photocopy" or "copy".
    • A photocopy of documents issued/prepared in Japan is acceptable. However, the Embassy of Japan will request the submission of the original document, if it is necessary for inspection.
    • The submitted documents cannot be returned. If you want, submit it with its photocopy and request of return.
  2. Validity of documents
    • All documents must be issued within 3 months (only for Birth/Marriage Certificate, 1 year) from the date of application.
  3. Size of documents, Translation, etc.
    • All documents must be in A4 size. Documents of other size must be copied (reduced/enlarged) into A4 and submitted with the original. However, a document of regal size (or almost same as A4 size) is acceptable and no need for photocopy.
    • Never staple documents. Issuance receipt of certificate is not necessary and must be removed.
    • As of documents issued/prepared in other language than English or Japanese, the translation in English or Japanese is required (the date of translation, translator’s name and signature is necessary).
    • Depending on the content of application, additional documents may be required through the Friendship Tours and Resorts Corp.
      If you fail to submit within 1 month from the date of request by the embassy, the application will be terminated.
  4. Please prepare type written application form with a handwritten signature
    ( not acceptable E-Signature )
  5. The applications after April 7, 2025, need to provide 2 sets of original authorization letters to Friendship Tours and Resorts Corporation Manila or Cebu Branch where you file the application.
    ( You can download the format from our website )

REQUIREMENTS

All documents must be original unless otherwise stated.

1. Philippine Passport

  • Broken passport is not accepted. Passports must be signed and must have at least two (2) blank visa pages.

2. Visa Application Form

  • Available at the OUR WEB SITE, at the entrance of the Embassy or at FRIENDSHIP TOURS.
  • Application form should be filled out all items correctly, If item is not applicable, please fill in [N/A]. Embassy may not accept application with blank item, no signature or no date in the form; may deny the application that is filled out incorrectly or wrong information.

3. Photo

  • Specs: 4.5cm x 3.5cm(2x1.4 inch),, with white background.
  • Photo must be taken within 6 months.
  • Please write applicant's name and birthdate on back side of the photo.
  • Photo must be pasted on the application form.

4. Birth Certificate

  • IT must be issued within one year from PSA Main Office/Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide).
  • If the birth certificate from Philippine Statistics Office (PSA) is unreadable, or has incomplete information, please submit the birth certificate issued by PSA together with a birth certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar.
  • If the birth certificate is "late registration", please submit in addition, a baptismal certificate and school record (Form 137) from high school or elementary and School Yearbook (if possible).
  • If there is no record in PSA, please submit a "Certificate of Non-Record" from PSA together with a birth certificate from the Local Civil Registrar.

5. Marriage Certificate (if the applicant is married)

  • IT must be issued within one year from PSA Main Office/Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide).
  • In case there is no record in PSA, please submit a "Certificate of Non-Record" from PSA together with the Marriage Certificate from the Local Civil Registrar.

6. Daily Schedule in Japan (TAIZAI YOTEIHYO)

7. Proof of Relationship

  • pictures, passport copies etc. for visiting friends/acquaintances
  • Birth Certificates and Marriage Certificates to connect relationship for visiting relatives.

8. Statement of Service

  • *If possible, please submit statement of service with name and email address of attestant.

9. Passport Copy of US Military Personnel in Japan
    (Information page and pages with stampsregarding Japan travel)

10. Invitation Letter

[If applicant will shoulder part or all of his/her travel expenses]

11. Bank Certificate

  • Validity of Bank Certificate is three (3) month from the date of issue

12. Income Tax Return (Form 2316) crear Photocopy(latest)

[If US Military Personnel in Japan will shoulder part or all of the applicant's travel expenses]

13. Guarantee Letter

14. Tax Certificates (Income Tax Payment: Form 1040 and W-2)

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