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Immigration / Designated Activities / Digital Nomad Visa

Japan Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements for Designated Activities No. 53 and 54

Key points for eligible remote workers who wish to stay in Japan temporarily while working for overseas employers or overseas clients.

6-month stay No extension JPY 10M income JPY 10M insurance coverage No residence card

Japan has a Designated Activities status for digital nomads who wish to stay in Japan temporarily while working remotely for an overseas employer or overseas clients. However, this status is not designed for employment by a Japanese company.

Overview of Japan’s Digital Nomad Visa

Japan’s Digital Nomad status is intended for foreign nationals who stay in Japan for no more than six months and engage in international remote work using information and communication technology.

Typical activities include working remotely for an overseas office of a foreign company, or providing online services or selling goods to persons located outside Japan.

Designated Activities No. 53 for the Main Applicant and No. 54 for Family Members

The main digital nomad applicant is generally handled under Designated Activities No. 53. A spouse or child accompanying the digital nomad is generally handled under Designated Activities No. 54.

Family members may accompany the digital nomad, but their eligibility, insurance coverage, and relationship documents should be checked carefully.

Check Whether Your Nationality Is Eligible

Japan’s Digital Nomad status is not available to all nationalities. The main applicant must be a national or citizen of one of the eligible countries or regions published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

Please note that the eligible countries and regions for an accompanying spouse or child are listed separately. If you wish to bring your spouse or child to Japan, their eligibility should also be checked carefully.

Period of Stay: 6 Months with No Extension

The period of stay for Japan’s Digital Nomad status is six months. No extension will be granted.

This status is not intended for long-term residence in Japan. It is designed for temporary stays while engaging in international remote work.

Eligible Activities: Remote Work for Overseas Employers or Clients

The activities permitted under this status must be remote work for an overseas employer or overseas clients. It is not designed for employment by a Japanese company or for providing on-site services to clients in Japan.

Annual Income Requirement of JPY 10 Million or More

The main applicant must prove that their personal annual income is JPY 10 million or more.

Relevant documents may include tax certificates, income certificates, employment contracts, or contracts with business partners showing the contract period and contract amount. For freelancers and business owners, the structure and continuity of income should be reviewed carefully.

Insurance Requirement: Medical Treatment Coverage of JPY 10 Million or More

Applicants must also have insurance covering death, injury, and illness during their stay in Japan. The compensation for medical treatment for injury or illness must be JPY 10 million or more.

If credit card insurance is used, the coverage details, coverage period, and family coverage should be confirmed with supporting documents.

Bringing a Spouse or Child to Japan

If the digital nomad wishes to bring a spouse or child to Japan, documents proving the family relationship, insurance coverage, and a copy of the digital nomad’s passport should be checked.

The list of eligible countries and regions for family members is not identical to the list for the main applicant, so each family member’s eligibility should be reviewed separately.

No Residence Card Will Be Issued

A residence card is not issued for this status.

This may affect practical matters such as bank accounts, rental contracts, mobile phone contracts, and identity verification procedures that usually assume a residence card.

This Status Cannot Be Used to Work for a Japanese Company

This status is not a work visa for employment by a Japanese company. If the applicant intends to work for a Japanese company, another status of residence may need to be considered.

Documents to Check Before Applying

• Whether the applicant’s nationality or region is eligible
• Whether the planned stay in Japan is within six months
• Whether the work is for an overseas employer or overseas clients
• Whether the applicant can prove annual personal income of JPY 10 million or more
• Whether insurance coverage for medical treatment for injury or illness is JPY 10 million or more
• Whether accompanying family members meet the requirements
• Whether the applicant understands that no residence card will be issued

How Tommy’s Legal Service Can Assist

Japan’s Digital Nomad status may look simple, but applicants should carefully check nationality, income documents, insurance documents, work structure, and accompanying family members.

In particular, relationships with Japanese companies, services provided to clients in Japan, and freelance contract structures may require individual review.

References: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Specified visa for Designated Activities, Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Eligible Countries and Regions PDF