Q: i'm planning to bring my kids to singapore next march. but they dun have a passport. Age 2, 6 and 8. About taking the passport photos, do i have to take the photo first from a photo shop or they is a counter at the immegresion and they can direct take the photo from the immegresion dept?

Answer - No counters at immigration (they are outside the immigration, private ones). So it is better to take the photos from photo shops outside, also you will find better photo quality and some photo shops you can request for the softcopy of the photos, at minimal or no charge. Especially your baby of 2 years old, its friendlier and less hasty in photoshops outside.

Q: How long the process to get a passport? Do i have to bring along the kids there too? i thought me and by hubby go there to apply for them.

Answer - No, must bring your kids along, its compulsory. If you go Damansara (cos i went there), there is special queue for babies, and I went there with my wife and baby, it took us about 2-3 hours. There are shops nearby for food after you submit all necessary documents, thereafter some window shopping at the stalls.

Q: Any idea what time i have to go there to que to get a number? Which immigretion place not much crowded and fast?

Answer: The queue was not too long when I was there, like 1 person in front of us BUT its always better to be there early.
for more details pls visit my blog for more info. You will find a checklist, immigration links, operation time etc.

http://travelling-iphone.blogspot.com/

i heard ppl said Japan Visa need to have at least 6k for past 3 months? is that true?

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Added on September 27, 2010, 11:24 am* Bank Statement

Hi Abie,

You can try Mayflower (i usually get it done with them). They charge me RM15 per passport and Japan visa is free of charge. My company is their coporate client and you probably can ask how much they'll charge for non-corporate clients.

Their # is 2167 5678 - can look for Stephanie Chua.

It'll take about 3 days to get it done. If you don't mind doing it yourself, you could go to their embassy in KL.

Edited to add: If you buy your air ticket from them, of course they'll do it for you free of charge.

You'd best refer to the Japan Embassy website. Otherwise can refer to your tour agent. They will advise you accordingly.

http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/English/visit.html

I will going to Japan on early March, so any time period for visa application?

Great...

Need advice regarding the Jap visa application,

Employment certificate stating your position, department in the company and length of service(using the company letterhead)
- How should the letter should be written? Just a few sentences? Who should sign? Boss or HR? Should we draft and let them sign, any sample......
 
*If you are a sole proprietor/partner/owner of the company, you need to submit a copy of  your business registration
-  Regarding the business registration, it is just the SSM will do?

For the form application, I will stay at least 3 diff hotels. Should I just write one will do?
What does it mean at the Principal former positions?
What does it should fill under Gurantor and reference in Japan, or just leave it blank or just put N/A?

Lastly....
How fast is the visa submission? Just drop in with envelope after check by the embassy ppl? I understand that there isn't any place to park car. It is better one person do the submission the other person go round and round in the car.

Thank you

Many thanks for the advice.

I will going on the 8th of March. So far I haven really plan my trip, too busy with office work.

But I need to check if those who open own business, it mention on submitting the business registration. Just the SSM form? or others form?