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Japan’s Digital Nomad program allows eligible foreign remote workers to live in Japan for up to six months while continuing to work for overseas employers or clients.
At first glance, the biggest limitation seems obvious: the period of stay is only six months, and it cannot be extended.
However, there is an important rule that makes the program more flexible than it may initially appear.
After leaving Japan and spending six months outside the country, you can apply again for Digital Nomad status, provided that you continue to meet the requirements.
This means that, for some remote professionals, spending up to approximately half of each year in Japan may be possible.
So, who qualifies? Can freelancers use the program? Can your family come with you? And exactly how does the ¥10 million income requirement work?
Let’s take a closer look.
What Is Japan’s Digital Nomad Visa?
Although commonly called the “Digital Nomad Visa,” it is technically a form of Japan’s Designated Activities (特定活動) status of residence.
It is intended for eligible foreign nationals who wish to stay in Japan for no more than six months while performing international remote work.
There are two main types of qualifying activities:
- Working remotely from Japan under an employment contract with a company or other organization established under foreign law; or
- Using information and communications technology to provide paid services or sell goods to persons located outside Japan.
This means the program is not limited to employees of overseas companies.
Freelancers, independent professionals and certain business owners may also qualify, depending on the nature of their activities.
Can You Work for Japanese Clients?
This is one of the most important restrictions.
Under Digital Nomad status, you cannot enter into an employment contract, service contract or similar arrangement with a Japanese public or private organization or individual to perform paid work.
For example, suppose you are an independent IT consultant working remotely for clients in Canada and the United States. You may potentially continue providing those services while living temporarily in Japan.
However, if a Japanese company approaches you while you are in Tokyo and asks you to provide consulting services, you cannot simply accept that work under your Digital Nomad status.
In principle, permission to engage in paid activities outside the scope of the Digital Nomad status is also not granted.
The ¥10 Million Annual Income Requirement
One of the main eligibility requirements is income.
At the time of application, the applicant’s individual annual income must be at least ¥10 million.
However, the rule is more flexible than simply asking whether your previous year’s tax return shows income of ¥10 million.
As a general rule, your most recent annual income should be at least ¥10 million.
However, the Immigration Services Agency has clarified that an applicant may also satisfy the requirement where, for example, a promotion or salary increase means that annual income of at least ¥10 million can reasonably be expected from the time of application onward.
Similarly, a newly hired employee with a contractual annual salary of ¥10 million may potentially meet the requirement even if the applicant has not yet earned that amount for a full year.
If an applicant has multiple stable sources of income, those sources may also be combined where they can reasonably be assessed as stable annual income of at least ¥10 million.
An Important Rule for Freelancers and Self-Employed Applicants
Self-employed applicants should pay particular attention to how the ¥10 million requirement is calculated.
For an individual operating a business under business contracts or sales agreements, Immigration does not simply use the total value of the contracts.
Instead, the requirement is generally assessed based on the profit remaining after necessary business expenses have been deducted.
For example, having ¥15 million in annual client contracts does not automatically mean that you meet the ¥10 million income requirement.
If business expenses reduce your actual profit below ¥10 million, you may not satisfy the requirement.
This distinction can be particularly important for freelancers, consultants and other self-employed digital nomads.
Which Nationalities Are Eligible?
The program is not open to all nationalities.
Applicants must be nationals or citizens of countries or regions that meet the applicable requirements, including being covered by Japan’s visa exemption arrangements and Japan’s tax treaty framework.
Because the list of eligible countries and regions can be checked separately, applicants should confirm their nationality against the latest official list published by the Immigration Services Agency.
Medical Insurance Is Mandatory
Applicants must have private medical or travel insurance covering their intended period of stay in Japan.
The insurance must cover:
- Death
- Injury
- Illness
For medical treatment arising from injury or illness, the required coverage is at least ¥10 million.
There is an important reason for this requirement.
Digital Nomads are not classified as mid- to long-term residents under Japan’s immigration system. Therefore, they are not eligible to join Japan’s public health insurance system on the basis of Digital Nomad status.
How Long Can You Stay in Japan?
The maximum period of stay is six months.
The Digital Nomad status cannot be extended.
Therefore, you cannot stay in Japan for six months and then simply apply for another six-month extension while remaining in the country.
However, this does not necessarily mean that you can use the program only once.
Can You Return to Japan After Six Months?
Yes.
This is one of the most interesting features of Japan’s Digital Nomad program.
According to the Immigration Services Agency, after leaving Japan and spending six months outside Japan, you may apply again for the same Digital Nomad status, assuming that you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
In practical terms, a possible pattern could therefore be:
Up to 6 months in Japan → 6 months outside Japan → apply again → another Digital Nomad stay in Japan
For someone who wants to divide the year between Japan and another country, this could make the program considerably more useful than the six-month limit initially suggests.
However, this should not be confused with continuous long-term residence in Japan.
Can You Leave Japan During the Six-Month Period?
Yes.
You do not necessarily have to remain physically in Japan throughout the entire six-month period.
If you temporarily leave Japan intending to return before your authorized period of stay expires, you may leave and return using the applicable re-entry procedures.
You must return before the expiration of your authorized period of stay to maintain the Digital Nomad status.
This can be useful for people who need to travel internationally for business or personal reasons during their stay.
Can Your Spouse and Children Come With You?
Yes.
