Digital nomad visa

Applicants must be nationals of a country or region on the Immigration Services Agency's list, which is drawn from countries that are both visa-exempt for Japan and have a tax treaty with it. Germany, Austria and Switzerland are on the list. They must work remotely using information and communication technology for an employer or clients outside Japan, earn at least the annual income set by the agency, and hold private medical insurance covering the whole stay.

Work for Japanese companies or clients in Japan is not allowed under this status.

The period of stay is up to six months and cannot be extended. Holders who want to return under the same status must first spend time outside Japan; the agency's page sets out when a new application is possible. The status is therefore suited to a long stay within a year, not to living in Japan permanently.

Spouses and children can accompany the remote worker under a related Designated Activities status for the same period. They too need private medical insurance, but no separate income requirement applies. They may not work.

Because the stay is shorter than the threshold for mid- to long-term residents, holders do not receive a residence card and cannot register as residents at a municipal office. As a result, they are not enrolled in the public health insurance scheme, and everyday tasks that require a residence card or resident registration, such as opening a bank account or signing a long mobile contract, are often difficult. Furnished monthly rentals, serviced apartments and prepaid mobile data are the usual solutions.

Tax questions, such as whether income becomes taxable in Japan, depend on the tax treaty and individual circumstances and should be checked with a tax adviser.