Can You Freelance in Japan on a Visa?

Exploring the legal realities, challenges, and opportunities for remote workers and digital nomads in Japan

Japan is a dream destination for many digital nomads and freelancers. With its ultra-reliable infrastructure, vibrant cities, peaceful countryside, and rich culture, it’s easy to see why many remote workers want to stay longer—and work while doing so.

But there’s a key question that trips up many:
Can you legally freelance in Japan while on a visa?
The answer is: Yes—but only under specific conditions. This guide breaks down everything you need to know.

What the Law Says: Visa Restrictions

While Japan is technologically advanced and increasingly open to international visitors, its immigration laws remain strict and conservative when it comes to employment. Japan does not (yet) recognize remote work or freelancing as a standalone visa category, and the legal distinction between “being in Japan” and “working in Japan” is blurred but enforced.

Tourist Visa = No Work, Period

If you’re entering Japan under a Temporary Visitor Visa (tourist visa)—which allows 15, 30, or 90-day stays depending on your nationality—you are strictly prohibited from conducting any kind of paid work while in the country.

This includes:

• ‍ Freelance work for overseas clients

• Consulting or online business activities

• Writing content or managing websites for money

• Earning revenue from monetized YouTube or affiliate platforms

Even if your bank account and clients are all located abroad, the physical location of your work matters. If you’re sitting in Japan while doing paid remote work, that’s considered “working in Japan” under immigration law.

Possible Consequences if Caught

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency takes visa misuse seriously. If discovered, you may face:

• ❌ Immediate cancellation of your visa

• Detention and interrogation

• ✈️ Deportation at your own expense

• Entry ban of 5 years or more

• A mark on your immigration record that could affect future travel

Immigration authorities can conduct spot checks at coworking spaces, check your immigration history, or even scrutinize your online activity during visa renewals or re-entry.

Note: While enforcement may not be aggressive for short-term tourists casually answering emails, you are legally at risk the moment money changes hands while on Japanese soil.

What About “Working Remotely” Without Local Clients?

You may hear some digital nomads say:

“I’m only working for U.S. clients, so it’s not technically Japanese work.”

Unfortunately, that doesn’t make it legal.

Japan’s visa rules don’t care where the client is—they care where the work is being performed. If you are physically in Japan and performing labor (even online), and that labor is generating income, you are considered to be working without authorization unless your visa explicitly permits it.

Gray Areas (Still Risky):

• Managing your own e-commerce store while visiting Japan

• Editing or publishing monetized YouTube or blog content

• Attending Zoom calls for work while “on vacation”

• Running freelance services on Fiverr, Upwork, etc.

While there are few reports of enforcement in these cases, it’s important to understand: just because you can get away with it, doesn’t make it legal.

✅ Exceptions: Work Visa Holders Working Remotely

If you already hold a valid work visa (e.g., “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities” or “Business Manager”), you may legally conduct freelance work, provided it aligns with the permitted activities of your visa type.

However, even with a valid work visa:

• You may still need to notify immigration of changes to your employment structure

• If switching from employer-sponsored work to full freelance, you may need to submit updated contracts, income documentation, and a personal statement

• You cannot engage in work outside your visa category (e.g., teaching English on an IT visa)

Summary: Tourist Visa ≠ Freelance Pass

✔️ Legal Ways to Freelance in Japan

If you’re serious about working as a freelancer or solopreneur in Japan, you’ll need to align your professional activities with an appropriate visa status. While Japan doesn’t yet offer a dedicated “freelancer visa,” several existing work visa categories can accommodate freelance-style work—if structured correctly.

Here are the four most viable visa pathways for freelancers:

1. Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (EHS) Visa

This is the most common visa used by foreign freelancers in Japan. It’s intended for skilled professionals in specific sectors and is relatively flexible in terms of employment structure—allowing freelance, part-time, or multiple contracts under certain conditions.

️ What It Covers:

• IT professionals: web developers, software engineers, system administrators

• Designers: UI/UX, graphic, fashion

• Writers and editors: including content marketing, technical writing

• Interpreters, translators, consultants, market researchers

• English teachers (in some contexts)

✅ Requirements:

• A university degree (in any field for humanities roles; in relevant field for engineering)

• OR 10+ years of relevant work experience

• Valid contract(s) with a Japanese company or client

• Income sufficient to support yourself in Japan (no hard minimum, but aim for ¥250,000–¥300,000/month as a baseline)

• Proof of activity: portfolio, tax records, business plan

Self-Sponsoring as a Freelancer:

You don’t necessarily need a full-time employer. Instead, you can apply for the EHS visa by submitting:

• Several client contracts or a recurring service agreement

• A business plan and projected income

• Office or coworking space address (home address may be acceptable)

• Letters of intent from Japanese clients

Many freelancers start with one anchor client in Japan, then add more over time. Immigration officers often look for stability and professionalism, not just volume of work.

