[Japan] Digital nomad visas will require ¥10 million income

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has announced plans to begin issuing six-month visas for digital nomads with an annual income of ¥10 million (£53,350) or above, The Japan Times reports.

The programme is expected to start by the end of March.

Digital nomads from 49 countries and territories will be permitted to stay in Japan under the “specified activities” visa category. Self-employed applicants are also eligible.

Eligible countries and territories are reportedly those with which Japan has signed both tax treaties and agreements eliminating the need for short-term visas. Those eligible include the US, Australia and Singapore.

The six months was chosen based on a survey of digital nomads. The majority of respondents said they would prefer to be able to stay longer than 90 days - the current length of visa-free short-term stays - and indicated that up to half a year would be best.

Successful applicants will be allowed to work remotely from anywhere in the country without being employed in Japan.

Other requirements include private health insurance. Spouses and children will also be permitted to stay in Japan.

People living in Japan with a digital nomad visa will not be given a residence card or a residence certificate to provide access to certain government benefits. The visa cannot be renewed, it must be reapplied for, and this will only be possible six months after leaving the country.

According to the US travel information website A Brother Abroad, there are currently more than 35 million digital nomads around the world, with a collective economic value of $787 billion. An increasing number of people are opting to reside in foreign countries as fully remote work is accepted as mainstream.

This change to the working landscape is being encouraged by various governments around the world because digital nomads are reportedly viewed as an effective boost to tourism and a spur for domestic innovation.

More than 50 countries worldwide currently issue digital nomad visas with more being set to do so. However, the length of the period of stay differs. South Korea reportedly allows stays of up to two years, while Taiwan allows three years, after which those eligible can even apply for permanent residency.

Some digital nomads have already been working in Japan on tourist or other visas but groups representing such workers have been lobbying for digital nomad visas over the past year.

In 2023, the government pledged to create digital nomad visas as part of a tourism push.

The ISA will accept public comment on the proposed plan from February 3.

Source: The Japan Times

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has announced plans to begin issuing six-month visas for digital nomads with an annual income of ¥10 million (£53,350) or above, The Japan Times reports.

The programme is expected to start by the end of March.

Digital nomads from 49 countries and territories will be permitted to stay in Japan under the “specified activities” visa category. Self-employed applicants are also eligible.

Eligible countries and territories are reportedly those with which Japan has signed both tax treaties and agreements eliminating the need for short-term visas. Those eligible include the US, Australia and Singapore.

The six months was chosen based on a survey of digital nomads. The majority of respondents said they would prefer to be able to stay longer than 90 days - the current length of visa-free short-term stays - and indicated that up to half a year would be best.

Successful applicants will be allowed to work remotely from anywhere in the country without being employed in Japan.

Other requirements include private health insurance. Spouses and children will also be permitted to stay in Japan.

People living in Japan with a digital nomad visa will not be given a residence card or a residence certificate to provide access to certain government benefits. The visa cannot be renewed, it must be reapplied for, and this will only be possible six months after leaving the country.

According to the US travel information website A Brother Abroad, there are currently more than 35 million digital nomads around the world, with a collective economic value of $787 billion. An increasing number of people are opting to reside in foreign countries as fully remote work is accepted as mainstream.

This change to the working landscape is being encouraged by various governments around the world because digital nomads are reportedly viewed as an effective boost to tourism and a spur for domestic innovation.

More than 50 countries worldwide currently issue digital nomad visas with more being set to do so. However, the length of the period of stay differs. South Korea reportedly allows stays of up to two years, while Taiwan allows three years, after which those eligible can even apply for permanent residency.

Some digital nomads have already been working in Japan on tourist or other visas but groups representing such workers have been lobbying for digital nomad visas over the past year.

In 2023, the government pledged to create digital nomad visas as part of a tourism push.

The ISA will accept public comment on the proposed plan from February 3.

Source: The Japan Times