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Japan to introduce six-month residency visa for 'digital nomads'

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Re: Japan to introduce six-month residency visa for 'digital nomads'

#71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pretending to be a tourist is a good way to get deported usually in a lot of places.

Is it? I know that legally they could deport you so its not a great idea, but how often does someone actually get deported for doing remote work while spending a few months in another country?

Literally never. This topic is one of those things that draws resentful ruleboys out of the woodwork to preach about something they have no firsthand knowledge of because none exists.

Re: Japan to introduce six-month residency visa for 'digital nomads'

#72
post #2

The salary requirement seems harsh for people working on non-profit, self-funded or early-stage.

Japan is a country that is expensive to live in. Having minimum salary requirements already filters out the type of 'digital nomad' who would otherwise become a burden on society or those who merely seek immigration from Africa or South Asia under the disguise of the 'digital nomad'.

Japan is not particularly expensive. It's significantly cheaper than USA, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, NZ, etc.

US$68,000 is enough for a very comfortable life there.

Re: Japan to introduce six-month residency visa for 'digital nomads'

#73

In most countries you can't do any kind of work while in a tourist Visa, but this was never enforced, because it was so exceedingly rare for not to be on governments radar. But once it became more prevalent, it creates the problem (on governments view, especially post 9/11) of having a bunch of foreign folks living for months and receiving money from abroad for god knows which reason. This creates the problem for law…

It's more about taxes. If you apply for a working visa you can be flagged as having revenue generated while in the country, so you'll pay an income tax on it.

The other side of it is visa overstay: it's more financially viable for working people to overstay their visa, where pure tourist have to go back at some point.

Terrorists will be flagged whatever they do, as international money transfers are already heavily scrutinized and under a working visa you still have to declare your work.

Re: Japan to introduce six-month residency visa for 'digital nomads'

#74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

180 days doesn't even make one a Japanese tax resident. In Dubai one can get a 1-year digital nomad visa for $300 with tax residency and/or even 5/10-year Golden Visa with tax residency and the need to spend only a few months there.

I think for many the idea of spending a few months in Dubai is close to spending a few months in hell...

...or nice warm winters. Nobody wants to be there between June-September, but outside that it's much better than suffering in rainy gloomy Scotland or another unfortunate European country. And your tax is 0% as a bonus. There is also Andorra with 10% tax but it can get ugly during autumn/winter there as well.

Re: Japan to introduce six-month residency visa for 'digital nomads'

#75

In most countries you can't do any kind of work while in a tourist Visa, but this was never enforced, because it was so exceedingly rare for not to be on governments radar. But once it became more prevalent, it creates the problem (on governments view, especially post 9/11) of having a bunch of foreign folks living for months and receiving money from abroad for god knows which reason. This creates the problem for law…

>So, for law enforcement purposes, it makes sense to have an specific kind of Visa for those "working tourists", so they can pre-filter this population and get back to a smaller working set of persons of interest So I guess terrorists/bad actors won't get the idea to apply for this Visa to fly under the radar then?

Applying for a visa probably entails explaining where your money is coming from, such low effort barriers actually helps a ton since most criminals aren't very conscientious.

Re: Japan to introduce six-month residency visa for 'digital nomads'

#76
post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Everyone’s preferences differ when it comes to travel destinations. What may not have worked for you might actually be great for someone else. Ultimately, the decision to visit a destination should be based on personal interests and experiences.

Sure, I just remember on my last day in Japan I actually felt sadness that I didn't find whatever I was looking for, despite seeing like 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites, but essentially didn't make any lasting connection on a personal level with anyone due to being unable to break the formal shell of anyone. Total opposite to e.g. Brazil when one could make friends in 5 minutes and those folks remembered you for years…

To each their own - I think its rather crass to castigate a whole country because your own travel didn't find whatever deeper level bond you were searching for.

I for one am suspect at being able make a good friend that lasts forever in 5 minutes. That sounds more like power dynamics in that you had something to offer them then some kind of mutual friendship based on shared interests. That said to each their own.

Re: Japan to introduce six-month residency visa for 'digital nomads'

#77
post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Obviously this type of visa is aimed at getting people to spend money in the country. Why would they want people with no money?

How is everyone reading this as me saying "no money"? You can have significantly less than $58k provable income and live very nicely while travelling. Is this some silicon valley bubble thing?

"No money" is obviously a figure of speech. I rephrase: Why would they want people with "significantly less than 58k/68k provable income"?

"Digital nomad" can encompass many and any thing. It seems sensible to target higher earners if they can. It's not about how nicely you think you can live, it's about the benefits a country seeks in letting foreigners in.

Re: Japan to introduce six-month residency visa for 'digital nomads'

#78

In most countries you can't do any kind of work while in a tourist Visa, but this was never enforced, because it was so exceedingly rare for not to be on governments radar. But once it became more prevalent, it creates the problem (on governments view, especially post 9/11) of having a bunch of foreign folks living for months and receiving money from abroad for god knows which reason. This creates the problem for law…

>So, for law enforcement purposes, it makes sense to have an specific kind of Visa for those "working tourists", so they can pre-filter this population and get back to a smaller working set of persons of interest So I guess terrorists/bad actors won't get the idea to apply for this Visa to fly under the radar then?

[deleted]

Re: Japan to introduce six-month residency visa for 'digital nomads'

#79
People seem to underestimate how limiting tourist visas actually are.

Imagine you sell digital products automated or something like that. You would have to literally shut your website down if you go somewhere on a tourist visa so you don't accidently make money.

You might think there are exceptions, but no there usually aren't.

And now imagine you actually live from a digital business you run yourself. You literally can't travel on a tourist visa.

I can't legally leave the EU, more or less, as I have no control when and where I earn money. I also wouldn't travel so far for just a month or two so this is really speaking to me :)

Re: Japan to introduce six-month residency visa for 'digital nomads'

#80

“The most similar existing status is usually used by tourists, does not allow work and allows a maximum stay of just 90 days” I don’t think that’s correct. A tourist visa doesn’t allow you to work locally but they do not limit working remotely for an overseas company. For example, if you’re on vacation in Japan from the US and an emergency happens at work, you can join a call without risk of deportation.

Well, it is clear that the understanding of Japan's government regarding working with a tourist visa is different than that and that it indeed didn't allow working even if remotely for an overseas company. Otherwise, they wouldn't hassle themselves to introduce a new kind of Visa that is geared towards exactly this kind of situation.

A digital nomad visa serves an important purpose: it allows someone to stay in the country longer than as a tourist. The existence of a digital nomad visa bolsters the understanding that digital nomads are allowed to use a tourist visa.

A working visa is very difficult to get in most countries and requires local sponsorship because of the risk to the local economy — you’re potentially taking a local job from local people. Tourist visas are easy to get because there’s no risk: a tourist arrives, spends money, leaves. A digital nomad is a tourist by every measure.

The reason tourist visas are short is to ensure people don’t move to the country without permission. A digital nomad doesn’t present a risk to the local economy so bumping their length of stay is safe for the local economy, hence, digital nomad visas.

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