First Step: Digging Up Basic Requirements
I started by hitting up the official Japan embassy website for my country. Wrote down all required docs like it was a grocery list. Needed bank statements, flight itinerary, hotel bookings – the usual stuff. Called my bank to order fresh stamped statements cause they don’t accept printouts from my crappy home printer.
Dealing with Paperwork Headaches
Spent three whole evenings filling that visa application form. Messed up twice writing my passport number wrong – felt like a total clown. Had to redo the damn thing after spilling coffee on page 3. Pro tip: always use CAPITAL LETTERS like they demand. Forgot to sign one section and nearly submitted it like that!
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My document checklist:
- Passport with six months validity
- Salary slips from last six months
- Round-trip flight reservations
- Hotel confirmations for entire trip
- Printed bank statements
- That stupidly long application form
- Passport-size photos taken at pharmacy
Booking Fake Flights and Hotels
Didn’t wanna buy actual tickets before visa approval obviously. Used dummy booking services online that hold reservations. Picked refundable hotels too – good thing cause I changed my itinerary twice. Printed every single confirmation even for hostels. The embassy wants proof for every night’s stay!
The Drop-off Circus
Showed up at visa center thirty minutes early – still ended up waiting two hours in line. The staff checked each paper like detectives. Nearly had a heart attack when they asked for extra documents. Ran out to photocopy more bank statements across the street at sketchy copy shop charging triple price.
The Worst Part: Waiting
Took five working days of constantly checking email. Forgot application number and had to call helpline where they treated me like a criminal verifying details. Finally got notification to collect passport. Rushed there shaking while opening the envelope. Almost cried seeing that visa sticker inside!
What Actually Worked
Turns out my overly detailed travel itinerary saved me. Wrote day-by-day plans like “Tuesday: Tokyo Tower, Wednesday: Shinjuku shopping”. Showed them my savings account instead of checking account – much healthier balance there. Submitted extra docs proving my job stability even though they didn’t ask.
Whole process cost around $40 in fees plus $25 for photos and photocopies. Took eleven days total from research to passport in hand. Would’ve been faster if I didn’t screw up paperwork twice. Next time I’ll triple-check everything before heading to visa center!
