Digital Nomad Visa in Japan: Everything You Should Know For 2024

Are you a freelancer, remote employee, or entrepreneur looking to experience the rich culture and advanced tech network of Japan while working remotely? If so, this article will provide you with all the essential information about the Japan Digital Nomad Visa Japan, including how to apply, eligible countries, requirements, taxes, and more. 

By the end, you’ll also learn how ROKKONOMAD can assist you in making your stay in Japan seamless and stress-free. We offer accommodation in Kobe, a virtual business address, mail service, luggage storage, and emergency phone support for you to bring ease to your digital nomad life in Japan.

What is the Japan Digital Nomad Visa?

The Japan Digital Nomad Visa is a special visa (effective as of April 1st, 2024) that allows you to live in Japan while working remotely for a non-Japanese employer. This visa is designed to cater to digital nomads who want to immerse themselves in Japan’s vibrant culture and efficient infrastructure without needing sponsorship from a local employer or institution.

How to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa

Applying for the Digital Nomad Visa in Japan involves a few straightforward steps:

1. Eligibility Check: Make sure that your country is on the list of eligible countries (below). These countries have tax treaties with Japan that exempt income taxation for foreign nationals who stay in Japan for under 6 months.
2. Gather Documents: Prepare the necessary documents (also listed below). Especially important are proof of income and medical insurance.
3. Choose Submission Method:
   1. Embassy or Consulate Abroad: You can submit your application documents to the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country. This option is most common since you’ll complete the process before traveling to Japan.
   2. Immigration Office in Japan: Alternatively, you can choose to submit your application directly to an immigration office in Japan. The most common way is to submit it shortly after you arrive in Japan as a tourist. While under your 90-day tourist visa, you may have sufficient time to complete the application process. Immigration offices typically complete applications within two months. It’s worth noting that we generally recommend applying outside of Tokyo, as Tokyo tends to receive the most traffic, and experiences longer processing times.
4. Submit Application: Gather all the required documents and submit them to your embassy, consulate, or Japan immigration office.
5. Await Approval: Wait for the application to be processed and approved, which usually takes under 2 months.

Eligible Countries

Citizens from the following 49 countries can apply for the Japan Digital Nomad Visa:

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Chile
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• South Korea
• Romania
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Uruguay

Application Requirements

To apply for the Digital Nomad Visa in Japan, you need to meet the following requirements:

1. Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay.
2. Application Form: Complete the visa application form available on the official Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
3. Proof of Income: You must provide proof of an annual income of at least 10 million JPY (that’s a little under $64,000 as of 2024). This should be a government tax document showing your income and income taxes paid, such as an American 1040 Form. If you cannot provide this, then you will need to explain why in writing, and instead provide an employment contract from a reputable employer, or a contract with a business partner clearly stating the contract period and amount. Japanese immigration is thorough and on the alert for fake income documents, so ensure your documentation is legitimate.
4. Medical Insurance: You need medical insurance coverage of at least 10 million JPY. Provide documents proving your insurance against death, injury, or illness during your stay in Japan. This is usually a copy of the certificate of your insurance coverage. You may also submit a copy of your credit card and documents proving supplementary medical insurance.
5. Description of Intended Activities Form: Print out and fill out this official document explaining your planned activities and period of stay during your stay.

Optional Document: Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

While not mandatory, obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) can streamline the visa application process. The COE serves as proof of your eligibility for Japan’s Digital Nomad Visa and consolidates the requirements of documents 3, 4, and 5 mentioned above.

Here’s how the COE process works:

• Application: Apply for a COE specifically for the Digital Nomad Visa. You can do this online or at an immigration office, but the online application is more convenient since you can do it in your home country.
• Submit the required documents: COE documents vary by Japanese visa type. For the digital nomad visa, you will need to electronically submit proof of income, medical insurance, and a description of intended activities.
• Approval and Issuance: Once approved, the immigration authorities will send the COE to you by mail.
• Visa Application: When you officially apply for the Digital Nomad Visa (with the COE, passport, and application form), the process will be expedited. This is because the COE informs the immigration officer that you meet all eligibility criteria.

The COE is particularly useful for planning your visa application in advance in your home country and ensuring everything moves smoothly at your chosen embassy, consulate, or Japan immigration office.

Duration

The Japan Digital Nomad Visa is valid for six months. While this provides ample time to explore and work from Japan, it’s important to note that this visa cannot be extended beyond the initial six-month period. This makes Japan’s digital nomad visa a bit more restrictive than other popular programs like Portugal’s, which offers digital nomad visa-holders a pathway to permanent residency.

However, you can stay in Japan longer if you are eligible for, apply for, and are granted a different visa. You can use your six months to make connections and find opportunities to get a different visa:

• Job Searching: Secure a job offer to get a longer-term professional visa.
• Cultural Activities: Find an instructor certified to engage you in Japanese cultural activities.
• Education: Enroll in a school program to obtain a Student visa.
• Business Establishment: Gather 5 million JPY in capital, find a business representative, and apply for a Business Manager visa.

