Table of Contents
Preface
Application Requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa
Countries Eligible to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa
Application Methods for the Digital Nomad Visa
Preface
One of the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our lives is the widespread adoption of remote work. With the popularity of remote work, people’s lifestyles around the world have changed. A group of people who use IT technology, are not limited by location, and travel while working like nomads (referred to hereinafter as “digital nomads”) has emerged. According to reports, a foreign survey indicates that the global digital nomad population exceeds 35 million, with a market size of approximately 110 trillion yen. Digital nomads have brought significant economic benefits to their host countries.
Application Requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa
The digital nomad visa will be issued separately to applicants and their spouses and children. The requirements for the applicant and their spouse and children differ slightly.
Applicant Requirements:
- Nationality from a country or region with a visa exemption agreement with Japan and a tax treaty with Japan.
- Annual income of at least 10 million yen at the time of application.
- Must have enrolled in medical insurance.
- Stay period must not exceed 6 months.
Spouse and Children Requirements:
- Nationality from a country or region with a visa exemption agreement.
- Must have enrolled in medical insurance.
Regarding point ①, please refer to “3. Countries Eligible to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa.”
Point ③ refers to medical insurance that covers overseas travel accidents during the stay, including death, injury, and illness treatment, with a compensation amount for treatment costs of at least 10 million yen.
Countries Eligible to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa
Japan’s digital nomad visa is available to nationals from countries and regions that have a visa exemption agreement and a tax treaty with Japan. Visa-exempt countries refer to those that allow short-term stays such as tourism without requiring a visa. Countries with a tax treaty are those that have signed agreements to avoid double taxation on income and resident taxes and to prevent tax evasion. Please refer to the following table for specific countries or regions.
Digital Nomad Visa Applicants and Spouse/Children of Digital Nomad Visa Applicants
Iceland, Ireland, USA, United Arab Emirates, UK, Israel, Italy, Indonesia, Uruguay, Estonia, Australia, Austria, Netherlands, Qatar, Canada, Croatia, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Thailand, Czech Republic, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Turkey, New Zealand, Norway, Hungary, Finland, France, Brazil, Bulgaria, Brunei, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Malaysia, Mexico, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Luxembourg, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan.
Iceland, Ireland, USA, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Andorra, UK, Israel, Italy, Indonesia, Uruguay, Estonia, El Salvador, Australia, Austria, Netherlands, Qatar, Canada, Cyprus, Greece, Guatemala, Croatia, Costa Rica, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Suriname, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Thailand, Czech Republic, Tunisia, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Dominican Republic, Turkey, New Zealand, Norway, Bahamas, Barbados, Hungary, Finland, France, Brazil, Bulgaria, Brunei, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Honduras, Macau, Malta, Malaysia, Mexico, Mauritius, Monaco, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Romania, Luxembourg, Lesotho, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Macedonia.
Application Methods for the Digital Nomad Visa
The digital nomad visa in Japan is a relatively new offering, and official agencies like the Immigration Services Agency have not yet established a fixed application process. Currently, there are two methods for applying for this visa:
- Enter Japan with a short-term stay visa, submit an application for “Specific Activities No. 53 (Digital Nomad Visa)” and “Specific Activities No. 54 (Spouse/Child of Digital Nomad Visa)” to the Immigration Services Agency, obtain a Certificate of Eligibility, and then apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate in the applicant’s home country.
- Apply directly for the visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate in the applicant’s home country before entering Japan.
Method ① is the more common approach, but it involves a significant economic and time burden, requiring two rounds of review, one at the Immigration Services Agency in Japan and the other at the Japanese embassy/consulate in the applicant’s home country. If both methods are available, applicants are likely to prefer method ②. However, when choosing method ②, remember to contact the local Japanese embassy/consulate in advance to confirm whether application in that location is possible.
