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Not to mention the "public comment" period I was drawing from, many locals are like "yeah, sure, seems harmless, but also seems useless. What is the point? Why? Why and who does this even benefit? Not the DNs? Not us????"
Be careful about telling them your intentions to immigrate on a temporary visa, it is essentially intent to commit a crime - willful planning to violate the terms of your visa etc.
Yes, when I have to fly to Barbados to the US Embassy, because my country (St. Lucia) isn't good enough for an embassy, they very much care what I think about their Visa granting policies. Good thing I don't "look like a criminal" and my sons tears convinced them we really just wanted to go to Disney Land
I remember when the details for this visa dropped, me and my friends had a good laugh. All those conditions for something that's barely better than a tourist visa? Nah. I could almost make all of the requirements, but 6 months, no zairyuu card, and having to wait another 6 months to renew isn't worth the hassle. I'm in Japan right now on a working holiday visa, and I kind of had hoped I could get another year or more with this visa, but I suppose I'll have to return home and say goodbye to Japan for the time being. Edit: Afaik, to add onto this video, you don't have to have a contract with a company abroad to get your visa. You can have your own independent gig, as long as you have private insurance when you move.
The 10m requirement is very difficult to reach ! For example, I have a phd in computer science and AI in France. Software Engineer with 10-15 years of experience are in the 53-54k euros range (8m7 yens). Only senior software engineers, around 20 years of experience, can reach the 10m. Researchers in computer science/mathematics with a phd, 2 years of experience, are usually around 30k euros (4m9 yens). University teachers starts at 21k euros (3m5 yens). After a few years (usually 5-8ish), you can have the (HDR) (Ability to conduct researches, which is another diploma you receive, a huge thesis, that summarize all your research this past few years, the projects you planned, the research of the doctoral students you co-supervised …). With the HDR, you have the status of what we call “Professor” in France. Then you have a system of rank, like “second class”, “first class”, “exceptional class”. A “Second-class Professor” (default status) starts at 49k euros (8m yens), and end-up at 60k euros (9m8 yens). Exceptional class professors, at the end of their career, are at 78k euros, or 12m yens. So even some University Professors, at the end of their career, if they can’t obtain the First-Class, or Exceptional-class status, can’t obtain this visa ^^
Oh ! Forgot to mention ! It’s what’s happening almost everywhere in France, the default salary grid. If you live in specific areas (so … near Paris), the cost of living is much higher, so the salaries are higher too. Our only option is to move to a very expensive city to artificially increase our salary ?! xD
Shared housing is the most cost effective for medium length stays. Usually no key money, comes with clean services (for a fee). You get your own small bedroom and a large common area for cooking and socializing. Just find a good one, some are shit.
I'm interested in this. It's enough to look for a full time remote employer in my industry. The main sticking point for me is finding the short term living part. I can pass the income part but it's not quite enough to do a full service hotel for six months.
They should really change it to 1-2 years and to charge normal taxes on the income, as well as provide services such as healthcare, access to bank accounts, residence card etc. Honestly, why wouldn't they make it possible to renew it indefinitely? They're getting taxes from foreign income (that is, money made abroad by foreigners) and they're spending part of that income in Japan. That sounds like a sweet deal to me, if I was Japan.
Wow that’s definitely just tourism+ and makes no sense. Without a residency card can you even get health insurance?? Pretty sure that’s set up at the city office right so probably not. So you’re not paying taxes nor able to use public services, you’re just a tourist. This is kinda sad because I can see how digital nomads may be drawn to smaller cities with low cost of living and nature which could really help those economies but they have no incentives!
I wonder about the “tourist” that will come on this visa and look for a Japanese job to try to get their visa switched over. Seems like long enough to get a few interviews in
tbh ive thought of doing this. My wife is japanese and we still have a house in japan, so going there and working from that house without needing to pay full taxes and all there would be great for me but im a special case.
This is actually precisely my situation as well, and I'm applying for the digital nomad visa to take full benefits of my US-based remote job while I figure out my long-term situation in Japan. These are really niche usecases though :D
You can just get a spousal visa. I'd be curious to know why you'd opt for a Digital nomad visa instead... I haven't looked into it mind you... and I DO have a Japanese wife.
@@TheNewGreenIsBlue digital nomad means no japanese taxes, spousal means id have to pay taxes. in the US if overseas youre tax exempt for the first like 100k or so of income. So this way id be paying no taxes afaik.
@@AudiaciousLife Would you be covered by Japanese medical, though? Canada has a bilateral tax treaty with Japan, so I don't think I'd pay taxes anyhow... and I think the Japanese taxes are probably similar or lower than Canadian ones anyhow. Hmm... I'll have to look into this.
So a tourist visa with strings attached with a validity a day short of tax residency. Sounds like tourism industry lobbying to squeeze a bit more tourist money. By not triggering tax residency it's also a zero risk move for Japan as they don't have to deal with non payment of nenkin, residence tax and income tax. So there's a visa with very little downside to Japan, no upside for applicants and most importantly no risk for J Gov since these people are completely outside all social security systems.
Also no worries about foreigners taking Japanese jobs .I read about some other visas that are better. start up and humanities visas. Have downsides too but much more feasible
I'm glad someone finally did a video on this. And I'm glad one of the commenters mentioned the Digital Nomad Visa in Korea (now officially called the "Workcation Visa"). You initially get it for one year, and it can be extended once, giving the holder up to two years. And just like the Japanese DNV, it's NOT a pathway to residency and it seems like there's no way to pay taxes. You can also bring your family with you, but if the government hasn't mentioned how it's going to work putting a child in public school (or even a private institute) if the parents aren't paying taxes in the district they live in, unless they're expected to be homeschooled...? It's easier to find short-term accommodations here as most people live in one-room flats, but they all require a large deposit (usually the equivalent of one year's rent.) But there are places where the deposit is much lower, meaning you pay more in rent per month in those cases. To me, both visas seem like a waste of time tbh. Often, people who are doing the digital nomad thing only spend a few weeks/months at one location before moving onto the next...which is what it means to be nomadic--moving around.
