Japan Digital Nomad Visa 2026: 6-Month Designated Activities

Who it is for

The Immigration Services Agency describes Designated Activities (for Digital Nomad) as a status for a person staying, or going to stay, in Japan for a period not exceeding six months and doing international remote work, etc. The activities are: using information and communication technology in Japan to engage in the business of the organization's business office located in a foreign country, based on an employment contract with a corporation or other foreign organization; or providing services for a fee, or selling goods, to persons located in a foreign country using the same technology. Activities that cannot be provided or sold without entering Japan are excluded. Applicants must be nationals or citizens of countries or regions in the agency's chart (PDF) that are under the visa exemption arrangements (Temporary Visitor) and subject to Japan's Tax Conventions.

www.moj.go.jp: Status of Residence of “Designated Activities” (for Digital Nomad / Spouse or child of Digital Nomad)

Income, funds and insurance

The agency's page says the annual income of an applicant must be at least 10 million yen at the time of application. Its Q&A says that, in principle, the most recent annual income must be 10 million yen or more; annual income expected to be 10 million yen or more from the time of application due to a salary increase in the current fiscal year is also considered to meet the requirement. The Q&A also says that several incomes, such as contracts with multiple startups, can be combined if they are considered stable incomes, and that a sole proprietor with business or sales contracts is assessed on the profit after deducting necessary overhead expenses, not on the contract amount. Applicants must hold private medical travel insurance covering death, injury and illness during the stay, with compensation for medical treatment of 10 million yen or more. For death, the Q&A says cover must include transportation of the body or an insurance payment, with no stipulation on the amount.

www.moj.go.jp: Status of Residence of “Designated Activities” (for Digital Nomad / Spouse or child of Digital Nomad) www.moj.go.jp: Q&A on the status of residence “Designated Activities” for digital nomad (PDF) www.moj.go.jp: Q&A on the status of residence “Designated Activities” for digital nomad (PDF, Japanese edition)

How to apply

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan lists a visa application at an Embassy or Consulate-General. It says that presenting a Certificate of Eligibility, issued by a regional immigration bureau, means the visa application and the landing examination at passport control will be processed smoothly, but that a Certificate of Eligibility does not guarantee the issuance of a visa. The Immigration Services Agency lists a Certificate of Eligibility application for a person who wishes to newly enter Japan with this status. Its Q&A says that, because no one in Japan can act as agent for that application, an applicant outside Japan should apply for a visa directly at the embassy or consulate of the country where they are staying.

www.mofa.go.jp: Specified visa: Designated activities(Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad) www.moj.go.jp: Status of Residence of “Designated Activities” (for Digital Nomad / Spouse or child of Digital Nomad) www.moj.go.jp: Q&A on the status of residence “Designated Activities” for digital nomad (PDF)

Documents

For the visa, the ministry lists a visa application form with a photo, a passport, a Certificate of Eligibility, documents explaining planned activities and period of stay, documents proving annual income of JPY 10 million or more, and insurance documents. If a Certificate of Eligibility is presented, it says the planned-activities, income and insurance documents can be omitted. For the Certificate of Eligibility, the agency lists an application form, one photograph, one reply envelope, an activity schedule, a tax or income certificate issued in the country where the applicant worked, proof of current work status, and a private medical insurance coverage explanation, enrollment certificate and terms. It asks for a Japanese translation of foreign-language documents and says the authorities may request other materials. For insurance, it asks for a policy whose period corresponds to the planned stay in Japan; for credit-card insurance, it asks for documents proving the coverage.

www.mofa.go.jp: Specified visa: Designated activities(Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad) www.moj.go.jp: Status of Residence of “Designated Activities” (for Digital Nomad / Spouse or child of Digital Nomad)

How long it lasts and renewal

The period of stay is six months, and no extension will be granted. The agency says that after exceeding the maximum period of stay, an applicant must wait for six months to reapply for the same status. Its Q&A says that once six months have passed after leaving Japan, you can re-enter Japan with the status. A residence card will not be issued. The Q&A also says that a person who leaves Japan temporarily, intending to return before the period of stay expires, can leave with a re-entry permission or special re-entry permission, and can maintain the status of residence if they return before the expiration date.

www.moj.go.jp: Status of Residence of “Designated Activities” (for Digital Nomad / Spouse or child of Digital Nomad) www.moj.go.jp: Q&A on the status of residence “Designated Activities” for digital nomad (PDF)

Family members

The agency lists a separate status, Designated Activities (for spouse or child of Digital Nomad), covering daily activities as a supported spouse or child. Its period of stay is six months, with no extension. The applicant must be a national or citizen of a country or region in the agency's chart under the visa exemption arrangements (Temporary Visitor). Private medical travel insurance is also required, with compensation for medical treatment of JPY 10 million or more. The ministry says documents confirming the scope of coverage are needed if family coverage comes from the insurance of the spouse or parent. It also lists documents proving the relationship and a copy of the passport of the spouse or parent with the Digital Nomad visa.

www.mofa.go.jp: Specified visa: Designated activities(Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad) www.moj.go.jp: Status of Residence of “Designated Activities” (for Digital Nomad / Spouse or child of Digital Nomad)

Restrictions

The agency says that under this status it is not permitted to work based on an employment contract, etc. with a Japanese public or private organization. The Q&A says employment activities with a public or private organization in Japan, or an individual in Japan, under an employment contract or a contractor agreement are not permitted, and that it is not possible to work with a Japanese company or individual under such a contract. The agency also says that, in principle, permission to engage in activities other than those allowed under this status is not granted. The Q&A also says that people staying in Japan with this status do not fall under the category of "mid- to long-term residents" and are not eligible to enroll in Japan's public medical insurance.

www.moj.go.jp: Status of Residence of “Designated Activities” (for Digital Nomad / Spouse or child of Digital Nomad) www.moj.go.jp: Q&A on the status of residence “Designated Activities” for digital nomad (PDF)

What this page does not cover

This page does not cover visa fees, processing times, or income tax. Check the official pages for them.