Japan's visa is the most restrictive of the major programmes on three separate axes: income, duration and nationality. It is worth understanding all three before planning around it.
Requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual income | ¥10,000,000 (~US$66,400) |
| Income basis | Most recent year |
| Duration | 6 months |
| Extension | None |
| Nationality | ~50 countries only |
| Health insurance | Minimum ¥10 million coverage |
| Family | Spouse and children may accompany |
The nationality restriction rules most people out
You must be a national of a country that has both:
- A tax treaty with Japan, and
- Visa-exempt entry to Japan
That combination covers roughly 50 countries and regions. It is the first thing to check, because no amount of income compensates for being outside the list.
This is unusual — most nomad visas are open to any non-citizen who meets the financial test. Japan's is effectively an extension of its existing treaty and visa-waiver relationships.
¥10 million is high, and it's assessed on last year
At about US$66,400, Japan's threshold is roughly double Portugal's and nearly triple Italy's. Only a handful of programmes ask for more.
It is assessed on your most recent year's income, not current run-rate. Someone whose earnings recently rose to qualifying level will be assessed on the lower prior-year figure.
Compare against every other threshold →
Six months, and then you leave
The visa runs six months with no extension mechanism. After it expires you must spend time outside Japan before reapplying.
That makes Japan a poor choice if you want a base. It works as a defined half-year, and the planning question is what you do afterwards — not whether you can roll it over, because you can't.
Compare with Thailand's DTV, which runs five years with 180-day entries, or Spain at three years.
What you need
- Proof of ¥10 million income for the most recent year
- Evidence of remote work for a company registered outside Japan — as owner, employee or freelancer
- Confirmation your income source is not Japanese
- Health insurance covering death, injury and illness, minimum ¥10 million (~US$65,000)
- Passport from an eligible country
The insurance threshold is high and specific. Standard travel insurance will not meet it; check the coverage limit before purchasing.
Tax
Six months sits close to the line where most countries assert tax residency, and Japan is no exception. Because the visa caps at six months you may stay under the threshold — but the interaction with your home country's rules matters more than the Japanese side.
Since the visa requires a tax treaty country, treaty tie-breaker rules will generally be available to you, which is a genuine advantage over programmes with no such requirement. See digital nomad tax.
Where Japan fits
| Country | Annual income | Duration | Renewable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | ~$24,000 | 12 months | Once |
| Thailand | Savings-based | 5 years | — |
| Spain | €34,188 | 3 years | Yes |
| Japan | ~$66,400 | 6 months | No |
Japan asks the most in Asia and gives the least time. What you get in exchange is Japan — which for many people is the entire argument, and a perfectly good one.
If the income bar is the obstacle and the region is what matters, Malaysia's DE Rantau at around $24,000 is the accessible alternative.
What the process is actually like
[Author section — first-hand or sourced.]
Frequently asked questions
How much income do I need for Japan's digital nomad visa? ¥10 million per year, about US$66,400, assessed on your most recent year's income.
How long is it valid? Six months, with no extension. You must leave Japan before reapplying.
Who is eligible? Nationals of roughly 50 countries that have both a tax treaty with Japan and visa-exempt entry.
Can I bring my family? Yes, a dependent spouse and children may accompany you.
What insurance do I need? Coverage for death, injury and illness with a minimum of ¥10 million (~US$65,000). Standard travel insurance generally will not meet this.
Can I extend or renew? No. There is no extension mechanism, and you must spend time outside Japan before a fresh application.
Official sources
Verified 29 July 2026. Confirm eligibility and current requirements with a Japanese embassy or consulate before applying.