The Korean one is better though. At least you can plan for 2 years. As for kids... there are international schools. More expensive than public ones, for sure... but if you're budgeting for it anyhow and have higher income... shouldn't be a problem. And Korean culture is growing and getting popular due to a much more successful (as of late) export of KPop and the like. Japanese culture export survives despite itself, Korean culture is being actively exported... this is why Kpop and KDramas and KMovies are more popular abroad... they're doing more work to make them more internationally palatable and aren't hostile to fans. Japanese cultural exportation happens despite Japan... as they really have preferred to rely on the domestic Japanese market... for consumption of its culture. How many Japanese music acts tour outside of Japan? Or make their music and properties available outside of Japan? All this is to say that I think Japanese people (pre-COIVID at least) were friendlier towards international guests than Koreans overall... but that's changing in Korea as well... slowly accepting more cultures and mixed marriages. Japan needs to start thinking about how to INTEGRATE younger foreign people into Japan... not the short-term thinking of integrating foreign people's money into Japan for a few months.
It’s all derivatives of the old Chinese Hong Kong deal: they want western money and business but not us. So they make a metaphorical “island” to isolate us. There is no “integration plan” they’re basically just using the west. These Asian places are famous for resisting immigration for centuries, and nothing is going to change during our lifetimes.
I think you're right about this visa just legalising tele-work. But I don't think this is much of an issue. Realistically this is just another form of the working-holiday visa without the requirement or working in Japan. I think a lot of people will travel around the country and I kinda think that's the point. It's not aimed at people wanting to live in Japan but those who want an extended holiday. Understandably, those who want an easy ticket into residency in Japan are unhappy with it but the Japanese government is currently not interested in those sort of people.
Thank you for posting this. The visa is SUCH a Japanese solution... tepid and worthless. If they were serious about tourism and the economy they'd allow people to actually migrate. This is just a repeat of the whole 2nd-gen foreigner problem... instead of allowing them to integrate into Japanese society, it's a constant reminder that they're a visitor to Japan being "allowed" to reside there.
As someone who has lived in Japan, 6 months is nothing. You would struggle to get an apartment, and basically settle into the country just to have to turn around and leave. Honestly doesn’t make much sense to me…
The sudden leo-palace shade had me rolling LOL But all seriously ... 6month visa is kinda.. huh? And lately without a Japanese phone (most foreign tourist SIM cards won't suffice) there are a lot of things you can't do in Japan. /// On the flip side... knowing this and working at a hotel... I can see some business opportunities for temp. hotel/office places around the country just for people who want to come with this visa.
So as a British passport holder who can get 6 months tourist visa without having to earn 10mil then why on earth would you apply for this 6 month digital nomad visa without any perks? Great Japanese logic. Also just watched one of your other videos about permanent residency. I’m applying for mine this year so 🤞
My question is how soon can you renew the nomad visa? Do you have to go home for three months and then can you renew it after that? Or even come back over with the tourist visa for another three months? Or is it just a one time thing per year where if you get a nomad visa you can’t come back on tourist visa at all for the next 12 months?
I don't know about coming back as a tourist but if you want to renew you have to wait another six months (aka six months out of every year. Maybe doing tourist visa in between is a loop hole but I think if you tried to get a visa again after adding tourist visa you might have a scrutinized application)
Interesting. Without a residency status for 12+ months, and without a residence card, as you pointed out, you can't get a bank account, you can't get a phone, you can't rent an apartment like all of the other residency statuses. I suppose if you take the name "nomad" at face value, a "nomad" wouldn't be renting an apartment for a year+. One more big benefit for living in Japan vs. living in the US is that medicine, while excellent (especially if you speak Japanese), is a mere fraction of the cost of medicine in the US. But with this nomad visa, no Japanese healthcare is another thing that can be added to the list. You can go, of course, but you have to pay the full amount. That will invariably be much cheaper than in the US, but you'd pay very low insurance premiums and the out of pocket would be just 30% of the full price. Perhaps not giving digital nomads access to this insurance is another reason for not granting 12-month status. I wonder how medical coverage in those other countries like Singapore, Taiwan, Korea compare with Japan -- in terms of quality and cost. Thanks for doing the research! BTW a "digital nomad" friend was here in Japan before the visa started (on a 90-day shorrt term visa) and was able to get a 30m2 (300 square foot) utilities and internet included apartment right in front of Nagoya station for about $1000/month. That's cheaper and more comfortable than staying at a business hotel for sure. But because of all the red tape with the Japanese visa situation, he ended up choosing another country to live and work in.
most country that have visa free entry allow to stay for 30 to 90 days, just leave the country and stay 24 hrs in a nearby country and come back, no need visa. also as many ppl might have said, Japan is great place for travel but not so great place for living. japan and korea is 90 days for most countries just switch btw the two every 90 days. if you add HK, Macau and Taiwan you basically can be overseas forever.
Sometimes trying to access important accounts from a VPN is considered a red flag and can get you locked out of your accounts jsyk, and many won't allow you to at all.
Absolutely agree here. I can come to Japan for 6 months of the year without applying for a visa, there is no benefit to what I'm usually experiencing. I don't see the point in it. No long term rental, no bank account, no phone no. Maybe the benefit would be that I don't have to leave after 3 months then come back - leaving and coming back can be cheaper than applying for a visa. Let's pretend were doing something without really doing it.
it's so confusing as a UK resident, since we can get 6 months on a tourist visa! also, if they arent making you pay tax in japan, why would they care whether you're making money back home or not? do they actually enforce against making money online on a tourist visa? (like a passive income from digital goods etc)
You can get two 90-day tourist visas. My brother made the mistake of thinking it was 3 months and almost overstayed his trip. Had to hop over to Korea for a day to renew so he didn't overstay.
