Thai National Going To Japan

[thaithaithaiguy]

Hi guys,

long time lurker here - you guys have helped me so much with visa rules - love it.

I am going to japan with my thai girlfriend and she is going to use the visa exemption.

I have heard stories and read on this site that many thais are being denied entry because they think they are going to work in japan illegally.

Are there any threads on this i could read up on? Or does anyone have any comments or advice or tips on how to ensure she is not denied entry?

Thanks guys, i love this place

[FracturedRabbit]

I went with my wife and there were no issues at all. If they do have a question, a return ticket and evidence of accommodation should clear the way.

[durhamboy]

I think it's a valid concern. The trouble is that just because a visa is no longer required does not mean guaranteed entry to a country. I read recently that a lot of Thai ladies are being denied entry into Singapore even though they don't need a visa. I think it helps that you will be arriving together and presumably you will have all your tourist stuff i.e. return tickets, hotel reservations, tours? etc.

[theoldgit]

You may find this useful http://www.th.emb-japan.go.jp/en/jis/2013/1321.htm

I know a number of single Thai woman who have travelled either with partners or on their own without any problem, all were genuine visitors and were in possession of supporting documentation but were never asked for it, that doesn't mean that none are refused entry.

I've travelled with my partner without any question.

As duramboy has indicated Singapore does have a bit of a reputation for refusing entry to properly documented Thai women.

[Iamemjay]

Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan seem to have these concerns and occasionally exercise them. That being said in all probability there most likely will not be a problem, particularly if she is clearly with you. Just to be sure, have the types of documentation mentioned above ready just in case. Make sure it is clearly for both of you.

[JeffreyO]

My wife was questioned a bit during our recent (a few weeks ago) entry to Japan but the moment she said she was with me, and the Japanese immigration officer confirmed with me that we were indeed traveling together, they backed off. (I'm a US Citizen). I hope that helps.

[Soutpeel]

I think it's a valid concern. The trouble is that just because a visa is no longer required does not mean guaranteed entry to a country. I read recently that a lot of Thai ladies are being denied entry into Singapore even though they don't need a visa. I think it helps that you will be arriving together and presumably you will have all your tourist stuff i.e. return tickets, hotel reservations, tours? etc.

Even having a visa doesn't guarantee entry into country

Having observed what goes on in Singapore immigration queues on multiple occasions, could I suggest the times I have seen Thai ladies "pulled " out of immigration lines and taken in the back room for questioning where Singapore Immigration suspicions well founded ?

Think so, yes that obvious

Never once seen a Thai couple pulled out the line, My Mrs has been to Sing many times and immigration has never batted an eye lip with her

[jacksam]

You won't have a problem. I take my tgf to Japan. Right now I'm with her in Singapore. The IO there asked to see her accommodation and return ticket. She thought it was on her phone. It wasn't. IO wasn't happy but I was at next counter. She pointed to me. He asked is she staying with you. I said yes and he waved her on.

So make sure she has copy of return ticket. Accom info handy. Receipt better. You will be fine.

[Rocketsurgeon]

I travel with my wife internationally often. We went to Japan last year and going back this autumn for peak foliage/season.

We were questoned casually on entering, really customs not immigration area to be precise. I offered we were staying a week, we were married and we were headed for Kyoto (two nts in Osaka). No issues.

Enjoy, we did. I liked it far more than I thought I would. I should have married Japanese ☺

We're casually dreaming about living in Kyoto spring and fall.

Recommend gf dress for a day hiking in the national park and not a night at the pub.

Edited August 21, 2015 by Rocketsurgeon

[jacksam]

Yes ROCKETSURGEON...Landed Osaka last night with tgf. Her second visit. Nothing from immigration was a breeze. She didn't have to point to the big farang (me) behind her....nothing. Breeze.

Then customs asked couple of basic questions. Where we stay. I showed return to bkk tickets. She counted out to see if it was under 15. No problem really.

Thought that was immigration job. Ain't she there for drugs food products etc. BTW didn't ask a question about food products etc. Maybe she wants to sit behind the desk with the big stamps

Edited September 1, 2015 by jacksam

[orientalist]

Any updates on Thais entering Japan without a visa now that they are being turned away in record numbers? I have been to Japan many times with no problems at Immigration but plenty of suspicion at Customs (apparently a single, middle-aged farang coming from Thailand is suspicious!). The one time I had a new passport, Customs asked to see the old one.

I'm taking the girlfriend for a 13-day trip, entering at Osaka KIX airport. She isn't educated and can't read English (although she speaks it passably). Worse, she has a habit of answering "yes" to any question she doesn't understand or just saying whatever she thinks people want to hear.

From the above article:

The most frequently given reason entry refusal by Immigration was “Doubts over the traveler’s stated purpose of entry.” Many were caught when they failed to provide a credible explanation of their planned sightseeing activities in Japan, leading inspectors to suspect they were coming to work illegally.

Unfortunately, we both have new passports, but we'll do a quick trip to Laos or Cambodia soon so we have one stamp to show. And we'll take our old passports, just in case they ask.

We'll have a hotel booking for the whole stay and the return air ticket. Plus I'll make a printed itinerary for the whole trip since she'll never remember any of the Japanese place-names.

What I remember of KIX Immigration is that the queue is way back from the counters and an official directs people one by one to different counters. Is there any way we can stay together? Obviously, I can answer any questions that come our way, if they call me over, but I'm worried she'll get flustered and arouse suspicions by talking nonsense.

The Disembarkation Card asks how much cash we have with us. Normally, I don't have a large amount because I use credit card and debit card. I wouldn't take more than 100,000 yen. Should I give half to her? Anyone have any experience with this?

Edited January 27, 2016 by orientalist

[jacky54]

Immigration officers are not stupid, some Thai women are going there to work illegally and the way they dress is usually a bit of a give away. They should be stopped and sent packing.

[orientalist]

A head's up for anyone taking a Thai gf to Japan: it isn't difficult. They didn't ask my gf any questions at all. She had 100,000 yen with her, which was adequate, and two sets of stamps in her passport, proving she was a bona fide traveler.

When we went to Cambodia, she had left Thailand through the automatic gate at Don Muang so she had no stamps in her new passport and the Immigration officer had to go and ask someone if this was OK. We later did a trip to Laos across the border that added more stamps. They might have been a bit suspicious if she'd entered Japan with a blank passport, I reckon.

[D doubleU]

@Orientalist 

 

Thanks for your feedback!

 

Quick question: was your tgf travelling to japan alone or in your company? I am travelling to Osaka for a conference in June, and my tgf is planning on meeting me there. 

 

She has travelled to Cambodia and Japan (with friends in the past) however in this situation she would be travelling alone.

 

We are concerned about her passing through immigrations from bkk and also into kensai. Any thoughts/suggestions there?

 

Thanks!

 

[TerryLH]

2 hours ago, D doubleU said:

@Orientalist 

 

Thanks for your feedback!

From almost 2 years ago.

[orientalist]

@Orientalist 
 
Thanks for your feedback!
 
Quick question: was your tgf travelling to japan alone or in your company? I am travelling to Osaka for a conference in June, and my tgf is planning on meeting me there. 
 
She has travelled to Cambodia and Japan (with friends in the past) however in this situation she would be travelling alone.
 
We are concerned about her passing through immigrations from bkk and also into kensai. Any thoughts/suggestions there?
 
Thanks!
 

We were traveling together at the time.


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