Exemption of Visas for Nationals of the Kingdom of Thailand

1. In celebration of the 40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, the

Government of Japan has decided that from July 1, nationals of the Kingdom of
Thailand in possession of ordinary IC passports who wish to enter Japan for a period not
exceeding 15 consecutive days for short-term stay will be made exempt from the visa
requirements. The further development of Japan-Thailand exchange is expected as a
result of the exemption of visa requirements,

including increases in the

number of tourists from Thailand who visit Japan and
the enhancement of the ease of business transactions
between the two countries.
2. However, those entering Japan with intentions other than those noted above; or in other
words, those who wish to stay in Japan for short-term stay of over 15 days or who wish
to stay for purposes such as work, will be required to obtain visas in advance. In
addition, this visa exemption applies only to those with an ordinary IC passport.
Nationals of the Kingdom of Thailand who do not hold an ordinary IC passport continue
to be required to obtain a visa.
3. Furthermore, please note that any visa fees or processing fees collected before the
measures will not be refunded.

(4) Managing a business in Japan on behalf of a foreign national who has invested in that business
This refers to all activities related to managing a business in Japan on behalf of an investor in that business
who resides outside of Japan.

(5) Engaging in activities related to the administration of a business

This refers to activities related to the administration of a business that is managed or invested in by a
foreign national or managed by a Japanese national on behalf of a foreign national who manages or
invests in the business , as described in paragraphs (1) to (4) above

B.Requirements for Acquiring Investor/Business Manager Status

To acquire Investor/Business Manager Status, foreign nationals must satisfy the following requirements
(Ministerial Ordinance);

(1) Office requirement

An appropriate office should be secured in Japan. Renting an apartment room on a short-term basis may
not be considered an appropriate office.

(2) Capacity requirement

The business should be appropriate capacity to ensure stable and continuous operations. Appropriate
capacity-is the capacity to employ 2 or more individuals residing in Japan as full-time employees, or to
make an investment of 5 million yen or more in the business.
(3) Academic requirement of managers
A foreign national wishing to engage in the management of a business in Japan should have 3 years or
more experience in business management and administration (including the time spent studying business
management and administration at a graduate school), and should receive a remuneration no less than
what a Japanese national engaging in the same job would receive.
C.Permitted Term of Residence
A foreign national can reside in Japan for 3 years or 1 year under the Investor/Business Manager status.
The term of residence can be renewed.
D.Required Documents
The following documents are required when applying for Investor/Business Manager status;
(1)

Application form PDF Excel

(2) Photograph (4cm in height x 3 cm in width)

(3) Self-addressed return envelope affixed with 380 yen postage
(4) The following supporting materials
1.Document explaining the business in detail
2.Document showing the total number of full-time employees, excluding the foreign applicant, or a
document verifying an investment of 5 million yen or more
3.Document showing an outline of the office
4.Document verifying that the applicant has 3 or more years of experience in business management and
administration, in the case of an applicant wishing to engage in the management and administration of a
business on behalf of a foreign investor
Notes
Supporting materials other than the above may be required, on a case-by-case basis.
An applicant may submit additional documents if he/she deems them beneficial to promoting an
understanding of the business.