Japan
Living or working in Japan: long-stay, digital nomad and working holiday visas
Apply for a long‑stay (residence) visa if you have a job offer, a qualifying spouse, or meet the digital‑nomad criteria; otherwise consider a Working Holiday visa (age and stay length vary by country) – start the application 3‑4 months before travel and ensure you have a valid passport, proof of funds and a clean record.
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Key facts
- Typical processing timecheck
- Varies by visa type and nationality; not a fixed 1–3 months
- Digital nomad visacheck
- Up to 6 months, remote-work eligible, requires ¥10 million annual income
Quick answer
If you have a Japanese employer or a qualifying spouse, apply for a work-based long-stay visa (Engineer, Intra-company, Skilled Labour, etc.). If you are a remote worker earning ≥ ¥10 million/year, the new Digital Nomad visa lets you stay up to 6 months. For young travellers from eligible countries, the Working Holiday visa offers work and travel for a period that varies by country. Start the process 3-4 months ahead; you need a passport, photo, proof of funds, and a clean criminal record.
- Work-based long-stay: job offer + Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for eligible residence statuses.
- Digital Nomad: remote-work proof + income ≥ ¥10 M.
- Working Holiday: age and stay length vary by partner country.
Step by step
1. Check eligibility on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (or your nearest embassy).
2. Secure a job offer or meet the income requirement for the Digital Nomad visa.
3. For eligible residence statuses, have your employer apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at the Immigration Bureau – processing time varies.
4. Gather documents: passport (valid ≥ 6 months), recent photo, COE (if applicable), proof of funds (≈ ¥1 M for Working Holiday), tax certificate, and criminal record check.
5. Submit the visa application at the Japanese embassy/consulate in your home country – processing time varies.
6. Pay the visa fee and collect your passport with the visa sticker.
7. Upon arrival, receive a Residence Card if you are an eligible medium- or long-term resident. Register your address at the local municipal office within 14 days.
Notes
The Digital Nomad visa has an annual application limit; apply early.
Working Holiday visas are quota-based; eligibility and stay length vary by partner country.
Long-stay visas tied to employment require the employer to sponsor the COE; changing jobs may need a new COE.
Health insurance requirements for residence-card holders depend on status and circumstances; check the rules that apply to you.
- Check visa-free entry limits – most tourists can stay 90 days without a visa.
- Renewals: work-based visas can be extended up to 5 years; Digital Nomad cannot be renewed.
Questions people ask
What should I know about long-stay and working visas in Japan?
Eligibility depends on employment, spouse status, age (Working Holiday) or remote-work income (Digital Nomad). All require a visa application at a Japanese embassy; a Certificate of Eligibility is needed for eligible residence statuses.
How much does it cost?
Visa fees vary by visa type and nationality; some applicants are exempt. Working Holiday applicants must show ¥1 million in funds; Digital Nomad applicants need annual income of ¥10 million.
When should I plan for it?
Start checking eligibility 4 months before travel, apply for the COE 2-3 months ahead (if required), and submit the visa 1-3 weeks before departure.
Can I work for a Japanese company while on a Working Holiday visa?
Yes, but work must not exceed the visa's purpose of cultural exchange; many use it for part-time jobs while traveling.
Do I need health insurance?
Health insurance requirements for residence-card holders depend on your status and circumstances; check the rules that apply to you.
Verify with the official source
Draft, not field-verified
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
Ask about Japan
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