Japan Digital Nomad Visa

Application Process — Step by Step

1. 01

   Confirm eligibility — 49 treaty countries, JPY 10M income, non-renewable rule

   home country

   Japan Digital Nomad Visa launched 1 March 2024. Eligibility: (1) National of one of 49 countries/regions with which Japan has a tax treaty (includes US, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, and most OECD nations); (2) Annual income of JPY 10,000,000 (approx. USD 65,000-70,000) from activities outside Japan; (3) Health insurance covering medical care in Japan; (4) No intention to work for Japanese companies or clients. This is a 6-month, single-entry status — non-renewable.

   Typical duration: 1 weeksource ↗

2. 02

   Gather proof of income and health insurance

   home country

   Income proof: tax returns, bank statements, or employer letters showing JPY 10M+/yr (or equivalent) earned outside Japan. Health insurance: must cover medical care in Japan — international policies (Cigna Global, AXA, SafetyWing) accepted if they explicitly cover Japan. Health insurance certificate must be in English or Japanese.

   Typical duration: 1-2 weekssource ↗

3. 03

   Apply at Japanese Embassy or Consulate

   home country

   Apply directly at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country of residence. No Certificate of Eligibility required — the embassy processes the DN visa directly. Submit application form, passport, income proof, health insurance certificate, nationality eligibility confirmation, and photograph.

   Typical duration: 1-3 weekssource ↗

4. 04

   Enter Japan and register address

   destination

   The Digital Nomad Visa grants a single entry; you must exit Japan and re-apply if you wish to return after leaving. Permitted stay: up to 6 months. Register your address at the municipal office if staying more than 3 months (triggers Residence Card). Under 90 days no registration required but 90-day reporting and address notification rules may apply.

   Typical duration: 1 weeksource ↗

Documents Required

Realistic Costs

~ Some figures below are industry estimates rather than officially verified: health_insurance_first_year, relocation_misc, total_first_year_low, total_first_year_high.

Low government fee (~JPY 3,000). Most applicants self-file. Cost is primarily translations and international health insurance. 5-year figure equals 1-year figure as visa is non-renewable; re-application resets costs. Japan living costs in Tokyo are substantial — budget JPY 200,000-400,000/month.

Realistic Timeline

• Consulate wait1–4 weeks
• Decision → arrival1 weeks
• Residence card issuance0 weeks
• Total to residence card3–8 weeks

Programme launched 1 March 2024. Processing times at consulates vary. No CoE requirement means faster processing than most Japan visa categories. Some consulates still unfamiliar with programme.

Renewal

First renewal after

6 months

Subsequent cycle

0 months

Renewal fee

$0USDEURGBPCADAUDINRAEDTHBSGDBRLMXNZAR

Requirements

The Japan Digital Nomad Visa is explicitly non-renewable. After 6 months you must leave Japan. To return, you must apply for a new DN visa from scratch (re-meeting all requirements). There is no extension mechanism.

Path to Permanent Residency — Details

Years required

None — no PR pathway on this visa

Integration test

Not required

Path to Citizenship — Details

Years required

None — no citizenship pathway on this visa

Language test

No

Civic test

Not required

Oath

Not required

Dual citizenship

Not allowed

Tax Residency

Trigger

183 days/year of presence

Taxation scope

Territorial (in-country only)

Exit-tax country

No

Health Insurance

~ Some details in this section are industry estimates or general guidance rather than officially verified — confirm against the official source before relying on them.

Mandatory

Yes

No co-pay required

No

Examples: Cigna Global, AXA International, SafetyWing Nomad Insurance, Allianz Care

Banking Setup

Open account before arrival

Not typically possible before arrival

Family Specifics

Spouse work rights

Accompanying family members apply for a separate Japan Digital Nomad Dependent visa. Dependents cannot work for Japanese companies or clients.

Child school enrolment

Children on dependent DN visa may attend school in Japan for the 6-month duration. Not enrolled in public systems for permanent residency purposes.

Parent inclusion

Not eligible

Sibling inclusion

Not eligible

Gotchas — Things to Watch For

• ⚠Non-renewable — there is no extension or renewal. You must leave Japan at 6 months and re-apply from scratch if you want to return.
• ⚠Single-entry — if you leave Japan during your 6-month stay, your visa is consumed and you need a new one to return
• ⚠JPY 10M income threshold (~USD 65,000-70,000) is significantly higher than most DN visas globally — blocks many lower-earning nomads
• ⚠Only 49 treaty countries eligible — Chinese, Indian, Brazilian, and many other nationalities are NOT eligible as of launch
• ⚠Staying 183+ days triggers Japan tax residency, potentially making ALL income Japan-taxable — careful calendar management essential
• ⚠Family must apply for a separate Japan Digital Nomad Dependent visa; dependents cannot work for Japanese entities
• ⚠Cannot transition to any other Japan visa status from inside Japan on DN status — must exit first

What This Visa Does NOT Allow

• ×Working for or providing services to Japanese companies or clients
• ×Renewal or extension beyond six months — the visa is single-entry and non-renewable
• ×Does not lead to Japanese permanent residency or citizenship

Before You Arrive — Checklist

1. Verify your nationality is on the 49 eligible treaty-country list (check isa.go.jp or mofa.go.jp)
2. Confirm last year's income totals JPY 10M+ (~USD 65,000-70,000) from non-Japan sources
3. Purchase international health insurance explicitly covering Japan
4. Note: visa is 6 months, single-entry, non-renewable — plan your Japan stay accordingly
5. Family: spouse and children can accompany on a separate Japan Digital Nomad Dependent visa (same eligibility country restriction applies)

After You Arrive — Checklist

1. If staying over 90 days, register address at municipal office (triggers Residence Card issuance)
2. Track your 6-month permitted stay limit carefully — overstay is a serious violation with future entry bans
3. Note: Japan tax residency triggers at 183 days — staying 6 months risks triggering Japan tax obligations depending on exact dates
4. Health insurance: international policy covers you; you are NOT eligible to enroll in Japan's public NHI on this status
5. Cannot perform any services for Japanese companies or clients — violation of visa conditions

Common Rejection Reasons

• •Income below JPY 10M/yr annual threshold — this is firm, no waivers
• •Nationality not on the 49 eligible treaty countries list
• •Health insurance policy does not explicitly cover Japan (e.g., US-domestic-only policy)
• •Evidence of intent to work for Japanese clients or companies
• •Income documentation too old (should be within 12 months, tax return from previous year acceptable)

Recent Legislative Changes

• 2024-03-01

  Japan Digital Nomad Visa officially launched on 1 March 2024 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Services Agency. 6-month stay, single-entry, non-renewable. Open to nationals of 49 treaty countries. Income threshold: JPY 10,000,000 (approx. USD 65,000-70,000). Source: mofa.go.jp and isa.go.jp.source ↗

Frequently Asked Questions