Japan Visa For Thai (experience)

I am a farang (from Europe) living in Japan and we prepared the necessary documents to apply for a temporary visitor visa to Japan for my Thai friend (male)

Documents :

1. Passport of at least 6 months validity

2. Application form + one foto

3. ID card original + copy

4. Bank book original + copy

5. Needs employment contract or business registration papers or such. Did not have so replaced by pictures of working place (shop)

6. Itinerary signed by travel agent

As the purpose was not only tourism but also visiting friends and that the bank book balance was not very high (100.000 baht)

We submited from my side the following as garantor

1. garantee letter

2. reason for invitation, history of friendship

3. Tax return certificate in Japan

4. copies of passprt with japan visa page

5. certificate of employement and salary statement

Made the application on a tuesday. 6 in a queue at 8:30 am.

At counter within 40 minutes.

As documents not standard was given a recept with the words (will call you)

Other applicants received teh same receipt with a pick-up date for the next thursday

Called the Embassy to ask if there was any problems, told that papers had to be re-checked and to wait for contact from Embassy

Got a call the Friday afternoon for a pick-up the next Monday

Paid 1,200 baht and got a 3 months single entry visa valid from day of pick-up.

Although the applicant is a single male of 30 without 'real' income or work, the process went quite smoothly thanks I think to the strong garantor file submitted (although not required)