Japan’s digital nomad visa: who qualifies, and how it works
This is a plain-English summary of Japan’s “digital nomad” designated-activities status, based on the official Immigration Services Agency (ISA) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) pages. It is general information, not immigration advice — confirm your case against the official pages linked below.
Japan’s digital nomad status lets certain remote workers stay and work from Japan for up to 6 months without taking a job with a Japanese employer. It is deliberately narrow: short, non-renewable, income- and insurance-gated, and it does not come with a residence card. Here is exactly who qualifies and how it works, per ISA and MOFA.
Requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Detail (per ISA/MOFA) |
|---|---|
| Length of stay | Up to 6 months; “No extension will be granted.” Must wait 6 months before reapplying. |
| Nationality | Country/region on Japan’s visa-exemption (Temporary Visitor) list and covered by a Japan tax treaty (see the official list). |
| Income | Annual income of at least ¥10 million at the time of application. |
| Insurance | Private medical travel insurance (death/injury/illness), with treatment coverage of ¥10 million or more. |
| Type of work | Remote/ICT work for an overseas business, or selling to people outside Japan. Not a Japanese employer. |
| Residence card | Not issued. |
What work is (and isn’t) allowed
“Activities that involve using information and communication technology in Japan to engage in business of the organization’s business office located in a foreign country … it is not permitted to work based on an employment contract, etc. with a Japanese public or private organization.” (ISA)
In other words: keep working for your overseas employer or your own overseas business, or sell to clients outside Japan. Taking up employment with a Japanese company is not part of this status.
Income and insurance thresholds
“Annual income of an applicant must be at least 10 million yen at the time of application.” (ISA)
“Applicant must hold a private medical travel insurance which covers death, injury, illness during their stay … it must be 10 million yen or more.” (ISA)
Both figures — the ¥10 million income floor and the ¥10 million insurance coverage — are checked with documents at application (tax/income certificates, proof of work, and an insurance certificate).
Family
A spouse or child can accompany you under a corresponding designated-activities category for the same period. Important: each accompanying family member must independently hold the same private medical insurance with ¥10 million or more in coverage.
No residence card — what that means
“Residence card will not be issued.” (ISA)
Because there is no residence card, some everyday steps that assume one may not be available — for example, opening a Japanese bank account typically expects a residence card. Plan around that for a 6-month stay.
How to apply
The usual route is to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from a regional immigration bureau in Japan (via a representative), then apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate-general abroad. MOFA notes a COE smooths the process “However, please note that a COE does not guarantee the issuance of a visa.” Documents include the application form, a photo, an activity-schedule explanation, tax/income proof of the ¥10 million income, proof of your current work, and the private medical insurance certificate.
FAQ
How long is Japan’s digital nomad visa, and can I extend it?
It is a “designated activities” status for up to 6 months, and it cannot be extended (“No extension will be granted,” per ISA). After your stay ends, you must wait 6 months before reapplying for the same status. It is designed for short remote-work stays, not for settling in Japan.
Who is eligible?
You must be a national of a country/region that is both on Japan’s visa-exemption (Temporary Visitor) list and covered by a Japan tax treaty, and your annual income must be at least ¥10 million at the time of application. You also need private medical travel insurance covering death, injury and illness, with medical-treatment coverage of ¥10 million or more.
Can I work for a Japanese company on this visa?
No. The status covers remote work using ICT for an organization’s business office located abroad, or selling goods/services to people outside Japan. ISA states it “is not permitted to work based on an employment contract, etc. with a Japanese public or private organization.” It’s for remote work tied to overseas businesses.
Can my spouse or children come with me?
Yes. A spouse or child can accompany you under a corresponding designated-activities category for the same period (up to 6 months). Note they must independently hold the same private medical insurance with ¥10 million or more in coverage.
Do I get a residence card?
No. Unlike standard mid- to long-term statuses, the digital nomad status does not come with a residence card (zairyu card) — ISA states “Residence card will not be issued.” That affects things that normally rely on a residence card, such as opening some bank accounts.
The income/insurance thresholds and the eligible-country list are administrative requirements that can change, and the eligible nationalities are published as a separate official chart. This is general information based on the official ISA/MOFA pages below (retrieved 2026-07-13); confirm the current rules and your eligibility on those pages or with a Japanese embassy/consulate before you apply.
Sources
- ISA/MOJ — Designated Activities (Digital Nomad): requirements, stay, work scope, no residence card (retrieved 2026-07-13)
- MOFA — Visa for “Digital Nomad” (income/insurance proof, COE, application documents) (retrieved 2026-07-13)