[HOW TO] Apply Japan Tourist eVisa for Filipinos in Dubai UAE 2023

Before becoming a desert city gurl, I was or am still an anime gurl! HAHA!

My first email address ever has "anime" on it, yes, korny, but I love it! :)

I was not able to share the application process when I first visited Japan last 2017.

Guess there was a reason as there is a new process, we can now apply Japan visa ONLINE! 

Introducing Japan eVisa! 

Are you a Filipino or a foreign national residing in UAE and you are planning to visit Japan for the first time and only need single entry? Then this is for you! 

1. Prepare the following documents:

• Passport Copy
• 1 Passport photo
• Emirates ID - front & back copy
• Confirmed Roundtrip Flight Ticket Itinerary 
• Certificate of Employment
• Bank Statements for the last 3 months
• Hotel Confirmation - you can book in Agoda, Booking.com or Airbnb 
• Travel Itinerary

TIP:

a. If you will be departing from Manila, Philippines, include your Philippine tickets as well together with your Manila - Japan -Manila ticket in one document

b. Make sure to merge your Certificate of Employment/Salary Certificate/Payslip with your Bank Statements in one document file.

More information here: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/visaonline.html

2. Register email address

Visit the Japan eVisa website and register your email address. 

Follow the instruction to activate your account, add password and you will be notified that your account is registered. 

Please note that every login in the website, you will need to enter one-time password (that's how secured this is!) 

3. Apply for your visa

Click on the new registration and complete all details needed. 

Personally, it was easy and straightforward. 

The most important part are the supporting documents. 

Once completed, click on Submit. 

TIP: Make sure to double or triple check your information and links of the documents before submitting. 

4. Wait for your visa issuance

Then, you will be notified through email on the status: 

1 Temporarily received

2 Under examination - it will take 3-5 working days for the release of visa. 

3 Fee payment (if necessary) - TIP: For us Filipinos, it is complete FREE! So no need to pay anything.

4 Issued - After 4 working days, I finally got my Japan visa! 

I don't usually go to a country for leisure twice, but Japan is an exception. 

I am excited to see the beauty of Japan again! 

If you have questions and concerns, feel free to comment! :)

<3 Desert City Gurl

[HOW TO] Process OEC for Change Employer in Dubai UAE

Being in the same company for almost five years, I don’t have any problems on my OEC as I’m always exempted.

Procedure of OEC for Same Employer:

1. Log in your account in BMOnline via www.bmonline.ph 
2. Click on the Acquire OEC or Exemption
3. Put your Flight Schedule
4. Choose “Yes” if same employer
5. Click Transactions and print your OEC. Screenshot on your phone is also accepted in the PH Immigration.

It is different story when you changed your employer. Instead of choosing “Yes”, choose “No” that you don’t have same employer and you will be redirected on the schedules.

Worst case, the available dates are one month from the day you logged in!

Tip: Schedule to get your OEC atleast 1-2 months before to be sure to get appointment date and get your OEC in your current country. Validity of OEC is 2 months (60 days). 

Procedure of OEC for Change Employer:

1. Log in your account in BMOnline via www.bmonline.ph 
2. Click on the Acquire OEC or Exemption
3. Put your Flight Schedule
4. Choose “No” if change employer
5. Book appointment date
6. Come to POLO Dubai on your scheduled date
7. Bring the requirements: Passport, Printed BMOnline Appointment, Verified Employer Contract, Flight details/Air ticket, OEC Payment (10AED)
8. Fall in line, pay and get your OEC

The above procedure are for those who have enough time. BUT if you don’t, this is what I have experienced:

So I tried to book appointment, only June dates on POLO Dubai, same with POEA Ortigas Main. I managed to book in POEA Trinoma Field Office, because there is one slot available on May 29th. BUT my flight is May 27th. I would like to try if they will allow it.


Contract Verification for Skilled who have existing POEA record

Before my flight going to PH, one of the requirements from the BMOnline email is a verified contract.

1. Go to POLO Dubai (no schedule needed)
2. Be sure to bring two (2) copies of Employment Contract, Passport, Visa and Payslip/Salary Certificate/Company ID
3. Fall in line and wait atleast 1 hour. 
4. Pay 40aed 

More information in http://www.polodubaiportal.org/contract-verification/


May 24th (Friday), the day I went to POEA Trinoma. I asked if I can process my OEC since my flight is on Monday (I assumed they are close on weekends right?).

They declined.
They told me to go to the Main Office in POEA Ortigas.

I went there and arrived at 11:00AM.
Tip: Go directly to the main office rather than in their Field Offices. Always arrive early.

