日本語

Japan’s Digital Nomad Visa Designated Activities (Digital Nomad)

Japan has now joined the group of jurisdictions offering a so-called digital nomad visa. In Japanese law this is not a separate “visa category”, but a specific type of Status of Residence “Designated Activities (Digital Nomad)”, based on Ministry of Justice Notification No. 53 for the principal applicant and Notification No. 54 for accompanying family members.

The scheme is designed for remote workers who earn their income from foreign employers or foreign clients and who wish to spend up to six months in Japan while continuing their work fully online. Typical examples include software engineers, product managers, designers, online consultants and founders managing overseas businesses from a laptop — not employees of Japanese companies and not freelancers whose main clients are located in Japan.

Unlike traditional work visas such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services or Intra-Company Transferee, the Digital Nomad status is available even if you have no Japanese employer and no Japanese legal entity of your own. For many high-earning remote workers, it is the first realistic way to “try living in Japan” without restructuring their global career.

Key Eligibility Requirements for Japan’s Digital Nomad Visa

The Digital Nomad framework is implemented as Designated Activities (Digital Nomad) under Notification No. 53 of the Ministry of Justice. In broad terms, all of the following conditions must be met:

• Remote work using IT tools for a foreign employer or foreign clients
• Citizenship of a country that is both visa-exempt for short stays and party to a tax treaty with Japan
• Annual income of at least JPY 10 million (before tax)
• Enrollment in private medical insurance covering the entire stay in Japan
• Maximum stay of six months within a twelve-month period (no extension)

Remote Workers Covered by the Scheme

To qualify as a “digital nomad” for Japanese immigration purposes, you do not need to work for a Japanese IT company. The status is intended for foreign nationals who:

• Work under an employment contract with a foreign company and perform their duties fully online from Japan; or
• Provide services as an independent contractor or freelancer to foreign clients; or
• Operate an overseas business and manage that business remotely from Japan.

The official guidance from the Immigration Services Agency includes examples such as remote IT / software development, digital design, online executive assistant services, and management of a foreign business as a sole proprietor. By contrast, the scheme is not designed for:

• Employees of Japanese companies or Japanese branches/subsidiaries; or
• Freelancers whose principal customers are located in Japan; or
• Individuals whose services can only be provided by being physically present in Japan (for example, on-site manual work or hospitality).

Spouses and children may accompany the principal digital nomad under a separate status of residence (Designated Activities – Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad), but in principle they are not permitted to take up part-time work or other side jobs in Japan.  

Eligible Nationalities: Visa-Exempt & Tax Treaty Countries

Only nationals of countries and regions that are both:

• Covered by Japan’s short-stay visa waiver scheme; and
• Party to a tax treaty with Japan,

can apply for the Digital Nomad status. In practice this includes, for example, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Brazil, Chile and several other jurisdictions. Mainland China, Russia, Viet Nam and certain other countries are not covered under the current framework. Even for eligible nationalities, immigration authorities conduct a relatively strict review to prevent misuse by undocumented workers. The nationality rules for accompanying family members are similar but not always identical to those for the main applicant, so care is required when planning a family move.  

Illustrative Examples of Eligible Countries
• United States • Canada
• Hong Kong / Taiwan • Singapore • Malaysia • Indonesia
• United Kingdom / Ireland • Switzerland / Germany / France / Italy
• Australia / New Zealand
• Israel • United Arab Emirates / Qatar
• Brazil / Chile
• … and other countries designated in the official notification  

Annual Income Threshold: JPY 10 Million or More

Applicants must demonstrate an annual income of at least JPY 10 million from employment or self-employment. This can be proven through:

Both salaried employees and freelancers can qualify, provided that the income threshold is met and properly documented. Given recent global inflation and the compensation levels in leading tech and professional services firms, it is not unusual for senior engineers, product leads or consultants to exceed JPY 10 million (roughly USD 70,000 / EUR 67,000) per year. One policy objective behind the Digital Nomad scheme is to encourage local spending in Japan, especially in regional areas. The relatively high minimum income threshold reflects that intention. For comparison, some other countries’ digital nomad programs require income of USD 50,000 or a multiple of the local minimum wage.  