@@FalseKing98 You can renew the 90-day while in the country... but after 180 days you have to leave to (hopefully) get allowed back in the country. It's low-risk if you're from UK but it's still something that's good to know. To play it 100% safe, if you're going with a friend or partner, time your "renewal" trips separately so someone can be in the country to collect your stuff.
@@TheNewGreenIsBlue Thank you for the info! I'm going for my first trip (solo) later this year but only 5 weeks so I'd imagine I'd be safe to do another trip next year too (up to 3 months?), not into longer term living stuff yet, wanna get a feel for things first.
@@FalseKing98 Oh yeah, you'll have no problem. My brother did 90 days at first and then went back for a working holiday visa, , extending into two 90-day back-to-back (which ended up being 182 days with a quick nightly trip to Korea near the end.
The Tourist Visa is looking like the way to go. Finding a place to rent may take time but sounds like it’s not totally impossible. That’s something you can do well before you go to Japan. Maybe. I’d reenlist if I could stay on Base overseas. I’m too old now though 😅
It’s absolutely worthless. Six months, no extensions? They need to be following Portugal’s lead: 1 year, extendable to 2 years at a time, permanent residency pathway at 5 total years. I’d like to bring my whole family (young kids and teens that like Japan as well), and my $180k usd remote job there, today. But instead , I’m stymied at every turn to try to bring my skills, money, and frankly workforce to Japan. I can’t sell my whole existence in the U.S. for 6 months.
@@done.6191 HSP visa? That's the real fast track to PR. That's what I'm on and at your salary you might be eligible (but they'll also factor age, degree, years worked, Jp level)
I’m surprised they have that! I was just watching news saying that the countries more touristy areas are suffering due to foreigners. Things being broken and leaving garbage, etc.
My husband and I were kind of looking at this visa as our only hope for a long term stay. I was hoping we could just renew it twice like the tourist visa and then we could live our dream to spend one year in japan but that's not allowed so we're kinda stuck with not knowing how to spend a year in japan now without actually working for a Japanese company. We both have good work from home jobs and we're just not interested in giving those up for a temporary stay. We might still do the digital nomad as for now its still the best we can get
Hi, I just discovered your channel and I love that you make it kind of accesible for both Japanese and foreigners, something that I rarely see in other channels that talks about Japan. That way I can share this content with my Japanese wife and it would be more easy for her to understand too as she isn’t fluent in English yet. Since my salary isn’t enough to apply to this type of visa the only option for me to live there more than 3 months is the spouse visa, but since I don’t know how much money we need for long term stay in Japan I think I’ll need to gather more information before applying.
My Japanese friends have been sending me links about this saying I should apply. I cant think of a situation why anyone would apply for this, it seems worse than a tourist visa. I could stay 6 months a year anyway if i wanted. When I first came to Japan it was on a working holiday visa, valid for 12 months allowing Gaijin Card, options to rent, bank account etc. Digital Nomad visa is useless. Maybe it is intended for people from countries that dont have a 90/180 day tourist visa policy?
So glad I found your channel. I've been wondering about this visa and I appreciate your thoughtful breakdown. Seems like everyone wants to be Bali...(Meanwhile the local Balinese are shaking their heads.)
Maybe I am the only one thinking this but if you live in Japan and work in a time zone like US EST, you are basically working while others are sleeping and sleeping while others are awake. I’ve always considered the Japanese to be very considerate of their neighbors and would be wary of working while they are sleeping, being on video and audio calls, making noise because I’m making myself tea at 2 AM JST (1 PM EST). Basically, I want to be as considerate in return and fear being the cause of lack of sleep. Am I overthinking this?
I get that! I had a rough time during Covid when our clients were in the states and Europe so all my business trips became huddled 3am zoomcalls 😩😩😩 Hopefully said nomad can also handle the timezones of necessary. Good luck to you!!!!
My goal is to live/work in Japan for a period of time in a 3 years after my Masters. This digital nomad visa does not sound appealing, or an adequate stepping stone towards emigration.
I can only see this really being a grab for transitional workers who might want to enter the Japanese workforce and maybe consider residency. The requirements are really....interesting. I was also wondering if this was one of the ideas they came up with for people to come and fill in empty spaces since there are so many country houses and towns that are low in population, but a digital nomad woulld need internet and I'm assuming it would be spotty at best.
It could be a springboard to the investor visa or the start-up visa. 10 million JPY is a high barrier for just 6 months. Well, it keeps the gremlins out for a while.
Thanks for the explanation and breaking down the local news article, Loretta - especially that the digital nomad is not for those looking to stay long-term in Japan. However, I think the digital nomad visa was never for people to stay long-term, it was a means to draw high-earning individuals to spend and boost Japan’s economy. At 6 months, most individuals will not look into things like opening a Japanese bank account and phone plans can be bought online - or through their home provider. For housing, good or bad, a lot of foreigners are coming in to buy old houses, especially in inaka, and redeveloping as Airbnb for fellow foreigners (like digital nomads) to stay. After Japan, if they can afford, digital nomads will simply jump to the next place, and do the same thing over again! P.S. Is there a video where you explain how you came up with the name, KemushiChan?
Looks like an opportunity for someone who already lives in Japan (e.g. as a permanent residence) to buy up a bunch of akiya in beautiful areas, renovate them, and rent them to folks in the country on the digital nomad visa.
My husband and I are both 100% remote workers and were looking at slowly travelling around Japan in the coming year. I could see this visa working for us because then we can go slower. But if one was wanting to stay in the same place, accommodation would be such an issue. Maybe someone should start a chain of hotels for digital nomads.
