Why Japan launched a new visa for digital nomads

Since remote working became popular during the pandemic, more options have emerged allowing people to practice their professions anywhere in the world.

One of these alternatives is visa for digital nomads which offers the possibility of legally establishing yourself in a foreign country while working remotely, either in a company or as a freelancer. The bottom line is that those who apply are not employed by the host country.

More than 40 countries have encouraged this type of Visa temporary residence, which was recently added Japan .

The decision of the Asian giant to offer this program to foreigners is not accidental. It’s an effort so that more high-income professionals arrive in their cities and, thus, promote the national economy .

“Digital nomad visas are a great way for countries to boost their economies, by inviting digital nomads to live in the country for a year without having to worry about citizens and residents stealing their jobs,” explained the ministry. BBC Brittany Loeffler, Director of Operations Nomad embassy a site that helps digital nomads around the world obtain the appropriate visas.

“Instead, they earn their income abroad and spend it in the local economy where they have the digital nomad visa” he added.

Added to this is the fact that Japan faces several challenges in the labor market, linked to the aging of its population and a historically low birth rate.

Earlier this year, the Japanese Immigration Services Agency (ISA) announced that the special program for digital nomads would be available starting in March.

The visa offers the opportunity for people who dedicate themselves to teleworking to discover Japanese life and culture beyond the regular tourist stay, which lasts only 90 days.

At the moment it is only available for 49 countries worldwide, including Chile. . As shown The Japan Times Eligible territories are those that currently have tax conventions and agreements with Japan.

Other strict conditions must also be met, requiring that only the most qualified candidates ultimately enter the program. Among these requirements is prove an annual income of 10 million yen (approximately 63 million Chilean pesos) or more, have private health insurance with coverage of the same value and a passport with a minimum validity of six months .

Once the visa is obtained, holders will be able to live and work legally anywhere in Japan for a non-renewable period of six months. Although they can apply again, it is necessary to spend six consecutive months outside Japan to do so.

One aspect that has gained attention is that spouses and children of applicants are also eligible, which can provide an alternative for families to live in a country other than their own while working remotely.

Although the program launched by Japan has several advantages for professionals who work remotely, it also has limitations. Among them, visa holders cannot open a bank account in the territory or rent long-term accommodation.

According to Loeffler, it doesn’t appear that Asian countries, like Japan, are promoting “easy visas for digital nomads.”

“They demand higher salaries than digital nomad visas from Europe or have strict requirements due to the nature of their remote work” he pointed out.

Loeffler also refers to Thailand, which, by announcing that it would promote a visa of this type, aroused great enthusiasm within the community of digital nomads spread around the world. However, its requirements are not easy to meet for all remote workers.