Visa Application to Japan

Date: 8th April 2010

Actually frankly speaking, we do not really survey on how to apply a visa to go to Japan before we purchased the air tickets to go Japan. This is one of the mistakes that we made on planning to travel to Japan for holidays. So, after talking to one of my travel agent’s friend, after reading some travellers’ blog and after some advices from friends, we were quite shocked to find out that actually we need to have an amount of RM20k in bank in order for us to secure the visa application. When we knew that, seriously speaking, it was really quite shocking information to know.

So today, instead of guessing around, instead of worrying myself on how to go about saving up the RM20k for myself, I called up the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia. They are very friendly staffs and explained to me how I shall go about applying the visa using the correct ways.

Website for Embassy of Japan in Malaysia: http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/index.htm.
Tel: 603-2177 2600

The things need to be prepared that the staff told me over the phone can be read at: http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/English/visit.html#B

After her explanations, I did ask her on the bank account statement. Is it true that we need to have RM20k in bank in order for us to apply the visiting visa? She told me no need, only need to show to them the bank account statements will do. Be it in any format, joint-account, or FD or whatever. But then I also did ask her, does it need to have any minimum amount or not? She said to be secured, maybe a minimum of RM6k in the bank will do. But if no also should be alright. She added that the RM20k is just some fake information spread out by the travel agents. Phew, when I heard that, really felt very relieved.

Before I put down the phone, I also asked her, if I am travelling in October, when should I apply the visa? She told me 2 weeks before the travelling dates will do. The visiting visa is valid for a period of 3 months. So I no need to apply so early. She said that the percentage for a Malaysian to get rejected on the visa application is quite low. So she told me no need to worry about that.

Well, just hope that everything can be on the smooth side for me to be able to go to Japan for holidays happily with Hubby. I think the staff in Embassy of Japan should be providing to me the accurate information. Pray hard for the visa application to be approved when I am applying for it when the time is nearer!! Otherwise, who else can we believe on the visa application? Hehe :)

Date: 6th September 2010

As what we have planned earlier, today hubby and I will go and apply the visa for travelling to Japan. Kimi will be at home with PIL. We have prepared all the documents needed for this visa application. We have arranged all the documents in order before we go. So when we reached there, all we need it to take a number and wait for our turns.

Well, as we are applying the visa ourselves, only to realize that it was not that difficult. As long as your documents are all prepared and arranged properly, things are very easy. Once it reaches our turn, the officer there only needs to check on all the documents to make sure nothing is left out and it is all complete set. After she checked on it, she gave us a receipt, stating the date and time for us to go back to the embassy again for the passport collection. By the way, there is no fee involves for Japan Visa Application.

So, tick-tock-tick-tock! Praying hard that our application will not have any problems!


Date: 9th September 2010

We were supposed to collect our passports on the 8th September, in between 2pm-4pm. But then hubby needs to work at that time. So we went to collect it on the next day. This round I went in myself and hubby was at outside waiting for me while taking care of Kimi. Same thing, pressed for number and waited for my turn.

Once my number is called, I passed the receipt to the officer and she passed to me our passports. Hurray!! So happy that our Visa applications have been approved!! I check on the information on the passports before I left the embassy. Deep inside my heart keep on smiling… Hehe.. Finally, we can really start to prepare to the trip lor ~~ Counting down ….

Sample picture of the Japan Visa:

P/S: No mobile phones and cameras are allowed to bring into the Embassy. So before you go into the Embassy, everything needs to pass to the officers’ in-charge there. You can collect it once you come out from the Embassy.