Japan Visa from Thailand
JVAC Ploenchit filing, Certificate of Eligibility (COE) preparation with Japanese sponsor coordination, SSW-i / Engineer / Working Holiday, and Spouse of Japanese national.
Quick Answer
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and purpose. Work, study and family stays usually start with a Certificate of Eligibility obtained in Japan, followed by a visa application in Thailand. Fees, visa-free rules and processing times change often, so confirm the current figures with the embassy or official portal before you apply. We prepare and translate documents; we do not guarantee a decision.
Categories we handle
| Type | COE needed | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary Visitor (>15 days) | No | 5–10 wd |
| Student (Ryugaku 留学) | Yes | COE 2–3 mo + 5–10 wd |
| SSW-i (Specified Skilled Worker) | Yes | COE 1–3 mo + 5–10 wd |
| Engineer / Humanities / Int'l Services | Yes | COE 1–3 mo + 5–10 wd |
| Dependent (Kazoku-taizai) | Yes | COE 1–3 mo + 5–10 wd |
| Spouse of Japanese National | Yes | COE 1–3 mo + 5–10 wd |
| Working Holiday (age 18–30) | No | 1–2 weeks |
| Business Manager | Yes | COE 2–4 mo + 5–10 wd |
COE workflow
- Sponsor documents from Japan side: company registration (履歴事項全部証明書), financials, employment contract.
- Applicant documents Thailand side: education, CV, criminal record (if SSW), Japanese language proof (JLPT).
- Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan issues COE (1–3 months).
- Original COE couriered to Thailand.
- JVAC visa lodgment with COE + supporting docs → processing time set by the embassy and JVAC.
FAQ
- Thai passport & Japan — visa-exempt?
- Yes, Thai passport holders enjoy 15-day visa-exempt entry for tourism. Anything longer, or work/study/family stay, requires a visa. We assist with all long-stay categories including Certificate of Eligibility (COE) processing.
- What visa categories do you file?
- Temporary Visitor (>15 days, business, transit), Specified Skilled Worker (SSW i / ii), Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務), Student (留学), Dependent (家族滞在), Spouse of Japanese National, Long-term Resident, Working Holiday (age 18–30), and Business Manager.
- How does COE (Certificate of Eligibility) work?
- For most work/study/family visas the Japanese sponsor files a COE at the Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan (1–3 months). Once issued, we lodge the visa application at Royal Thai Embassy JVAC (Tokyu Building, Ploenchit) with the COE. Visa decision on a timeline we confirm after reviewing the documents after COE.
- Fees?
- Fees depend on the documents, destination and urgency. Send your documents for a written quote after review — no prices are published. Any government or embassy fees are set by the authority; verify them directly before filing.
- Where to submit?
- Japan Visa Application Center (JVAC) operated by VFS, Tokyu Building 8F, Ploenchit BTS. Appointment via online booking. Passport return on a timeline we confirm after reviewing the documents.
Contact: 083-2494999 · LINE @NYC168 · contact@nyclegal.co.th
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Official sources — visa & work permit
The information on this page follows the official sources below. Always check the latest version before you file.
- Immigration Bureau — visas, 90-day reporting, TM.30— Immigration Bureau
- Thai e-Visa Official Portal— MFA Thailand
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)— Immigration Bureau
- Department of Employment — work permits for foreigners— Department of Employment
- Board of Investment (BOI) / LTR Visa— Thailand Board of Investment
- Department of Consular Affairs — document legalisation— Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Contact us by phone, LINE or email for a free initial enquiry and a quote after document review. Timing depends on the work and relevant authorities.
General information before proceeding: Confirm current requirements with the receiving authority before using your documents. This page is not a legal opinion for your individual case — meet the team · editorial policy
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the DTV and who realistically qualifies?
- The Destination Thailand Visa is a five-year multiple-entry visa allowing stays of up to 180 days per entry, extendable once per entry by a further 180 days at an immigration office. It targets remote workers employed or contracted outside Thailand, freelancers with foreign clients, and participants in Thai soft-power activities such as Muay Thai training, cooking courses or medical treatment, and it requires evidence of the current official rate in available funds.
- How is the LTR visa different from the DTV?
- The Long-Term Resident visa is a ten-year visa administered by the Board of Investment for wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, work-from-Thailand professionals and highly skilled professionals, and it bundles a digital work permit, a flat 17% personal income tax rate for the skilled-professional category and annual instead of 90-day reporting. The DTV is cheaper and faster but grants no work permit for Thai-sourced work and no tax privileges.
- Can I work in Thailand on a tourist or DTV visa?
- No — any work performed inside Thailand requires a work permit or an equivalent digital work authorization, regardless of where the employer or client is located. The DTV is intended for work delivered to foreign employers and clients; taking on Thai clients or a Thai employer requires switching to a Non-B or LTR pathway with proper authorization.
- What most often causes a Schengen or UK visa refusal from Thailand?
- The dominant causes are weak evidence of ties to Thailand, bank statements that show a sudden unexplained deposit shortly before filing, inconsistencies between the application form and supporting documents, insufficient or non-compliant travel insurance, and an itinerary that does not match the stated purpose. Refusals are recorded, so a re-application must directly address the refusal ground rather than simply resubmit the same file.