The Prefectural Police Headquarters covering your registered residence (jūminhyō). If you've moved without updating your jūminhyō, apply through the prefecture where your registration still shows — not your current address.

Not yet, and this is a common misunderstanding — one made more confusing by some sources incorrectly claiming Japan only joined in 2023. Japan's membership has actually existed since 1970, one of the longest of any country covered here. But Thailand — the destination country — only acceded to the Convention on 30 June 2026 and it doesn't take effect until 28 February 2027. The missing piece is on Thailand's side. Until then, your apostilled criminal record certificate also needs legalisation at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo.

Usually not on its own. The National Pension full amount for FY2026 is ¥70,608/month, well short of the roughly ¥313,000/month threshold. Combined average pension income (basic plus employee pension) runs roughly ¥163,000/month for men and ¥106,000/month for women — still typically short, though high earners with a long contribution history can reach further. The bank deposit route (800,000 THB, roughly ¥3,850,000) is the more practical path for most Japanese retirees.

No — the DTV does require a 500,000 THB bank balance; it just doesn't require a police certificate, which is easy to conflate. Every DTV applicant needs the bank balance regardless of income level.

No — that's a common mix-up between two different LTR sub-categories. The 17% flat rate applies to LTR Highly-Skilled Professionals on Thai-sourced employment income. Wealthy Pensioners instead get a full exemption from Thai personal income tax on foreign-sourced income remitted to Thailand, under Royal Decree 743 — no cap on the amount remitted.

Filing a 海外転出届 ends your National Health Insurance enrollment with your municipality. It does not affect your pension entitlement, which is a separate system — but you'll need alternative health coverage in Thailand regardless, since the Non-OA visa requires OIC-approved Thai insurance either way.

Confirm the current status and coverage directly with a tax adviser familiar with Japanese and Thai non-resident tax rules before emigrating — don't assume standard treatment applies to pension or investment income.

One of the largest and most established in Thailand. Bangkok's Sukhumvit corridor has Japanese restaurants, supermarkets, schools, and Japanese-language medical services; Chiang Mai has a well-established Japanese retiree community.

Japan's National Health Insurance does not cover long-term overseas residence. For the Non-OA, OIC-approved Thai health insurance is mandatory — 40,000 THB outpatient + 400,000 THB inpatient minimum, two separate figures, not a combined total.

Start with the free eligibility check above. Tell us your age, financial situation (pension, savings, investment income), and how long you want to stay — we identify the right visa, guide you through the criminal record certificate and current legalisation process, and give a fixed-price quote. No obligation.

Foreign nationals cannot directly own Thai land. Options: condominiums (49% foreign-ownership quota per building, FET Certificate required), leasehold land, or other legal structures — nominee arrangements are illegal. Use a certified Thai property lawyer.

Tokyo (Narita or Haneda) to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi is approximately 6 hours direct, operated by JAL, ANA, and Thai Airways among others, with multiple daily departures. Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka also have direct service; check current schedules before booking.