Japan digital nomad visa: Complete guide

Are you a digital nomad dreaming of spending some time in Japan? This fascinating country is known for its beautiful nature, bustling cities and delicious food, so it’s no wonder it’s a popular choice for remote workers.

Japan has recently introduced a digital nomad visa, which UK citizens are eligible to apply for. In this guide, we’ll run through everything you should know about the digital nomad visa for Japan. This includes the eligibility requirements, the documents you’ll need, the fees and how long you can stay.

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Japan digital nomad visa: requirements and eligibility

Japan is one of many countries which offers a digital nomad visa. It’s called the Specified visa: Designated activities (Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad).

Introduced in 2024, this visa lets eligible foreign nationals legally live and work in Japan for up to 6 months.¹

You can only work for a company or clients located overseas though - you can’t work for a Japanese employer or run a business in Japan itself. For that, you’d need to look into getting a startup visa for Japan.

You can bring close family members with you on this visa, including your spouse/partner and dependent children.¹

To meet the Japan digital nomad visa requirements, you’ll need to have a minimum annual income of at least 10 million JPY (approx. £48,820 GBP). You also need health insurance covering the duration of your stay.¹

How much does it cost?

The Japan digital nomad visa costs either £16 (single entry visa) or £31 in application fees.² If you’re applying with family members, there may be additional fees to pay.

Aside from the upfront application fees, there may be other costs to factor in. For example, the cost of getting travel/health insurance, or having documents translated.

What documents do you need?

You’ll need the following documents to apply for a digital nomad visa for Japan:

• A completed and signed application form - with a passport-sized photo of yourself attached/included
• A valid passport
• A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) - a document designed to streamline visa applications, the COE certifies that the applicant’s activities in Japan are not fraudulent and they’re a suitable candidate for a visa. You may get one through a sponsor in Japan.
• If you don’t have or qualify for a COE - you’ll need to provide documents outlining your planned activities in Japan. You’ll find an application form to complete here.
• Proof that you meet the minimum income requirement - such as tax statements, pay slips, employment contracts and/or bank statements.
• Evidence of sufficient health insurance cover, covering emergency medical/hospital care and repatriation with at least 10 million JPY of cover

If you’re bringing family members with you, you’ll also need relevant supporting documents for them too.

How to apply for the digital nomad visa for Japan

You can apply for the digital nomad visa for Japan through the Embassy of Japan in the UK. Alternatively, you can use a registered agent - the Embassy has a list of approved visa agents here.

Here’s how to apply, step-by-step:

1. Check your eligibility - in particular, that you’re able to meet the minimum income requirement
2. Get your documents together
3. Go to the Embassy of Japan in the UK website
4. Download the application form - print and complete it
5. Book an appointment at the Embassy - you can start the process here
6. Attend your appointment, taking your completed application form and supporting documents along with you
7. On the day of your appointment, you’ll also need to arrange to pay your visa fee.
8. Wait for your application to be processed
9. If your visa is approved, you’ll need to collect it from the Embassy or arrange for it to be posted to you.

While you’re waiting for your visa to be issued, you can get on with other important pre-move preparations.

For example, finding somewhere to live, getting a Japanese SIM card for your phone and getting some Japanese yen or a suitable travel debit card ready for your first few days in the country.

Unfortunately, you’re unlikely to be able to open a Japanese bank account while on this visa.

How long can you stay in Japan as a digital nomad?

The digital nomad visa for Japan lets you stay in the country for up to 6 months, and this can’t be extended.¹

Taxes for digital nomads in Japan

While you’re living and working in Japan as a digital nomad, you’ll want to know whether you have to pay taxes on your income.

There’s no specific Japan digital nomad visa tax, just income tax rules that apply to anyone considered a tax resident of the country.

If you stay in Japan for more than a year or have a permanent home there, you may be deemed to be a tax resident. This means that your worldwide income can be subject to income tax.³

However, as the digital nomad visa only lasts 6 months and there’s no possibility of extension, it’s unlikely that this rule will apply to you.

This means you’ll need to check the tax rules in your home country (i.e. the UK).

Tax between countries can be really complicated, so it’s best to get professional advice to make sure you understand your obligations.

Save on your relocation costs with Wise

That’s everything you need to know about the digital nomad visa in Japan. Make sure you check for any updates to the application process or the requirements ahead of applying.

Before moving to Japan, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.

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FAQs

Is it possible to extend the Japan digital nomad visa?

You can’t extend the Japan digital nomad visa. It’s a temporary, non-renewable visa lasting just 6 months.¹

Does a Japan digital nomad visa lead to citizenship?

No, there isn’t a direct route to citizenship with the Japanese digital nomad visa. It’s intended as a temporary visa and is not for people planning to settle in the country or become a citizen.

If you want to move to Japan permanently and explore routes to citizenship, you’ll need to be eligible for a different, long-term visa, such as a skilled work or residence pathway.

How long does it take to get a digital nomad visa for Japan?

The processing time for visa applications is around 5 working days,⁴ but be aware that you may not be able to get an appointment right away. There may also be delays if more information/documents or further interviews are required.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 19-Nov-2025