Dang, Japan knows how to keep one on their A-game when it comes to Visas. LOVING the t-shirt and if your dad looks way different this Father's Day don't worry. I'll send him back right after all of the steaks are eaten. (Mmmm steaks)
So are most Americans living in Japan looking to eventually be one a Japanese citizen? That is pretty bold if they are. I would never give up my U.S citizenship. I wouldn’t mind a permanent green card in Japan though.
I wonder how the "company outside of Japan" bit works exactly. My company has one location in Japan, but what I do has nothing to do with the "international" side of the business. Would I be out of luck for the visa?
As long as you work for the non-Japanese branch, you should be fine. For example Nintendo of Canada... and Nintendo Japan are separate companies. If you "transferred" to Nintendo Japan... that wouldn't work... but as long as you work for the Canadian branch and get paid in CAD$, you're fine.
You become a taxable resident in Japan if you live over 180 days, which is why the Digital Nomad Visa only is for citizens with tax treaties with Japan. This is a really bad visa policy as we have no need for foreigners who don't pay tax in Japan.
Note that they do pay tax in Japan on everything they consume. In addition, rental income gets added to the landlord's taxes which go to the government. Realistically, income tax pays for roads/military/government programs/childcare/infrastructure/schools/etc. which if you're staying for 6 months... don't really benefit all that much from. I have no problem with that issue... as it also means (as far as I understand) that you have to have your own private medical as well... but you're right that not offering a longer term option where you integrate better into Japan and have a path to residency... is a mistake. I suspect this is really to appease the xenophobes... most of whom are the voters and are still remembering Japan's bubble years days... and probably living off the proceeds of such. I doubt you'll see any sizeable change in foreign policy or immigration policy until those born post-bubble start getting into government positions.
lol 100k for 6 months tourist like visa? It’s sounds even more like joke when you realize that median IT (good) salary in Japan is only 30-40k for a whole year)))
@10:25 ymthe financial stimulus of brining in US dollars into the Japanese economy + diverse talent can help to stimulate the economy. Digital nomads also tend to be entrepreneurial so there is higher chance they create business in Japan
Interesting video, thanks for sharing Ms. Kemushi. Just curious what is the source for 10:31 to 10:43 「年収1000万はアメリカの自動車期間工のアルバイトで達成可能だ。日本だと年収400万円の期間工の年収相当ですね。世界との給与格差については広がるばかりで、基準設定に悩んだ事と思う。」 Also, anyone know what Kemushichan's JLPT score is? I'm curious if N1 is required for the kind of work she does in her industry as a full-time employee.
That comment is on the same forbes article (about two pages in). I have a video about how I passed JLPT N1 and how not to fail. Tl/Dr, read a lot like the article snippet you did.
Seemed like a totally pointless visa. With how Japan rentals work this is pointless. You mayaswell just get a stamp. From the UK you get 90 days on arrival and can extend 90 days. This nomad visa just adds a bunch more steps and in return... nothing.
@@beverlyhills7883 I agree, this is not for everyone and made in typical Japanese way. However I got the DN visa and right now in Tokyo, working. So, it is not that bad.
It's long because it's relevant to the video. It's not hello fresh, It's a VPN sponsor during a DIGITAL nomad visa video. She was mentioning how VPNs are basically a requirement for using public Wi-Fi while working so your company's data isn't stolen and it goes into her next point of how it'll be hard to guarantee good Wi-Fi because of visa length.
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Sounds like a typical Japan 'introduce an immigration policy without asking a single immigrant' move to me.
Not to mention the "public comment" period I was drawing from, many locals are like "yeah, sure, seems harmless, but also seems useless. What is the point? Why? Why and who does this even benefit? Not the DNs? Not us????"
Be careful about telling them your intentions to immigrate on a temporary visa, it is essentially intent to commit a crime - willful planning to violate the terms of your visa etc.
Iam still waiting on the business manager visa. Hopefully this doesn’t replace it, it’s a serious joke.
Yes, when I have to fly to Barbados to the US Embassy, because my country (St. Lucia) isn't good enough for an embassy, they very much care what I think about their Visa granting policies. Good thing I don't "look like a criminal" and my sons tears convinced them we really just wanted to go to Disney Land
Useless visa.
Loretta is the Japan visa G.O.A.T. Thank you for breaking down the new Japanese Digital Nomad Visa.
I just had to leap on this one 😚😚
The only people I see realistically doing this are making over 100k a year.
Yeah, this is not a long-term visa. You don't even get the benefits exchange students get with the residency card
I remember when the details for this visa dropped, me and my friends had a good laugh. All those conditions for something that's barely better than a tourist visa? Nah. I could almost make all of the requirements, but 6 months, no zairyuu card, and having to wait another 6 months to renew isn't worth the hassle. I'm in Japan right now on a working holiday visa, and I kind of had hoped I could get another year or more with this visa, but I suppose I'll have to return home and say goodbye to Japan for the time being.
Edit: Afaik, to add onto this video, you don't have to have a contract with a company abroad to get your visa. You can have your own independent gig, as long as you have private insurance when you move.
The 10m requirement is very difficult to reach !
For example, I have a phd in computer science and AI in France.
Software Engineer with 10-15 years of experience are in the 53-54k euros range (8m7 yens). Only senior software engineers, around 20 years of experience, can reach the 10m.
Researchers in computer science/mathematics with a phd, 2 years of experience, are usually around 30k euros (4m9 yens).
University teachers starts at 21k euros (3m5 yens).
After a few years (usually 5-8ish), you can have the (HDR) (Ability to conduct researches, which is another diploma you receive, a huge thesis, that summarize all your research this past few years, the projects you planned, the research of the doctoral students you co-supervised …).
With the HDR, you have the status of what we call “Professor” in France.
Then you have a system of rank, like “second class”, “first class”, “exceptional class”.
A “Second-class Professor” (default status) starts at 49k euros (8m yens), and end-up at 60k euros (9m8 yens).
