Digital nomad visa in Japan

• The status covers remote work for an office abroad under an employment contract with a foreign organisation, and paid services or goods sold online to people outside Japan (a sole proprietor counts). Services that cannot be provided without entering Japan are left out, and you may not work for a Japanese organisation or person under an employment or contractor agreement.
• Only nationals of countries and regions in the Agency's chart can apply, which are those with both visa-exemption arrangements and tax conventions with Japan; it names Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. A spouse or child applies for a separate status, "Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad", with no income test of its own.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• The income test is about ¥10 million a year at the time of application. To be safe, have more than ¥11 million a year. The Agency judges your most recent annual income in principle, counts an expected pay rise or a new hire paid at that level, and for a sole proprietor looks at profit after necessary overheads, not the contract amount. Several stable incomes can be added together.
• Proof of income can be a tax payment certificate, an income certificate, an employment contract, or a contract with a business partner that states the period and the amount. The pages read state no savings, deposit or property test.
• You must hold private medical travel insurance for the stay, covering death, injury and illness, with treatment cover of ¥10 million or more. No amount is set for death cover, but the policy must include repatriation of the body or a payment on death. People on this status cannot join Japan's public medical insurance.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• For the visa you submit an application form with a photo, your passport, and either a Certificate of Eligibility or: a description of your planned activities and period of stay, proof of annual income (the test is about ¥10 million a year; to be safe, have more than ¥11 million), and proof of insurance (a copy of the certificate and policy summary, plus the card and proof of supplementary compensation if the cover comes with a credit card).
• When a Certificate of Eligibility is filed, the Agency also lists proof of your current work, an insurance coverage explanation, and a reply envelope with registered-mail postage. Foreign-language documents need a Japanese translation, and a spouse or child adds proof of the relationship and a copy of your passport.

Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• From outside Japan you apply for the visa directly at the Japanese embassy or consulate, because the Agency says nobody in Japan can file the Certificate of Eligibility for you. None of the pages read gives a processing time for this visa, so how long a decision takes is unknown.
• You may move between cities without special procedures, and you can leave and return before your period of stay ends using a re-entry permission or special re-entry permission. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices without the Technical Conformity Mark may be used for 90 days after entry if they meet Japanese and international standards.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• Citizens of the United States and Canada are exempt from Japanese visa fees, and the consular lists name Australia and New Zealand as exempt too. For nationalities that pay, the Embassy of Japan in the United States lists US$101 for a single entry and US$201 for double or multiple entry from 1 July 2026, in cash. The pages read name no separate fee for the nomad status.
• The Agency's fees from 1 October 2026 for changing status, extending a stay and permanent residence run from ¥10,000 to ¥75,000, and ¥200,000 for permanent residence. A nomad stay cannot be extended, and the cost of the required insurance is not stated in any source read.

Sources: Embassy of Japan in the United States, Embassy of Japan in Canada, Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville, Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• The maximum stay is six months and renewal is not permitted; you must wait six months before applying again for the same status. No residence card is issued, because people on this status are not "mid- to long-term residents" under the law. A spouse or child on the family status gets the same six months.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• The pages read describe no path to permanent residence from this status: it has no extension, and the Agency's guidebook lists the residence card among the documents for a permanent residence application. The Agency's draft guideline leaves temporary Designated Activities stays out of its 10-year count and does not name the nomad status, so whether this time would count is not stated.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• In Japan a resident is anyone with a domicile or a residence of one year or more; anyone else is a non-resident, taxed on Japan-source income only. Pay for personal services performed in Japan counts as Japan-source income even when it is paid abroad, and a domicile is presumed for someone whose work normally needs a stay of a year or more unless a contract clearly limits it to under a year.
• The Agency's Q&A says pay for work done in Japan can be exempt under the tax convention if its requirements are met, which in most cases include a stay of 183 days or less in the taxable year or any consecutive 12-month period. It is not exempt over 183 days, if a Japanese-resident employer pays the salary, or if your country has no convention with Japan.
• Income tax in Japan runs on a calendar year, with a final return due between 16 February and 15 March of the following year. The pages read describe no special tax regime for digital nomads.

