I am teleworking from country A outside Japan to country B outside Japan. Can I stay in Japan?
In March 2024, there is a move in Japan to approve a “Designated Activities” visa for digital nomads (people who work in IT-related fields while moving across national borders).
Current system: Work Visa required to work from and within Japan
Currently, a work visa is required to work in Japan. Examples include technical, humanities, international business, study abroad, training, and family stay.
Without these visas, you cannot work in Japan. To be more precise, it means that you can’t telework from Japan to overseas.
However, more and more countries have relaxed these kinds of systems in recent years, and there is a movement in Japan to grant visas for new specified activities.
Intent of Amendment
The following are some of the reasons why more and more countries are loosening this regulation.
- The increase in remote works in the wake of the Covid-19 Disaster
- The goal of having people live and consume within the country
- Aiming for people to stay in the country and do tourism
However, it is not intended to be too lax and disrupt public safety in Japan or increase the number of poor people. Let us look at the following system design with this in mind.
Target Group
The following requirements are being considered for visas for digital nomads. Read as a person who earns income as a remote worker or YouTuber outside of Japan.
Activities to engage in business activities in Japan based on an employment contract with a corporation or other foreign organization established in accordance with the laws and regulations of a foreign country and using information and communication technologies to engage in business activities at a business office of said organization in a foreign country, or activities to provide services for a fee or to sell goods, etc. to a person in a foreign country using information and communication technologies (excluding activities that cannot be provided or sold, etc. without entering Japan). (excluding those that cannot be offered or sold, etc. without entering Japan). (2) Activities to engage in the business in a foreign country.
Summary of the “Draft to Partially Amend the Provisions of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act to Provide for Activities Listed in the Lower Column of Table 5 of Appended Table 1 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act pursuant to Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the said Act,” etc., confirmed March 26, 2024.
In addition, the following requirements must also be met
- The period of stay in Japan must not exceed 6 months for the entire 12-month period
- Nationals of countries/regions that have tax treaties with Japan that are eligible for visa exemption
- Persons whose annual income is 10 million yen or more
- Have insurance coverage in case of death, injury or illness during their stay in Japan
In addition, spouses and children of those who meet the above requirements may also accompany the applicant if they meet 2 and 4 above.
Current Status
After gathering public comments, the plan will become effective upon approval by the Diet. I hope to summarize more as enforcement moves forward.
