Japan´s New Digital Nomad Visa is Expected to Arrive in March 2024

Have you ever dreamed of living in Japan? Now might be the perfect opportunity. Japan has introduced a Digital Nomad visa specifically for remote workers from 49 countries and territories. Additionally, Time Out has ranked Tokyo and Osaka among its Top 50 Cities for 2024. Moreover, if you're accustomed to the costs of living in New York City, you might find Japan to be more affordable.

Japan Will Launch Its Digital Nomad Visa In 2024

Japan is expected to start offering the Digital Nomad visa in March 2024.

In Time Out's sixth annual list of the Best Cities in the World, Tokyo secures the eighth position, following New York, Cape Town, Berlin, London, Madrid, Mexico City, and Liverpool. The teamLab Borderless digital art museum is highlighted as one of the year's most exciting cultural openings, alongside renowned restaurants like Massimo Bottura’s Gucci Osteria, Michelin-starred Le Pristine in Antwerp, and MAZ. Tokyo also stands out for its punctual public transport, cleanliness, and well-designed public bathrooms.

Osaka secured the 48th position in the rankings. The city is often referred to as 'the nation’s kitchen' because of its delectable okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) restaurants and budget-friendly kushi-katsu (deep-fried skewer) counters.

The Time Out ranking is partly based on polling of city-dwellers on the quality and affordability of the food, culture and nightlife and how their city makes them feel, from happiness to romance. This info is then cross-referenced with other cities they would most like to live in, as well as staff writers and editors who are based in cities worldwide.

Japan Currently Has A Favorable Cost Of Living Index

According to the latest Numbeo rankings, both Osaka and Tokyo offer a cost of living (including rent) that is approximately 50% cheaper than New York City. Additionally, Japan as a whole boasts a cost of living that is 24% lower than that of France.

As a guide, in the Economist's 2023 rankings of The World's Most Expensive Cities, New York city came joint third with Geneva (after Zurich and Singapore).

The introduction of the Digital Nomad visa is part of a broader effort to further open up the economy to tourists and foreign workers. Currently, two million foreign workers already live and work in the country. In 2023, the country saw a record-breaking 25 million visitors, the highest number since 2019. This increase can be attributed in part to the weak Yen, providing arriving tourists with greater spending power. Notably, a significant percentage of these visitors were from Singapore and Taiwan, in contrast to the pre-pandemic trend where visitors typically came from China and the U.S.

People from all 27 EU member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden) are entitled to apply for the Digital Nomad visa.

Moreover, individuals from the U.S., U.K., Australia, Singapore, and South Korea are eligible to apply. Residents from several other countries within Europe and on its borders, including Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, and Turkey, can also apply.

However, there are strict rules, notably around revenue. Applicants must have a fixed annual income above 10 million Yen (roughly $63,000) plus they must arrive with their own private health insurance. The country is also targeting highly skilled professionals, notably in IT.

Those meeting these conditions will be permitted to stay in Japan for a maximum of six months. Currently, travelers can visit Japan for a visa-free period of 90 days, during which they are not legally allowed to work. An additional benefit is that spouses and children can accompany the visa holder if they also have private health insurance.

It won't be possible to organise Digital Nomad visas that run back-to-back allowing longer stays, but you would be able to apply for another after you've been out of Japan for six months. Holders of the visa won't be eligible to apply for residency.