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How I Got a Digital Nomad Visa for Japan

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Re: How I Got a Digital Nomad Visa for Japan

#91

Post by warmcompress »

Ylpertnodi wrote: post #56
cedws wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I visited Tokyo from London recently and found it to be much cheaper. A decent meal is half, or less than half of what you would pay here, not to mention healthier. Another comment mentioned taxis are expensive, but I found the opposite, my journey was cheaper than it would have been in London, and the drivers are much more professional. As for apartments, you can live much cheaper and more centrally (~£1500 is the m…

Serious question, and not being flippant: crine in .jp vs .uk? Noticeable?

Answering your comment seriously, with an appropriate level of flippancy:

On the Tokyo metro this year I saw many advertisements for hair issues; lots of ads with balding noggins, contrasted with thick gorgeous heads of hair that you can acquire by making an appointment through a (naturally!) Japanese domain. In London, meanwhile, I saw zero ads for any hair-related products or services on the tube. Though if there were, I would imagine most would be advertised with a UK TLD.

Re: How I Got a Digital Nomad Visa for Japan

#92

Post by n_ary »

internet101010 wrote: post #78
Klonoar wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Eh, I ran a business in Japan and have had that visa. I still tell most people who just want to dip their feet in that the digital nomad visa is totally fine and a good way to go. That stability and perception only matters if you _truly_ want to live here, and quite a number of people spend ~3 months here [1] and realize that it's got issues past the honeymoon period (like anywhere else). There's also no reason you c…

While this is purely anecdotal, the friends I have that ended up bailing earlier than planned got really annoyed by nonsensical things like ATMs having operating hours and having to use a fax machine to do something. They probably weren't the main problem but more straw that broke the camel's back.

Not sure if you are aware, but you described Germany as well. ;)

Re: How I Got a Digital Nomad Visa for Japan

#93

Post by elzbardico »

returningfory2 wrote: post #89
arandomusername wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> what difference does it make if I happen to sit in another country? Because you're breaking the law in that country and your country is actually trying to be help you not do that.

But why is the law this way? Why not permit it?

Those laws where designed before you had the relativelly new phenomenon of digital nomads.

They were created so the local companies wouldn't hire foreign citizens under the table, skirting taxes and depressing wages for local workers, which would be an unpopular outcome amongst voters.

Re: How I Got a Digital Nomad Visa for Japan

#94

Post by onlyrealcuzzo »

laurieg wrote: post #6
jalapenos wrote: post #4

What's the difference between this and just visit twice on a tourist visa?

Is you are on a tourist visa then you cannot work. Actively working as a nomad ok a tourist visa waiver is breaking the law. Of course, nomads often did come and with in this status. They would exist in a grey area, arguing their with was more incidental in nature and bit the reason to be in Japan (just like replying to a few with emails while in holiday). The nomad visa is essentially formalizing this grey area. As…

What is the definition of work?

If you mainly passively own a business in a different country, is that work?

If you mainly passively manage your portfolio of foreign assets, is that work?

Re: How I Got a Digital Nomad Visa for Japan

#95

Post by tayo42 »

shiroiushi wrote: post #46
Klonoar wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> they'll be stuck in hotels the entire time they're here. Eh, Tokyo has plenty of monthly apartment rentals that are effectively corporate rentals that you can do without a residence card. (I used to do this before having an actual visa there) It's functionally better than a hotel, insofar as it doesn't read or act as one.

True, and it generally has better amenities than a hotel too: a kitchen (though tiny), fridge, microwave, stove (no oven though), clothes washer, maybe a vacuum, etc. Also importantly, a mailbox, so you can receive deliveries (and in newer places, there's an automated delivery box system).

> stove (no oven though)

Maybe I'm misremembering but I thought that was typical for Japanese homes?

Re: How I Got a Digital Nomad Visa for Japan

#96

Post by digging »

flemhans wrote: post #58
Klonoar wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> they'll be stuck in hotels the entire time they're here. Eh, Tokyo has plenty of monthly apartment rentals that are effectively corporate rentals that you can do without a residence card. (I used to do this before having an actual visa there) It's functionally better than a hotel, insofar as it doesn't read or act as one.

Rented a flat in Tokyo for a month too as a tourist. But it wasn't cheap. Around $1500/month, in 2011. But it was 3 rooms, and very nice. So maybe not so bad, actually? But then again, it was many years ago.

I feel like everyone is missing "in 2011".

Re: How I Got a Digital Nomad Visa for Japan

#97

Post by synergy20 »

maltyr wrote: post #88
synergy20 wrote: post #87

with US passport I can stay in Japan for 90 days without a visa, if I want to work occasionally remotely for jobs at US part time, do I still need go through all the paperwork to get a Nomad visa? what's the purpose of Nomad visa when everyone has a laptop and can work remotely if they want to?

The article addresses this. > My first thought was to work remotely and use the 90 days permitted by the tourist visa. Yet working in Japan on this visa is a gray zone at best and a practice I would stay away from. In fact, the US Embassy in Japan strictly advises against this: > Persons found working illegally are subject to arrest and deportation. > Persons believed to be entering Japan without a working visa but w…

Did more quick reading, Nomad visa gives you 6 month(tourist is 90 days), as long as you don't take local jobs you're fine, and there is no need to pay tax to Japan as well. now it seems just like a visa double the duration of tourist visa to me.

Re: How I Got a Digital Nomad Visa for Japan

#98

Post by dpeckett »

n_ary wrote: post #92
internet101010 wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While this is purely anecdotal, the friends I have that ended up bailing earlier than planned got really annoyed by nonsensical things like ATMs having operating hours and having to use a fax machine to do something. They probably weren't the main problem but more straw that broke the camel's back.

Not sure if you are aware, but you described Germany as well. ;)

Lord almighty, at-least the ATM machines here don't have opening hour restrictions.

Though ... https://www.ft.com/content/2778b6c4-4be7-4f38-acee-78f38feca...

Re: How I Got a Digital Nomad Visa for Japan

#99

Post by triceratops »

grecy wrote: post #59

> My first thought was to work remotely and use the 90 days permitted by the tourist visa. Yet working in Japan on this visa is a gray zone at best and a practice I would stay away from. In fact, the US Embassy in Japan strictly advises against this I’ve always wondered why countries care about this. If I’m employed in my home country, earning money there and paying taxes, what difference does it make if I happen to…

> go to another country for those six months

> paying tax in my home country

Don't you think you've answered your own question?

Re: How I Got a Digital Nomad Visa for Japan

#100

Post by sandworm101 »

synergy20 wrote: post #87

with US passport I can stay in Japan for 90 days without a visa, if I want to work occasionally remotely for jobs at US part time, do I still need go through all the paperwork to get a Nomad visa? what's the purpose of Nomad visa when everyone has a laptop and can work remotely if they want to?

>> what's the purpose of Nomad visa when everyone has a laptop and can work remotely if they want to?

Because you are working in a country, consuming its services, but not paying the local income tax. A work permit either officially ops you out of this or allows you to properly file/pay taxes.

And fyi to Americans reading this: you still owe taxes to the IRS for work done overseas. There are all sorts of deductions and such, but only if you actually file. Not filing in either country could see you owe a huge amount to both, even if that means paying more than 100% tax. Don't risk it.

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