Exceptional class professors, at the end of their career, are at 78k euros, or 12m yens.
So even some University Professors, at the end of their career, if they can’t obtain the First-Class, or Exceptional-class status, can’t obtain this visa ^^
Oh ! Forgot to mention !
It’s what’s happening almost everywhere in France, the default salary grid.
If you live in specific areas (so … near Paris), the cost of living is much higher, so the salaries are higher too.
Our only option is to move to a very expensive city to artificially increase our salary ?! xD
It's a covert way to make it only appealing to Americans, possibly mainly working in IT.
It’s insane.
Shared housing is the most cost effective for medium length stays. Usually no key money, comes with clean services (for a fee). You get your own small bedroom and a large common area for cooking and socializing. Just find a good one, some are shit.
im assuming they have a range of low-end -> upscale shared houses?
Did I really just watch a 5 minute sponsor ad? Holy shit.....
Dude...it was kind of long lol 5 minutes of a 14 minute video is a bit much
I'm interested in this. It's enough to look for a full time remote employer in my industry. The main sticking point for me is finding the short term living part. I can pass the income part but it's not quite enough to do a full service hotel for six months.
They should really change it to 1-2 years and to charge normal taxes on the income, as well as provide services such as healthcare, access to bank accounts, residence card etc. Honestly, why wouldn't they make it possible to renew it indefinitely? They're getting taxes from foreign income (that is, money made abroad by foreigners) and they're spending part of that income in Japan. That sounds like a sweet deal to me, if I was Japan.
Wow that’s definitely just tourism+ and makes no sense. Without a residency card can you even get health insurance?? Pretty sure that’s set up at the city office right so probably not. So you’re not paying taxes nor able to use public services, you’re just a tourist. This is kinda sad because I can see how digital nomads may be drawn to smaller cities with low cost of living and nature which could really help those economies but they have no incentives!
I wonder about the “tourist” that will come on this visa and look for a Japanese job to try to get their visa switched over. Seems like long enough to get a few interviews in
I stayed for 3 months in a foreign-friendly small apartment in Yokohama for under $500 when I was abroad. The company is called Rent-Life Yokohama.
tbh ive thought of doing this. My wife is japanese and we still have a house in japan, so going there and working from that house without needing to pay full taxes and all there would be great for me but im a special case.
This is actually precisely my situation as well, and I'm applying for the digital nomad visa to take full benefits of my US-based remote job while I figure out my long-term situation in Japan. These are really niche usecases though :D
@@itcouldbewill ya agree.
You can just get a spousal visa. I'd be curious to know why you'd opt for a Digital nomad visa instead... I haven't looked into it mind you... and I DO have a Japanese wife.
@@TheNewGreenIsBlue digital nomad means no japanese taxes, spousal means id have to pay taxes. in the US if overseas youre tax exempt for the first like 100k or so of income. So this way id be paying no taxes afaik.
@@AudiaciousLife Would you be covered by Japanese medical, though?
Canada has a bilateral tax treaty with Japan, so I don't think I'd pay taxes anyhow... and I think the Japanese taxes are probably similar or lower than Canadian ones anyhow.
Hmm... I'll have to look into this.
So a tourist visa with strings attached with a validity a day short of tax residency. Sounds like tourism industry lobbying to squeeze a bit more tourist money. By not triggering tax residency it's also a zero risk move for Japan as they don't have to deal with non payment of nenkin, residence tax and income tax. So there's a visa with very little downside to Japan, no upside for applicants and most importantly no risk for J Gov since these people are completely outside all social security systems.
Also no worries about foreigners taking Japanese jobs .I read about some other visas that are better. start up and humanities visas. Have downsides too but much more feasible
I'm glad someone finally did a video on this. And I'm glad one of the commenters mentioned the Digital Nomad Visa in Korea (now officially called the "Workcation Visa"). You initially get it for one year, and it can be extended once, giving the holder up to two years. And just like the Japanese DNV, it's NOT a pathway to residency and it seems like there's no way to pay taxes. You can also bring your family with you, but if the government hasn't mentioned how it's going to work putting a child in public school (or even a private institute) if the parents aren't paying taxes in the district they live in, unless they're expected to be homeschooled...? It's easier to find short-term accommodations here as most people live in one-room flats, but they all require a large deposit (usually the equivalent of one year's rent.) But there are places where the deposit is much lower, meaning you pay more in rent per month in those cases.
To me, both visas seem like a waste of time tbh. Often, people who are doing the digital nomad thing only spend a few weeks/months at one location before moving onto the next...which is what it means to be nomadic--moving around.
The Korean one is better though. At least you can plan for 2 years. As for kids... there are international schools. More expensive than public ones, for sure... but if you're budgeting for it anyhow and have higher income... shouldn't be a problem. And Korean culture is growing and getting popular due to a much more successful (as of late) export of KPop and the like.
Japanese culture export survives despite itself, Korean culture is being actively exported... this is why Kpop and KDramas and KMovies are more popular abroad... they're doing more work to make them more internationally palatable and aren't hostile to fans. Japanese cultural exportation happens despite Japan... as they really have preferred to rely on the domestic Japanese market... for consumption of its culture.
How many Japanese music acts tour outside of Japan? Or make their music and properties available outside of Japan?
All this is to say that I think Japanese people (pre-COIVID at least) were friendlier towards international guests than Koreans overall... but that's changing in Korea as well... slowly accepting more cultures and mixed marriages. Japan needs to start thinking about how to INTEGRATE younger foreign people into Japan... not the short-term thinking of integrating foreign people's money into Japan for a few months.
It’s all derivatives of the old Chinese Hong Kong deal: they want western money and business but not us. So they make a metaphorical “island” to isolate us.
There is no “integration plan” they’re basically just using the west. These Asian places are famous for resisting immigration for centuries, and nothing is going to change during our lifetimes.
