📌Digital Nomad Visa Japan

Overview

Japan introduced a Digital Nomad Visa in 2024 to allow foreign remote workers 

to stay in Japan while working for companies located outside the country.

This program is designed for professionals who wish to experience living in 

Japan while continuing their employment or business activities abroad.

The visa allows eligible applicants to stay in Japan for a limited 

period while working remotely for overseas companies or clients.

📌Who Is This Visa For? 

The Digital Nomad Visa is intended for individuals such as:

• remote employees working for foreign companies
• freelance professionals serving overseas clients
• entrepreneurs managing overseas businesses remotely
• digital professionals such as developers, designers, and consultants

This visa is suitable for individuals who want to live in Japan temporarily without working for Japanese employers.

📌Maximum Period of Stay 

The Digital Nomad Visa allows a maximum stay of 6 months in Japan.

This visa is generally not renewable, and applicants who wish to stay longer must leave 

Japan and apply again under appropriate conditions.

Because of this limitation, the visa is mainly designed for temporary stays rather than long-term residence.

📌Main Requirements 

Nationality

Applicants must hold citizenship of a country that has visa exemption 

arrangements and tax treaty relationships with Japan.

Examples include:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• Australia
• many EU countries

The list of eligible countries may vary depending on international agreements.

Minimum Annual Income

Applicants must demonstrate an annual income of at least 10 million yen (approximately USD 65,000–70,000).

Income may come from:

• employment with a foreign company
• freelance contracts with overseas clients
• business income from overseas activities

Income earned from Japanese companies is generally not permitted under this visa.

Health Insurance

Applicants must obtain private international health insurance covering medical expenses during their stay in Japan.

The insurance coverage must generally include:

• hospitalization
• medical treatment in Japan
• emergency medical care

📌Permitted Activities 

Under the Digital Nomad Visa, applicants may engage in activities such as:

• remote work for overseas employers
• freelance services for overseas clients
• managing overseas businesses remotely

However, this visa does not allow employment with Japanese companies.

Receiving income from Japanese sources is generally not permitted under this visa category.

📌Family Members 

In some cases, spouses and children may accompany the applicant during their stay in Japan.

Family members must meet immigration requirements and obtain appropriate status of residence.

📌Application Process 

The general application procedure includes the following steps. 

Step 1 – Preparation of Documents

Applicants must prepare documents demonstrating eligibility, including proof of income and employment.

Step 2 – Visa Application

The visa application is submitted at a Japanese embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country.

Unlike most work visas, the Digital Nomad Visa usually does not require a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Step 3 – Entry to Japan

Once the visa is issued, the applicant may travel to Japan and begin their 

temporary stay under the Digital Nomad Visa status.

📌Limitations of the Digital Nomad Visa 

While this visa provides flexibility for remote workers, there are several limitations.

• maximum stay is limited to 6 months
• employment with Japanese companies is not allowed
• income must come from overseas sources
• long-term residence options require different visa categories

For individuals planning to stay longer in Japan, other visa options may be more appropriate.

📌Alternative Visa Options 

Depending on your situation, other visa categories may be more suitable.

Examples include:

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services Visa

For professionals employed by companies in Japan.

Business Manager Visa

For entrepreneurs who wish to establish and operate a business in Japan.

Highly Skilled Professional Visa

For highly qualified professionals with specialized skills.

📌Our Visa Consultation Services 

If you are considering living in Japan while working remotely or exploring long-term visa options, professional consultation can help determine the most appropriate immigration strategy.

Our office provides guidance on:

• Digital Nomad Visa eligibility
• work visa options in Japan
• business visa planning
• long-term residence strategies

📧Initial Email Consultation 

Clients living outside Japan are welcome to contact us by email first.

We will review the basic details of your situation through email communication.
If further discussion is necessary, we may recommend scheduling an online consultation.