Japan's Immigration Agency has released the details of a new visa for international remote workers, the Digital Nomad Visa. The visa is available to citizens of 49 countries and regions. Visa holders can legally stay and work remotely from anywhere in Japan for up to six months, which cannot be renewed. Examples of eligible employees include IT/software developers, digital designers, online secretaries, and sole proprietors who work remotely and manage foreign businesses.
Requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa
Here are the requirements for applying for a Digital Nomad Visa (International Remote Worker).
- You must be a citizen of one of the 49 countries and regions listed below.
- You must engage in business activities in Japan based on an employment contract with a corporation or an organization established under the laws and regulations of a foreign country. Or you
must engage in business activities in Japan while managing a corporation or an organization established under the laws and regulations of a foreign country.
- You must engage in business operations of your employer's or your own business establishment in a foreign country by using information and telecommunications technology. Or you provide
services in exchange for payment or sell goods, etc., to a party in a foreign country by using information and telecommunications technology. Services and goods etc. that cannot be provided or
sold, etc. without entering Japan are excluded.
- Your annual income must be 10 million yen or more.
- You must have private insurance coverage in case of death, injury, or illness during your stay in Japan.
- The total period of your stays in Japan must not exceed 6 months for the entire 12-month period, beginning or ending on any day between January 1 and December 31 of the year of your landing in Japan.
1. Citizen of one of the following 49 countries and regions.
Citizens of the following countries and regions are eligible to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa as International Remote Workers if they meet the other requirements.
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong (香港)
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Korea (韓国)
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan (台湾)
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
2. International remote worker
You must be an international remote worker (digital nomad) who meets one of the following requirements.
- Conducting business activities in Japan on the basis of an employment contract with a company or organization established under the laws and regulations of a foreign country. You cannot apply
for this visa if you are employed by a company based in Japan.
- Conducting business activities in Japan while managing a corporation or organization established under the laws and regulations of a foreign country.
Submit a photocopy of your employment contract, employment certification, or other document proving your employment/business ownership.
3. Conduct business activities using IT.
You must perform one of the following activities in Japan.
- Conducting business operations for your employer or your own business establishment in a foreign country by using information and telecommunication technology.
- Providing services for payment or selling goods, etc., to a party in a foreign country using information and telecommunication technology. Services and goods etc. that cannot be provided or sold etc. without entering Japan are excluded.
Submit a photocopy of your employment contract and/or other documents proving your job specifications.
4. Annual income of 10 million yen or more
Your annual income must be 10 million yen or more.
Submit documentation, such as a photocopy of your employment contract, photocopy of bank statement etc., proving your most recent annual income.
5. Private insurance coverage
You must have private insurance coverage in case of death, injury, or illness during while in Japan. Your private insurance may be provided by a company based in another country or by a company based in Japan.
Submit a photocopy of your certificate of insurance and/or policy statement, etc., as proof of coverage.
*Please note that you will not be able to enroll in the Japanese National Health Insurance on this visa.
6. Six months stay
The total length of your stay in Japan must not exceed 6 months for the entire 12-month period from the date you land in Japan.
The visa cannot be renewed.
Requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa (Spouse and Children)
Here are the requirements for a spouse and children to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa as a dependent of an International Remote Worker.
- You must be a citizen of one of the 70 countries and regions listed below.
- You must have private insurance coverage in case of death, injury, or illness during your stay in Japan.
- The total period of your stays in Japan must not exceed 6 months for the entire 12-month period, beginning or ending on any day between January 1 and December 31 of the year of your landing in Japan.
1. Citizen of one of the following 70 countries and regions (Spouse and Children)
Citizens of the following countries and regions are eligible to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa as a spouse and children of an International Remote Workers if they meet the other requirements.
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong (香港)
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Korea (韓国)
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan (台湾)
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
2. Private insurance coverage
You must have private insurance coverage in case of death, injury, or illness during while in Japan. Your private insurance may be provided by a company based in another country or by a company based in Japan.
Submit a photocopy of your certificate of insurance and/or policy statement, etc., as proof of coverage.
*Please note that you will not be able to enroll in the Japanese National Health Insurance on this visa.
3. Six months stay
The total length of your stay in Japan must not exceed 6 months for the entire 12-month period from the date you land in Japan.
The visa cannot be renewed.
How to apply
Japan's Immigration Services Agency explains that you may apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country and at a regional immigration bureau in Japan. There are some difficulties you need to consider.
You may need to go through complicated procedures and long waiting time till you obtain a visa if you apply at an embassy or consulate in your home country.
Since this visa does not recognize or require an employer or sponsor who can apply for the digital nomad visa on your behalf in Japan, either you or designated professionals, including immigration lawyers, may apply in Japan. And it is not feasible for most of you to fly into Japan on a tourist visa and apply at a regional immigration bureau. It may take more than a month to obtain a visa as you will be going through a COE application process.
Careful consideration and preparation is recommended.
We suggest you to inquire a Japanese embassy or consulate in your country about the visa application procedures.
You can find an application form and the details of the Digital Nomad Visa on the Immigration Services Agency website.
TKG Immigration Consulting Office supports your visa application in Japan.
Please contact us if you are interested in our services.