The Embassy of Japan in Thailand is pleased to announce the opening of their Japan Visa Application Centre (JVAC) operated by VFS (Thailand) Limited in Bangkok. The site provides information on procedures applicable to visa applicants who wish to apply for a Japan Visa.

With effect from 4^th August 2010, Japan Visa Application Centre in Bangkok will accept and deliver visa applications for Japan visa from general applicants. For the convenience of applicants in Thailand, JVAC will collect applications, applicable fees and provide delivery service for all general applicants through selected Thailand Post Intake Centres in 6 provinces across the country. The Intake Centres will start accepting applications from 23^rd September 2010 in Phuket and Sri Racha, 27^th September 2010 in Ayutthaya and Rayong and 29^th September 2010 in Nakhon Ratchasima and Phitsanulok . Additionally, we have opened 5 more centers this year. The new intake centres are located in central post office of Khon Kaen, Ubonratchathani, Petchaburi, Surat Thani and Hadyai.

The Embassy of Japan will continue to accept applications from Diplomatic and Official passport holders and applicants traveling on humanitarian emergency to Japan or visa transfer of issued visa to new passport. Applicants residing in the 9 Northern Provinces (Chiang Mai, Phayao, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Lamphun, Phrae, Chiang Rai, Nan and Uttaradit), must continue applying at the Consulate-General of Japan in Chiang Mai only.

Visa waiver Arrangement:
Japan has a visa waiver arrangement with some countries and regions. Nationals of these countries and regions may not require a visa to enter Japan if the purpose of their visit is for business, conference, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, etc. However, if Nationals of these countries or regions engage in paid services in Japan or the period of stay exceeds the period stipulated in the arrangement, visa must be obtained before traveling to Japan. Please click here to learn more about the visa waiver arrangement.

For Prospective Applicants
For those who wish to apply for a visa are requested to kindly read the information on this site carefully. The guidelines listed on this site are to help you prepare your documents as accurately as possible. This will reduce the risks of your application being incomplete or take a longer time to being processed.

Processing Time:
Under normal circumstances, the visa applications will take a minimum of 5 working days to process including the date of submission at Japan Visa Application Centre and 7 to 8 working days to process including the date of submission at an Intake Centre. This may vary for certain applications and it is at the sole discretion of the Embassy of Japan, Thailand

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Step 1 : Obtain required information: Visit www.jp-vfsglobal-th.com Contact the helpline number +66 (0)2 6321541 Email your query to info.jpth@vfshelpline.com Visit Japan Visa Application Centre (JVAC) Enquiry counter

Step 2 : Take a photograph Visit the website for exact specifications  allvisacategories_photo.html Photograph facility is available at the Japan Visa Application Centre at a nominal additional charge

Step 3 : Complete the Application Form, Questionnaire and Checklist Application Forms and Questionnaire can be downloaded from the website allvisacategories_application.html Each applicant must submit a completed Checklist only if you are submitting your application at an Intake Centre. Checklist can be downloaded from the website allvisacategories_documents.html

Step 4 : Prepare supporting documents Visit the website allvisacategories_documents.html to know the required documents based on your purpose of travel. Know your visa fee by visiting the website allcategoriesvisa_fees.html or contacting the helpline number +66 (0)2 6321541. Each applicant must pay the applicable Visa Fee and Service Charge. You must pay the fees in cash only while submitting your application.

Step 5 : Submit your Application At JVAC in Bangkok: In principle, you should apply in person. However, if you meet one of the following criteria, you can ask an agent, family member, or messenger to apply on your behalf.   Those who are under 16 and above 60 years of age Those who are physically disabled Those who are traveling for business purposes Those who have applied Visa and traveled to Japan within the last 5 years (Must present previous Visa attached in passport at the time of submission) Those who are traveling as a part of group tour which is organized by one of the travel agencies registered with the Embassy. Read the security regulation notice securityregulations.html; disclaimer disclaimer.html; consent form consentform.html before you visit the Visa application centre Visit the website contactus.html; publicholidayclosure.html to know the address, office hours and holidays. Bring along the below documents while submitting your application: Completed Application Form and Questionnaire one per applicant One photograph Visa Fee and Service Charge in cash Supporting documents Select your option to receive your passport Collect your Passport from the Japan Visa Application Centre Collect your Passport from a Thailand Post Office located close to your residence or office address by paying a nominal additional fee of THB 140 inclusive VAT Receive passport by courier to your residence or office address by paying a nominal additional fee of THB 140 inclusive VAT Collect an acknowledgment for submission of your application and applicable Fees At an Intake Centre: Read the security regulation notice securityregulations.html; disclaimer disclaimer.html; consent form consentform.html before you visit JVAC or an Intake Centre Visit the website contactus.html; publicholidayclosure.html to know the address, office hours and holidays. Bring along the below documents while submitting your application: Completed Application Form, Questionnaire and Checklist one per applicant One photograph Visa Fee and Service Charge in cash Supporting documents: Complete a pay-in-slip one per applicant to indicate applicable Visa Fee, Pay-in-slip are available at the Intake Centre Select an option to receive your passport Collect your Passport from the Intake Centre where you submitted your application Collect your Passport from the Japan Visa Application Centre in Bangkok Collect your Passport from a Thailand Post Office located close to your residence or office Receive passport by courier to your residence or office address Collect a copy of the pay-in-slip as acknowledgement for submission of your application and applicable Fees. Pay-in-slip will indicate the Inward and Outward EMS Barcode number.

Step 6 : Track your application Visit track.html to track your application Key in your Acknowledgment Number provided at time of submission of your application and Date of Birth if you have submitted your application at JVAC in Bangkok Key in your Inward EMS Barcode Number provided at time of submission of your application and Date of Birth if you have submitted your application at an Intake Centre If you have opted to receive your passport by courier or at a Thailand Post Office Visit track.html to track your application When the message reads “Application handed over to Courier” visit www.thailandpost.com to track your passport on the Thailand Post website Key in your Outward EMS Barcode Number to track your passport

Step 7 : Collect your Passport Visit the Japan Visa Application Centre or Thailand Post Office where you opted to collect your passport Bring along the original Acknowledgement / pay-in-slip provided at time of submission of application If a representative or travel agent is collecting your Passport, please provide an authorization letter in addition to the original Acknowledgement / pay-in-slip Thailand Post Office will hold the passport for 7 days after which, the passport will be returned to Japan Visa Application centre in Bangkok where it can be collected. If you have opted to receive your passport by courier Passport will be returned on presenting the Original Acknowledgement / pay-in-slip Thailand Post will make 2 attempts to deliver your passport at the given address. After which, the passport will be returned to Japan Visa Application centre in Bangkok where it can be collected.

If you have already submitted an application for a Visa at the Japan Visa Application Centre in Bangkok or an Intake Centre you can track your application here.

You can track your application by entering your Acknowledgement Number or Inward EMS Barcode Number provided at the time of submission of your application and Applicant’s Date of Birth. Please click here to track your application.