You can also view this payment methods page in Japanese.
日本語で読む
Payment Methods
Clients in Japan may pay by GMO Aozora Net Bank transfer or Stripe. Stripe is the standard for clients outside Japan. Listed basic fees include tax. For Stripe payments, our office adds a 5% online payment fee to the amount payable, including professional fees and expenses such as government fees, postage and translation costs. No office online payment fee applies to GMO bank transfers; bank transfer charges are borne by the client.
Handling fees differ depending on the payment method. The amount, payment deadline and method stated in the applicable quotation or invoice will prevail.
Basic Payment Policy
As a general rule, 50% of the professional fee is payable as an initial retainer after the scope and fee have been confirmed and before work begins. The remaining balance is paid upon approval, before delivery or before completion of the relevant service.
Government fees, revenue stamps, postage, translation fees, certificate issuance fees, transportation and other actual expenses may be charged separately from our professional fees.
Important: Work commencement, application filing, delivery of documents, residence cards or electronic materials is generally handled after payment has been confirmed. Any exceptional arrangement must be agreed on a case-by-case basis.
Available Payment Methods
GMO Aozora Net Bank Transfer
GMO Aozora Net Bank transfer is a standard option for clients in Japan. No office online payment fee applies; bank transfer charges are borne by the client. Bank details are provided individually after review.
Standard for clients in JapanStripe Online Payment
After reviewing the inquiry and confirming the total, our office sends an individual Stripe payment link. Our office adds a 5% online payment fee to the amount payable, including professional fees and actual expenses, and confirms the breakdown and total before payment.
Stripe Checkout may display credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPay, or convenience-store payment.
StandardWise Transfer
Wise may be offered only as an exception when our office determines it is appropriate.
Exception onlyPayPal
PayPal may be offered only as an exception when our office determines it is appropriate.
Exception onlyConsultation Fee Examples
Consultation Fee Credit upon Formal Engagement
If you formally engage our office and we accept the same matter within 30 days of the consultation date, one paid basic consultation fee will be credited toward the application professional fee. The online payment fee is excluded from this credit. The credit will be deducted from the initial retainer invoice and shown in the quotation and invoice.
Separately quoted detailed document review, written work, government fees and actual expenses are excluded. A fee for a consultation already provided is not refundable if you do not proceed with formal engagement.
The revised fees apply to new consultations and new quotations after this update was published on September 12, 2026. Existing quotations, confirmed bookings and ongoing cases are not affected retroactively.
Standard Consultation — 60 Minutes
Specialist Consultation / Complex Case — 60 Minutes
After review, our office sends the confirmed total and either bank transfer instructions or an individual Stripe payment link, according to the selected payment method.
Bank Transfer
Displayed Prices
Payment Timing
Initial Retainer
As a general rule, 50% of the professional fee is paid as an initial retainer at the time of formal engagement. Case management, document review and preparation generally begin after payment confirmation.
Remaining Balance and Actual Costs
The remaining balance, additional fees, actual expenses, immigration fees and other charges are paid upon approval, before delivery or before completion of the service. Delivery is generally made after payment confirmation.
Important Notes
- The amount, payment deadline and method stated in the applicable quotation or invoice will prevail.
- Payment confirmation may take time. For urgent matters, please make payment as early as possible.
- If an unpaid balance remains, delivery of documents, residence cards, electronic materials or other items may be withheld.
- Late payment damages may apply to overdue amounts in accordance with the invoice or engagement terms.
- Remaining fees, actual expenses and settlement amounts are generally payable before delivery.
- Please review the individual quotation or agreement and our Commercial Disclosure for the final scope of services, engagement terms and scope of liability. Individual terms will prevail if they provide different conditions.
Questions Before Payment
Please contact us if you have questions about an invoice, payment method, Stripe online payment, availability of Wise or PayPal, payment confirmation or document delivery.
Contact on WeChat
You can contact us on WeChat
Scan the QR code with the WeChat app or search for WeChat ID “Tommyslegal”.
Last updated: September 12, 2026