The Digital Nomad Visa offers remote workers the chance to live and work in Japan for up to six months. It’s perfect for those looking to experience Japan while continuing their international remote jobs.
Find out below about the eligibility requirements, benefits, and restrictions of the Digital Nomad Visa for Japan, and how it can make your remote work experience abroad seamless.
If you want to know more essential guides for Japan, please refer to the information below.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: What is the Digital Nomad Visa for Japan?
The Digital Nomad Visa for Japan was introduced after the Ministry of Justice amended part of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. Starting on April 1, 2024, Japan launched the “Digital Nomad” visa system. While other countries have already been promoting digital nomad visas, Japan has now joined this trend by offering its own visa for remote workers. This visa allows foreign workers to live in Japan while working remotely for a company outside the country, providing an opportunity to experience Japan’s unique culture and lifestyle.
Chapter 2: Eligibility Requirements
Overview of Requirements
- The applicant must be from a country eligible for the Digital Nomad Visa.
- The applicant can stay in Japan for up to six months.
- The applicant must engage in international remote work, such as working for a foreign company or offering paid services to foreign clients.
- The applicant must have an annual income of at least 10 million yen.
- The applicant must have overseas travel insurance covering death, injury, and illness, with medical coverage of at least 10 million yen.
- Spouse or children can accompany the primary applicant for the same six-month period.
Chapter 3: Detailed Requirements
#Primary Applicant:
Nationality: The applicant must be from one of the following countries eligible for the Digital Nomad Visa: Iceland, Ireland, United States, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Israel, Italy, Indonesia, Uruguay, Estonia, Australia, Austria, Netherlands, Qatar, Canada, Croatia, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Thailand, Czech Republic, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Turkey, New Zealand, Norway, Hungary, Finland, France, Brazil, Bulgaria, Brunei, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Malaysia, Mexico, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Luxembourg, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan.
Note: The spouse’s nationality does not have to match the primary applicant’s country eligibility.
Stay Duration: The primary applicant can stay in Japan for up to six months.
Work Type:
You can work remotely for a foreign company using information and communication technology (ICT). This work is for the company’s office in another country, based on an employment contract with the foreign company.
You can also provide paid services or sell goods to clients in another country using ICT.
Note: You cannot engage in activities that require you to be physically present in Japan.
- This visa does not allow you to do anything outside the approved activities for your residence status.
- You cannot work for any public or private organization in Japan under this visa.
Income Requirement: The applicant must earn at least 10 million yen annually.
Insurance: The applicant must have travel insurance covering death, injury, and illness, with at least 10 million yen in medical coverage.
#Family Members:
Nationality: The applicant must hold nationality from a designated country eligible for the Digital Nomad Visa.
- The eligible countries are as follows;
- Iceland, Ireland, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Andorra, the United Kingdom, Israel, Italy, Indonesia, Uruguay, Estonia, El Salvador, Australia, Austria, the Netherlands, Qatar, Canada, Cyprus, Greece, Guatemala, Croatia, Costa Rica, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Suriname, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Thailand, the Czech Republic, Tunisia, Chile, Denmark, Germany, the Dominican Republic, Turkey, New Zealand, Norway, the Bahamas, Barbados, Hungary, Finland, France, Brazil, Bulgaria, Brunei, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Honduras, Macau, Malta, Malaysia, Mexico, Mauritius, Monaco, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Romania, Luxembourg, Lesotho, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and North Macedonia.
*Please note that the nationality of the spouse is different from the eligible countries listed for the primary applicant.
- Stay Duration: The visa allows the spouse or child to stay in Japan for up to six months. No extension will be granted.
- Activity Type: The spouse or child can engage in daily activities as a supported family member of the primary applicant, who is staying in Japan for up to six months and engaged in international remote work.
- Note: The spouse or child cannot engage in activities outside of what is permitted for the primary applicant’s residence status.
- Insurance: The spouse or child must have private medical travel insurance that covers death, injury, and illness during their stay in Japan.
- Note: The insurance must provide 10 million yen or more for medical treatment compensation related to injury and illness.
Chapter 4: Required Documents
#Primary Applicant:
Application Form for Certificate of Eligibility (1 copy)
- Download it from the provided links:
- No need to submit “For organization, part1~3.”
Photograph (1 copy)
- Attach a photo that meets specified standards.
- If the photo doesn’t meet the requirements, you’ll need to retake it.
Reply Envelope (1 copy)
- A standard-size envelope with:
- Your address written clearly.
- Correct postage for registered mail.
- A standard-size envelope with:
Activity Schedule (1 copy)
- Describe your activities during your stay in Japan.
- If you’ve already included details in the application form, you don’t need to submit this separately.
- [Activity Schedule Format (WORD)]
- [Activity Schedule Format (PDF)]
Income Proof (1 copy)
- Tax certificate or income certificate proving an annual income of at least 10 million yen.
- If you can’t submit a tax certificate, provide:
- A written explanation.
- Employment or business contract with clear contract amount.
- Bank statements or a copy of your passbook showing income deposits.
- Note: The bank statement must be printed and uneditable (Excel files are not accepted).
Private Medical Insurance (1 copy)
- A certificate showing you have insurance for your stay.
- Insurance must cover death, injury, and illness in Japan, with at least 10 million yen for medical costs.
- If using credit card insurance, provide proof of coverage.
#Family Members:
- Application Form for Certificate of Eligibility (1 copy)
- Download it from the provided links:
- No need to submit “For organization, part1~3.”
Photograph (1 copy)
- Attach a photo that meets specified standards.
- If the photo doesn’t meet the requirements, you’ll need to retake it.
Reply Envelope (1 copy)
- A standard-size envelope with:
- Your address written clearly.
- Correct postage for registered mail.
- A standard-size envelope with:
Activity Schedule (1 copy)
- Provide a description of your activities during your stay in Japan.
- If you have already included this information in the application form, you don’t need to submit it separately.
- [Activity Schedule Format (WORD)]
- [Activity Schedule Format (PDF)]
Document Proving Family Relationship (1 copy)
- Provide a document like a marriage certificate (for spouse) or birth certificate (for child) to prove the family relationship with the primary applicant.
Private Medical Insurance (1 copy)
- A certificate showing you have insurance for your stay.
- Insurance must cover death, injury, and illness in Japan, with at least 10 million yen for medical costs.
- If using credit card insurance, provide proof of coverage.
- If using family coverage from the primary applicant’s insurance, provide documents confirming the coverage scope.
Passport Copy of Primary Applicant’s Spouse/Parent (1 copy)
- A copy of the passport of the spouse or parent who will be residing in Japan with the primary applicant under the “Designated Activities (for Digital Nomad)” status.
Chapter 5: Benefits and Restrictions
#Benefits of the Digital Nomad Visa
- Stay in Japan for up to 6 months while working remotely.
- Family members (spouse and children) can accompany you for the same duration.
- Experience Japan’s culture and lifestyle while continuing your international remote work.
- Enjoy Japan’s modern infrastructure and vibrant work environment.
#Restrictions to Keep in Mind
- Remote work only: You cannot work for Japanese companies or engage in any activities outside your approved visa status.
- Family members cannot take up employment in Japan.
- Fixed duration: The visa lasts up to 6 months, with no extensions available.
