Part of 特定活動 (Designated Activities). The Digital Nomad visa is officially 特定活動告示第 53 号 — one of 20+ sub-types under Japan's catch-all Designated Activities residence status. See the Designated Activities hub for the full list of sub-types.
The Digital Nomad visa (デジタルノマドビザ), launched in March 2024, is Japan's formal recognition of the growing global remote work trend. It allows high-earning remote workers and freelancers from eligible countries to live in Japan for up to 6 months while continuing to work for their overseas employers or clients. This is a significant step for Japan, which has traditionally maintained strict boundaries between tourism and work.
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a minimum annual income of approximately 10 million yen from non-Japanese sources and carry private health insurance for the duration of their stay. The income threshold is designed to ensure that Digital Nomad visa holders are economically self-sufficient and are not competing with local Japanese workers for employment. All work must be performed remotely for entities outside Japan — providing services to Japanese companies is not permitted under this visa.
The Digital Nomad visa is available to nationals of countries with which Japan has visa exemption agreements or specific bilateral arrangements. It is a non-renewable visa, meaning each stay is limited to 6 months. For digital professionals who dream of experiencing Japan's unique cities, cuisine, and culture over an extended period, this visa provides an unprecedented and legal way to do so — all while continuing their global careers.
Who Is This For
- ✓Remote workers employed by companies outside Japan
- ✓Freelancers and self-employed digital professionals with foreign clients
- ✓Technology professionals, designers, writers, and consultants working online
- ✓Foreign nationals who wish to experience life in Japan while maintaining their overseas income
Validity Periods
Single Residence Period: Up to 6 months (non-renewable)
Requirements
- •Citizenship of one of the designated eligible countries (based on bilateral visa agreements or visa-exempt status)
- •Annual income of at least 10 million yen (approximately USD $68,000) from non-Japanese sources
- •Valid private health insurance covering the entire 6-month stay (medical treatment coverage must be JPY 10 million or more)
- •Employment with a company based outside Japan, or self-employment with clients entirely outside Japan
- •Engagement in remote work via IT and other information communications technologies
- •Valid passport
Costs & Fees
Single-entry 15,000 JPY, multiple-entry 30,000 JPY, transit 3,500 JPY (new rates from July 1, 2026; India exempt under a bilateral agreement).
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Completed visa application form
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Proof of remote employment or self-employment (employment contract, business registration, client contracts)
- Proof of income meeting the minimum threshold (tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements)
- Private health insurance policy covering Japan for the full stay — medical treatment coverage JPY 10 million+
- Statement of purpose for the stay in Japan
Where to Apply
Application Process
- 1Confirm that your nationality is eligible (citizens of visa-exempt countries or designated partner countries)
- 2Prepare documentation proving remote employment and income
- 3Obtain comprehensive private health insurance valid in Japan
- 4Apply at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country (no COE required)
- 5Receive the Digital Nomad visa stamp in your passport
- 6Enter Japan and enjoy up to 6 months of remote work and living
- 7Depart before the 6-month period expires (re-application after a cooling-off period may be possible)
Apply for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Once you've chosen your visa, your Japan-side sponsor (employer / school / family) files the COE with Immigration — then you exchange it for a visa at the embassy.
Residence Status (COE) Review Time
Average processing days as of Jun 2026, based on official Ministry of Justice statistics.
Figures include waiting time for supplementary documents. Denied and withdrawn applications are excluded.
Renewal and change-of-status 'notice' figures include the wait between review completion and pickup at Immigration Bureau.
Work Restrictions
Family & Dependents
Renewal & Extension
Common Visa Transition Paths
These are the most common paths — many other transitions are possible if you meet the eligibility criteria for another residence status.
Important Notices
- ⚠The 10,000,000 JPY annual income threshold is very high
- ⚠Only nationals of specific countries/regions may apply (visa-exempt or visa-waiver countries)
- ⚠May not work for Japanese companies; violations will result in loss of status
- ⚠Maximum stay of only 6 months, non-renewable
Practical Tips
- →Prepare annual income proof in advance (tax returns, bank statements, contracts, etc.)
- →Purchasing international health insurance covering Japan is a mandatory requirement
- →Can serve as a springboard to experience life in Japan while seeking long-term visa opportunities
- →Coworking spaces are very common in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, ideal for remote work