The stay is capped at 6 months with NO extension, and you cannot re-apply until 6 months a

The stay is capped at 6 months with NO extension, and you cannot re-apply until 6 months after leaving Japan.

You must hold private health insurance with substantial coverage for the whole stay.

Income of ¥10 million+/year must be from work for an overseas employer or clients

Income of ¥10 million+/year must be from work for an overseas employer or clients — not from Japanese sources.

Digital Nomad (Designated Activities): German citizen in United States → Japan

🧳 Digital nomad🇩🇪 nationality: Germany🇺🇸 lives in: United States🇯🇵 going to: Japanupdated 2026-06-18

German citizens living in the United States can apply for Japan's Digital Nomad visa (Designated Activities) — a 6-month stay for remote workers earning at least ¥10 million a year — at the Japanese embassy or consulate covering where you live in the United States, before travelling.

What this visa is for

Six-month visa for remote workers of overseas companies earning ¥10 million+ a year.

Validity: Single stay of up to 6 months
Entries: As granted on the visa
Max stay per visit: Up to 6 months — no extension will be granted

official source →

When to start

Start 15–30 days before your travel date.

The low end assumes everything goes smoothly; the high end leaves margin for delays and passport hiccups. You can apply at most 90 days ahead.

Pick your travel date — every deadline below updates instantly:

When do you want to travel?

You're on track — start by 18 Sept 2026 to be ready in time.

Gather your documentsstart by 18 Sept 2026

Assemble your passport, visa application form with photo, proof of annual income of ¥10 million or more, and private health insurance covering injury/illness in Japan (or a Certificate of Eligibility, which lets you omit the income/activity/insurance documents).

takes ~7 days

Source: mofa.go.jp · updated 2026-06-17

Apply at a Japanese embassy or consulatestart by 27 Sept 2026

Submit your visa application form (with photo) and supporting documents at the Japanese embassy or consulate covering where you live. The Digital Nomad visa must be applied for from outside Japan.

takes ~1 day

Source: mofa.go.jp · updated 2026-06-17

Wait for the visa decisionstart by 4 Oct 2026

The embassy or consulate decides whether to issue the visa. A Certificate of Eligibility speeds processing but does not guarantee the issuance of a visa.

takes ~10 days

Source: mofa.go.jp · updated 2026-06-17

What you'll need

Visa application form — A completed visa application form with a photo. ✓ verified
Passport — Your valid passport. ✓ verified
Certificate of Eligibility (optional) — A Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Services Agency. If presented, the income/activity/insurance documents below can be omitted. ✓ verified·
Planned-activities document — Documents explaining your planned activities and period of stay in Japan (if you do not have a Certificate of Eligibility). ✓ verified·
Proof of income (¥10M+/yr) — Documents proving annual income of JPY 10 million or more — e.g. tax certificate, income certificate, employment contract or client contract. ✓ verified
Private health insurance — Documents proving insurance against death, injury or illness during your stay in Japan. ✓ verified

Where you'll apply

Apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate covering where you live in the United States; visas cannot be obtained on arrival in Japan.

Apply on the official site (mofa.go.jp) →

Fees

Consular visa fee

Approximate single-entry consular fee; the exact amount depends on your nationality and the issuing mission.

JPY 3000

A consular visa fee applies and varies by nationality/mission.

Gotchas to watch

The stay is capped at 6 months with NO extension, and you cannot re-apply until 6 months after leaving Japan.
You must hold private health insurance with substantial coverage for the whole stay.
Income of ¥10 million+/year must be from work for an overseas employer or clients — not from Japanese sources.