This is based on my experience:

1. Go to Step 1 and get a number. You need to explain your situation and highlight that your flight is near. Be sure to bring a copy of your ticket.
2. Wait for your number to be called. As for me, it took me 4 hours of waiting as they will finish first those who are scheduled on the day. Tip: Roam around, I went in Robinsons Galleria for lunch and to spare time. Go back around 2-2:30PM.
3. Once your number is called, you will again wait inside for the OEC Processing.
4. After 2.5 hours, my OEC was processed. Make sure to bring the requirements: BMOnline Appointment, Original & Photocopy of Passport, Original & Photocopy of Visa, two (2) copies of Verified Contract
5. Cashier was closed already around 5:30PM. They told us to pay to any Bayad Center and OEC will be automatically available in our BMOnline account. Payment is 119.50PHP

Note: I asked them about getting my OEC in NAIA Terminal 3. This is strictly for 5 or less days of stay in Philippines. It is better to get your OEC before your flight.

With that 6.5 hours, the processing time in the Philippines should improve as OFW going home has limited time and these hours of waiting is no joke.

There are many of us! Maybe, we should have more appointment schedules near the date we plan to have our OEC, more information and customer support online we can ask inquiries to avoid going back and forth.

Hopefully, this experience of mine may help someone.
If you have questions, feel free to comment below.
Thank you, Kabayan!

Grocery Shopping made easy! Download Westzone Fresh APP, now available in Dubai!

One of things I love about Dubai is the innovation.

A favorite supermarket has now a mobile app which customers can shop at your fingertips.

Introducing West Zone Fresh: Grocery Shopping App, available in App store and Google Play.

I downloaded it last night when I saw the advertisement to try its effectivity.

The registration is easy by completing it with your details. 

Important information you need to know:

• It is available in Dubai only
• The minimum amount to order is AED 30
• Free home delivery

I was impressed that it is offering Non Muslim items, as well, but limited. 

You can also recharge your Salik and Telephone cards.

The user experience is seamless. You can search the item to check the availability.

It was fast and easy, no issue on navigating the app.

When checking out, your order form will look like this:

Cash and Card payment are allowed. What I like about it there is an option for the change. How clever, right!

It was so far, so good. Until, the delivery happens.

After 30 minutes, I received a call to verify my location. 

Then after a while, they called again informing me that two of my purchase are unavailable.

I told them, I won't buy the alternative for the minced beef. They said it was okay even if my total purchase will be less than AED 30.

After a total of 1.15hrs, I received my order. When the delivery person came, he didn't have card reader even if I chose Card Visa payment. He went back to the nearest Westzone branch for the change as I told him I  have only AED 500. 

Overall, it was a good first try!

Will I order again? Yes, if it is necessary and I don't have other choice. 

Just now, I received a call from Westzone asking for my customer experience. 

I told them what happened and informed me that they will improved it.

I also suggested points to improve. Hope they will implement it for better user experience. 

Give it a try and share your experience! :) 

<3 Desert City Gurl

[HOW TO] Apply Australia Tourist Visa for Filipinos in Dubai UAE

Hi! I'm Jenny, currently living for more than 4 years in the desert city, Dubai!
Many friends of mine asked me regarding the Visa Applications to certain countries I visited, that's why I created this series "How to" to guide you! :)

I went to the Land Down Under, Australia twice already to visit family and friends from Dubai. Once last April 2016 and recently, last June 2018.

In a span of 2 years, the process changed. From Manual to Automated, it is now easier and faster.

1. Register in ImmiAccount

For those who want to get their Australian Tourist visa, first you have to register an account in ImmiAccount: https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/register

Choose the preferred visa, if you are visiting, select for "Visitor Visa (600)":

2. Complete the Application form

Fill out the necessary details. You can go back to continue the application by logging in at https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login. Do not submit yet if the form is not 100% filled.

The main part are the attachments for supporting documents. Prepare the following:

• Valid Passport
• Passport Pages with stamps
• Passport Photo
• Birth Certificate
• Bank Statements (3 months preferably so that they will see that there is monthly salary, I also added my BDO/BPI or other Philippine bank statements)
• UAE Resident Visa
• Letter of Invitation (from your family, relatives and friends with their supporting documents as sponsor)
• 3 month Payslips
• No Objection Certificate from your employer to travel

Below are the supporting documents I added to make my application stronger:

• Investments (Mutual Funds, Stocks, contracts of your real estate)
• Invitation (based on my experience, I added a copy of my niece and nephew's 1st birthday invitation. This can be wedding invitation, etc)

3. Pay the fees

The application fee is AUD 140 (around AED 380.60) through debit/credit card.

4. Schedule appointment in VFS for the Biometrics

After the application form and payment, you will then receive email regarding the requirement to provide the Biometrics.

Make sure to schedule appointment in VFS and bring the following:

• Original Passport
• Letter for Biometric From Embassy (print the email received)
• Cash/Card in Local Currency (AED 237)
• Applicant self-present. Location is in 3rd Floor, Wafi Mall.

For more information, visit http://www.vfsglobal.com/australia/gcc/biometric_data_collection.html

It is advisable not to book yet your flight, wait for your visa! :)
I got mine after a month when I followed up on it. Some got theirs quicker, so it really depends.
It is worth the wait as I received multiple entry visa YAY! Good for 1 year.

Enjoy Australia, mate! :) 

If you have questions and concerns, feel free to comment! :) 

<3 Desert City Gurl