It might be okay if your work rents out one place in Japan and after 6 months you leave and your coworker takes your place.
100pt Easter egg: can you spot little superman's little serenade?
0:15
I think you're right about this visa just legalising tele-work. But I don't think this is much of an issue. Realistically this is just another form of the working-holiday visa without the requirement or working in Japan. I think a lot of people will travel around the country and I kinda think that's the point. It's not aimed at people wanting to live in Japan but those who want an extended holiday. Understandably, those who want an easy ticket into residency in Japan are unhappy with it but the Japanese government is currently not interested in those sort of people.
Thank you for posting this. The visa is SUCH a Japanese solution... tepid and worthless. If they were serious about tourism and the economy they'd allow people to actually migrate. This is just a repeat of the whole 2nd-gen foreigner problem... instead of allowing them to integrate into Japanese society, it's a constant reminder that they're a visitor to Japan being "allowed" to reside there.
Nah, they just don’t want to become the next good ol USA lol.
You mean every dn would stay for a long term basis
Could you please talk more about the homestay opportunities in Japan? How to find them?
Where to stay option: seek out homestay families who are open to you staying for 6 months. My host mom would welcome me back gladly.
As someone who has lived in Japan, 6 months is nothing. You would struggle to get an apartment, and basically settle into the country just to have to turn around and leave. Honestly doesn’t make much sense to me…
How long were you living over there ?
Video starts at 6:40
The sudden leo-palace shade had me rolling LOL But all seriously ... 6month visa is kinda.. huh? And lately without a Japanese phone (most foreign tourist SIM cards won't suffice) there are a lot of things you can't do in Japan. /// On the flip side... knowing this and working at a hotel... I can see some business opportunities for temp. hotel/office places around the country just for people who want to come with this visa.
🫣🫣🫣🫣🤣
ありがとうございます！
こちらこそ、いつもありがとうございます！
So as a British passport holder who can get 6 months tourist visa without having to earn 10mil then why on earth would you apply for this 6 month digital nomad visa without any perks? Great Japanese logic. Also just watched one of your other videos about permanent residency. I’m applying for mine this year so 🤞
Liked the Nord VPN video but the nomad visa ad was a bit too long for me
My question is how soon can you renew the nomad visa? Do you have to go home for three months and then can you renew it after that? Or even come back over with the tourist visa for another three months? Or is it just a one time thing per year where if you get a nomad visa you can’t come back on tourist visa at all for the next 12 months?
I don't know about coming back as a tourist but if you want to renew you have to wait another six months (aka six months out of every year. Maybe doing tourist visa in between is a loop hole but I think if you tried to get a visa again after adding tourist visa you might have a scrutinized application)
Great analysis, Loretta! Seems like Japan is piling on the nomad visa train without considering the ramifications that you so eloquent detailed.
Yearly income requirement well above the average salary in Japan😂
Their way to placate the xenophobes fearing an immigrant wave of law-abiding youths.
"It's only wealthy and rich foreigners we're inviting"
@@TheNewGreenIsBlue Which is a good thing. Japan doesn't need mass immigration.
Interesting. Without a residency status for 12+ months, and without a residence card, as you pointed out, you can't get a bank account, you can't get a phone, you can't rent an apartment like all of the other residency statuses. I suppose if you take the name "nomad" at face value, a "nomad" wouldn't be renting an apartment for a year+. One more big benefit for living in Japan vs. living in the US is that medicine, while excellent (especially if you speak Japanese), is a mere fraction of the cost of medicine in the US. But with this nomad visa, no Japanese healthcare is another thing that can be added to the list. You can go, of course, but you have to pay the full amount. That will invariably be much cheaper than in the US, but you'd pay very low insurance premiums and the out of pocket would be just 30% of the full price. Perhaps not giving digital nomads access to this insurance is another reason for not granting 12-month status. I wonder how medical coverage in those other countries like Singapore, Taiwan, Korea compare with Japan -- in terms of quality and cost. Thanks for doing the research! BTW a "digital nomad" friend was here in Japan before the visa started (on a 90-day shorrt term visa) and was able to get a 30m2 (300 square foot) utilities and internet included apartment right in front of Nagoya station for about $1000/month. That's cheaper and more comfortable than staying at a business hotel for sure. But because of all the red tape with the Japanese visa situation, he ended up choosing another country to live and work in.
so much crucial and helpful info, thank you so much for this video. :-)
most country that have visa free entry allow to stay for 30 to 90 days, just leave the country and stay 24 hrs in a nearby country and come back, no need visa. also as many ppl might have said, Japan is great place for travel but not so great place for living. japan and korea is 90 days for most countries just switch btw the two every 90 days. if you add HK, Macau and Taiwan you basically can be overseas forever.
True... but there is always the risk of being denied entry when you enter on a tourist visa. It's a risk you take.
I suppose for some people it could work out but you need to tick so many boxes for it to make sense...
Sometimes trying to access important accounts from a VPN is considered a red flag and can get you locked out of your accounts jsyk, and many won't allow you to at all.
Absolutely agree here. I can come to Japan for 6 months of the year without applying for a visa, there is no benefit to what I'm usually experiencing. I don't see the point in it. No long term rental, no bank account, no phone no. Maybe the benefit would be that I don't have to leave after 3 months then come back - leaving and coming back can be cheaper than applying for a visa. Let's pretend were doing something without really doing it.
it's so confusing as a UK resident, since we can get 6 months on a tourist visa! also, if they arent making you pay tax in japan, why would they care whether you're making money back home or not? do they actually enforce against making money online on a tourist visa? (like a passive income from digital goods etc)
You can get two 90-day tourist visas. My brother made the mistake of thinking it was 3 months and almost overstayed his trip. Had to hop over to Korea for a day to renew so he didn't overstay.
@@TheNewGreenIsBlue ahhh! good to know, I was trying to dig into if that was the way it worked or not and there was little info i could find.