Limitations

You will receive a stamp on your passport designating you as a Japan Digital Nomad Visa holder. However, you will not obtain a Japanese Residence Card (zairyu card), which is a government-issued ID for non-Japanese legal residents. 

As a result, you will NOT be able to do the following:

• open a Japanese bank account, 
• purchase a standard phone contract, 
• access retirement benefits,
• sign long-term rental contracts.

Other Visa Options for Digital Nomads

If the Digital Nomad Visa does not suit your needs, Japan offers other visa options that might be of interest:

1. Temporary Visitor Visa: For short stays up to 90 days.
2. Business Manager Visa: For entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Japan.
3. Highly Skilled Professional Visa: For individuals with specialized skills.
4. Cultural Activities Visa: For those engaging in Japanese cultural activities.
5. Student Visa: For individuals enrolled in educational programs in Japan.

Taxes

One of the benefits of the Japan Digital Nomad Visa is that there are no taxation requirements for your remote income earned from foreign sources. This means you can enjoy your stay in Japan without worrying about double taxation on your earnings.

Healthcare in Japan

Healthcare in Japan is of very high quality, and the country offers universal healthcare coverage. Coverage is mandatory for anyone who permanently resides in Japan for three months or more, including both Japanese and non-Japanese citizens. 

To meet the visa requirements, you need to provide documents proving that you have insurance against death, injury, or illness during your stay in Japan, with compensation for medical treatment for injury or illness of JPY 10 million or more.

Cost of Living in Japan

In my experience, the cheap yen makes Japan the greatest country in the world to travel to on account of its great food, sites, cultural events, transit, and more. While these are just estimates, for an average person, you can expect to spend around:

• 480 JPY for a Big Mac ($3)
• 2000 JPY for a nice lunch out ($12.70)
• 5000 JPY for a solid haul of groceries to last 3-5 days ($31.80)
• 5000 JPY for a full tank of gas ($31.80)
• 200 JPY for a train ride within your city ($1.30)
• 2000 JPY for an hour-long train ride to the next city ($12.70)
• 10,000 JPY for a night of comfortable accommodation ($63.70)

JPY-USD conversions were made on June 2nd, 2024 when $1 = ¥157.

ROKKONOMAD’s Digital Nomad Visa Service

To make your stay in Japan even more convenient, consider accommodating with us at ROKKONOMAD for a few days to take advantage of our co-working space in the lush mountains of Kobe and to get expat support from our local, English-speaking staff. ROKKONOMAD offers a comprehensive 66,000 JPY package for the whole 6 months to enhance your digital nomad life:

• Accommodation: Enjoy six nights of accommodation. We recommend spending the first four nights settling into Japan and the last two nights gathering your mail and luggage before departing.
• Luggage Storage: Store your luggage safely with us, which you can pick up and store at ROKKONOMAD’s opening hour.
• Emergency Phone Support: Get help anytime with our emergency advice phone line.
• Mail Service (optional): Reliably receive and securely store your mail, for an additional 11,000 JPY for the whole 6 months.
• Business Address (optional): Use our virtual address service to use on your official documents, and to receive mail and packages during your stay, for an additional 22,000 JPY per month.

We’ve designed these services to make your transition to and from Japan as smooth as possible, so you can focus on enjoying your stay and working effectively.

Please reach out to us at ROKKONOMAD to take the next step in your digital nomad journey! To learn more and purchase, please fill in the form:

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to process the Digital Nomad Visa application?
A: The processing time can vary, but it typically takes 3 weeks to 2 months.

Q: Can I bring my family with me on the Digital Nomad Visa?
A: Yes, family members can accompany you, but they must apply for their visas and meet certain requirements as well.

Q: Do I need to know Japanese to apply for the visa?
A: Knowing Japanese is not a requirement for the visa. Naturally, it will be very helpful for daily life and integrating into the local culture.

Q: Can I extend my stay beyond six months?
A: No, the Digital Nomad Visa is not extendable. You will need to leave Japan once the visa expires and reapply if you wish to return. However, you can apply for a different visa to extend your stay in Japan.

Q: Are there any restrictions on the type of work I can do while on the Digital Nomad Visa?
A: You must be working remotely for a foreign employer. The visa does not permit employment with a Japanese company.

Author Bio

Naoko Jansen is the manager of ROKKONOMAD and has many years of experience working with digital nomads and running a co-working space. As a native Japanese with experience living abroad, Naoko understands the ins and outs of Japanese culture and the needs of digital nomads.

References
MOJ. Japan Digital Nomad Visa Countries.
MOJ. Online COE Application.
MOFA. Designated activities visa.