Japan – Digital Nomad Visa Launches

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Effective 1 April, Japan introduced a “Digital Nomad Visa” to qualifying foreign nationals to remotely work and stay in Japan for up to six months. 

The regulation of third-country digital nomad immigration issues by Japan is a nod to the growing importance of new work patterns – which are anticipated to continue for the foreseeable future – and the evolving needs of employers and employees in this “work from anywhere” world.

The digital nomad visa will provide more flexibility for foreign nationals who are working remotely – or wish to work remotely – in Japan, provided they meet the necessary conditions. 

Digital nomads are individuals who are employed and received salaries from the home country while moving between locations and work remotely from another country or multiple countries.  Japan’s Digital Nomad scheme is available only to certain nationalities (listed below) and such individuals may legally live and work remotely from anywhere in the country for up to six months.  It allows them to experience life in Japan, but does not grant residency.

The Japanese Ministry of Justice launched a new Digital Nomad Visa system in force from 1 April.¹  This new immigration status is added to the category of “Designated Activities” under the “Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.”  It will be granted only to qualifying foreign nationals and their immediate family members (spouse and child) for the duration of six months, non-renewable.²

To be granted for the visa, the individuals must fulfil all conditions below.^{3, 4}

1. Nationals of countries that are parties to tax treaties and temporary-visitor visa-exempt countries/regions.
2. The period of stay in Japan does not exceed six months per calendar year.
3. Provide professional services or sell certain goods to individuals or companies outside of Japan based on an employment contract with an entity/organization established abroad using information technology – e.g., remote workers including IT/software developers, digital designers, online secretaries, solo proprietors for business management of foreign entity, etc.
4. Have annual income of at least JPY 10 million.
5. Hold sufficient valid private medical insurance that covers the cost of treatment and repatriation in the case of death, injury, or illness while in Japan.  (Accident and health benefits must be no less than JPY 10 million per person.)

1. National of temporary-visitor visa-exempt countries/regions.
2. The spouse must be lawfully married to the digital nomad visa applicant, and the child must be the biological or adopted child of the digital nomad visa applicant.
3. Be fully a dependent of the digital nomad visa applicant.
4. Hold sufficient valid [private medical insurance that covers the cost of treatment and repatriation in the case of death, injury, or illness while in Japan.  (Accident and health benefits must be no less than JPY 10 million per person.)

Source: KPMG in Japan 

For employers interested in enhancing employee retention – as many employees have a desire to live and work overseas – or globalising their networks and relationships, availing of Japan’s teleworking visa offers an attractive means of achieving such objectives.  Providing employees meet the eligibility criteria – and maintain their eligibility throughout the period of stay in Japan – this could be an attractive path for employees wishing to have an overseas work (and cultural) experience.

If there are any questions about eligibility and the conditions for applying for the Digital Nomad visa, individuals with plans to temporarily relocate to Japan and employers with such relocating employees may wish to consult with their global-mobility professional and/or immigration counsel, or a member of the Immigration team with KPMG in Japan (see the Contacts section).

1  Immigration Services Agency (in Japanese): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities10_00001.html .

2  Ibid.

3  Ibid.

4  Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Japanese): https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ca/fna/pagew_000001_00494.html .

5  Ministry of Justice (in Japanese): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001416527.pdf .

JPY 1 = EUR 0.006 

JPY 1 = USD 0.0065

JPY 1 = GBP 0.005

JPY 1 = CAD 0.0089

JPY 1 = AUD 0.01

Source: www.xe.com  

* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Japan.