Japan Digital Nomad Visa is a new Japanese visa that allows remote workers employed by companies outside Japan to stay in the country for six months. Citizens of 49 countries can apply for the visa. An important condition is that employment in Japanese companies is prohibited, so applicants must already be engaged in remote work for foreign companies or freelancing for clients abroad.
The permit has become an attractive solution for many freelancers and IT professionals, as it allows them to stay in the country for a fairly long period. It’s a great opportunity to explore the culture and flavor of the nation and find a new community of like-minded people.
In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of a Japan Digital Nomad Visa, what documents you need to apply for, and the requirements for getting a permit.
Key details about Japan Digital Nomad Visa
- Who can apply? Remote workers from countries that have signed a tax treaty with Japan.
- Term of stay: 6 months from the date of entry.
- Processing time: applications with Certificate of Eligibility: 5 business days / Without: TBD
- Validity of Visa: single entry, 3 months from the date of issue.
The Digital Nomad Visa, also known as a freelancer visa or a remote work pass, allows individuals to live and work in Japan without a job offer from national firms. It is valid for 6 months, twice the duration of the current visa-free stay for short-term visitors. The key goal of the government is to attract remote workers, mainly from the IT sector, from all over the world.
However, there are restrictions. Only citizens of visa-exempt countries may apply for a pass. These are all EU countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and other partners.
Consider the permit for digital nomads is not renewable. However, you can regain the right to stay in Japan for the future by spending six consecutive months outside the country and then reapplying.
Japan Digital Nomad Visa requirements
The Japan Digital Nomad Visa has several mandatory criteria for applicants:
- Be a citizen of a partner country. You may see the full list of eligible countries in the file.
- Have a valid passport for at least six months.
- Be employed by a foreign company, have your own business, or work as a freelancer and have supporting documents. The company must be registered outside of Japan.
- Have a high level of income (at least 10 million JPY, which is approximately equal to 63,000 US dollars).
- Have private health insurance in case of accident, illness, or death.
What documents do you need to apply?
To get a permit, you should prepare a package of documents. Here is a list of what you and your family require.
Application form
The first document you need is a completed application form. It should be filled out by hand with a wet-ink pen or typed. The signature must be handwritten, so don’t use an e-signature. You may download the application form example here. If a field does not apply to you, mark it “N/A".
Valid passport
As for your passport, it should be valid for 6 months (the duration of your intended stay in Japan). Also, it should have at least 2 unused visa pages.
Passport-size photo
You need to prepare one color photo, taken within the last 6 months. Size is 45mm ×35mm or 2in x 1.4in. Your photo should be clear and without filters. The background of the image should be white without shadows or patterns. If you are wearing glasses or hats, remove them when taking the photo. Also, note that selfies and self-printed pictures are usually rejected due to their low quality.
It is necessary to write your name on the backside of the photograph in print.
Certificate of eligibility (COE)
You must submit an original or copy of the COE in Word or printed format (both front and back side). The validity of the COE is 3 months from the date of issue, so you should get your visa and enter Japan during this period. Request the certificate from the Immigration Bureau in Japan.
Planned activities & stay period
Describe your planned activities while living in Japan. Include your phone number available in Japan and the timeframe of your stay. One tip for this point: be detailed and accurate to support your application.
Proof of annual income
As we discussed, your annual income should be at least JPY 10 million (63,000 US dollars) to obtain the Digital Nomad Visa. So, you need to prove your financial capability. Provide one of these documents:
- copy of your employment contract;
- copy of a contract with a business or client (must show contracted prices);
- letter from your bank that includes your name and information about annual revenue.
Insurance coverage
Provide your private health insurance. It must cover death, injury, and illness with at least JPY 10 million for medical expenses. An insurance certificate, policy summary, and credit card with proof of supplementary coverage are eligible for the visa.
