MANILA – Travelers applying for a Japanese visa still have the option of coursing their applications through a travel agent even after the opening of the Japanese visa application center (JVAC) on April 7.

VFS Global, the visa outsourcing firm the Japanese Embassy in Manila tapped to manage the JVAC, said applicants may either book their appointments straight to the JVAC website or through agencies affiliated with the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) and the Philippine IATA Agents Travel Association (PIATA).

The travel agencies, it said, can submit visa applications on behalf of their clients at the JVAC in Cebu, Davao, Makati, Paranaque, and Quezon City provided they have proper authorization from the applicants.

“All visa applicants or their travel agents will have to book a prior appointment by visiting our website https://visa.vfsglobal.com/phl/en/jpn/ before visiting our centres to submit their applications,” the VFS Global said in a statement sent on Thursday.

Under its current system, the Japanese Embassy in Manila accepts and processes visa applications made through its select accredited travel agencies.

The embassy earlier said travel agencies that would be offering Japan visa services to travelers would now have to coordinate with VFS Global since the matter already classifies as “commercial activities between the visa center and the travel agencies”.

The VFS Global said no agreement signing is required as long as the travel agents can demonstrate that they are members of PTAA and PIATA.

Those who are not a member of these associations, on the other hand, can write to VFS Global at [email protected] for guidance.

Travel agents, the VFS Global said, may also refer to the website for documentation and other related queries.

Japan is set to begin the operations of its five visa applications centers on April 7, but booking for appointments may already made through the website.

The VFS Global has no role in the decision-making process as it only handles the front-end administrative tasks of the visa application.

This includes collecting application forms and required documentation per government guidelines, and ensuring the secure return of passports through courier or at the counter after the Embassy decision.

Decisions on visa applications, including the availability of appointment slots, the timelines to process applications, and the granting or refusal of visa or visa tenure, are at the sole discretion of the Embassy, it said. (PNA)