Japan: 49 nationalities are eligible for a digital nomad visa

The Land of the Rising Sun is becoming a popular destination for self-employed workers and freelancers from all over the world, thanks to the recent introduction of a visa specially designed for them. The de digital nomad will offer people from 49 countries the chance to live and work in Japan for 6 months.

Eligibility criteria for the Japanese digital nomad visa

To be eligible for a Japanese digital nomad visa, applicants must meet certain prerequisites. These include:

• Have an annual income of more than 10 million Japanese yen at the time of application (10.000.000 €);
• Join the 49 countries benefiting from visa waiver agreements with Japan;
• Be covered by private health insurance.

Nationals of Europe, the United States, Australia and Singapore are among the nationalities eligible for this new visa. Holders of this visa can also bring their families with them, as long as they are also covered by health insurance.

【デジタルノマドビザの実現が目の前に！】... pic.twitter.com/V7TIX9ag4p

- 今枝宗一郎（文科副大臣/スタートアップ議連・MaaS・CASE推進議連事務局長/衆院議員愛知14区） (@imaeda_soichiro) January 30, 2024

How do I get a Japanese digital nomad visa?

Applications for digital nomad visas will be open from march 2024according to the Japanese Immigration Services Agency. It will therefore be necessary to wait a few more months before being able to submit an application.

Applicants will need to provide the required documents, such as proof of income and travel insurance, as well as a valid passport. Once the file has been compiled and submitted to the relevant authorities, applicants will have to wait for a decision on whether or not to obtain a visa. The website is not yet known.

What are the advantages of the digital nomad in Japan?

This new visa will offer several advantages to self-employed workers wishing to settle temporarily in Japan:

• • A longer stay than a standard tourist visa, from 90 days to 180 days; Japan has begun issuing electronic visas for tourists, increasing the number of eligible nationalities by a trickle.
  • Open to the public freelance And independentwith no specific criteria linked to traditional employment;
  • The possibility ofbring your family with you, under certain conditions;

It should be noted, however, that holders of this visa will not be considered Japanese residents.They will therefore be unable to benefit from the advantages associated with this status (certificates of residence, long-term leases, etc.).

The Japanese digital nomad visa in the face of international competition

Similar visas have also been introduced in other countries, such as Taiwan, China and the United States. South Korea, THE Peru or the Sri Lanka. It can be interesting to compare them:

Comparison of criteria between Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

• Length of stay The Japanese visa authorizes a 6-month stay, compared with two years for South Korea and 3 years for Taiwan;
• Minimum income requirements Japan requires an annual income of 10 million yen, South Korea 9.15 million yen and Taiwan 8.82 million yen;
• Eligible nationalities Japan limits visa access to nationals of 49 countries, while South Korea and Taiwan impose no particular restrictions.

So, while the digital nomad visa in Japan may be slightly less advantageous in terms of length of stay and financial requirements than its South Korean and Taiwanese counterparts, it still presents great opportunities for self-employed workers from the countries concerned, provided they have a substantial enough income.

• Japan

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