Documents for a Japan work visa
Quick answer
Applying to work or practise a profession in the destination country. The documents normally translated and legalised are Degree certificate, Academic transcript, Police clearance certificate, Birth certificate, Thai national ID card, using the translation standard Japan accepts.
Document checklist
- Degree certificate
Many destinations require the transcript to accompany the degree certificate
- Academic transcript
Must be an institution-issued and signed copy, not a student-made photocopy
- Police clearance certificate
State the destination country and purpose when applying, because the certificate is issued for the stated purpose
- Birth certificate
A registrar-certified copy is required, not an ordinary photocopy
- Thai national ID card
Used as supporting evidence alongside a certified civil-registration document
Cautions
- Professional bodies usually ask for the qualification and the transcript with subject detail, so sending the degree alone is often not enough
- The katakana spelling of your name must match what earlier Japanese paperwork used; inconsistent spellings across documents are usually sent back for correction.
- Thailand acceded to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026 and it enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027, so no Thai Apostille is issued yet, so no Apostille is issued in Thailand. The working route is certified translation, legalisation by the Department of Consular Affairs (MFA), and then attestation at the destination country’s mission in Thailand where the receiving authority requires it.
Frequently asked questions
Which translated documents are needed for a Japan work visa?
Degree certificate, Academic transcript, Police clearance certificate, Birth certificate, Thai national ID card. Each should carry a certified translation and consular legalisation as the receiving authority requires.
What document mistake is most common in a work visa?
Professional bodies usually ask for the qualification and the transcript with subject detail, so sending the degree alone is often not enough
Does a work visa need an Apostille?
Thailand acceded to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026 and it enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027, so no Thai Apostille is issued yet, so no Apostille is issued in Thailand. The working route is certified translation, legalisation by the Department of Consular Affairs (MFA), and then attestation at the destination country’s mission in Thailand where the receiving authority requires it.
Which translation standard applies to a Japan work visa?
A Japanese translation showing the translator's name and contact details; some offices also accept English
What if more documents are requested after filing a work visa?
Work from the wording of the request itself and rebuild the bundle with the original, the translation and the certification stamps together, which reduces a second request.
Is a police clearance needed for a work visa?
It is normally required, and it should be recent enough to satisfy the destination rule.
Who assesses the documents for a Japan work visa?
The Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the municipal city office (市役所), and the Japanese Embassy in Thailand