In April 2024, Japan’s Immigration Service Agency announced that it has begun to accept applications for so called digital nomad visas for digital nomads and their spouse and children.
Under the visa, status of residence is granted to those who are willing to stay in Japan and work remotely and to their family members.
I.The Requirement to obtain the visa
In order to obtain the digital nomad visa, the following requirements must be met:
- (i) The Applicant must intend to work remotely for a period that is shorter than 6 months in Japan;
- (ii) The Applicant must have an annual income of 10 million JPY or more;
- (iii) The Applicant must be a national of a country that is visa-exempt and that has concluded a tax treaty with Japan.
- (iv) Other requirements: the Applicant must have private medical travel insurance coverage for medical treatment for injury and illness with insurance coverage in the amount of at least 10 million JPY.
Notes on the period of stay
The maximum allowed period of stay under the digital nomad visa is 6 months. No extensions are allowed. However, after the Applicant departs Japan, the Applicant can re-apply for another digital nomad visa after the elapse of 6 month.
II. Required documents to be submitted:
To apply for the visa, the following documents must be submitted:
- (i) Written explanation of where the Applicant will stay and the remote work to be conducted;
- (ii) Documents to prove the Applicant’s income, which should be a income tax return, tax certificate, or employment contract from the foreign country; and,
- (iii) A copy of the private medical insurance enrollment certificate and the insurance policy that provides the terms and conditions of the insurance.
Note about the application process
In order to apply for the visa, the Applicant must first enter Japan, and then apply from within Japan. There is conflicting information on this online, but this is the Japanese government’s official position. As such, the applicant seeking the digital nomad visa should hire us before they travel to Japan so that we can submit all of the documents upon the applicant’s arrival in Japan.
Additionally, as explained above, the Applicant can apply for a visa for his or her spouse and children. In order to apply for this visa, the requirement is that the spouse or child is a national of a country with a visa exemption arrangement with Japan.
If you are interested in Japan’s digital nomad visa, please feel free to contact us to apply.