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Status of residence · 特定活動 · No. 53

Digital Nomad visa for Japan (特定活動 No. 53): 6 months of remote work

Earn ¥10 million a year working remotely for clients or an employer abroad? Japan’s Digital Nomad status lets you live here for up to 6 months. It depends on your nationality: 51 countries and regions qualify. The list, the income and insurance rules, how to apply at an embassy and what to expect once you are here.

Check the country list

Working Holiday visa

Checked against the Immigration Services Agency of Japan on 7 October 2026 · All Designated Activities

Nationality51 countries and regions

Income¥10 million+ a year

Stay6 months, no extension

Insurance¥10 million+ treatment cover

Who can apply

Your passport decides, not where you live

ISA’s condition: you are a national of a country or region whose citizens need no visa for short trips to Japan and that has a tax treaty with Japan. The list is closed. Living in a listed country on another passport does not count; if you have two nationalities, apply with the listed passport.

Region Digital nomad (No. 53) — 51 Family only (No. 54) — 22 more
Europe Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Kingdom Andorra, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, North Macedonia, San Marino
Americas Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Peru, United States, Uruguay Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname
Asia-Pacific Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand Macao
Middle East Israel, Qatar, United Arab Emirates —
Africa — Lesotho, Mauritius, Tunisia

Source: ISA list of countries and regions (PDF), as published on 7 October 2026; the PDF carries no date and the file was last updated on 1 July 2025. Your spouse and children (No. 54) may hold the nationality of any country in either column — their list needs visa exemption only, not a tax treaty. India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Nepal and China are not on either list.

Not on the list? Other routes are open to any nationality: a Student visa at a Japanese language school (part-time work allowed with permission), a work visa with a Japanese employer, or a Business Manager visa for your own company in Japan. Aged 18–30 and from a partner country? Compare the Working Holiday visa.

Requirements

Income, insurance and work only for people abroad

Set by ISA and Ministry of Justice public notice No. 53. ISA explains the details in its Q&A.

¥10 million a year

Your personal annual income when you apply. A new contract with that salary counts; for freelancers ISA counts profit after expenses; several stable incomes can be added together.

Remote work for abroad

Work for a foreign employer under an employment contract, or sell services or goods to people and companies abroad — except work that can only be done by being in Japan.

Private medical insurance

For your whole stay: death, injury and illness, with at least ¥10 million for treatment. Credit-card insurance is accepted if it gives the same cover.

Not allowed

Limits

  • contracts with companies or people in Japan — no employment, no service contracts;
  • side work: permission for other activities (資格外活動許可) is in principle not granted to the nomad or the family;
  • more than 6 months on this status in any one year.

Good to know

What the status gives you

  • 6 months in Japan with your laptop and your foreign clients;
  • no job offer or sponsor in Japan needed;
  • ISA sets no Japanese-language requirement;
  • your spouse and children can come with you.

How to apply

Main route: a visa at the embassy

A digital nomad usually has nobody in Japan to file a Certificate of Eligibility, so ISA advises applying directly at the embassy. ISA lists no procedure for changing to Digital Nomad status inside Japan.

Route 1 · main

Visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate

Apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate in the country where you live: application form, passport, activity plan, proof of income and insurance. The status on entry is for 6 months. The fee and appointment rules are on your embassy’s website.

Route 2 · optional

A Certificate of Eligibility first

If you are already in Japan, for example as a visitor, you can file a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) at a regional immigration bureau — it is free. With a CoE, MOFA says it is easier to get the visa within the standard processing period of 5 working days.

Forms and documents

Official forms and the documents you need

For the embassy visa the list follows MOFA’s page; for the CoE and for a child born in Japan, ISA’s page.

Choose the route and who is applying — the nomad or the family. The embassy tab links to MOFA and ISA; ISA’s templates for the activity plan and the insurance summary are next to the documents.

Applicant:

digital nomad: National of a country or region on ISA’s list who works remotely for a foreign employer or foreign clients, with personal income of ¥10 million+ a year and private medical insurance.

spouse and children: Spouse and children supported by the nomad. They need the nationality of a country or region on ISA’s (wider) family list and their own insurance cover.

Visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate — the main route

ISA says it plainly: if you are abroad, apply for the visa directly at the Japanese embassy or consulate where you live — a digital nomad usually has nobody in Japan who could file a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE). A CoE is optional; MOFA says it makes it easier to get the visa within the standard processing period of 5 working days.