Sources: National Tax Agency of Japan, Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• Work permit in Japan
• Family visa in Japan
• Business manager visa in Japan

• Visas in Japan
• Japan

1. Visa and Travel Information (Embassy of Japan in the United States), Embassy of Japan in the United States (Internet Archive copy captured 28 September 2026). Checked 17 October 2026. Page dated 1 July 2026; opened through the Internet Archive on 17 October 2026. Washington embassy rules, fee exemption for US citizens, visa validity and processing time.
2. Visas to Japan for U.S. Citizens, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
3. Status of Residence "Designated Activities" (for Digital Nomad / Spouse or child of Digital Nomad), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. Page shows no update date. Six months with no extension; no residence card; annual income of at least JPY 10 million (JPY 10,000,000) at the time of application; private medical travel insurance with treatment cover of JPY 10 million or more.
4. Foreign Exchange Rates, 15 October 2026, Bank of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
5. U.S. citizens and residents abroad: filing requirements, Internal Revenue Service. Checked 17 October 2026. Page last reviewed or updated 28 September 2026. Citizens and residents abroad generally file as if in the United States; filing depends on gross income from worldwide sources.
6. List of Japan's tax conventions, Ministry of Finance, Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
7. United States income tax treaties A to Z (Japan listed), Internal Revenue Service. Checked 16 October 2026.
8. Status of Agreements in Force (Japan social security agreements; page updated 2 March 2026), Japan Pension Service. Checked 16 October 2026.
9. Specified visa: Designated activities (Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (Internet Archive copy captured 29 September 2026). Checked 17 October 2026. Page dated 31 March 2024.
10. Japan travel advice and advisories (Government of Canada), Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca). Checked 16 October 2026. Written for Canadian travellers; last updated 13 October 2026. Used for entry rules (no tourist visa for up to 90 days; a visa is needed for paid work), overstaying, medical care and medicines, typhoons, earthquakes, heat waves, crime and the warning about paid work without the right visa.
11. Visa and Consular Section (Embassy of Japan in Canada), Embassy of Japan in Canada, Ottawa (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 1 July 2026: which of the embassy and four consulates general handles which provinces, an English hotline for general visa questions (+1-587-883-9002, 24 hours), appointments for consular services, and a link to Visit Japan Web.
12. Visa and Consul Fees (Embassy of Japan in Canada), Embassy of Japan in Canada (Internet Archive copy captured 3 October 2026). Checked 17 October 2026. Page dated 11 August 2026; opened on 17 October 2026. Visa fees are exempt for Canadian passport holders.
13. Visa FAQ (Embassy of Japan in Canada), Embassy of Japan in Canada, Ottawa (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 17 September 2024, opened on 16 October 2026, so it may be out of date. Says visa-exempt nationals, including Canadians, do not need a visa for a short visit without paid activities, that most visas are issued in 4 to 7 business days, that cases referred to the ministry in Japan can take 1 to 2 months, and that there is no express service.
14. Tax treaties in force (Japan), Department of Finance Canada. Checked 16 October 2026.
15. Working Holiday Visa for Canadian Citizens (Embassy of Japan in Canada), Embassy of Japan in Canada, Ottawa (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 4 August 2025, opened on 16 October 2026. The 1986 agreement; a holiday visa, not for people who mainly intend to work; free of charge for Canadian citizens; twice in a lifetime or once for two years from 1 December 2024; where to apply by province. It states no age or funds.
16. Visa Enquiries & FAQ (Embassy of Japan in Australia), Embassy of Japan in Australia (Internet Archive copy). Checked 17 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 8 June 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 1 April 2026, written for Australian passport holders: tourists may stay up to 90 days and may not undertake any form of work, paid or unpaid; entry status cannot in principle be changed once in Japan; which consulate-general serves which state (Sydney for NSW and the Northern Territory, Perth for WA, Brisbane for QLD, Cairns for the Cairns area, Melbourne for VIC, TAS and SA).
17. Visa and Travel Information (Embassy of Japan in Australia), Embassy of Japan in Australia (Internet Archive copy). Checked 17 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 27 September 2026, opened on 17 October 2026. Page dated 1 July 2026: general visa fees from 1 July 2026 are A$156 (single entry) and A$313 (multiple entry), up from A$31 and A$63; Canberra takes applications only from residents of Canberra and its immediate surrounds.
18. Visa Fee Exemptions, Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville. Checked 17 October 2026. Page dated 6 June 2025 (Reiwa 7); opened through the Internet Archive on 17 October 2026. The list of fee-exempt nationalities names the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
19. Visa Fee Exemption (list), Consulate-General of Japan in Sydney. Checked 17 October 2026. Undated list opened through the Internet Archive on 17 October 2026; names Australia and New Zealand, the U.S.A. and Canada as exempt from visa fees.
