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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. 

      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

      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.)

      Condition for Spouse and Child of Digital Nomad

      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.)

      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
      Hisanobu Eguchi

      Partner

      KPMG in Japan

      mayu-kato
      Mayu Kato

      Manager

      KPMG Tax Corporation

      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.

      GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

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