Maeda International Administrative Office

Want to Stay in Japan Longer Than 6 Months?

Long-Term Options for Digital Nomads — 2026 Guide

Japan's Digital Nomad Visa limits your stay to 6 months with no renewal. As of 2026, Japan has not introduced a long-term digital nomad visa. If you want to live in Japan for an extended period while working remotely, you will need to qualify under a different visa category entirely — each with its own requirements and trade-offs.

✔️The Current Reality

As of 2026, no long-term digital nomad visa exists in Japan. The 6-month Digital Nomad Visa is generally not renewable. Leaving Japan and re-applying immediately is not a reliable strategy and is unlikely to be accepted by immigration authorities as a legitimate approach to extended residence.

Anyone planning to stay longer than 6 months must qualify for a separate visa category before their Digital Nomad Visa period ends.

💡Why Japan Has No Long-Term Digital Nomad Visa

Japan's immigration system is built around two models:

☑️Employment-based: Foreign nationals work for a Japanese company (Engineer / Humanities visa, Highly Skilled Professional visa)

☑️Business-based: Foreign nationals establish and manage a company in Japan (e.g. Business Manager Visa)

A remote worker who earns income from abroad, has no Japanese employer, and has not established a company in Japan does not fit either model. This structural gap is why long-term remote work residence remains difficult, and why the current Digital Nomad Visa was introduced as a limited, short-term measure.

💡Realistic Alternatives for Stays Beyond 6 Months

Option 1: Business Manager Visa

Difficulty: Moderate — requires capital investment and a Japan-based business structure

This is the most viable long-term path for self-employed professionals and entrepreneurs. If you can establish and genuinely manage a company in Japan, you may qualify for a Business Manager Visa, which is renewable and allows long-term residence.

Requirements include:

1. Capital and Investment Scale

¥30 Million Investment: The business requires at least ¥30 million in total capital or assets.
Full-Time Staff: Hiring at least one full-time, qualifying resident (e.g., Japanese national, permanent resident) is mandatory.

2. Physical Office Space

Dedicated Premises: A separate, physical office space is required. Virtual or shared residential addresses are generally not accepted.

3. Applicant Qualifications

Applicants must have three years of relevant management experience or hold a higher education degree (Master’s/Doctorate/MBA) related to the business

→ Details: Business Manager Visa（Link）

Option 2: Work Visa (sponsored by a Japanese employer)

Difficulty: Straightforward if you have a job offer

If you secure employment with a Japanese company, your employer can sponsor a standard work visa. This allows long-term renewable residence. Note that under this route you would be working for a Japanese employer — not remotely for an overseas company.

Options include:

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services Visa
Highly Skilled Professional Visa (for qualified individuals meeting the points threshold)

→ Details: Engineer / Humanities Visa [link]

→ Details: Highly Skilled Professional Visa [link]

Option 3: Designated Activities — case by case

Difficulty: Rare and not reliably plannable

In exceptional cases, immigration authorities may grant a Designated Activities status for individuals whose situation does not fit standard categories. Approvals are rare, discretionary, and typically require strong professional credentials or a demonstrable connection to activities in Japan. This option should not be treated as a primary strategy.