Such imaginative titles I have for these blog entries. Like wow. Much thought. So creative.
I posted the visa application today. It has been a hassle but mostly because of things that have nothing to do with me and all to do with Embassy of Japan in Finland. I e-mailed them twice and called them twice: first time they told me they would sent me the info-package right now, and the second time they told me to contact them via e-mail and ask for the info-package, so I did. Nothing. Nada. Complete radio silence both times. It wasn’t until the third time I called (and I was mildly annoyed, I’m not gonna lie) they actually send me the info. Like jeez, let’s all give them a slow clap, shall we?
For the visa-application you need:
- visa-application form: filled on computer, then printed and signed, and with a passport-picture glued on top
- photocopy of Certificate of Eligibility (the certificate was automatically send to me from Hokudai)
- photocopy of passport (remember to check it’s not going to expire during your stay!)
Now, that was all the info-package required but there was a note that in some cases they might ask for further information. Since Hokudai had actually send me a Certificate of Admission and Certificate for Jasso-scholarship as well, I photocopied those and added them into the bunch. I mean, hey, what’s the harm, right? Hokudai info claimed they might be needed, so there we go. If the embassy doesn’t need them, then so what? The copies just end up in the trash. No harm done, I thought.
All the applications in Finland are required to be posted to the embassy. The info package said it would take a few days for them to go through the documents and they would inform me immediately when I could go and get it. On some website they said that with the Certificate of Eligibility the time required for procession is 5 working days. On the embassy’s page it said 1-3 weeks. Info-package said few days.
…yeah, I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait and see how long it takes.
Even though the documents are posted, you have to personally go and get the visa from the embassy. Easier said than done when you live on the other side of the country. And because I’m just about the unluckiest person on earth, the embassy is closed on the exact Monday I’m supposed to leave for Japan because of Respect for the Aged Day. And of course, it’s also closed on weekends. This means it’s cheaper for me to just go and get it from Helsinki a week before I leave. With Norwegian the flights were 58 euros there and back with just hand-luggage, and my wonderful friend from high-school very graciously promised to house me for one night (thank you, sweetheart! xoxo).
On the info-package that I got, they also said that when you go get your visa from the embassy you are going to need your passport, original Certificate of Eligibility, and (exactly) 22 euros in cash.
Lastly, I want to tell you guys this tip I learned from my co-worker. When you are booking you flight to Norwegian, there is this box called ”kampanjakoodi” or ”campaign code”. Put a code ”ALLE26” into it and you get the youth prices for those who are under 26 years old. Neat, right?