Japan Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Rules, Countries and Cost
Japan's digital nomad visa is a “Designated Activities” status of residence for people who work remotely for clients or an employer outside Japan. It lasts six months, it cannot be extended, and it is open only to nationals of listed countries and regions who earn at least 10 million yen a year. This guide sets out the rules, the full country list, the documents, the cost and the tax position, as published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and read on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer
You can stay for six months, with no extension, and must wait six months after leaving before applying for the same status again. You need to be a national of a listed country or region, have an annual income of at least 10 million yen at the time of application, and hold private medical insurance with at least 10 million yen of cover for treatment of injury and illness. You may not work under a contract with any organisation or individual in Japan. A single-entry visa costs approximately 15,000 yen, and no residence card is issued.
Requirements at a glance
| Requirement | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Period of stay | Six months. No extension will be granted. |
| Nationality | A national or citizen of a country or region on ISA's list, which covers places with a visa exemption arrangement that are also covered by Japan's tax conventions |
| Annual income | At least 10 million yen at the time of application |
| Insurance | Private medical travel insurance covering death, injury and illness during the stay, with 10 million yen or more for treatment of injury and illness |
| Work | Remote work for a foreign organisation, or services and sales to persons located abroad |
| Residence card | Not issued |
What you may and may not do
The status allows two kinds of activity:
- Working in Japan by information and communication technology for the foreign office of a corporation or other organisation established under foreign law, under an employment contract with it. ISA's example is an employee of a foreign company working remotely for an office abroad.
- Providing services for a fee, or selling goods, to persons located in a foreign country using information and communication technology. ISA's examples are the manager of a foreign company and a sole proprietor serving foreign companies or people abroad.
And it draws three lines:
- No Japanese clients or employers: you may not work under an employment contract, a contract for services or similar with a Japanese public or private organisation, and ISA's Q&A states that this includes individuals.
- No new local work: the Q&A says you cannot sign a contract with someone you meet in Japan and start new work for them.
- No side permission: permission to engage in other activities is in principle not granted.
Activities that cannot be provided or sold without entering Japan are excluded. Moving between cities during your stay needs no procedure.
Countries and regions list
ISA's chart names these countries and regions for the digital nomad status:
| Region | Countries and regions |
|---|---|
| Europe | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom |
| Americas | Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Peru, United States, Uruguay |
| Asia and the Pacific | Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand |
| Middle East | Israel, Qatar, United Arab Emirates |
The grouping by region is ours. The names are ISA's. If your nationality is not on the chart, this status is not open to you. The chart for an accompanying spouse or child is longer: for family members ISA requires a visa exemption arrangement only, without the tax convention condition.
The 10 million yen income test
- In principle your most recent annual income must be 10 million yen or more.
- A raise or a new job counts: ISA accepts cases where income from the time of application onward is expected to reach 10 million yen, for example after a promotion, or a new hire whose contracted annual salary is 10 million yen.
- Sole proprietors are assessed on profit after necessary expenses, not on the contract amount.
- Several income sources can be added together if they are stable.
- Evidence MOFA lists: a tax payment certificate, an income certificate, an employment contract, or a contract with a business partner that clearly states the contract period and amount.
Insurance
ISA explains why insurance is a condition: a digital nomad is not a mid- to long-term resident and so cannot join Japan's public medical insurance. The policy must cover your planned period of stay and must cover death, injury and illness in Japan.
- Treatment cover: 10 million yen or more for injury and illness.
- Death cover: the policy must include either the cost of transporting remains or a payment on death. No minimum amount is set for this part.
- Credit card insurance can be used if it meets the cover, with documents proving it.
How to apply
- Apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate where you are staying. ISA's Q&A says that an applicant outside Japan should do this directly, because a digital nomad has no one in Japan to act as proxy for a Certificate of Eligibility.
- Submit the visa application form with a photo, your passport, a document explaining your planned activities and period of stay, proof of annual income, and proof of insurance.
- If you hold a Certificate of Eligibility, present it. MOFA says the activity, income and insurance documents can then be omitted.
- Enter Japan. You receive the status for six months and no residence card.