@@FalseKing98 You can renew the 90-day while in the country... but after 180 days you have to leave to (hopefully) get allowed back in the country.
It's low-risk if you're from UK but it's still something that's good to know. To play it 100% safe, if you're going with a friend or partner, time your "renewal" trips separately so someone can be in the country to collect your stuff.
@@TheNewGreenIsBlue Thank you for the info! I'm going for my first trip (solo) later this year but only 5 weeks so I'd imagine I'd be safe to do another trip next year too (up to 3 months?), not into longer term living stuff yet, wanna get a feel for things first.
@@FalseKing98 Oh yeah, you'll have no problem. My brother did 90 days at first and then went back for a working holiday visa, , extending into two 90-day back-to-back (which ended up being 182 days with a quick nightly trip to Korea near the end.
The Tourist Visa is looking like the way to go. Finding a place to rent may take time but sounds like it’s not totally impossible. That’s something you can do well before you go to Japan. Maybe. I’d reenlist if I could stay on Base overseas. I’m too old now though 😅
It’s absolutely worthless. Six months, no extensions? They need to be following Portugal’s lead: 1 year, extendable to 2 years at a time, permanent residency pathway at 5 total years. I’d like to bring my whole family (young kids and teens that like Japan as well), and my $180k usd remote job there, today. But instead , I’m stymied at every turn to try to bring my skills, money, and frankly workforce to Japan. I can’t sell my whole existence in the U.S. for 6 months.
@@done.6191 HSP visa? That's the real fast track to PR. That's what I'm on and at your salary you might be eligible (but they'll also factor age, degree, years worked, Jp level)
What are they talking about? There's no part-time auto workers in the States making $100K/yr. Especially none that can work remotely
I’m surprised they have that! I was just watching news saying that the countries more touristy areas are suffering due to foreigners. Things being broken and leaving garbage, etc.
My husband and I were kind of looking at this visa as our only hope for a long term stay. I was hoping we could just renew it twice like the tourist visa and then we could live our dream to spend one year in japan but that's not allowed so we're kinda stuck with not knowing how to spend a year in japan now without actually working for a Japanese company. We both have good work from home jobs and we're just not interested in giving those up for a temporary stay. We might still do the digital nomad as for now its still the best we can get
Hi, I just discovered your channel and I love that you make it kind of accesible for both Japanese and foreigners, something that I rarely see in other channels that talks about Japan. That way I can share this content with my Japanese wife and it would be more easy for her to understand too as she isn’t fluent in English yet.
Since my salary isn’t enough to apply to this type of visa the only option for me to live there more than 3 months is the spouse visa, but since I don’t know how much money we need for long term stay in Japan I think I’ll need to gather more information before applying.
My Japanese friends have been sending me links about this saying I should apply. I cant think of a situation why anyone would apply for this, it seems worse than a tourist visa. I could stay 6 months a year anyway if i wanted. When I first came to Japan it was on a working holiday visa, valid for 12 months allowing Gaijin Card, options to rent, bank account etc. Digital Nomad visa is useless. Maybe it is intended for people from countries that dont have a 90/180 day tourist visa policy?
Damn, this isn't the way for me. One day, the timing will be right and I'll get there. One day
7 minutes in and no information on the visa....
this is a 2 minute video's worth of information
So glad I found your channel. I've been wondering about this visa and I appreciate your thoughtful breakdown. Seems like everyone wants to be Bali...(Meanwhile the local Balinese are shaking their heads.)
10 million yen, the dream
Maybe I am the only one thinking this but if you live in Japan and work in a time zone like US EST, you are basically working while others are sleeping and sleeping while others are awake. I’ve always considered the Japanese to be very considerate of their neighbors and would be wary of working while they are sleeping, being on video and audio calls, making noise because I’m making myself tea at 2 AM JST (1 PM EST). Basically, I want to be as considerate in return and fear being the cause of lack of sleep. Am I overthinking this?
I get that! I had a rough time during Covid when our clients were in the states and Europe so all my business trips became huddled 3am zoomcalls 😩😩😩
Hopefully said nomad can also handle the timezones of necessary. Good luck to you!!!!
証明写真の椅子
クルクル大変だよな(*´ﾉ∀`*)
Great Tshirt! Thanks for the video.
My goal is to live/work in Japan for a period of time in a 3 years after my Masters. This digital nomad visa does not sound appealing, or an adequate stepping stone towards emigration.
It's the slurping of taxes for me.
6.39 for the actual info jesus christ
I can only see this really being a grab for transitional workers who might want to enter the Japanese workforce and maybe consider residency. The requirements are really....interesting. I was also wondering if this was one of the ideas they came up with for people to come and fill in empty spaces since there are so many country houses and towns that are low in population, but a digital nomad woulld need internet and I'm assuming it would be spotty at best.
It could be a springboard to the investor visa or the start-up visa. 10 million JPY is a high barrier for just 6 months. Well, it keeps the gremlins out for a while.
Korea introduced a similar Digital Nomad visa that is only 2 years maximum! Even worse
You think on another level. I am learning much!
Thanks for the explanation and breaking down the local news article, Loretta - especially that the digital nomad is not for those looking to stay long-term in Japan. However, I think the digital nomad visa was never for people to stay long-term, it was a means to draw high-earning individuals to spend and boost Japan’s economy. At 6 months, most individuals will not look into things like opening a Japanese bank account and phone plans can be bought online - or through their home provider. For housing, good or bad, a lot of foreigners are coming in to buy old houses, especially in inaka, and redeveloping as Airbnb for fellow foreigners (like digital nomads) to stay. After Japan, if they can afford, digital nomads will simply jump to the next place, and do the same thing over again!
P.S. Is there a video where you explain how you came up with the name, KemushiChan?
