Advantages of the Japanese digital nomad visa compared to other countries

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Benefits of a weaker yen
South Korea
Application requirements for a Korean Digital Nomads visa
Portugal
Application requirements for the D8 visa in Portugal
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Holders of passports from developed Western countries can travel to Japan without a visa. However, they are generally only allowed to stay in Japan for 90 days and cannot say they live in Japan. Furthermore, Japan is an island country surrounded by the sea, so if your visa is about to expire, you cannot cross the border into another country and come back to Japan.

Also, until now, many people may have worked remotely with a single laptop while travelling from place to place, but given that a digital nomad visa has now been established in Japan, it has been clarified that it is illegal to come to Japan as a tourist and work in Japan.

Benefits of a weaker yen

As of 11th Apr. 2024, the price of 1USD is 152 yen and 1EUR is 164 yen. A cheaper yen can be a significant advantage. Nomadic workers who earn their income outside the Japanese yen face fewer hurdles when applying for a digital nomad visa.

This section looks at digital nomad visas in major countries other than Japan.

South Korea

South Korea has also recently established a new nomad visa known as a workation visa (F-1-D).

This visa allows for a one-year stay, which can be extended for a further year. Considering that in Japan you can only stay for a maximum of six months, the Korean visa is highly advantageous.

Application requirements for a Korean Digital Nomads visa

Sufficient minimum income (KRW 7.08 Million per month in 2024).
Provide proof of income and employment status
Submit proof of criminal record
Health insurance (coverage of at least KRW 100 million)
Evidence of family relations if accompanying family members
At least 18 years of age (excluding accompanying children)
Have worked in the field for at least one year

Two requirements not found in Japan are proof of non-criminality and at least one year of work experience. Proof of non-criminality is not required to apply for a Japanese visa, and it is not necessary to have worked in the same field for at least one year. However, for Japanese visas, it is important to prove proof of expected annual income.

Portugal

Portugal, a popular country with a warm climate all year round and a relatively cheap EU status, has a digital nomad visa called the D8 visa.

The D7 visa is for people with passive income, so-called dividend or pension income, while the D8 visa is for people with active income, so-called income from work. This section looks at the D8 visa.

Application requirements for the D8 visa in Portugal

Unlike nomad visas in other countries, the D8 visa consists of two types. One is a residence visa for a maximum of one year, and the other is a visa with an option for a further three years after a two-year stay. The difference between the two visas is that the proof of stay required for the one-year visa is four months, whereas the two-year visa requires 12 months. In addition, a Portuguese tax code (NIF) is mandatory for the two-year visa.

Proof of income must be four times the average monthly salary in Portugal over the last three months. Currently, this is €705, so you need at least €400,000. For employers, a contract of employment and a letter from the employer; for self-employed persons, proof of tax residence (latest tax return or opening notification) and a service contract, etc. are required.

Proof of tax payment
Proof of income for the last three months (a total of approximately JPY 400 000 is required).
Proof of employment or self-employment
Health insurance policy valid in Portugal
Letter of rental contract

are required.

The advantage of this visa is that it also allows a significantly longer period of stay than a Japanese visa. It is important to point out that it is relatively inexpensive to live regularly in Portugal and, after five years of residence, opens the door to obtaining an EU permanent residence visa.

However, being able to live in Portugal for a longer period of time means that you become a resident of Portugal. A heavy 23.75% social security tax in Portugal is payable.

As the Japanese visa is for a short period of time, not having to pay any tax or social security contributions is a great advantage. In addition, a lease agreement is not required for a Japanese visa application. Another advantage is that you can apply for a visa even if you do not have an address in Japan.