Work visa – Skilled Labor (Cook) Visa for Thai Cuisine Chefs

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Hiring Thai nationals as Thai cuisine chefs in Japan
Category 1 (Cook) — Core Eligibility
Additional Requirements under the Japan–Thailand EPA (for Thai Cuisine Chefs of Thai Nationality)
What counts as “reasonable remuneration” (benchmark and evidence)
COE (Certificate of Eligibility) Document Set — Hiring a Thai Cuisine Chef
Procedure & Typical Timeline
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Hiring Thai nationals as Thai cuisine chefs in Japan

If you wish to employ a Thai national as a Thai cuisine chef in Japan, the appropriate status of residence is generally “Skilled Labor” visa.

The Skilled Labor visa is designed for foreign nationals with highly practiced skills in specific occupational fields that are difficult to substitute with domestic labor. Unlike “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services,” which emphasizes academic background and theoretical expertise, the Skilled Labor visa focuses on hands-on proficiency acquired through long-term practical experience—i.e., craft-type talent.

Under the Ministerial Ordinance criteria, the Skilled Labor visa covers several occupations. Chefs fall under Category 1 (Cook). The key requirements are:

Category 1 (Cook) — Core Eligibility

Applicants engaged in cooking or food manufacturing (excluding the occupations listed under Category 9) must meet one of the following:

(i) Ten (10) or more years of practical experience in the relevant skill (periods of study at foreign educational institutions majoring in related fields may be counted); or
(ii) Satisfy the conditions set out in Annex 7, Part I-A, Section 5(1)(c) of the Japan–Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

In practice, chefs in cuisines such as Chinese, French, Indian, as well as pastry/bakery workers, must show 10+ years of practical experience (education in a specialized culinary program abroad may be included).

However, for Thai nationals working as Thai cuisine chefs, the Japan–Thailand EPA allows the experience requirement to be reduced to five (5) years. In other words, Thai nationals can qualify with 5+ years of relevant experience.

Additional Requirements under the Japan–Thailand EPA (for Thai Cuisine Chefs of Thai Nationality)

Documentary proof must establish the following:

At least five (5) years of practical experience as a Thai cuisine chef (time spent in culinary training at an educational institution for obtaining a Thai national skill certificate may be counted).
A Thai Cuisine Chef Skill Level Certificate issued by Thailand’s Department of Skill Development at Basic level or above.
Reasonable remuneration received within one (1) year prior to the application in Thailand as a Thai cuisine chef (see definition below).

What counts as “reasonable remuneration” (benchmark and evidence)

“Reasonable remuneration” means cash pay exceeding the latest available national average monthly wage of employees across all industries in Thailand, as published from the NSO Labour Force Survey (LFS) (commonly compiled quarterly by the Bank of Thailand).
How to document: attach (a) pay slips/wage ledger/bank statements showing chef income in the look-back year, and (b) a printout/extract of the latest available national average wage from the NSO/BOT table, highlighting the applicable quarter.
Example (for orientation only): Q4/2024 all-industry employee average wage ≈ THB 15,737.61 per month. To be conservative, we recommend demonstrating remuneration at or above ~THB 16,000/month. Always use the most recent quarter available at the time of filing, or the same quarter as your pay evidence, and reference the exact figure/date on the exhibit.

COE (Certificate of Eligibility) Document Set — Hiring a Thai Cuisine Chef

(Immigration may request additional items depending on the case.)

Application form (downloadable from the Immigration Services Agency website).
Passport copy (applicant).
Proof of 5+ years’ experience: CV and employer certificates/letters from each restaurant (must show name, address, phone, position, and exact employment period).
- Only Thai cuisine cooking/food-manufacturing duties count. Non-cooking roles (e.g., cashier/front desk) do not count.
- Time in Thai culinary vocational programs may be counted toward experience with enrollment certificates.
Thai Cuisine Chef Skill Certificate: Department of Skill Development (national exam), Basic level or above.
Reasonable remuneration evidence (this is the section you asked to augment):
- Proof that within the 1-year look-back the applicant worked in Thailand as a Thai cuisine chef and earned cash pay exceeding the latest available national average monthly wage for all employees in Thailand (NSO LFS / BOT).
- Attach (i) salary slips/wage ledgers/bank statements for the period, and (ii) the NSO/BOT average wage table (e.g., Q4/2024 ≈ THB 15,737.61/month; as practice, we advise ≥ THB 16,000/month).
Employment contract / Notice of working conditions (copy): salary must be no less than that of comparable Japanese employees, and compliant with the Labor Standards Act, Immigration Act, and related ordinances.
Statement of reasons for hiring (from the Japanese employer): explain the business need for a Thai national and how the case satisfies Skilled Labor criteria (we can draft this).
Statutory withholding summary
Company information: profile, sample menu, restaurant business license copy, company registry transcript, most recent financial statements (B/S and P/L).

Caution: Rejections related to false or unverifiable experience certificates have increased. Immigration may conduct spot checks with past employers. Ensure all entries are truthful and auditable.

Procedure & Typical Timeline

Submit COE application to the regional immigration bureau once documents are ready.
Examination period: typically 1–3 months, but may vary.
After COE issuance, send documents to the applicant to obtain a visa at the Royal Thai applicant’s nearest Japanese mission (e.g., Embassy/Consulate in Thailand).
Upon entry to Japan, the applicant receives a Residence Card at the port of entry and may start work at the restaurant.
Register address at the local city/ward office promptly after move-in.

Our Services

Recruitment/entry support for Thai nationals to work as Thai cuisine chefs in Japan (COE applications).
Extension/Change of Employer procedures for Thai cuisine chefs already in Japan.
Dependent (family) visa support for eligible family members.