⚠️ Important Notes:

• You cannot work outside the scope of your visa (e.g., do food delivery or manual labor on this visa)

• It is not valid for e-commerce sellers, unless tied to content or service provision

• You are responsible for reporting taxes and maintaining visa conditions

Best for: Remote-capable professionals with contracts or business ties in Japan looking to stay for 1–3+ years.

2. ‍ Business Manager Visa

This visa is ideal for freelancers or solopreneurs who want to take the next step by registering a legal business entity in Japan—either as a kabushiki gaisha (KK) or godo gaisha (GK).

Who It’s For:

• Digital agency founders

• Creatives setting up a studio or consultancy

• Small business operators (e.g., online education, product design, marketing firms)

✅ Requirements:

• Registered company (KK or GK) in Japan

• A physical office space (virtual offices generally not accepted)

• ¥5 million in invested capital OR 2 full-time Japanese resident employees

• A solid business plan and projected P/L

• Legal representative (yourself) and corporate bank account

In some cases, startup visas are offered by select cities like Tokyo or Fukuoka for first-time entrepreneurs without the full capital requirement. These are valid for 6–12 months while you prepare for the Business Manager visa.

Office Requirement Explained:

A physical, rented office space is mandatory for this visa—not just a coworking desk. Small offices are acceptable if:

• You have a lease in your name or your company’s

• The space is exclusive-use (not shared without a door)

• You can list it as your corporate registration address

Pros:

• Greater autonomy to manage your business and services

• Visa validity can be up to 1–3 years (renewable)

• Can employ others, scale up, and invoice globally

• Stronger credibility for both Japanese and international clients

⚠️ Cons:

• High initial cost (capital + rent + company registration fees)

• Requires detailed bookkeeping, tax filing, and renewals

• Office requirement adds logistical complexity

Best for: Experienced freelancers or entrepreneurs aiming to build a more permanent and scalable business in Japan.

3. ‍ Student Visa with Permission to Work

If you’re studying in Japan—whether at a language school, vocational school, or university—you may be eligible to perform limited freelance or part-time work legally, as long as you follow certain procedures.

How It Works:

A standard student visa (留学ビザ) does not permit work by default. However, you can apply for a “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted”—commonly known as 外国人資格外活動許可.

Once granted, this allows you to:

• Work up to 28 hours per week during term

• Work up to 40 hours per week during school holidays

This includes:

• ‍ Freelance design or writing

• ‍ Private tutoring or online lessons

• ‍ Online marketing or translation work

Important: Some schools may have internal rules that restrict the types of work you can do or require pre-approval. Check with your administration office before starting any freelance job.

✅ What You Need:

• A valid student visa (typically 6 months to 2 years)

• A completed application form (available at Immigration Bureau)

• School-issued documents confirming your enrollment

• Passport and Residence Card (在留カード)

You’ll receive a stamp in your Residence Card once approved. You do not need a Japanese employer—you can invoice clients overseas and receive payments legally, as long as it stays within the hour limits.

⚠️ Risks and Caveats:

• Exceeding the 28-hour limit—even unintentionally—can result in visa cancellation

• You must not skip school or perform work that interferes with attendance

• High-income freelance work (e.g., ¥300,000/month) may raise red flags and prompt investigation

Best for: Remote workers who want to live in Japan while studying and earning some income on the side—especially those preparing for a long-term stay.

4. Spouse / Dependent Visa

If you’re married to a Japanese national or a foreigner residing legally in Japan (e.g., on a work visa), you can apply for a Spouse Visa or Dependent Visa.

These visa categories are some of the most flexible in terms of allowed work activities—including freelance, part-time, or full-time employment—provided you obtain the necessary permissions where applicable.

Spouse of Japanese National or Permanent Resident

This visa allows you to:

• Live and work freely in Japan without restrictions on industry or hours

• Engage in freelance, full-time, or even multiple jobs

• Start your own business, register a sole proprietorship, or operate as a contractor

You’ll need to provide:

• Marriage certificate

• Proof of relationship (photos, chats, living situation)

• Income or financial support documentation

This visa typically starts with a 1-year term, extendable to 3 or 5 years based on stability.

Note: Divorce or legal separation may invalidate the visa. Status changes are required immediately.

