Remote workers may soon be eligible to visit Japan, as the country aims to launch the digital nomad visa programme in late March.
Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA) will provide six-month permits to digital nomads earning ¥10 million ($68,300).
The programme would allow nationals of 49 countries to stay in Japan under the “specified activities” visa category.
This system is open to nationals of countries and territories with which Japan has reached an agreement to eliminate short-term visa restrictions. Singapore and Australia are among the other countries on this list.
According to the Japan Times, the six-month duration was decided after a poll of digital nomads revealed that the majority would want to be able to remain for more than 90 days, with up to six months being the best choice.
The digital nomad visa permits internationals to stay in nations that provide such chances while working for organisations or clients based outside of the country.
Internationals will be able to work from anywhere in Japan thanks to the Digital Nomad Visa, which eliminates the need to be employed in this region.
Health insurance is one of the needs, along with others. It has been established that wives and children would be allowed to stay in Japan.
However, digital nomads living in Japan will not be issued a resident card or a residency certificate, which would grant them access to some government benefits. The visa cannot be renewed; digital nomads must reapply for it. This is only feasible six months after departing the country.
Currently, more than 50 nations globally provide digital nomad visas. However, the criteria and circumstances for obtaining this type of visa vary among them.
Japanese authorities have stepped up their attempts to recruit more internationals to the country.
Last month, Japanese officials announced that the Specified Skilled Worker No.1 visa will be expanded to include additional occupations.
Such a decision was made as part of measures to assist the government in filling labour shortage gaps in a variety of industries, most notably in transportation.
Japanese authorities have stated that the government wishes to allow internationals working in railways, transportation, and forestry, among other fields, to qualify for the skilled worker visa, so encouraging labour migration to Japan.
