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
Thai passport = 15-day visa-exempt for tourism. Beyond 15 days, or work/study/family — visa + often COE required. JVAC 8F Tokyu Building, Ploenchit BTS.
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 → 5–10 working days.
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 5–10 working days after COE.
- Fees?
- JVAC handling fee THB 535 (single) / 1,070 (multiple). Consular fee waived for Thai nationals under the reciprocity arrangement for short visits. Our service THB 5,500 (Temporary Visitor) to THB 45,000 (SSW / Engineer with COE preparation).
- Where to submit?
- Japan Visa Application Center (JVAC) operated by VFS, Tokyu Building 8F, Ploenchit BTS. Appointment via online booking. Passport return 5–10 working days.
Contact: 083-249-4999 · LINE @NYC168 · contact@ilc.ltd
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Certified translation across civil, academic, corporate, contractual, financial, medical, technical and IP documents — with the Notary → MFA → embassy legalization chain handled end to end.
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Filing service THB 6,500–35,000 (embassy fees excluded)
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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.
- สำนักงานตรวจคนเข้าเมือง — วีซ่า รายงานตัว 90 วัน TM.30— Immigration Bureau
- Thai e-Visa Official Portal— MFA Thailand
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)— Immigration Bureau
- กรมการจัดหางาน — ใบอนุญาตทำงานคนต่างด้าว— Department of Employment
- สำนักงานคณะกรรมการส่งเสริมการลงทุน (BOI) / LTR Visa— Thailand Board of Investment
- กรมการกงสุล — บริการรับรองเอกสาร (นิติกรณ์)— กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ
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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 at least THB 500,000 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.