The forms are on official pages. MOFA links the activity-plan form from its digital nomad page, and ISA publishes the Certificate of Eligibility application form and reference formats for the activity schedule and the insurance explanation on its own page. Documents in a foreign language submitted to ISA need a Japanese translation.
Cost and processing time
| Item | Official figure |
|---|---|
| Single-entry visa at an embassy or consulate | Approximately 15,000 yen, paid in local currency, since 1 July 2026 |
| Certificate of Eligibility application | No fee |
| Visa processing, application with no problem in its content | 5 working days from the day following receipt |
- Fee exceptions: MOFA notes that, depending on your nationality, a fee may not be required or the amount may differ. The embassy in Washington states that US citizens are exempt from visa fees.
- Longer cases: MOFA says a visa can take a couple of weeks to several months where additional confirmation is required, or where a long-term visa is applied for without a Certificate of Eligibility.
- No dedicated figure: neither ISA nor MOFA publishes a processing time specific to the digital nomad visa on the pages we read.
Our Japan visa processing time guide has the embassy-by-embassy detail.
Renewal, re-entry and staying longer
- Renewal: not possible. The period of stay is six months and no extension is granted.
- Coming back: once six months have passed since you left Japan, you can enter again with the same status.
- Trips during your stay: you can leave and return within your period of stay using a re-entry permit or a special re-entry permit, and keep the status if you are back before it expires.
Tax and practical points
- Income tax: ISA's Q&A says that in many cases the remuneration you earn while in Japan is exempt from Japanese tax if the conditions of the tax treaty are met, such as a stay that totals 183 or fewer days in the tax year or in any continuous 12 months. The conditions differ from treaty to treaty.
- Devices: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices you bring must bear Japan's Technical Conformity Mark. Some devices without the mark that meet Japanese and international standards can be used for up to 90 days from entry.
Bringing a spouse or child
- A spouse or child supported by the digital nomad can receive a Designated Activities status and accompany them, for a stay of six months with no extension.
- They must be nationals of a country or region on the family chart and hold the same insurance cover of 10 million yen or more for treatment.
- They may carry out daily activities only. Permission for other activities is in principle not granted.
- MOFA asks for proof of the relationship and a copy of the digital nomad's passport.
Frequently asked questions
What are the requirements for the Japan digital nomad visa?
A nationality on ISA's list, an annual income of at least 10 million yen at the time of application, private medical insurance with 10 million yen or more of treatment cover, and remote work for an organisation or clients outside Japan. The stay is six months.
Which countries are eligible for the Japan digital nomad visa?
ISA's chart covers countries and regions that have a visa exemption arrangement with Japan and are covered by its tax conventions. It includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore and the European countries listed above.
How much does the Japan digital nomad visa cost?
A single-entry visa costs approximately 15,000 yen, paid in local currency, under the fees in force since 1 July 2026. Depending on nationality the fee may be waived or different. A Certificate of Eligibility application carries no fee.
Can I renew or extend the Japan digital nomad visa?
No. The period of stay is six months and no extension is granted. You can enter again with the same status once six months have passed since you left Japan.
How do I apply for the Japan digital nomad visa?
If you are outside Japan, ISA says to apply directly for the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate where you are staying, with the application form, passport, activity plan, proof of income and proof of insurance.
Can digital nomads work for Japanese companies?
No. Working under an employment contract or a contract for services with a Japanese public or private organisation, including an individual, is not permitted under this status.
Do digital nomads pay income tax in Japan?
ISA says that in many cases the income is exempt in Japan if the tax treaty conditions are met, such as a stay that totals 183 or fewer days. The conditions depend on the treaty between Japan and your country.
Official sources
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Designated Activities (Digital Nomad / spouse or child)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Chart of eligible countries and regions (PDF)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Digital nomad Q&A (PDF, Japanese)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Specified visa: Designated activities (Digital Nomad)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Visa Fees
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Visa Processing Time
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Japanese)
All amounts and rules verified against the official sources above on 14 October 2026. ISA's Q&A is dated July 2024. Information, not legal or tax advice.