No More Travel Agencies: Japan to Centralize Visa Processing in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – The Japanese Embassy in Manila announced on Wednesday the opening of its new VFS Global-powered visa centers, which would begin operations on April 7. In an advisory, the embassy said visa applicants can already book appointments via the VFS Global website starting March 19.

The Japan Visa Application Centre (JVAC) will have a total of five locations in Cebu City, Davao City, Makati City, Parañaque City, and Quezon City.

With its formal opening on April 7, applications will no longer be accepted at the accredited agencies on April 6.

If an applicant applies through an accredited agency before April 6, the release of the passport will also be at the agency where he applied.

The embassy said the opening of JVAC, which would both accept and issue visa applications, is meant to provide “better service and convenience” to applicants.