I saw a few months back a vague article about Japan trying to attract digital nomads (not really what I exactly want to be, I want to move permanently), but I am very comfortable in my remote job. At the minimum I don’t think I could go back to working in person, but I’m really hesitant giving up my job in general (I’ve already clarified with my employer that the issue is not on their end, we’re a small company and he’s open to me working from anywhere, though obviously there’s complications there too).
I’m not sure if it’s just worth giving up the dream or if anybody has more info about potential options coming up. I’ve already done a bit of research but I can’t find much more information on where things stand. If it’s simply just waiting another year or two I can probably do that, my job feels very stable, but if there’s no way to make it work with my current situation and it doesn’t feel hopeful for the near future then I think I need to explore other options! Any info would be great.
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This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
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**Is the thought of a DN or remote worker visa DOA?**
I saw a few months back a vague article about Japan trying to attract digital nomads (not really what I exactly want to be, I want to move permanently), but I am very comfortable in my remote job. At the minimum I don’t think I could go back to working in person, but I’m really hesitant giving up my job in general (I’ve already clarified with my employer that the issue is not on their end, we’re a small company and he’s open to me working from anywhere, though obviously there’s complications there too).
I’m not sure if it’s just worth giving up the dream or if anybody has more info about potential options coming up. I’ve already done a bit of research but I can’t find much more information on where things stand. If it’s simply just waiting another year or two I can probably do that, my job feels very stable, but if there’s no way to make it work with my current situation and it doesn’t feel hopeful for the near future then I think I need to explore other options! Any info would be great.
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They are considering it, but it seems like it will be at least one year if not more until they will introduce such a visa. However, there’s really no information beyond them saying that they’re considering it, so everything is speculation. I wouldn’t make any life decisions based on the possibility of such a visa existing at some point in the future
This year they introduced the J-Skip and J-Find programs. I’d expect they’ll not introduce any more new statuses for at least another year or two.
The trouble with a digital nomad type status is that there are a great number of laws that apply to employers here. Required filings, social payments, taxes, liability, etc. The ministry of foreign affairs would have a great deal of negotiations to perform with the national tax agency, the ministry of justice, the ministry of health, labour, and welfare, and probably some other government bodies.
They’ve certainly announced that they’re looking at it. With more countries offering them it helps to provide some example frameworks that can be reviewed and potentially adapted. But I wouldn’t expect to see something this decade (happy to be surprised though).