Articles on: Asia and the Middle East

Japan — Digital Nomad Visa. Everything you need to live and work remotely from Japan

Knowledge Base – QUESTRAVEL

By Víctor Pizarro, Co-founder of QUESTRAVEL

Why Japan

Work a morning sprint from a ryokan in Kyoto, jump on a call with Mount Fuji peeking over the clouds, then answer emails in a Shibuya café. Japan pairs world-class infrastructure with deep culture—now with a Digital Nomad visa that lets qualified remote workers stay up to 6 months while keeping their foreign income and clients.


What this visa is

A short-term status under “Designated Activities (Digital Nomad)” for people who work remotely for non-Japanese employers or freelance for clients abroad.

  • Stay: up to 6 months.
  • Renewal: not back-to-back; you must leave and re-apply later.
  • Family: spouse and dependent children can accompany you.


Who qualifies? (clear & human)

If you’re 18+ with at least one year of professional experience, you’re on the right track. The key checkpoint is income: they look for about ¥10 million per year (roughly USD 68,000 / €62,000). You must also be from an eligible country (visa-waiver + tax treaty), actually work remotely for an overseas company or clients, carry robust health insurance, and have a clean police record.


Typical documentation

  • Passport + photo
  • Visa application form (your consulate’s version)
  • Proof of remote work (employer letter/contract; for freelancers: invoices + business registration/portfolio)
  • Proof of income (payslips, employer letter, bank statements and/or tax returns)
  • International health insurance covering treatment and medical evacuation/repatriation (many posts expect coverage around ¥10 million or more)
  • Police clearance (recent)
  • Marriage/birth certificates for dependents (apostilled/translated if required)
Heads up: Each embassy/consulate can add small twists (translations, apostilles, exact wording). Always follow their checklist line-by-line.


How to apply — step by step

  1. Check eligibility & documents on the website of the Japanese embassy/consulate with jurisdiction over your residence.
  2. Submit your application there (some posts allow mail; others require in-person).
  3. Pay the fee (amount varies by nationality/post).
  4. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks once your file is complete.
  5. Arrive in Japan and register your address to receive your Residence Card (在留カード / Zairyū Card).


Fees & timelines

  • Fees: set by MOFA; consulates collect in local currency and may differ by nationality.
  • Timing: plan for several weeks; requests for extra docs can extend this.


Arrival admin (quick list)

  • Residence Card: needed for phone plans, banking, and many services.
  • Housing: book early—Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka move fast.
  • Insurance: keep your international policy active for the full stay; some holders also add travel riders for gadgets and delays.


Family members

Spouse and dependent children can apply to accompany you under the same Digital Nomad framework. Bring apostilled/translated civil documents to avoid delays.


Work rules & taxes (at a glance)

  • This status does not authorize employment with Japanese companies.
  • Many nomads remain taxed in their home country, but days of presence, tax treaties, and PE (permanent establishment) risk can matter—get advice if your situation is complex.


Common pitfalls (and how to dodge them)

  • Income not clearly evidenced: pair employer letters with payslips and statements/tax proofs.
  • Insurance too light: ensure the policy explicitly covers medical treatment and medical evacuation/repatriation for the entire stay.
  • Consulate nuances ignored: use their exact forms, translations, and formats.


One-page checklist (save this)

  • [ ] Passport + photo
  • [ ] Consulate’s application form
  • [ ] Employer letter/contract or freelance evidence (clients outside Japan)
  • [ ] Income proof meeting ≈ ¥10M/year
  • [ ] International health insurance (treatment + evacuation/repatriation)
  • [ ] Recent police clearance
  • [ ] Family civil docs (if applicable)
  • [ ] Consular fee payment
  • [ ] Plan for address registration / Residence Card after arrival


Want a done-right plan?

If you want us to package your evidence and map your Kyoto/Tokyo arrival and residence steps, book a consult at fromquestravel.com.


Official references

(Per your preference, links only here and in fromquestravel.com.)


Updated on: 06/11/2025