Japan Digital Nomad Visa: ¥10 Million Income, ¥10 Million Insurance and 6 Months
Verification date for every rule, amount and time limit below: July 5, 2026.
Japan’s “Designated Activities (for Digital Nomad)” requires annual income of at least ¥10 million at application and private medical travel insurance covering death, injury and illness during the stay, including compensation of at least ¥10 million for injury and illness treatment; the permitted stay is six months and cannot be extended. According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan’s official guidance, eligible work is performed remotely from Japan for a foreign entity or persons located abroad, while the digital nomad may not work for a Japanese public or private organization and does not receive a residence card. The official category is a status of residence, although “digital nomad visa” is the common shorthand used in the title.
What remote work qualifies for Japan’s digital nomad status?
Two forms of foreign-facing remote activity fall within the official scope:
| Qualifying activity | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Work for a foreign entity | The applicant has an employment contract with a corporation or other foreign organization established under foreign law and uses information and communication technology from Japan to perform work for that organization’s business office located in a foreign country. |
| Services or sales for foreign persons | The applicant uses information and communication technology from Japan to provide services for a fee, sell goods or perform similar activity for persons located in a foreign country. |
Activities that cannot be provided or sold without entering Japan are excluded. The digital nomad also cannot work under an employment contract or similar arrangement with a Japanese public or private organization.
In principle, a person already holding another Japanese status of residence cannot use this route to conduct activity outside the scope permitted by that previous status.
Which nationalities are eligible?
The nationality test differs between the digital nomad and an accompanying spouse or child:
| Applicant | Nationality and status conditions |
|---|---|
| Digital nomad | The applicant must be a national or citizen of a country or region listed in the Immigration Services Agency’s official chart. The listed places must be covered by Japan’s Temporary Visitor visa-exemption arrangements and Japan’s tax conventions. |
| Spouse or child | The applicant must be a national or citizen of a country or region listed in the same chart and covered by the Temporary Visitor visa-exemption arrangements. The stated family condition does not add the tax-convention requirement stated for the digital nomad. |
The eligible-country chart linked from the official agency page should therefore be checked before either application is prepared. Eligibility should not be inferred solely from an employer’s location or an applicant’s current country of residence.
What do the two ¥10 million tests require?
The income and insurance figures are separate legal requirements. Meeting one does not replace the other.
| Test | Exact requirement | Supporting evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Annual income | The digital nomad applicant’s annual income must be at least ¥10 million at the time of application. | A tax certificate or income certificate issued by the country where the applicant worked and showing the annual income. |
| Medical insurance | Private medical travel insurance must cover death, injury and illness during the stay. Compensation for medical treatment of injury and illness must be at least ¥10 million. | An explanation of coverage, an insurance enrollment certificate and a copy of the policy terms and conditions. The insurance period must correspond to the planned stay in Japan. |
The ¥10 million insurance figure is the minimum compensation requirement for injury and illness treatment, not a stated insurance premium. Death must also be covered, but the official requirement does not attach a separate ¥10 million amount specifically to death coverage.
A credit-card policy may be used if its coverage meets the required scope; documents proving that coverage must be submitted. For an accompanying family member, family coverage under the digital nomad’s private policy may also be accepted if materials confirm the applicable coverage scope.
The family section requires the same insurance protection, including compensation of at least ¥10 million for injury and illness treatment. It does not state an equivalent annual-income test for the accompanying spouse or child.
Can the stay be extended or the holder get a residence card?
The Immigration Services Agency’s rules are direct:
- The permitted period of stay is six months.
- No extension is granted.
- After reaching the maximum six-month period under this status, the applicant must wait six months before applying again for the same status.
- The digital nomad status does not come with a residence card.
- Employment by a Japanese public or private organization is not permitted under this status.
The six-month period is therefore a firm limit under this route rather than a renewable trial period.
Can a spouse or child accompany the digital nomad?
A spouse or child may apply for the corresponding “Designated Activities” category when accompanying a person who is staying or intends to stay in Japan for no more than six months and performing international remote work.
The main conditions are:
- The applicant is the digital nomad’s spouse, or the child applicant’s parent is the qualifying digital nomad.
- The applicant is a supported spouse or child and the permitted activities are daily family activities in Japan.
- The applicant meets the nationality conditions listed in the official chart.
- A document proving the relationship must be submitted, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.
- A copy of the accompanying digital nomad’s passport must be submitted when that person is residing or intending to reside in Japan under the digital nomad status.
- The required private medical insurance must cover death, injury and illness, with at least ¥10 million in compensation for injury and illness treatment.
- The spouse or child’s permitted stay is also six months, with no extension.
The family category is not stated as an unrestricted remote-work authorization. In principle, an accompanying spouse or child may not engage in activity outside the scope permitted under the previous status of residence.
A child born in Japan who already holds that status and wishes to remain under it uses the in-country application for permission to acquire status of residence. The supporting documents include proof of birth, proof of the relationship with the supporting digital nomad, an activity schedule and the required insurance evidence.
How is the application filed and evidenced?
The correct application route depends on whether the person is entering Japan with the status or applying from within Japan:
| Situation | Official application |
|---|---|
| Newly entering Japan with the digital nomad or accompanying family status | Application for a Certificate of Eligibility |
| Child born in Japan applying to remain under the corresponding status | Application for permission to acquire status of residence |
For a new digital nomad applicant, the core evidence package includes:
- The Certificate of Eligibility application form.
- A photograph meeting the official standards.
- A standard reply envelope with the address and postage for registered mail.
- An activity schedule for the stay, unless the application form already provides all the required detail.
- A tax or income certificate showing annual income.
- Evidence of current work status, such as an employment contract or certificate of employment.
- The insurance coverage explanation, enrollment certificate and policy terms.
- A Japanese translation for documents written in a foreign language.
The separate “For organization, part 1–3” forms are not required. For an accompanying spouse or child, the principal evidence includes the relationship document, the digital nomad’s passport copy and the required insurance documents.
Administrative details also matter:
- Certificates issued in Japan must be submitted within three months after their issue date.
- If someone other than the applicant submits the documents, that person must present identification proving their authority to submit.
- Submitted materials are generally not returned. A request to return difficult-to-replace originals should be made at the time of application.
- The reviewing authority may request additional materials not listed on the official page.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Does the ¥10 million insurance figure mean I must pay a ¥10 million premium?
No. The official figure is a minimum compensation amount for medical treatment of injury and illness. The source does not present it as the insurance premium.
Can I renew the digital nomad status after six months?
No extension is available. After the maximum six-month stay, the applicant must wait six months before applying again for the same status.
Can the digital nomad work for a company located in Japan?
No. Employment under a contract or similar arrangement with a Japanese public or private organization is not permitted under the digital nomad status.
Does an accompanying family member need a separate ¥10 million income test?
The official family section states the ¥10 million medical-compensation requirement but does not state an equivalent annual-income test for the accompanying spouse or child.
Can my family member use my insurance policy?
Family coverage under your private policy may be accepted if its scope meets the requirements and you submit materials confirming that coverage.
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a licensed immigration professional before making investment decisions. Requirements for the Spain Golden Visa are subject to change. Always verify with official government sources.