Japan Digital Nomad Visa: Work Remotely in Japan

Introduction

Maybe you’ve dreamed of living and working in Japan but have been unable to find a job here. Or maybe you just couldn’t fit everything you wanted to do into the maximum 3-month tourist visa visit. Now you may be in luck with Japan’s Digital Nomad Visa.

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency launched its digital nomad visa, allowing eligible workers to work remotely from anywhere in Japan for up to 6 months, on March 31st, 2024. As tourism rebounds after Covid, Japan wants to encourage highly skilled professionals, especially those in the tech industry, to spend time (and money) in Japan and hopes that this will positively impact the domestic tech scene too.

Here’s an overview of the visa, some information on the requirements and limitations, and some thoughts of my own.

What is the Japan Digital Nomad Visa?

The Japan Digital Nomad Visa comes under the “designated activities” visa category. It allows those who qualify to work remotely anywhere in Japan for up to 6 months, accompanied by spouses and children.

Citizens of 49 countries and territories can apply for the visa, including those from the US, Canada, the UK, EU, several non-EU European countries, South Korea, Australia, and Singapore.

The visa is open to those working remotely for companies outside Japan and the self-employed and freelancers earning money from overseas (including YouTubers earning overseas advertising commission).

Who is eligible for the visa?

You can apply if:

You have an annual salary of at least 10 million JPY (approx. USD 66,864 / GBP 49,936 / EUR 57,137 at the exchange rates of September 28th, 2025).
You are a citizen of one of the eligible countries/territories (a PDF listing the eligible countries for nomads and spouses/children is available here).
You have private health insurance which covers death, injury, & illness during your stay. The amount of coverage for medical treatment in the event of illness/injury must be 10 million JPY or more. The same insurance is required for spouses and children.

Note: supporting documentation, such as proof of income and insurance, is required as part of the application process.

What are the limitations?

You may only perform remote work for an employer or business located outside of Japan or for yourself when income is obtained from abroad. It is not intended for paid work for entities located in Japan.
There’s no option to extend the visa. You must wait for six months to reapply for the same status.
The Digital Nomad visa is not generally a pathway to other visa types from within Japan, such as a tourist or work visa. For example, Digital Nomad visa holders who find a job with an employer in Japan during their stay are likely to need to leave Japan and apply for a working visa (with a Certificate of Eligibility) from outside the country.
No Residence Card is issued for holders of this visa, meaning certain resident-only services, such as opening a bank account, signing up for a standard 2-year mobile phone contract, or accessing certain government benefits, may be unavailable or difficult to access.
Renting long-term accommodation may be difficult. Most nomads rely on short-term options such as Airbnb.

Taxation

In general, you won’t be subject to Japanese income tax while staying in Japan under this visa as long as your income is obtained from overseas sources. You are considered a non-resident in Japan for tax purposes unless you have a domicile in Japan or have had a residence continuously for one year or more. However, individuals’ tax circumstances can differ – consult with a tax adviser and Japan’s National Tax Agency guidance.

What are the benefits?

You’re not allowed to work in Japan on a tourist visa (hey, I see you checking your work email at Starbucks!!) and the current tourist visa is limited to 3 months, so now you get double the time to explore the wonders of Japan and keep earning while you do it.

6 months is a reasonable amount of time to hunt for a long-term job in Japan, too, although the Digital Nomad visa doesn’t explicitly permit job hunting activities. If this is something you intend to pursue, I suggest consulting with an immigration lawyer or Japanese immigration services.

Criticism

Since the visa announcement last year, I’ve read both positive feedback and a certain amount of criticism. The main points of criticism I’ve seen so far include:

The duration – 6 months is quite short to explore all that Japan has to offer and other countries offer longer digital nomad visas. For example, South Korea’s one-year visa can be extended for one more year.
No extension – having to leave Japan for 6 months before applying for another digital nomad visa is annoying. Many people would like the option of a back-to-back renewal.
The salary requirements are high – the 10 million JPY minimum salary is out of reach for many who could otherwise use the visa, and that’s with a weak Yen. If the Yen strengthens, even fewer will qualify. Costa Rica has a salary requirement of USD 3,000 per month for solo nomads (along with being an extendable one-year visa). That’s roughly half of Japan’s salary requirement at the time of writing.
Limited eligible countries – I know many people from countries not on the 49-country list who would love to spend extended time here.
Accommodation – Short-term rentals like Airbnb can be expensive due to Japan’s current tourism boom, and long-term rentals are typically for 2-year contracts and require a Residence Card.

Much of the criticism is valid when compared with digital nomad visa programs offered by other countries. However, as I point out below, the visa will have been designed to fit the Japanese government’s objectives first and foremost, not necessarily those of the global digital nomad community.

How to apply

For current requirements and application procedures, refer to the official Japanese government sources:

Key points to understand when applying

The Digital Nomad visa must be applied for from outside Japan.
Some Japanese embassies and consulates publish specific visa application checklists and sample forms for the Digital Nomad visa on their websites (e.g., the Consulate General of Japan in Milan lists detailed document requirements and form samples). Check your local consulate or embassy website when preparing your application.
Officially, this visa is granted under Designated Activities (Notification No. 53) for the digital nomad and Notification No. 54 for spouse/children (useful if you’re reviewing immigration forms).
Typically, the visa is valid for entry to Japan for a specific period (often ~3 months), so you must enter Japan before the entry validity expires.

Note: Requirements and processes can change, so always confirm details with the Immigration Services Agency, your local Japanese embassy or consulate, or an immigration lawyer.

Final thoughts - is the Japan Digital Nomad Visa any good?

This visa has its weaknesses, but with Japan’s popularity as both a tourist destination and a place to work, many people are taking advantage of it as a way to experience Japan.

The Japanese government often takes conservative initial steps with new ideas to gauge public opinion and test the waters. They’re not prone to bold action, and I see more of the same here with this visa rollout. You can expect they’ll gather feedback from both the local community and nomad visitors, examine its impact, and may adjust the duration, requirements, eligible countries, or other aspects of the visa in future. It’s easier politically to expand a successful program than to contract an unsuccessful one.

So, it’s not perfect, but it’s a start. Let’s see how it goes.

Visa Information Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. While I make every effort to keep the content accurate and up to date, visa rules can change quickly. Always confirm the latest requirements with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, your local Japanese embassy or consulate, or a qualified immigration lawyer before making any travel or visa decisions.

I’ve created a page to highlight services for nomads in Japan, such as housing and co-working spaces, featuring services provided by, or recommended by, people I know.

Japan Digital Nomad Visa: Work Remotely in Japan – A Guide