What is the Japanese Version of the ‘Digital Nomad’ Visa? A Clear Explanation by a Specialist Administrative Scrivener

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-Overview of the Digital Nomad Visa (“Designated Activities” for Digital Nomad)

First, let’s get a general understanding of the Digital Nomad Visa.
This visa is designed for:

• Foreigners who are employed by overseas companies (or work as freelancers)
• And want to stay in Japan to perform remote IT-based work, along with their families.

There are certain requirements for obtaining this visa, and it is not granted to everyone who applies. Additionally, there are restrictions even after obtaining the visa, such as:
“No part-time work is allowed” “Unable to renew”.
Let’s begin by reviewing the eligibility requirements.

-Requirements for Obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa

The “Designated Activities (Notification No. 53)” visa is available for digital nomad workers.
The requirements for obtaining this visa are as follows:

Let’s take details for each requirement.

1.The stay in Japan must not exceed 6 months.

The permitted period of stay under the Digital Nomad Visa is “6 months”.
It is important to note that this visa cannot be renewed. Additionally, “the Residence Card”, which is usually issued to mid- to long-term residents, will not be issued for this visa.

2.The applicant must be a national or resident of a visa-exempt country that has a tax treaty with Japan.

The Digital Nomad Visa is limited to nationals of specific countries or regions.
Only individuals who hold nationality or residency from one of the designated countries or regions are eligible to obtain this visa.

3.The applicant must have an annual income of at least 10 million yen at the time of application.

The Digital Nomad Visa has an income requirement, which mandates that the applicant (the nomad worker) must have an annual income of at least 10 million yen at the time of application.
To prove income, applicants must submit tax certificates or income statements issued by the country where they have been working.

4.The applicant must be enrolled in a medical insurance plan.

To obtain the Digital Nomad Visa, the applicant must be enrolled in a medical insurance plan, such as overseas travel insurance.
The insurance policy must meet all the following three conditions:

・Coverage for death, injury, or illness
・Coverage for medical treatment expenses of at least 10 million yen for injury or illness
・Coverage for the entire duration of the planned stay in Japan

-Family Members Can Also Join in Japan

The Digital Nomad Visa also includes a family-specific visa called the “Designated Activities (Notification No. 54)” visa.
This visa allows family members to accompany the nomad worker to Japan.
For reference, “family members” refer to the spouse and children of the nomad worker. Parents, siblings, and other relatives are not eligible.

Let’s explain the details below, focusing on the differences compared to the visa for the nomad worker themselves.

1.Family members must be nationals of a visa-exempt country.

For family members (spouse and children), the eligible nationalities are also limited. However, the list of eligible countries and regions for family members is broader than that for the nomad worker themselves.

2.They must be dependents of the digital nomad worker

Accompanying family members must be financially dependent on the nomad worker, the applicant.
For reference, under the Digital Nomad Visa, family members cannot obtain ” Permission for activities other than those permitted by status of residence” which would allow them to work part-time or take on other jobs in Japan.

3.They must be enrolled in a medical insurance plan

Just like the nomad worker, all accompanying family members must be enrolled in medical insurance with the same coverage as the worker’s.

-How to Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa

The application process for the Digital Nomad Visa follows the steps outlined below:

Those eligible for the Digital Nomad Visa are nationals from visa-exempt countries. Therefore, as long as you can secure a flight ticket, you can enter Japan at your preferred timing for step (2).
However, it is important to note steps (3) and (4) after your arrival.
The Digital Nomad Visa was only introduced in March 2024, so the Immigration office may take some time to process applications.
It is recommended to apply as soon as possible after your arrival, so that the results are likely to be available within the short-stay period.
Additionally, you can apply through a Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country instead of entering Japan as a Temporary Visitor. However, since this involves communication between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (which oversees the Japanese embassies and consulates) and the Ministry of Justice (which handles the Digital Nomad Visa), it could take several months to receive approval.

At Daiichi Sogo Office, we also provide support for Digital Nomad Visa applications.
We will suggest the best application method for you, so feel free to contact us for consultation.

-Required Documents for the Digital Nomad Visa Application

The documents required for the application of the Digital Nomad Visa are as follows. They are separated into categories for the nomad worker and their family:

-Important Points to Note About the Digital Nomad Visa

The Digital Nomad Visa has some unique features compared to other visas, so caution is required.

1. It cannot be renewed (extended).
If granted, the period of stay will be “6 months “. However, this cannot be extended for another 6 months.
If you wish to stay in Japan again on the Digital Nomad Visa, you must leave Japan before the stay period expires. After 6 months, you may reapply for the visa.

2. A Residence Card will not be issued.
The Digital Nomad Visa does not result in the issuance of “a Residence Card “.
This may be inconvenient in situations where you need an ID in Japan.

3. No part-time work is allowed.
Neither the nomad worker nor their family members are allowed to work part-time in Japan. Additionally, the nomad worker is not allowed to sign contracts with Japanese companies or organizations to perform work.

-FAQ About the Digital Nomad Visa

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Digital Nomad Visa:

-Summary of the Japanese Version of the “Digital Nomad Visa”

I hope this explanation of the Digital Nomad Visa has been helpful.
Since this visa has just been introduced, there are still few cases on record at Immigration, and obtaining information may be challenging. Daiichi Sogo Office is one of the largest administrative scrivener firms specializing in visa applications in Japan. We visit Immigration offices weekly to gather information, so if you want the latest updates on the Digital Nomad Visa, feel free to contact our free consultation service (we offer assistance in English, Chinese, and Vietnamese at no additional charge).