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

mayu-kato
Mayu Kato

Manager

KPMG Tax Corporation

Additional Resources

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Footnotes
1Immigration 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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