Why The Japanese Digital Nomad Visa Is (Probably) Not Worth It

But it’s up to you to decide if the benefits are worth it.

Digital nomad visas are a great way to see the world, experience new cultures, explore new ways of life, and never have to quit your job.

Because, let’s face it, going on a permanent vacation isn’t a viable option. At least not for most of us.

If you’re a freelancer or are allowed to work remotely with your current job, so much of the globe has opened up to you over the years, with new digital nomad visas (DNV). A DNV makes it possible to stay longer in the country than with a traditional tourist visa. Some even count the years you are in the country working with a DNV toward residency and citizenship.

The latest addition to the long list of nations offering such a visa is Japan. This is exciting news for anyone dreaming of staying in Japan for longer than 90 days.

The headlines for a Japanese DNV are eye catching, but it’s important to look deeper into the requirements, as well as what you get in return, before deciding if you want to apply for the visa (or if you even qualify).

What To Look For In A Digital Nomad Visa

Before looking closer at Japan, it’s important to consider what makes a good DNV.

While I have no concrete numbers to back me up on this, I’d be willing to bet a very large chunk of money that many people go to countries that are more affordable than the United States (or wherever they are from). Living in a new country is exciting, but so is doing so while saving money. This makes looking into cost of living requirements important.

Tied to this is the amount of money the DNV requires you to make annually. The vast majority of countries offering DNVs have financial requirements. A handful in the Caribbean don’t, but even then, you need to prove you’re working before you’re accepted.

Demonstrated income requirements is one of the biggest hurdles for many looking to apply for a DNV, and it is something to keep in mind when we begin looking at Japan.

Next, it’s important to conisder the length of time a DNV is good for. Some last a full 12 months and allow you to renew indefinitely until you qualify for residency/citizenship. Others might limit the number of renewals to one or two, while a select few might give you only a few additional months above what a standard tourist visa is good for. Again, we’ll get into this when looking at Japan.

There are secondary requirements to consider depending on your personal situation. This might include if you can bring a spouse or children, and if the required work includes W2 employees, or only 1099 freelancers (in Spain, for example, it’s currently impossible for a W2 employee to obtain a DNV because the Spanish government requires a document from the Social Security Department that doesn’t exist. This will likely be corrected in the coming years).

But, in general terms, when searching for a qualifying DNV, you need to consider:

• Cost of living
• Financial requirements
• Length of visa
• Can the visa be extended/count towards residency or citizenship

With that in mind, let’s look at the newly announced Japanese digital nomad visa.

The Japanese Digital Nomad Requirements

The requirements for Japan’s new DNV are steep. You need to make a minimum of $66,622 annually, and it is good for six months. No extensions are given.

It is obvious the Japanese government is interested in bringing higher-income individuals into the country who are likely to spend more money. And while this is double the length of a tourist visa, it doesn’t give remote workers a ton of added time to live and explore the country.

Basically, Japan pulled an Iceland on its DNV.

Iceland has a very similar DNV threshold. It’s only good for six months, you can’t renew, and it has a higher minimum income requirement (Iceland’s is actually more expensive than Japan).

The Japanese DNV does not count toward residency either. If you qualify you’re given six months, and then you need to move on.

Of course, this is a sparkling new visa, and things may very well evolve in the coming years, but we can only look at what the current requirements are.

Why You May Want to Keep Looking

Japan has been one of those countries so many remote workers have been clammoring to create a DNV. And I have a feeling many will be disappointed.

The higher financial threshold coupled with a short duration are unfortunate for a remote worker looking to set down for longer than a few months.

Currently, the exact filing requirements have not been announced, but many DNVs require an applicant to have everything translated and appostled before submitting. There’s often an FBI background check requirement as well (criminal background checks are rather common). Some countries even ask for more elaborate health screenings. Cyprus, for example, requires you to undergo HIV and STD testing.

I can’t say if Japan will have any of these requirements or not (although I’d lean toward the criminal background check), but if so, these are added expenses you’ll need to pay. And then if everything needs to be translated and appostled, that begins to add up.

Eventually, it gets to the point of if the money and process of filing paperwork is worth 90 extra days.

Now, with the Japanese DNV you can bring your spouse and children (no word yet if this increases the minimum financial threshold), and while it’s only good for six months, you can re-apply six months after departure.

So maybe you hop over to Thailand or Vietnam for six months to save money, then re-apply and return to Japan. It’s some jumping around, but for full-time digital nomads that love to bounce about the globe, it’s an option.

Personally, for me, it’s sadly not worth the hassle. Especially if the application process is difficult and an immigration attorney is required. Plus, for me, as someone who takes my dog wherever I go, there’s all kinds of additional documents, vet visits, and timing issues to sort out, so a three month extension isn’t worth the massive headache it brings about.

But, of couse, if it’s your dream, don’t let my opinion or the words of anyone else stop you. It’s one of the perks of being a remote worker. You don’t have to listen to others and where they say you should live.

Have at it and enjoy every minute of it.

Enjoy what you’ve read, are interested in moving overseas, and don’t know where to begin? No problem! I wrote “7 Steps To Move Out of the U.S.,” to help.

Have your sights set on Europe? My “7 Steps to Move to Europe” can help as well!