Japan Digital Nomad Visa: The Complete 2026 Guide

Japan’s digital nomad visa lets high-earning remote workers stay for up to six months while working for foreign employers or clients. It is a short-stay visa, not a residence route, and the income bar is high. It suits people who want a long, legal stay in Japan without becoming residents.

Visa name	Designated Activities (digital nomad)
Income requirement	At least ¥10,000,000 a year
Duration	Up to 6 months
Renewal	Not available; new application after leaving for at least 6 months
Residence card	Not issued
Citizenship pathway	No

Who Can Apply

The visa is open to nationals of countries that have both a visa-exemption arrangement and a tax or social security agreement with Japan. The United States qualifies, and the Japanese government publishes the full list of eligible countries. Check it first, because eligibility depends on your passport.

Requirements

Annual income of at least ¥10,000,000, which you prove at the time of application
Private medical insurance covering death, injury and illness for your whole stay, with medical treatment cover of at least ¥10,000,000
Work for employers or clients outside Japan. Employment under contracts with Japanese organisations is not permitted
An activity plan and the standard visa documents

How to Apply

Confirm that your nationality is on the eligible list.
Collect income evidence, such as contracts, tax records or bank statements.
Buy insurance that meets the coverage rules. Some credit card insurance can qualify if the supplementary cover meets the minimum.
Prepare the application documents and activity plan.
Submit to the Japanese embassy or consulate, or through the Certificate of Eligibility process.

Costs

Fees were not published in the sources we checked, so confirm them with the embassy. Insurance and documentation are the larger costs.

Family

A spouse or child can accompany you under a related status for up to six months. Dependants need their own documents, including insurance, proof of relationship and a copy of the main applicant’s passport.

Tax

The visa does not decide your Japanese tax position. A 183-day rule is not a universal exemption, and day-count tests appear only in specific tax treaties. If you plan to stay close to six months, ask a cross-border tax adviser how Japan and your home country will treat your income.

Common Mistakes

Assuming the visa can be renewed. It cannot.
Expecting a residence card, which this status does not provide.
Not checking the eligible country list before gathering documents.
Taking on Japanese clients, which the visa does not allow.

Where to Live

Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Kyoto are popular bases for longer stays. Plan accommodation early, since many landlords prefer long-term leases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay more than six months? Not on this status. You can apply again after at least six months outside Japan.

Do I get a residence card? No.

Can I work for a Japanese company? No, only for foreign employers or clients.

These figures come from secondary sources checked in 2026 and the programme may change. Confirm the current rules with the Japanese embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.