Japan Digital Nomad Visa for spouses and children
Digital nomads can stay in Japan with their legal spouses and children if they have full health insurance. If you are traveling with your family, you should prepare all the above documents for each family member. The package will also include documents confirming your legalized relationship.
| Document | Details |
| Proof of relationship | Marriage certificate (for spouse) or birth certificate (for child) |
| Copy of sponsor's passport | Digital Nomad visa holder’s passport copy |
How to apply for the Japan Digital Nomad Visa?
If you meet all the criteria and plan to try life in Japan, it's time to apply for a pass. The process consists of several steps:
- First, contact your local embassy to arrange an appointment to submit your application. Specialists will advise you on the required documents and help you fill out the necessary questionnaires. Here is a sample of your completed application.
- Next, start collecting the package of documents. The list is quite extensive, so this stage may take some time.
- Once all the documents are ready, you can apply.
- The processing time for a Japanese Nomad Visa application starts from 5 days and lasts up to several weeks. The embassy representatives will inform you if additional paperwork or questionnaires are required.
Japan Digital Nomad Visa fee & taxes
One of the key advantages of the Japan Digital Nomad Visa is that it does not make you a taxpayer in the country. Since the visa does not allow you to work for domestic companies, you do not earn any income in the country (other than your remote work). This automatically exempts you from the tax on non-permanent residents working for domestic organizations. Thus, while living in Japan, you continue to pay taxes to your country of residence.
However, you will still have to pay the visa fee - 3,000 JPY (or about 20 USD) for a single-entry visa or 6,000 JPY (or about 40 USD) for a multiple-entry visa. You pay it at the consulate when applying in the currency of the country you are in.
Japan Digital Nomad Visa - full application process
Although the application process is quite straightforward, questions often arise. In this case, a video guide will come in handy. It describes all the intricacies of the permit and helps you cope with each step, from collecting documents to filling out forms. You can watch it by following the link.
Why did Japan Digital Nomad Visa get rejected?
Of course, there are cases when applicants are denied a visa. The Japanese Embassy cites the lack of/illegibility of the submitted documents or the absence of the required certificates as the main reasons. Another common reason for rejection may be poor image quality or an unsuitable size. Keep in mind that the accuracy of the main application form and the description of the activities you plan to carry out within the country also matter. You must include a detailed explanation, provide the itinerary of both flights (to and from Japan), and identify your place of stay.
We also advise you to note that all legal issues are carefully checked when approving a visa. So, to get a visa, you must not have any prison sentences, deportations from Japan or other countries, drug-related offenses, prostitution and other illegal activities. All of this information must be included in your application.
How to stay in touch on your trip to Japan?
If you're about to travel to Japan, it's time to ensure you have a reliable mobile connection. It is essential if you need to stay in touch with your family, build routes with your navigator, and respond to work issues. If you haven't chosen your operator yet, we recommend you pay attention to Ohayu.
Ohayu provides mobile connection in 170+ countries via eSIM, an embedded SIM card that is already built into many modern devices (check your phone compatibility here). It means that you can purchase a plan before your trip, install the eSIM, and activate it after arrival to get mobile Internet without searching for local stores to buy a SIM card. Here is how eSIM setup works:
- First, you need to choose the country where you need the service. Let's say it's Japan.
- Pick your data plan by selecting how much data you will need on your trip. You can go for a fixed-data or unlimited plan for 14, 30, or more days of your stay. For example, you can choose 50 GB for 3 months, or opt for a Global eSIM subscription if you plan to visit several covered countries during one month (it can switch networks automatically to keep you connected).
- Follow the steps to install and activate your eSIM to start using data.
Final words
To sum up, the Japan Digital Nomad Visa is a great opportunity for remote workers to try life in Asia. It allows you to stay in this picturesque country for up to 6 months and enjoy the national culture to the fullest. The advantages are an easy application process and no additional taxes. It makes the visa popular and in demand.
If you have already received your nomadic or tourist permit and are preparing to travel abroad, don't forget to take care of your mobile connection. Book an eSIM package in advance to stay connected right after your arrival!