A dependent spouse or child may accompany an eligible Digital Nomad under a related Designated Activities status.
Their period of stay is also limited to six months and cannot be extended.
The accompanying spouse and children must meet the applicable nationality and medical insurance requirements.
In principle, they are also not permitted to engage in paid activities outside the scope of their authorized status.
Do You Receive a Residence Card?
No.
Digital Nomads are not classified as mid- to long-term residents for this purpose, and therefore a Residence Card (在留カード) is not issued.
This is an important practical distinction between Digital Nomad status and conventional Japanese work, student or family-based residence statuses.
A six-month Digital Nomad stay should therefore not be assumed to operate in the same way as ordinary mid- to long-term residence in Japan.
What About Japanese Income Tax?
Immigration status and tax status are separate issues.
According to the Immigration Services Agency’s official guidance, remuneration connected with Digital Nomad activities may in many cases be exempt from Japanese taxation where the requirements of an applicable tax treaty are satisfied.
Depending on the relevant treaty, one of the considerations may be whether the person’s stay in Japan is 183 days or less during the applicable period.
However, tax treaty provisions and individual circumstances vary.
Therefore, obtaining Digital Nomad status does not automatically mean that you will have no Japanese tax obligations.
Applicants with tax concerns should obtain appropriate tax advice based on their individual circumstances.
How Do You Apply?
The application procedure and required documents depend on whether a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is used.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists the following among the documents that may be required:
- Visa application form and photograph
- Passport
- Certificate of Eligibility, if applicable
- Documents explaining the applicant’s planned activities and period of stay in Japan
- Documents proving annual income of at least ¥10 million
- Documents proving the required private medical insurance coverage
Where a Certificate of Eligibility is presented with the visa application, certain supporting documents may be omitted at the visa application stage.
Applicants should check the latest requirements of both the Immigration Services Agency and the Japanese embassy or consulate handling their application before filing.
Is the Digital Nomad Visa a Path to Permanent Residence?
The Digital Nomad program is designed for temporary international remote work, not as a conventional long-term immigration pathway.
It may be particularly attractive to someone who:
- Already earns substantial income outside Japan
- Can perform their work entirely or primarily online
- Works for overseas employers or clients
- Does not need to take employment or contracts with Japanese clients
- Wants to spend several months living in Japan
- Does not necessarily need Japan to be their permanent home
It is much less suitable for someone who wants to establish a conventional long-term career in Japan, freely work for Japanese clients, or establish continuous long-term residence.
In those situations, another status of residence may need to be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend Japan’s Digital Nomad status beyond six months?
No. The maximum period of stay is six months, and an extension is not permitted.
Can I apply again after my six-month stay?
Yes. After leaving Japan and spending six months outside Japan, you may apply again for Digital Nomad status if you continue to satisfy the requirements.
Can I work for Japanese clients?
No. Under this status, paid work based on an employment contract or similar arrangement with a Japanese public or private organization is not permitted.
Can freelancers qualify?
Potentially, yes. The program can cover people who use information and communications technology to provide paid services to persons outside Japan.
However, self-employed applicants should be particularly careful with the ¥10 million income requirement because necessary business expenses are taken into account when assessing their income.
Can my spouse and children come to Japan with me?
Yes. A qualifying dependent spouse or child can accompany the Digital Nomad under a related Designated Activities status, subject to the applicable requirements.
Can my spouse work in Japan?
In principle, permission to engage in paid activities outside the authorized status is not granted to accompanying spouses or children.
Will I receive a Residence Card?
No. Digital Nomads are not classified as mid- to long-term residents and therefore do not receive a Residence Card.
Do I have to pay Japanese income tax?
Not necessarily, but this depends on the applicable tax treaty and your individual circumstances. Digital Nomad status itself does not determine whether you are exempt from Japanese taxation.
The Bottom Line
Japan’s Digital Nomad program offers more flexibility than its six-month limit may initially suggest.
You may be able to work remotely from Japan for an overseas employer or overseas clients. Freelancers and self-employed professionals may also qualify. Your spouse and children may accompany you. And after spending six months outside Japan, you can potentially apply again for another Digital Nomad stay.
However, there are important limitations:
Annual income of at least ¥10 million
Maximum stay of six months
No extension
Six months outside Japan before applying again
No work for Japanese clients under this status
No Residence Card
Private medical insurance required
For someone seeking permanent or continuous long-term residence in Japan, Digital Nomad status is not a substitute for a conventional long-term residence status.
But for a financially established remote professional who wants to spend part of each year in Japan while maintaining an overseas career, it can be a very interesting option.
Considering Japan’s Digital Nomad Visa?
Japan’s Digital Nomad program can be an attractive option for remote professionals who want to spend part of the year in Japan while continuing their overseas work.
However, eligibility can become more complicated for freelancers, business owners, applicants with multiple sources of income, or those planning to bring family members.
If you are considering applying for Japan’s Digital Nomad status and would like to discuss your individual circumstances, Global Visa Japan provides immigration consultation and application support in English and Japanese.
→ Book a Consultation
We can review your circumstances, assess whether the Digital Nomad status may be suitable for you, and discuss the application process and required documentation.
Here is Official website
This article provides general information about Japan’s immigration system and does not constitute individual legal advice. Immigration rules and application procedures may change, and eligibility depends on individual circumstances. Applicants should confirm the latest requirements before applying.