# Japan digital nomad visa, J-Skip and J-Find: who each one is for

URL: https://japanhow.com/visa/visas/digital-nomad-visa-japan/
Author: JapanHow editors
Updated: Nov 3, 2026

## Summary

Japan's digital nomad visa is a Designated Activities status for people who work remotely for a foreign employer or clients. As of November 2026 it needs personal income of ¥10 million a year, medical insurance covering ¥10 million of treatment, and a nationality on a list of about 50 visa-waiver, tax-treaty countries. It lasts up to 6 months, cannot be renewed and gives no residence card. J-Skip and J-Find are different: J-Skip is for very high earners, J-Find for graduates of top overseas universities.

## Key facts

- Digital nomad income: ¥10 million a year or more
- Stay: Up to 6 months, no renewal
- Residence card: None issued
- J-Find: Up to 2 years, ¥200,000 savings

Japan's digital nomad visa lets you stay **up to 6 months** while working remotely for a foreign employer or clients, if you earn **¥10 million a year or more** and hold a nationality on a short government list. As of November 2026 it cannot be renewed and comes without a residence card. J-Skip and J-Find are separate schemes for very high earners and for graduates of top universities.

**Informational only:** This page summarizes Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA) pages. It is not advice on your case. For an application, consider a certified administrative scrivener (行政書士) and confirm details with the ISA information center (0570-013904).

## Digital nomad visa: the rules

The status is Designated Activities (特定活動) under notification No. 53. The ISA lists these conditions:

| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Income | Personal annual income of ¥10 million or more at the time of application |
| Insurance | Travel or other medical insurance covering death, injury and illness for the whole stay, with treatment costs covered up to at least ¥10 million |
| Nationality | A country or region on the ISA list (see below) |
| Stay | Up to 6 months, not renewable |
| Residence card | Not issued |
| Family | A spouse or child you support can get a matching status (notification No. 54), also for up to 6 months |

You may do remote work for a foreign company under an employment contract using ICT, or sell paid services or goods to people abroad, as long as the work does not require you to be in Japan. Work for Japanese organizations is not allowed, and the ISA says permission to work outside this scope is generally not granted. The ISA says you can return after 6 months outside Japan.

## Which nationalities qualify?

The ISA list covers about 50 countries and regions. It includes the US, UK, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Brazil, Turkey and much of Europe. **India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and China do not appear on it.** The ISA publishes a separate, longer list for accompanying spouses and children.

## How to apply

First-time entrants apply for a certificate of eligibility (在留資格認定証明書) through the immigration bureau. The ISA asks for the application form, a photo, a return envelope, an activity plan, income proof such as a tax or income certificate, proof of your job, and a copy of the insurance policy. Documents issued in Japan must be less than 3 months old, and foreign documents need a Japanese translation. Our [certificate of eligibility guide](/visa/visas/certificate-of-eligibility-japan/) explains the process. A change of status exists only for children born in Japan to a holder.

## Already live in Japan?

Then this visa is probably not for you. It was designed for short stays by people who live abroad, and it gives no residence card, no right to renew and no work in Japan for a Japanese employer. If you are on a work or spouse status and want to freelance, read [freelance and side-job rules](/visa/visas/freelance-side-job-visa-japan/) instead. For long-term plans, see the [permanent residency requirements](/visa/residency/permanent-residency-japan-requirements/).

## J-Skip: for very high earners

J-Skip (特別高度人材制度) gives Highly Skilled Professional No. 1 status directly, without the points system. The ISA sets these conditions:

- Academic research, or technical and specialist work: a master's degree or higher **and** ¥20 million a year or more, or 10 or more years of experience **and** ¥20 million a year or more.
- Business management: 5 or more years of management experience **and** ¥40 million a year or more.

Benefits include a 5-year stay, spouse employment, and a permanent residency requirement of 1 year of residence, according to the ISA page. Since the January 2026 system update, J-Skip can be applied for online. See our [Highly Skilled Professional guide](/visa/visas/highly-skilled-professional-visa-japan/) for the points route.

## J-Find: for top-university graduates

J-Find (未来創造人材制度) started in April 2023. If you graduated from an eligible overseas university, you can stay in Japan for up to 2 years to job-hunt or prepare a startup, under Designated Activities. The ISA sets these conditions:

- The university ranks 100th or higher in at least 2 of the 3 rankings the ISA uses (QS, THE and ARWU). The ISA keeps a university list, last updated January 2026.
- You received your degree within the past 5 years.
- You have savings of ¥200,000 or more at the time of application.

A spouse and children can apply too. See our guides to [job-hunting visas](/visa/visas/job-hunting-visa-japan/) and the [startup visa](/visa/visas/startup-visa-japan/) for what comes next.

## Which one fits?

| You are... | Look at |
|---|---|
| Employed abroad, earning ¥10M or more, from a listed country, staying under 6 months | Digital nomad visa |
| Earning ¥20M or more with a master's degree or 10 years of experience | J-Skip |
| A recent graduate of a top-100 university who wants to find work in Japan | J-Find |
| Anyone else who wants to work in Japan | An employer-sponsored work status such as [Engineer/Specialist](/visa/visas/engineer-humanities-visa-japan/) |

## Questions people ask

### Can I use the digital nomad visa if I already live in Japan?

It is built for people who come to Japan for a short remote-work stay. The ISA page describes a certificate of eligibility for first-time entrants and a change of status only for children born in Japan to a holder. Residents on a work, spouse or other long-term status have no reason to switch to it.

### Which nationalities can get the digital nomad visa?

Only those on the ISA's list of about 50 countries and regions, which are visa-waiver countries with a tax treaty. It includes the US, UK, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Brazil, Turkey and much of Europe. India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and China are not on it.

### How much do I need to earn for the Japan digital nomad visa?

The ISA requires personal annual income of ¥10 million or more at the time of application, plus a travel or medical insurance policy that covers at least ¥10 million of treatment costs.

### Can digital nomads work for Japanese companies?

No. The permitted work is for a foreign company or organization under an employment contract using ICT, or providing paid services or goods to people abroad. Work for Japanese organizations is not allowed, and permission to work outside this scope is generally not granted.

### What is the difference between J-Skip and J-Find?

J-Skip is a fast track to Highly Skilled Professional status for very high earners, starting at ¥20 million a year. J-Find is a Designated Activities status of up to 2 years for graduates of top-ranked overseas universities who want to job-hunt or prepare a startup in Japan.

## Sources

- [デジタルノマド（国際的なリモートワーカー）に係る特定活動](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities10_00001.html), Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
- [対象国・地域一覧 (digital nomad, notification Nos. 53 and 54)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001416527.pdf), Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
- [J-Find (未来創造人材制度)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities51.html), Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
- [J-Skip (特別高度人材制度)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyuukokukanri01_00009.html), Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) (accessed Nov 3, 2026)