Japan Digital Nomad Visa (2025): Complete Guide, Requirements, and How to Apply

Quick Summary

Japan’s Digital Nomad Visa sits under the Designated Activities status and allows up to 6 months in-country for eligible nationals working for non-Japanese employers. You’ll need ¥10,000,000+ annual income and private health insurance with ≥ ¥10,000,000 medical coverage. GlobalPassport’s Plan and Atlas tools help you verify eligibility, budget realistically, and manage presence days.

🧭 Overview

Launched in March 2024, Japan’s Digital Nomad pathway provides a short but high-quality stay for remote professionals who meet stricter income and insurance thresholds. It’s ideal if you want to base in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, or rotate across regions without creating local tax ties. This guide covers eligibility, documents, step-by-step application, timelines, and how GlobalPassport helps you plan the move.

Compliance note: Requirements evolve. Always confirm with MOFA and the Immigration Services Agency (ISA).

The Quick Take

Who it’s for: Eligible-country nationals working remotely for non-Japanese entities.

Stay length: Up to 6 months (no extensions; max one 6-month use per year).

Income test: ≥ ¥10,000,000 annual income at time of application.

Insurance: Private policy covering death/injury/illness with ≥ ¥10,000,000 medical treatment coverage.

Eligible nationalities: A fixed list (49 countries/regions).

Restricted work: No employment for Japanese entities; remote work for foreign employer/clients only.

Tax basics: Typically not tax resident if <183 days and no Japan-source income; confirm with a licensed advisor.

✅ Eligibility & Required Documents

Core Criteria

• Valid passport from an eligible country/region.
• Proof of remote work for a foreign organization (employment contract or client contracts).
• Income proof showing ≥ ¥10,000,000 per year (tax certificates, employer letters, invoices, bank statements).
• Private health insurance covering death, injury, and illness; medical treatment coverage ≥ ¥10,000,000.
• Photo and visa application form per consulate instructions.

Dependents

Spouse/children may accompany under a related Designated Activities (spouse/child) status if the principal applicant qualifies. Check your consulate’s checklist.

🧾 How to Apply

1. Collect documents (income evidence, remote-work proof, insurance certificate/policy summary).
2. Book at your nearest Japanese consulate and submit the application package (interview may be required).
3. Await processing; respond to any clarification requests (typical few weeks). Rippling
4. Receive visa and enter Japan.
5. Register local address as required by municipal rules after arrival.

Important limits: Visa is single 6-month use per year; no in-country extension of this status. Plan re-entry timing accordingly.

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💰 Costs & Practicalities

‍Taxes: Keep presence days <183 and avoid Japan-source income to reduce risk of tax residency; confirm with a professional. (MOFA/ISA provide status rules; tax residency is fact-specific.)

🧩 How GlobalPassport Helps

Plan → PassportFolios

Design an Asia rotation anchored in Japan:

• Use Japan (6 months) + South Korea/Taiwan/Thailand stays to maintain mobility.
• Add a tax-efficient base (e.g., Portugal DNV or Mexico TR) to diversify presence days.
• Plan activation windows, presence-day caps, and renewal strategies.

Inside Plan: Compare thresholds, fees, day-count rules, and dependent options across your stack.

Atlas → Country Report Card (Japan)

Evaluate fit by city:

• Cost-of-Living differentials (Tokyo vs. Fukuoka vs. Sapporo).
• Broadband/infrastructure, healthcare access, safety, and banking/KYC ease.
• Risk indicators (policy shifts, re-entry rules) and quality-of-life metrics.

Mobility Lab → Personal Runway Calculator

Model the reality of Japan’s higher costs:

• Input net income, rent, transit, and health costs.
• Output: runway months, breakeven, and savings buffer.
• Stress-test currency swings, dependents, and travel frequency.

⚠️ Common Friction Points

• Insurance wording must explicitly cover death/injury/illness and show ≥ ¥10M medical treatment coverage.
• Income documentation gaps (e.g., not meeting ¥10M or missing tax certificates).
• Nationality eligibility misunderstandings—verify your country is on the eligible list.
• No extension beyond 6 months; plan your onward route in Plan.

📅 Example Timeline

Get This Done with GlobalPassport

1. Run Mobility Profile → confirm ¥10M income threshold and eligible nationality.
2. Open Japan Report Card in Atlas → check housing, broadband, and cost benchmarks.
3. Build your Plan stack → Japan + 2 backups to respect the 6-month cap.
4. Use the Runway Calculator → budget for at least 6–12 months of savings.
5. Book a GlobalPassport Advisor → document audit, insurance wording check, and presence-day planning.

Join GlobalPassport for free to compare visas and build a data-driven mobility plan.

🔗 Official Sources

• MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) — Digital Nomad (Designated Activities) Requirements: insurance & docs (English). mofa.go.jp
• ISA / MOJ — Designated Activities (Digital Nomad): income ≥ ¥10M, work/eligibility criteria. moj.go.jp
• Eligible Country/Region List (PDF). moj.go.jp
• Consulate example — Chicago: 6-month limit/no extension note. chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp

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