JP – Digital Nomad Visa Launches

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.

WHY THIS MATTERS

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.

Context

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.

Digital Nomad Visa Starts from April 2024

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}

Conditions for Digital Nomad Applicant

Nationals of countries that are parties to tax treaties and temporary-visitor visa-exempt countries/regions.
The period of stay in Japan does not exceed six months per calendar year.
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.
Have annual income of at least JPY 10 million.
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.)

Condition for Spouse and Child of Digital Nomad

National of temporary-visitor visa-exempt countries/regions.
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.
Be fully a dependent of the digital nomad visa applicant.
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.)

Eligible Nationality for Digital Nomad Visa

Designated Activities no.53 Digital Nomad	Designated Activities no.54 Spouse and Child of digital nomad
Australia	Andorra
Austria	Argentina
Belgium	Australia
Brazil	Austria
Brunei	Bahama
Bulgaria	Barbados
Canada	Belgium
Chile	Brazil
Croatia	Brunei
Czech Republic	Bulgaria
Denmark	Canada
Estonia	Chile
Finland	Costa Rica
France	Croatia
Germany	Cyprus
Hong Kong	Czech Republic
Hungary	Denmark
Iceland	Dominican Republic
Indonesia	El Salvador
Ireland	Estonia
Israel	Finland
Italy	France
Latvia	Germany
Lithuania	Greece
Luxembourg	Guatemala
Malaysia	Honduras
Mexico	Hong Kong
Netherlands	Hungary
New Zeeland	Iceland
Norway	Indonesia
Poland	Ireland
Portugal	Israel
Qatar	Italy
Republic of Korea	Latvia
Romania	Lesotho
Serbia	Liechtenstein
Singapore	Lithuania
Slovakia	Luxembourg
Slovenia	Macao
Spain	Malaysia
Sweden	Malta
Switzerland	Mauritius
Taiwan	Mexico
Thailand	Monaco
Turkey	Netherlands
UAE	New Zealand
UK	North Macedonia
Uruguay	Norway
USA	Poland
	Portugal
	Qatar
	Republic of Korea
	Romania
	San Marino
	Serbia
	Singapore
	Slovakia
	Slovenia
	Spain
	Surinam
	Sweden
	Switzerland
	Taiwan
	Thailand
	Tunisia
	Turkey
	UAE
	UK
	Uruguay
	USA

Source: KPMG in Japan

KPMG INSIGHTS

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).

Contacts

Hisanobu Eguchi

Partner

KPMG in Japan

mail
call

Mayu Kato

Manager

KPMG Tax Corporation

mail
call

Additional Resources

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

²Ibid.

³Ibid.

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

⁵Ministry 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

Disclaimer

* 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.

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Japan – Digital Nomad Visa Launches