As of October 9, 2026, Japan’s digital nomad visa allows eligible remote workers to stay for six months, with no extension. You need annual income of at least ¥10 million, qualifying nationality or citizenship, and private insurance meeting Japan’s requirements. It suits a fixed-length remote-working trip—not an open-ended move. See the official Designated Activities rules.
Check these four requirements first
| Requirement | What to verify before committing |
|---|---|
| Nationality or citizenship | Your country or region must be listed in the digital nomad column of the official eligibility chart. Living in an eligible country is not enough. |
| Income | Your annual income must be at least ¥10 million at application. Treat this as an income test, not a savings target. |
| Work | Your planned work must fit the permitted international remote-work activities. |
| Insurance | Cover must include death, injury and illness throughout your stay, with at least ¥10 million in medical-treatment compensation for injury or illness. |
These requirements are set out by the Immigration Services Agency. The two ¥10 million thresholds are separate: one concerns annual earnings; the other concerns insurance coverage.
Eligible nationalities include Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, among others. Check your exact country or region in the official eligibility chart, rather than assuming every visa-exempt traveler qualifies. The accompanying-family column is broader and must be checked separately.
What work is allowed?
The route covers remote work using information and communication technology for a foreign organization under an employment contract, or providing paid services or selling goods remotely to people located abroad. It does not permit employment under a contract with a Japanese public or private organization. Activities that cannot be provided or sold without entering Japan are excluded. Freelancers should match their actual contracts and services to the permitted activities.
Do not assume tourist admission provides equivalent work permission. Japan’s general visa guidance describes short-stay visa exemption for travelers who will not engage in income-earning activities.
Build the application before booking the stay
Apply through the Japanese mission responsible for your country or region of residence. You generally cannot apply at a destination you are merely visiting, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ application guidance. Confirm the local checklist, submission method and appointment requirements first. The JAPAN eVISA system is for short-term tourism, not this route.
For a digital nomad application without a Certificate of Eligibility, prepare:
- A completed visa application form, photograph and passport.
- Documents explaining your planned activities and period in Japan.
- Proof of annual income, such as a tax payment certificate, income certificate, employment contract or business-partner contract showing its period and value.
- An insurance certificate and policy summary demonstrating the required coverage.
The national document checklist also allows applications with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE); presenting one lets you omit the listed activity, income and insurance evidence at the visa-application stage. A COE does not guarantee visa issuance. Local missions may request additional documents.
Do not plan around a guaranteed five-day turnaround. MOFA’s general processing guidance gives five working days for uncomplicated applications, but warns that work or long-stay applications without a COE typically take one to three months. Ask your mission about this category and keep major bookings refundable until approval.
Budget using the revised 2026 fee
For applications accepted on or after July 1, 2026, Japan’s general single-entry visa fee is approximately ¥15,000, payable in local currency. Nationality and purpose can change the amount or remove the fee; approved agencies may charge separately. Confirm your actual charge with your mission using the revised official fee guidance—not older ¥3,000 estimates.
Family, repeat stays and tax
A supported spouse or child may accompany you under a separate Designated Activities category. They need qualifying nationality or citizenship, relationship evidence and insurance; family insurance requires proof that they are covered. Their status is for accompanying daily activities, not automatic work permission. See the family requirements.
No residence card is issued under this route. After reaching the maximum six-month stay, you must wait six months to reapply for the same status, according to the Immigration Services Agency’s stay rules. Do not build a year-long housing plan around consecutive digital nomad stays.
Nor is this automatically a tax-free stay. Japan’s National Tax Agency treats salaries and other remuneration for work performed in Japan as domestic-source income; treaty relief depends on the relevant treaty and circumstances. Have your employer or a qualified adviser check your situation before departure, using the NTA’s non-resident tax guidance.
Choose a base that supports work first
Once eligibility and timing are clear, choose one initial base rather than booking a six-month circuit. If Tokyo matches your priorities, our Tokyo neighborhood guide helps separate places worth visiting from places worth sleeping.
Before paying for a long stay, ask the accommodation provider to confirm:
- Whether it accepts guests on this status without a residence card.
- A usable desk, chair and internet suitable for your calls.
- Quiet conditions during your actual working hours.
- Laundry, cooking facilities, cancellation terms and the full cost.
Keep arrival days light, schedule sightseeing around work rather than over it, and leave transfer days free of critical meetings. For rain or fatigue, have an indoor alternative near your base—not another cross-city journey. Use the one-week Japan planning guide for a contained sightseeing block, with the rest of the stay left flexible.