Job Discussion Forums

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

Has anyone here had any experience getting a Thai girl or boyfriend a visa to visit them here in japan?

Any tips or advice?

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Can't they say they are visiting a friend and come on a tourist visa? That gives the person 90 days.

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

Getting a visa seems to be a bit of a trick.......apparently Japan wants them to have thousands of dollars in the bank for at least six months...my girlfriend doesnt have that and i was wondering if others had any experiences to share.

Jon Taylor · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 238 Location: Tokyo

SeasonedVet · Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Posts: 236 Location: Japan

It's very difficult for Thai girls to get a visa for ANY country except South East Asian Counties.

If they are married it's easier or if they hyave their own business or have as the OP said thousands of dollars on the bank then it's easier.

One option though is she booking a package tour for Japan in Thailand through a travel company. One that allows her some days free of the group. Then you can hang out.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

I had a co-worker who had a long-time Thai girlfriend who came to visit him a few times in Japan. It was challenging. She did eventually get her visas each time, but I know it took some time to process -- it was not overnight.

Good luck with that though.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

To get a tourist visa a Thai girl will need a letter from her employer or Educational institution (showing that she has a significant job to return to), A big wad of cash in a bank account (sometimes with evidence of a bank history since it's not uncommon for people to get a loan from family or friends for the process, and on a side note I'm sure a few guys have sent money for this pyrpose and have got burned).
Evidence of accomodation bookings, tours booked etc. will help.
You yourself will be more of a liability than anything since there are guys that make a pretty handy living as "escorts" posing as dummy boyfriends for girls destined for the adult entertainment industry.

Tell her to look for info on Panthip.com or trekkingthai.com if you are not put off by the above.

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

How about a letter of invitation from my Junior High School inviting her to talk at our school?

She is self employed, so letters from employers are not possible.

Also, she owns a house, yet rents it out and lives in an apartment. However, her cash flow is not great.

Im sending her some papers. I'm including two pictures of us together, (one with her in long hair and one in short), a photo copy of my bank book and a promise in writing to cover her expenses, statement of my monthly income,.......addresses of my school and apartment.....photo copies of my passport visa also showing a recent trip to Chiang Mai.

I am hoping all of this helps.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

I'm not sure exactly but I'll ask around.

"Self Employed" sounds both promising and discouraging. If it means a business with assests (ie something to come back to) then it will be considered favourably. If she is freelancing for whatever then it will look really dodgy.

The letter from the school won't mean much and all the evidence about your relationship will probably look worse, since if you are demonstrating a serious relationship won't that mean you would attempt to keep her here more than a tourist visa allows? Again, you are more of a liability than anything. Unless of course you marry her and she can come here as a dependant.

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

She is a consultant and takes jobs from various companies in the food industry.

I am surprised that you think I would be a hinderance, rather than a help.

I mean, I guess evidence of our relationship might cause me to keep her past her visa allowance, but really, wouldnt that screw up my own visa status?

I'm not saying you are wrong, I am just hoping you are. Coming with a tour group is not an option. I may as well just go there and see her. The idea is cheap time together, in the low season. I will send her my documents and let everyone know how she fares.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Again I would get her to look for advice in PanThip.com or trekkingthai.com

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

OOPs

Actually got a chance to ask around and it appears that offering to sponser your friend won't hurt at all, especially if you have evidence of a relationship. You will also need to provide some sort of evidence that you are able to support her while she is here. It's still a bit of a crapshoot but I was overstating how harmful you would be. Sorry.

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

I just wanted to let everyone know who was interested, that I did indeed get my girlfriend a visa to visit Japan.

I sent off a letter of invitation, promise to cover her expenses, photocopies of my bankbook and passport...a letter from my school inviting her here. After all that, they requested an itinerary to be faxed from Japan to Thailand (that was a challenge to get it done at a convenience store). We also included photos of us together.

We got the visa, and hope to get another one in a couple of weeks for another visit.