Japan
reportedly intends to begin issuing digital nomad visas for remote workers next
month, the Asian island nation’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA) announced Friday.
This would enable foreigners looking to stay in Japan longer than the standard tourist
visa allows (90 days) to remain for a full six months while working from any
place in the country without being employed by a Japanese company.
According to The
Japan Times, the offer will be extended to remote workers from 49 countries and
territories, including the U.S., that have tax treaties and reciprocal tourist
visa-free arrangements in place. The new digital nomad visas will be available
to those who make ¥10 million (US$68,300) or more annually,
including self-employed individuals. The program is expected to be put into
effect by the end of March.
There are some
other requirements, including that applicants have their own private health
insurance, but workers’ spouses and children will also be welcome to stay in
Japan for the duration of their visit. Those living in Japan temporarily will
not be issued residence cards or certificates, which would entitle them to
certain government benefits.
The outlet
reported that this digital nomad visa would not be renewable, meaning that recipients
would need to return to leave the country for at least six months and reapply
for a new one, if they wished to return. While specific details and terms of
the new visa have yet to be released, this would seem to be supported by a tweet
posted by Imaeda Soichiro, Deputy Minister at Japan’s Ministry of Education,
Sports, Culture & Science (MEXT) earlier this week.
According to Nomadlist.com,
there are currently around 35 million digital nomads living and working around
the globe, with the majority of them originating in North America and Europe. It
reports that Tokyo was among the world’s top 10 most-visited remote work hubs last
year, and the fastest-growing
one, at that.
The Japan Times
reported that digital nomads represent a collective economic value of $787
billion. By creating this new visa and other initiatives aimed at boosting
inbound tourism, now that the pandemic has passed, Japan’s government is hoping
to claim a slice of that pie. And, many other countries have already done the
same, as The
Points Guy noted when it reported that nearly 50 global nations currently
offer remote workers the opportunity to live overseas for extended periods,
including such desirable destinations as Italy, Spain,
Portugal,
Costa
Rica and various Caribbean
islands.
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