How Japan’s New 6-Month Digital Nomad Visa Works

Japan might be the next big destination for digital nomads in 2024. At least, for six months at a time. The country has just introduced a new visa aimed at allowing remote workers to spend half a year working from the East Asian island country.

The list of eligible entities covers 49 different countries and territories, with the US, Canada, the EU, and Australia among them.

Ultimately, the visa looks set to give Japan’s tourist economy a shot in the arm. However, there’s a laundry list of stipulations surrounding what this visa allows you to do. Here’s what to know about the new visa and if you can take advantage of it.

New Japan Digital Nomad Visa: Eligibility Requirements

Are you eligible? You’ll need to meet a lot more qualifications than just your country and an up-to-date passport.

Here are the key requirements that we know about so far — although much still has to be clarified about the paperwork, so there may be more in the future.

• Salary: You’ll need to earn the equivalent of 10 million yen annually, minimum. That’s about $66,500 in US dollars or £52,500 in British pound sterling.
• Your country must have a tax treaty with Japan. This helps you avoid being taxed twice, which is any digital nomad rookie’s nightmare.
• You must have private insurance.
• You can bring your spouse and children with you for the duration of the visa.
• You must leave Japan for six months once the visa is over before you can reapply.

One big warning worth mentioning for LGBTQ+ nomads considering bringing their spouses: Japan does not nationally recognize same-sex marriages.

The New Visa Isn’t a Path to Japanese Citzenship

Users of the visa will not be included in resident records or granted residency cards, so this visa isn’t a path to establishing yourself in Japan on a permanent basis.

Pair this with the fact that Japan wants everyone on its new visa to leave for a minimum of another six months once their time in Japan is over, and it seems likely that the new visa is aimed at bringing in tourism funds without a lasting impact on the makeup of the nation itself.

One extra wrinkle to keep in mind: You may already be able to spend 90 days in Japan without the hassle of getting the six-month visa. Visitors from 70 different countries and regions are currently granted a 90-day visa extemption for both tourism and business use upon landing in the country, according to travel site Lonely Planet.

Japan is a popular destination for digital nomads in 2024, along with plenty of other great countries that we’ve covered in the past.