20. Income tax treaties (Japan: DTA signed 31 January 2008, in force 3 December 2008), Australian Treasury. Checked 16 October 2026.
21. Working Holiday Visa (Embassy of Japan in Australia), Embassy of Japan in Australia (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 19 May 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 23 January 2026: arrangement started 1 December 1980; Australian citizens living in Australia aged 18 to 30 (until the day they turn 31) who have never held a Japanese working holiday visa; funds of A$2,500 (A$3,500 for a couple); no charge; first stay 6 months, extension at the discretion of Japanese immigration; Canberra and the consulates-general in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Cairns and Melbourne.
22. Temporary Visitor's Visa (Embassy of Japan in New Zealand), Embassy of Japan in New Zealand (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 19 April 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 11 March 2026. A visa is for up to 90 days of unpaid activities, paid or profit-making activities are prohibited, some nationalities including New Zealand need no visa for up to 90 days, which office serves which region, no appointment at the counter in Wellington, about 2 to 3 weeks to process, no urgent service, visas valid three months from issue.
23. Frequently Asked Questions (Embassy of Japan in New Zealand), Embassy of Japan in New Zealand (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 18 February 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 16 December 2025. Who may apply at the Wellington embassy (New Zealand passport holders, or holders of a long-term New Zealand visa) and the regions each office serves; no urgent service; in principle a visa type cannot be changed once in Japan, so work needs a work visa obtained abroad.
24. Visa & Certificate Top (Embassy of Japan in New Zealand), Embassy of Japan in New Zealand (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 20 April 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 9 March 2026. Address, telephone and e-mail of the Wellington embassy (Level 18, The Majestic Centre, 100 Willis Street), the Consulate-General in Auckland and the Consular Office in Christchurch, and the regions each serves; visa types listed are temporary visitor, transit, work, student, working holiday, spouse or child of a Japanese national and dependent, with no page for the digital nomad status; advice to take travel insurance; Visit Japan Web.
25. Visa Fees (Embassy of Japan in New Zealand), Embassy of Japan in New Zealand (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 8 July 2024 (the only capture found; the page is dated 1 April 2024), opened on 16 October 2026. Lists New Zealand among the nationalities exempt from visa fees and says fees are paid in cash when the passport is collected. It is two years old and does not name the digital nomad status.
26. Tax treaties (double tax agreements in force, Japan listed), Inland Revenue (New Zealand), Tax Policy. Checked 16 October 2026.
27. Working Holiday Visa (Embassy of Japan in New Zealand), Embassy of Japan in New Zealand (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 1 August 2025, opened on 16 October 2026 (a later capture was an access-denied page). Page dated 11 July 2025. Scheme established 1985; New Zealand passport holders residing in New Zealand, aged 18 to 30 inclusive at the time of application, no dependent children; casual or temporary work to supplement travel funds; a second visa allowed from 1 December 2024; bank balance of at least NZ$3,000 (NZ$4,500 for a married couple), NZ$1,000 more if no return ticket yet; at least ten working days to process.
28. Digital nomad status: questions and answers (as of July 2024), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. Q&A dated July 2024: permitted activities, six-month cap and the six-month wait, no residence card, tax, devices, how income is judged, insurance, where to apply.
29. Digital nomad status: nationalities covered (chart), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026. Two columns. The digital nomad column names Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States among its countries and regions.
30. Fees for residence procedures for foreign nationals will be revised from October 1, 2026 (leaflet, English), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. Counter and online fees by permitted period for change of status and extension (JPY 10,000 to JPY 75,000) and JPY 200,000 for permanent residence; applications received by 30 September 2026 pay the old fees.
31. Guidebook on Living and Working, 7th edition (March 2025), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. March 2025 edition, English. Opened on 17 October 2026.
32. Guidelines for permission for permanent residence (draft, in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese; a draft (案) with the revision date left blank, published for the Immigration Policy Round-table of 16 September 2026. It says the revision applies to applications from 1 April 2027.
33. 2025 Income Tax and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction Guide: 1-2 Final return and 1-3 Taxpayers and the scope of taxable income, National Tax Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
34. Income Tax Guide 2025 (English, for returns filed from February to March 2026), National Tax Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
35. No.12011 Final tax return, National Tax Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.