Japan is coming a popular destination for digital nomads as the country now accept digital nomad visa application, citizen of 49 countries now can apply for Japan digital nomad visa if they meet the Eligibility requirements.
Japan is already a top destination for global tourists, more people want to experience the unique country, it’s culture, it’s modernization and the nature.
Now they are offe an opportunity to those who work remotely from their home, with the announcement of Japan’s digital nomad visa remote workers were highly happy they can’t wait to see the details.
Strict requirements
When Japan introduced the digital nomad visa on April 2024 it was seen that meeting the requirements are not easy and average digital will not be able to apply for Japan’s digital nomad visa.
As the country allows only 49 country citizens to apply if they meet the rest of requirements, along with nationality restrictions the rest of requirements are also very strict and difficult to meet by most of digital nomads.
Income requirement: to apply for Japan digital nomad visa you need to earn at least 5,425 USD per month, this make 65,107 USD per year, on the average digital nomads earn 1,500 to 2,500 USD per month and most digital nomads visas require amount is 1,500 to 3,000 USD per month.
So we can say that normal or average digital nomads can’t meet the minimum income requirement which high than most minimum wage in well developed western countries. However it’s not the only point which make this visa difficult.
There are certain additional requirements like certificate of eligibility which digital nomads need to get and than start their visa applications.
This document should be get from the regional immigration bureau, applicants will need to with this certificate also, they need before visa application apply online for this certificate which necessary for visa approval.
Duration of stay
Well let say you finished all the steps and now you are able to travel to Japan as a digital nomad but this time you need to check your visa duration because if you late you may be deported by Japan.
The Japan digital nomad visa has only 6 months visa duration, it mean you can stay just for 6 months in Japan and after that you need to leave the country if you want to extend your visa it’s not possible, you have to leave and you will not be able to immediately apply for a need visa, means you need to leaves Japan after 6 months.
Most countries offers at least 12 months visa with the possibility of extension for another 12 months but unfortunately things are not same in Japan, this country will only issue a 6 months visa to you.
Asian countries digital nomad visas
It’s not look like the Asian countries will offer a normal digital nomad visas as most these countries has very strict visa requirements for remote workers.
Read more: Brazil digital nomad visa requirements
Japan is one the best place for digital nomads as the country has very strong infrastructure with high speed internet but the visa conditions and stay is something that not guarantee a meaningful plan for most of digital nomads.
Japan is one of them, other Asians countries also have very hard conditions, like Thailand destination visa which is mainly for digital nomads. Thailand digital nomad visa which is known as Thailand destination visa is required 80,000 USD income per year which is around 6,600 USD per month, this is even higher than Japan digital nomad visa income requirement.
Additionally it has more strict requirements on other requirements and on the source of income such as the company you work should be a public trade company or a private company which make $150 million per year or you should hold a master degree with $40,000 Income per year for last 2 years.
Final words
It’s not seem that Japan digital nomad visa will be worthy for average digital nomads it looks more fit for high income entrepreneurs.
Most of average digital nomads need a little stable work and stay and 6 months visa duration with absence of extension possibility will be risky.