Private Medical Insurance While Staying in Japan

Digital Nomads are not treated as “mid- to long-term residents” under Japanese law. As a result:

• No residency card (zairyū card) is issued;
• You cannot register as a resident with a Japanese municipality; and
• You cannot enroll in Japan’s National Health Insurance system.

Instead, applicants must obtain private health insurance covering their entire stay in Japan. Policies issued by either Japanese or overseas insurers may be acceptable, provided they offer sufficient coverage for medical treatment in Japan. Immigration authorities will review the policy certificate and terms and conditions to confirm that accidents and illnesses during the stay are covered. As a guideline, coverage for medical expenses of at least JPY 10 million is required. In some cases, coverage attached to a premium credit card may be used, if you can provide documentation clearly showing the insured person, period and benefits.  

Maximum Stay: Up to Six Months, No Extension

The period of stay granted under Digital Nomad status is up to six months within a rolling twelve-month window from the date of landing in Japan. The status is non-renewable: it cannot simply be extended for a further six months in the same status. Digital Nomads are formally excluded from the category of mid- to long-term residents, so the practical consequences mirror those for other short-term statuses:

• No residence card;
• No resident registration or jūminhyō;
• Practical challenges when opening bank accounts or signing long-term leases.

If you wish to remain in Japan beyond the six-month limit, you would generally need to change to another Status of Residence, such as:

• Business Manager (for those establishing and operating a business in Japan), or
• Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (for those employed by a Japanese entity or serving Japanese clients under appropriate contracts).

Time previously spent in Japan under a short-term visitor status (visa-waiver) does not count toward the six-month Digital Nomad limit.  

Application Route: How Do You Apply?

In contrast to many employment-based visas, Digital Nomads typically do not have a Japanese sponsoring company or family member. Under the Immigration Control Act, this means there is effectively no statutory proxy (representative) for the Certificate of Eligibility application. As a result, in practice, one of the following patterns will usually apply:

• The applicant first enters Japan under a short-term visitor status (if eligible for visa waiver) and then submits a Certificate of Eligibility application as a Digital Nomad, either personally at the regional immigration office or through an immigration lawyer (gyoseishoshi) with filing authority; or
• The applicant applies for a Digital Nomad visa at a Japanese embassy/consulate in their country of residence, based on a Certificate of Eligibility obtained in advance.

Depending on nationality and local consular practice, you may be required to visit Japan more than once or to submit additional documents through the Japanese embassy or consulate. This can increase travel costs and processing time, so careful planning is essential.  

Our Digital Nomad Visa Support (Designated Activities – Notification No. 53)

Fee: 1,800 USD or JPY 220,000 (tax included)
Scope of services:

• Initial feasibility review of your case
• Pre-filing inquiries and strategy discussions with immigration authorities or Japanese embassies/consulates
• Detailed guidance on required documentation and evidence of income and insurance
• Review of contracts, tax certificates and supporting records
• Preparation and filing of the immigration application in Japan
• Communication and negotiation with examiners during the review process
• Practical guidance on living in Japan during your stay (non-legal lifestyle advice)

About the Author

Masakazu Murai Founder, Continental Immigration Administrative Scrivener Corporation (Tokyo) Mr. Murai previously worked in the Investment Banking Division of Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities, a joint venture between Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Morgan Stanley, advising listed companies on equity and debt offerings, M&A transactions and broader capital strategy. While in investment banking, he also served on the executive committee of the employees’ union, promoting diversity and improved working conditions for foreign professionals and women in the workplace. Today he focuses on Japanese immigration and corporate procedures for foreign nationals as well as financial consulting, with particular emphasis on:

• Visas and residence for foreign entrepreneurs and digital nomads
• Business Manager, Highly Skilled Professional and Permanent Residence applications
• Spouse and family-related visas and complex status issues
• Finance-driven structuring of business plans for immigration purposes

Immigration Lawyer (Gyoseishoshi, Japan) CFP (Certified Financial Planner) Certified Member, Securities Analysts Association of Japan Takes only 3 minutes. Request a consultation

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