Applying for a Japanese Tourist Visa while on a D-10 visa in South Korea

Note: Please be aware that I am holding a Philippine passport so I need to apply for a visa before visiting Japan. I am sharing this experience to hopefully help out others who are on a D-10 visa in South Korea and wants to visit Japan but would need a visa to do so. I have no idea about the process for other nationalities on a D-10 visa in South Korea that can visit Japan without needing a visa.

Sadly, the short answer to this post is that you cannot. You are not allowed to apply for a Japanese Tourist Visa while on a D-10 visa in South Korea. Unfortunately, I was not aware of this rule and only found out when I was passing my documents at the Consulate of Japan in Busan. I told the lady at the counter that I did not see any information about it and that it was not on their website. The lady at the Consulate confirmed that that information is not posted on their website. Even if my husband will be the one paying for all the expenses, it seems there is no exception. It appears that they base it on the visa status of the applicant.

However, for those who have a different visa status in South Korea but would need to apply for a visa before visiting Japan, here are the requirements from the Japanese Embassy website: (Disclaimer: I translated the information from Korean to English using Naver Translate and Google Translate so it may not be totally accurate. This is just to give you an idea.)

1. passport

2. application form (1 copy)

3. picture (1 piece) - within 6 months and pasted on the form

4. flight and/or accommodation booking confirmation/certificate

5. ability to pay for travel to Japan. One of the following:

            - income certificate from public organizations (maybe work place)

            - bank certificate/statement issued by bank or copy of passbook (for 3 months basis)

6. schedule of stay

7. copy of alien registration card (front and back)

           - include copy of accompanying family members

           - marriage certificate

Other Information:

Individual applications: 9:30-11:30 and 13:30-16:00

Issuance of visa result: Mon to Fri, 9:30-11:30 and 13:30-17:00

* For non-Koreans, a visa issuance fee (32,000 won for a single visa, 63,000 won for a multiple visa, 7,000 won for a pass visa) is required when issuing a visa.

* The application documents are not returned when applying for a visa.

The information above was collected around June-July 2017.