Looks like an opportunity for someone who already lives in Japan (e.g. as a permanent residence) to buy up a bunch of akiya in beautiful areas, renovate them, and rent them to folks in the country on the digital nomad visa.
I worked remotely in Japan using my 90-day visa. I made no impact on Japanese society. I spent 90 days at a random Cafe in Tokyo. LOL.
Sounds like you worked illegally
@@charlene6306 I'm a freelance designer and decided to stay in Japan for 90 days. How's that illegal?
My husband and I are both 100% remote workers and were looking at slowly travelling around Japan in the coming year. I could see this visa working for us because then we can go slower.
But if one was wanting to stay in the same place, accommodation would be such an issue. Maybe someone should start a chain of hotels for digital nomads.
Are family members eligible under the digital nomad visa?
Maybe digital nomads could buy akiya, live in them for 6 months then rent them to other digital nomada for the off-6 months?
thank you for video, was informative. I would like you to talk about business visa, for those who want to start or move a business to Japan.
Dang, Japan knows how to keep one on their A-game when it comes to Visas. LOVING the t-shirt and if your dad looks way different this Father's Day don't worry. I'll send him back right after all of the steaks are eaten. (Mmmm steaks)
So are most Americans living in Japan looking to eventually be one a Japanese citizen? That is pretty bold if they are. I would never give up my U.S citizenship. I wouldn’t mind a permanent green card in Japan though.
I wonder how the "company outside of Japan" bit works exactly. My company has one location in Japan, but what I do has nothing to do with the "international" side of the business. Would I be out of luck for the visa?
As long as you work for the non-Japanese branch, you should be fine. For example Nintendo of Canada... and Nintendo Japan are separate companies. If you "transferred" to Nintendo Japan... that wouldn't work... but as long as you work for the Canadian branch and get paid in CAD$, you're fine.
You become a taxable resident in Japan if you live over 180 days, which is why the Digital Nomad Visa only is for citizens with tax treaties with Japan. This is a really bad visa policy as we have no need for foreigners who don't pay tax in Japan.
Note that they do pay tax in Japan on everything they consume. In addition, rental income gets added to the landlord's taxes which go to the government. Realistically, income tax pays for roads/military/government programs/childcare/infrastructure/schools/etc. which if you're staying for 6 months... don't really benefit all that much from.
I have no problem with that issue... as it also means (as far as I understand) that you have to have your own private medical as well... but you're right that not offering a longer term option where you integrate better into Japan and have a path to residency... is a mistake. I suspect this is really to appease the xenophobes... most of whom are the voters and are still remembering Japan's bubble years days... and probably living off the proceeds of such.
I doubt you'll see any sizeable change in foreign policy or immigration policy until those born post-bubble start getting into government positions.
Tourist visa with a weekend trip to South Korea is 100x less hassle.
Not to mention availability for Japan healthcare too, this visa kind of reminds me of when they were making it so hard to enter with work during covid
lol 100k for 6 months tourist like visa? It’s sounds even more like joke when you realize that median IT (good) salary in Japan is only 30-40k for a whole year)))
The sponsor segment was so long I almost gave up with the video
Glad you stayed! 😀
BROOKLYN vs EVERYBODY 💯 n we everywhere even in japan
What if you sign 2 year lease and just have a second apartment? Or just pay upfront?
Seems kinda lame to me, but it's a start.
Is the Yen that weak? OMG
Farm stays sound good.
Japan: - cries in fax machine noises -
I mean, if you're living in Japan and use the local infrastructure, using the commons there, *of course* you should be paying taxes in Japan.
@10:25 ymthe financial stimulus of brining in US dollars into the Japanese economy + diverse talent can help to stimulate the economy. Digital nomads also tend to be entrepreneurial so there is higher chance they create business in Japan
she doesnt even know what dual tax treaties are?????
9:20 wasn't expecting that 😂😂😂
Is this visa available yet?
Interesting video, thanks for sharing Ms. Kemushi. Just curious what is the source for 10:31 to 10:43 「年収1000万はアメリカの自動車期間工のアルバイトで達成可能だ。日本だと年収400万円の期間工の年収相当ですね。世界との給与格差については広がるばかりで、基準設定に悩んだ事と思う。」
Also, anyone know what Kemushichan's JLPT score is? I'm curious if N1 is required for the kind of work she does in her industry as a full-time employee.
That comment is on the same forbes article (about two pages in). I have a video about how I passed JLPT N1 and how not to fail. Tl/Dr, read a lot like the article snippet you did.
Japan is 32nd in economy?😮
Seemed like a totally pointless visa. With how Japan rentals work this is pointless. You mayaswell just get a stamp. From the UK you get 90 days on arrival and can extend 90 days. This nomad visa just adds a bunch more steps and in return... nothing.
14 minutes long video, zero information about nomad visa
She's telling you not to bother. If you can't figure that out then try some other country?
@@beverlyhills7883 I agree, this is not for everyone and made in typical Japanese way. However I got the DN visa and right now in Tokyo, working. So, it is not that bad.
that's a long as sponsor spot.. instant dislike.
It's long because it's relevant to the video. It's not hello fresh, It's a VPN sponsor during a DIGITAL nomad visa video. She was mentioning how VPNs are basically a requirement for using public Wi-Fi while working so your company's data isn't stolen and it goes into her next point of how it'll be hard to guarantee good Wi-Fi because of visa length.
Sounds interesting, but I already have a visa so I'm good.
Waste of time…6months not enough
The actual lesson here should be that you shouldnt be using autofocus. Just turn it off :p
Heaven forfend they do anything sensible instead, like offer citizenship to Koreans who've lived there for five generations.
All the Japan visas are a joke (except the wifu visa, but it's impossible to marry a Japanese) so the student visa is best.
Love these sponsors :)
🎉🎉🎉 clicked so fast
Are you sure it can't just be renewed after six months?
No it can't. You have to leave for six months before being able to reapply.