Japan

Digital Nomad Visa

Japan's Digital Nomad Visa is a residence status under the Designated Activities category that allows foreign nationals to stay in Japan for up to six months while working remotely for employers, clients, or businesses located outside Japan. The program targets remote workers including IT professionals, digital designers, and foreign business owners who use information and communication technology to perform their work. Applications opened on 29 March 2024, with the new status of residence taking effect on 31 March 2024.

• Nationals of 49 countries and regions that have both visa-exemption arrangements and bilateral tax treaties with Japan
• Eligible countries include: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkiye, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, and others
• Must be 18 years or older with no maximum age restriction
• No specific educational or professional qualifications required

• Annual income of at least JPY 10,000,000 (approximately USD 68,000) from sources outside Japan
• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity and blank pages
• Private health insurance covering the entire stay with minimum coverage of JPY 10,000,000 for medical treatment, including hospitalization, repatriation, and rescue expenses
• Remote work arrangement with an employer, client, or self-owned business located outside Japan
• Planned activity statement describing intended activities, accommodation, and duration of stay

• Only remote work for overseas employers, clients, or businesses is permitted
• Employment by Japanese companies, services targeting the Japanese domestic market, and face-to-face work at Japanese locations are prohibited
• The visa is non-renewable and non-extendable
• Must remain outside Japan for at least 6 consecutive months after departure before reapplying
• Total stay must not exceed 6 months within any 12-month period
• No pathway to permanent residency or citizenship
• Holders do not receive a Residence Card, which limits access to banking, long-term rentals, and standard mobile phone contracts

Legal spouse and unmarried minor children may accompany the main applicant under Designated Activities Notification No. 54. The eligible nationality pool for dependants is broader than for main applicants, covering 70 countries and regions. No separate income requirement applies for dependants, but each family member must individually hold private health insurance meeting the JPY 10,000,000 minimum coverage requirement. De facto marriages are not accepted. Dependants cannot work in Japan and must depart when the main applicant departs.

Digital nomad visa holders staying 6 months or less are generally not considered Japanese tax residents. Japan's tax residency threshold requires living in the country for one year or more, and the visa's 6-month limit with mandatory 6-month gap prevents holders from triggering residency status. Income earned from overseas sources is not subject to Japanese income tax for non-residents.

There are two routes to obtain the visa. The first is to have a representative in Japan submit a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application to the Immigration Services Agency, then apply for the visa at a Japanese consular post abroad with the COE. Processing at the consulate typically takes about 5 business days with a COE. The second route is to apply directly at a consular post without a COE, which may result in significantly longer processing times. Required documents include the application form, passport, photographs, proof of annual income, insurance documentation, employment contract or client agreements, and a planned activity statement.

Links

• https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities53_00001.html
• https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/pagewe_000001_00046.html
• https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/digital-nomad-visa/

Other Digital Nomad Visas in Asia