Japan has launched a "Digital Nomad Visa" allowing eligible foreign nationals to live and work remotely in the country for up to six months, without the option for extension.
Eligible Nationality for Digital Nomad Visa
Citizens from the following countries are eligible for the digital nomad visa:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zeeland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, Uruguay, USA.
Applicant Requirements for Digital Nomad Applicant:
1. Be a national of a country that is part of tax treaties and visa-exempt for temporary visitors.
2. Limit the stay in Japan to a maximum of six months per calendar year.
3. Provide professional services or sell certain goods remotely to clients or companies outside Japan, such as IT/software development, digital design, online secretarial work, or business management for foreign entities.
4. Earn an annual income of at least JPY 10 million.
5. Maintain private medical insurance covering treatment, injury, illness, and repatriation, with a minimum coverage of JPY 10 million per person.
Required Documents:
- Visa Application Form: Including a passport-sized photo.
- Passport: Valid for the duration of your stay.
- Certificate of Eligibility.
- Documents explaining the applicant's planned activities and period of stay during their stay in Japan. Form is available here.
- Income Proof: Documentation such as tax payment certificates, income certificates, employment contracts, or business partner contracts indicating an annual income of JPY 10 million or more.
- Insurance Proof: Documentation of insurance coverage for death, injury, or illness during the stay, with medical compensation of at least JPY 10 million.
Eligibility for Spouse and Child of Digital Nomad in Japan
Spouses and children of digital nomads from the following countries can apply for a visa to Japan:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahama, 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, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, UK, Uruguay, USA.
Requirements for Spouse and Child of Digital Nomad:
1. Must be nationals of visa-exempt countries or regions for temporary visitors.
2. The spouse must be legally married to the digital nomad, and the child must be the biological or adopted child of the digital nomad.
3. Must be fully dependent on the digital nomad.
4. Must have valid private medical insurance covering treatment, injury, illness, and repatriation, with benefits of at least JPY 10 million per person.
Required Documents for Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad to Japan:
- Visa Application Form: Including a passport-sized photo.
- Passport: Valid for the duration of the stay.
- Certificate of Eligibility.
- Documents explaining the applicant's planned activities and period of stay during their stay in Japan. Form is available here.
- Insurance Proof: Documentation of insurance coverage for death, injury, or illness with medical compensation of at least JPY 10 million. This may include a certificate of insurance coverage, policy summary, credit card copies, and proof of supplementary compensation.
- Relationship Proof: Documents proving the relationship between the applicant and the digital nomad visa holder.
- Passport Copy: A copy of the digital nomad visa holder's passport.
How to Apply for Digital Nomad Visa to Japan
For more details on applying for a digital nomad visa, visit the Immigration Services Agency website.
