The Japan Digital Nomad Visa has officially launched, detailed on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website. Announced February 2024, this visa spans 6 months and is non-renewable within a 12-month period. Applicants must demonstrate an annual income of at least 10 million JPY (approximately US$70,000). Now, let’s explore how to apply for the Japan Digital Nomad Visa.

Japanese Consulates, including the one in Chicago, have begun issuing application guidelines. There are two primary application methods: 1. with a COE (Certificate of Eligibility) or 2. without one.

What is a COE?

A Certificate of Eligibility is a sort of pre-approval. This document basically states that you meet qualification requirements for your intended visa track.

A COE is usually completed by a sponsor in Japan; typically a school or employer. For the digital nomad visa, applicants may submit a COE for themselves, indicating their intent to stay for 6 months and providing proof of income, such as a tax statement. The challenge is that a COE must be submitted in Japan, which makes this difficult to arrange for people who are lining up their digital nomad visa from abroad.

So in this case, you would either need to decide to enter Japan and get your documents in line, or apply from abroad without a COE.

Why would you apply for the Digital Nomad Visa from within Japan, using a COE?

You could enter Japan on a tourist visa, then apply for the digital nomad visa. The Chicago Consulate suggests that including this certificate with your visa application may streamline the process to just 5 days. However! Processing times will vary greatly, and we’ve heard of cases where the approval took multiple months.

Benefits of applying with a COE:

• A COE gives you higher peace of mind that the application will be approved
• If you are already in Japan, you may not need to leave the country and re-enter (if your approval arrives in time)

Downsides of this method:

• There is more paperwork in the long-run
• If the processing takes multiple months and your short-term visa runs out, you will need to leave the country and incur international travel costs

Why would you apply for the Digital Nomad Visa from abroad, without a COE?

This is the best method for people who want to have their visa track approved before entering the country and getting living quarters lined up. This route has the potential to be approved faster and, overall, has less paperwork to complete.

Additionally, coordinating with the consulate in your home country means you are more likely to work with people who can speak English.

Is this the best route for anyone who is not yet in Japan? Not necessarily. For those who have the means and want things to be as streamlined and reliable as possible, hiring a lawyer in Japan to get everything lined up and apply on your behalf will be the highest level of service and least hassle.

Application Methods

Method 1: With a COE

Step 1: Apply for a COE at a regional immigration center in Japan.

Your COE application should include:

• COE application form.
• A passport-style photograph meeting Japanese standards.
• A stamped reply envelope.
• A detailed itinerary of your stay and activities.
• Proof of income (e.g., tax or income certificate) exceeding 10M JPY.
• Proof of private medical insurance coverage.
• Authorization form to have someone apply on your behalf in Japan (i.e. a lawyer)

Step 2: Receive your COE via the provided self-addressed envelope.

Step 3: Apply for the visa at your local consulate with:

• A valid passport.
• Completed standard visa application form.
• A passport-style photograph.
• Visa application fee (payable in cash only).
• A stamped return envelope.
• Your COE.

Method 2: Without a COE

Step 1: Directly apply for the visa at your local consulate.

You will need:

• A valid passport.
• Completed standard visa application form.
• A passport-style photograph.
• Visa application fee (payable in cash only).
• A stamped return envelope.
• A description of your intended activities.
• Proof of financial capability (e.g., employment contract or bank statement showing at least 10M JPY).
• Proof of insurance (credit card benefits may suffice).

Recommendation: How to apply for the Japan Digital Nomad Visa

Applying without a COE seems simpler, involving fewer steps and can be completed from your home country. The processing time for a digital nomad visa COE is unreliable (for long-term visas, the usual advice is “about 3 months.”) In addition, the COE application has not yet been updated to include the digital nomad visa as an option, which may cause confusion and additional delays from Japanese immigration. Hiring a lawyer can streamline things without a trip to Japan.

A closer analysis of the Chicago Consulate documentation reveals that the criteria for financial proof is less stringent without a COE. It’s surprising to see that 10M JPY in the bank appears to suffice in lieu of future income proof. This is great news for people who have retired or downsized their careers.

For those applying from abroad, our recommendation for how to apply for the Japan Digital Nomad Visa is generally Method 2: without a COE. Situations change, so keep your eyes on the internet for stories of people applying for this visa and consider talking to a lawyer for the latest information.

Ultimately, the Japan Digital Nomad Visa offers a unique opportunity for those looking to experience life in Japan temporarily. However, for those planning more frequent stays or long-term residency, a long-term visa might be more practical. You only have to apply for the long-term visa once and subsequent renewals are straightforward. In contrast, applying for a new digital nomad visa every year is cumbersome.

Talk to us! We are happy to help find the best visa type for you.