Digital Nomad visaMOFA · mofa.go.jp · in JapaneseVisa application formPDF · mofa.go.jpList of countriesPDF · moj.go.jp

The buttons open MOFA and ISA pages. The visa application form is filled in in English or Japanese. ISA’s templates for the activity plan and the insurance summary are next to the documents below.

Documents

  1. Visa application form with photo 査証申請書・写真
  2. Passport 旅券A passport of a country or region on ISA’s list.
  3. Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) — if you have one 在留資格認定証明書Optional. With a CoE you can leave out some of the documents below.
  4. Plan of your activities in Japan 申請人の滞在中の活動予定を説明する資料Where and for how long you will stay, and who you work for. Not needed if the application form already describes this in detail.ISA template · PDFISA template · Word
  5. Proof of annual income — ¥10 million or more 申請人個人の年収額（１，０００万円以上）を証明する資料digital nomadFor example, a tax certificate or income certificate from the country where you work.
  6. Proof of relationship: marriage or birth certificate 身分関係を証する文書（結婚証明書等）spouse and children
  7. Copy of the nomad’s passport 扶養者の旅券の写しspouse and children
  8. Private medical insurance documents 民間医療保険の加入証書及び約款の写しCovers your whole stay in Japan, including death, injury and illness; medical treatment cover of at least ¥10 million, and for death, repatriation of remains or a death benefit. Insurance that comes with a credit card is accepted if it gives the same cover — add a document showing what it covers. For the family, ISA also accepts family cover under the nomad’s policy: attach a document showing its scope.ISA template for the summary · PDF

Based on MOFA’s Digital Nomad visa page (checked 6 October 2026). The embassy may ask for other documents — check with it before you apply.

Where to apply
Japanese embassy or consulate in the country where you live
Fee
Visa fee set by the Japanese embassy in your country
Standard processing period
Standard 5 working days; MOFA says a CoE makes this easier to meet
Online
Ask the embassy
Documents for my caseYour list for your category and family — with checkboxes and a PDF

Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) — if someone can file it

A CoE is optional. ISA notes that applicants abroad normally have nobody in Japan to file it, so most nomads go straight to the embassy. If you are already in Japan (for example as a visitor), you can file it yourself; with a CoE the embassy issues the visa faster. ISA lists no procedure for changing to Digital Nomad status inside Japan.

Application formPDF · moj.go.jpApplication formExcel · moj.go.jp

Files open from the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA). Forms are in Japanese and English; links checked 6 Oct 2026.

Documents

  1. Application for a Certificate of Eligibility 在留資格認定証明書交付申請書You do not need to fill in the pages for the organisation (所属機関等作成用 1–3).
  2. Photo, 4 × 3 cm 写真Attached to the application form.
  3. Return envelope with your address and stamps for registered mail 返信用封筒For paper applications.
  4. Plan of your activities in Japan 申請人の滞在中の活動予定を説明する資料Where and for how long you will stay, and who you work for. Not needed if the application form already describes this in detail.ISA template · PDFISA template · Word
  5. Tax or income certificate for the year — ¥10 million or more 納税証明書又は所得証明書digital nomadIssued in the country where you work. Your personal income counts; for freelancers, profit after expenses.
  6. Proof of your current work: employment contract or certificate of employment 雇用契約書・在職証明書等digital nomad
  7. Proof of relationship: marriage or birth certificate 申請人の配偶者又は親との身分関係を証する文書spouse and children
  8. Summary of your private medical insurance 民間医療保険の補償内容に係る説明書ISA template · PDF
  9. Copy of the insurance certificate and policy terms 民間医療保険の加入証書及び約款の写しCovers your whole stay in Japan, including death, injury and illness; medical treatment cover of at least ¥10 million, and for death, repatriation of remains or a death benefit. Insurance that comes with a credit card is accepted if it gives the same cover — add a document showing what it covers. For the family, ISA also accepts family cover under the nomad’s policy: attach a document showing its scope.
  10. Copy of the nomad’s passport 告示５３号に掲げる活動を指定されて在留する者の旅券の写しspouse and children

Immigration may ask for other documents too. Full list: the ISA checklist above and the status page.

Where to apply
Regional immigration services bureau for the place where you are or will live in Japan
Fee
Free
Standard processing period
1–3 months
Online
ISA does not mention online filing for this status
Documents for my caseYour list for your category and family — with checkboxes and a PDF

Acquisition of status — the nomad’s child is born in Japan

A parent files within 30 days of the birth if the child will stay in Japan longer than 60 days. The child gets Designated Activities for the family, within the parent’s period of stay.

