Is the Smart Visa the right fit for Japanese applicants?
Core eligibility: Talent āļāļđāđāđāļāļĩāđāļĒāļ§āļāļēāļ · Investor āļĨāļāļāļļāļ âĨ 20M · Executive āđāļāļīāļāđāļāļ·āļāļ âĨ 200,000/āđāļāļ·āļāļ · Startup S-Curve.
Most Japanese applicants for this visa fit the profile: Long-stay condos (Sukhumvit, Sriracha) + factory land via BOI. Top locations: Bangkok (Asoke/Phrom Phong/Thonglor), Sriracha (Chonburi), Ayutthaya (industrial), Chiang Mai.
Japanese edge: JTEPA (2007) â preferential market access; BOI auto-recognition for Japanese SMEs â can be combined with the Smart Visa to extend ownership and operating rights in Thailand.
Benefits for Japanese holders
âĒ āļāļĒāļđāđ 4 āļāļĩ âĒ āđāļĄāđāļāđāļāļ 90 āļ§āļąāļ Report âĒ āļāļĢāļāļāļāļĢāļąāļ§āļāļģāļāļēāļāđāļāđ âĒ āđāļĄāđāļāđāļāļ Work Permit
Source-country documents from Japan
Passport (âĨ 18 months validity) · 4Ã6 cm white-background photos · latest TM.6 / arrival card.
6â12 months of bank statements from a Japan financial institution showing average balance and income flow.
Personal documents (birth · marriage · police clearance) translated from Japanese to Thai and MFA-attested + Thai Embassy-legalised in Japan.
Our in-house Notary Public (Lawyers Council of Thailand) and certified Japanese â Thai translators clear documents in 2â5 business days.
Filing process at BOI
1) Free 30-minute pre-screening (Japanese or English) â confirms eligibility and total cost.
2) Collect, translate, legalise (Apostille/MFA), courier back to Thailand.
3) Prepare petition, file online/offline at BOI with our representative present.
4) Interview (if required) + biometrics + visa/E-Visa issuance.
5) Ongoing: 90-day Report · Re-entry Permit · Work Permit · renewals â all managed by us.
Tax considerations Japanese applicants often miss
Tax residency: 180+ days/year in Thailand = Thai tax resident. Plan with a Thai tax adviser BEFORE wiring funds in.
Double Tax Treaty: Thailand â Japan â we obtain a Certificate of Residence so you can claim the credit at home.
LTR/Smart Visa holders may qualify for the 17% flat rate â we verify before filing.
Why Japanese clients choose NYC Legal
100+ Japanese cases per year â we know how your home-country bank and notary will format documents.
Notary + lawyer + MOF-registered tax accountant on one team. No multi-firm coordination needed.
Status updates in Japanese at every step, photo of every document, online tracking dashboard.
FAQ
Can Japanese nationals apply for the Smart Visa?
Yes â eligibility centres on: Talent āļāļđāđāđāļāļĩāđāļĒāļ§āļāļēāļ / Investor āļĨāļāļāļļāļ âĨ 20M. We assess your case free in 30 minutes.
What is the all-in cost?
Starts at quoted on request + government fees + Japan translation/Apostille costs (quoted on real documents).
How long does it take?
30â60 business days at BOI once source-country documents are complete.
Can it be done while I am still in Japan?
Yes â sign a POA at the Thai Embassy in Japan (or Apostille). We file end-to-end.
Does this visa allow me to work in Thailand?
Yes â some categories include a free Work Permit.
Is renewal easy?
We handle renewal + 90-day Report + Re-entry Permit so you never have to queue at Immigration yourself.