Application formPDF · moj.go.jpApplication formExcel · moj.go.jp

Files open from the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA). Forms are in Japanese and English; links checked 6 Oct 2026.

Documents

  1. Application for acquisition of status of residence 在留資格取得許可申請書
  2. Proof of birth 出生したことを証する書類For example, a certificate of acceptance of the birth registration (出生届受理証明書) from the city office.
  3. Child’s passport — to show パスポート（提示）
  4. Plan of your activities in Japan 申請人の滞在中の活動予定を説明する資料Where and for how long you will stay, and who you work for. Not needed if the application form already describes this in detail.ISA template · PDFISA template · Word
  5. Proof of relationship to the parent: birth certificate 申請人の扶養者との身分関係を証する文書
  6. Summary of your private medical insurance 民間医療保険の補償内容に係る説明書ISA template · PDF
  7. Copy of the insurance certificate and policy terms 民間医療保険の加入証書及び約款の写しCovers your whole stay in Japan, including death, injury and illness; medical treatment cover of at least ¥10 million, and for death, repatriation of remains or a death benefit. Insurance that comes with a credit card is accepted if it gives the same cover — add a document showing what it covers. For the family, ISA also accepts family cover under the nomad’s policy: attach a document showing its scope.

Immigration may ask for other documents too. Full list: the ISA checklist above and the status page.

Where to apply
Regional immigration services bureau for the place where you stay
Fee
Free
Standard processing period
File within 30 days of the birth
Online
Ask the bureau
Documents for my caseYour list for your category and family — with checkboxes and a PDF

Life on the status

No residence card, no extension

The status

What you get

  • 6 months, no extension; you can come back once 6 months have passed since you left;
  • no residence card: you are not a mid- to long-term resident;
  • no Japanese public health insurance — hence the private policy;
  • you can move between cities in Japan without any procedure (ISA Q&A).

Travel and tax

Trips abroad and income tax

  • leave and return within your period of stay with a re-entry permit or special re-entry permit (みなし再入国) — see re-entry;
  • tax: ISA says that in many cases treaties exempt your income if you spend no more than 183 days in Japan in the tax year or any 12 months — check the treaty with your country.

Family — Designated Activities No. 54. Your spouse and children whom you support come with you for up to 6 months. Their nationality list is wider (73 countries and regions, table above). They need insurance too — ISA accepts family cover under your policy — and may not work.

FAQ

Digital Nomad visa questions

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Who can get the Digital Nomad visa?

Nationals of countries and regions on ISA’s list — places whose citizens need no visa for short trips to Japan and that have a tax treaty with Japan. Nationality decides: living in a listed country on another passport does not count. You also need personal income of ¥10 million or more a year, remote work for foreign employers or clients, and private medical insurance.

51 countries and regions (ISA list, checked on 7 October 2026): Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uruguay. India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Nepal and China are not on it.

You need personal income of ¥10 million or more a year at the time you apply. A new contract with an annual salary of ¥10 million or more also counts, as does a pay rise that takes you over the line. For freelancers ISA counts profit after expenses, not contract value. Several stable incomes can be added together.

No. You may only work remotely for a foreign employer, or sell services and goods to people and companies abroad. Employment or service contracts with companies or people in Japan are not allowed, and part-time work permission is in principle not granted.

No. A digital nomad is not a mid- to long-term resident, so no residence card is issued and you cannot join Japan’s public health insurance — that is why private insurance is required. ISA says no special procedure is needed to move between cities in Japan.

No. The status is granted for 6 months and cannot be extended; your time on it may not exceed 6 months in any one year. You can come back on the same status once 6 months have passed since you left Japan.

Yes. Within your period of stay you can leave and return with a re-entry permit or a special re-entry permit (みなし再入国), and keep the status.

ISA says that in many cases you do not: tax treaties usually exempt income if your stay in Japan totals 183 days or less in the tax year or in any 12 months. The conditions depend on the treaty with your country — the Ministry of Finance lists Japan’s tax treaties.

Yes. Your spouse and children whom you support get their own Designated Activities status (No. 54) for up to 6 months. The family list of nationalities is wider (73 countries and regions, all visa-exempt for short stays). The family needs insurance too and may not work.

Work in Japan

Jobs, pay, taxes and insurance on this visa

All topics: Work in Japan — the full guide

Sources

Where this information comes from

Facts and document lists were checked against the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) on 7 October 2026. Form links come from a register of ISA files that our server refreshes every week: when ISA publishes a new version of a form, the button opens the new file.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration decides each application and may ask for more documents. Where a rule is known only from practice, we say so.

Thinking of a longer stay in Japan?

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