Dependent Visa (for Spouses of Foreign Workers)

If your partner holds a valid work or student visa, you may be eligible for a dependent visa.

By default, this visa does not permit work. However, you can apply for the same 28-hour-per-week work permission (資格外活動) as students do. Once granted, you can:

• Work part-time

• Freelance legally, including remote work

• Operate services online (within hourly limits)

If you wish to work more hours or freelance full-time, you’ll need to change your visa status (e.g., to EHS or Business Manager).

⚠️ Points to Consider:

• You may still need to register for tax purposes (kokumin zeimu)

• Immigration may review your spouse’s income and stability before granting or renewing

• Freelance income should be documented and reported, especially if you plan to apply for permanent residency later

Best for: Nomads who are married or partnered with someone living/working in Japan and want flexibility in their work life without opening a company.

⚠️ What About Remote Work for Overseas Clients?

One of the most misunderstood aspects of freelancing in Japan is whether it’s legal to work remotely for non-Japanese clients while physically staying in Japan on a tourist or non-working visa.

The Legal Position:

Even if your work:

• Has nothing to do with Japan

• Is billed in foreign currencies

• Pays into a non-Japanese bank account

• Is done on your own laptop in a quiet Tokyo café…

…you are still considered to be “working in Japan” by immigration authorities—simply because the activity occurs on Japanese soil.

This applies to:

• Zoom meetings with your overseas clients

• Coding, writing, or designing for a foreign agency

• Remote consulting, coaching, or e-commerce

Legal Principle: Japan’s immigration law is location-based, not client-based.

Risks of Getting Caught:

• Many nomads think, “No one will know,” and while enforcement is rare for short-term stays, it does happen—especially at immigration renewal or re-entry points.

• Coworking spaces are sometimes monitored, and employers have been asked about the visa status of foreign contractors.

• Online visibility (e.g., on LinkedIn or public portfolios) can also be used as evidence.

If you’re staying longer than a few weeks and relying on remote work for income, the risk of being flagged increases significantly—and may lead to being blacklisted from future entry.

Bottom Line: If you’re planning to answer emails, write a few blog posts, or casually catch up on projects during your Japan trip, that’s a gray area. But if you’re billing clients regularly, filing invoices, and working full hours, get a proper visa.

Is a Japan Digital Nomad Visa Coming?

As of mid-2025, Japan still does not offer a dedicated “Digital Nomad Visa” like Portugal, Estonia, or Bali. However, the tide is slowly turning.

Why the Delay?

Japan’s immigration system has traditionally been:

• Employer-centric, not lifestyle-flexible

• Focused on long-term contribution, not short-term mobility

• Wary of remote workers who don’t pay Japanese taxes

However, the pandemic has changed perceptions of remote work—and Japan, like many countries, is beginning to recognize the economic potential of digital nomads.

Recent Developments:

• In 2024, Japanese policy forums discussed the feasibility of a 6-month digital freelancer visa, possibly tied to income thresholds and health insurance requirements.

• The city of Fukuoka launched a “Startup Visa” for foreigners without capital but with a promising business plan—hinting at flexibility.

• JETRO and the Digital Agency of Japan have shown interest in attracting foreign remote workers to rural areas to combat population decline.

Keep an eye on updates from:

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan

• JETRO

• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Startup Support

Pro tip: Subscribe to embassies’ newsletters or Nomad Visa Watch platforms to stay informed.

Tips for Freelancers Considering Japan

If you’re serious about freelancing from Japan, you’ll need more than just a laptop—you’ll need a clear legal, logistical, and professional game plan. Here’s how to improve your chances:

Build Local Ties:

• Secure a contract or letter of intent from a Japanese client—it strengthens your visa application

• Register as a kojin jigyo (sole proprietor) once your status allows

• Keep clear documentation of income, contracts, and client history

Use Strategic Workspaces:

• Coworking spaces like Impact Hub Tokyo and WeWork often offer:

  • Legal workshops on visas

  • Networking with entrepreneurs and visa sponsors

  • Admin support in English

Smart Structuring:

• If applying for an EHS visa, group multiple clients under a single business activity (e.g., digital marketing)

• Choose a visa-friendly address—not all apartments allow business registration

• Keep receipts and records for immigration renewals

Avoid These Traps:

• “Soft freelancing” on a tourist visa

• Accepting cash gigs from shady agencies

• Assuming you’re safe just because “others do it”

✈️ Visa Run Planning:

If you’re still navigating your setup, consider temporary stays in Korea, Taiwan, or Thailand between visa applications. But beware: repeat short-term entries can trigger suspicion at the airport.

Final Thoughts

Japan can feel like a paradox: deeply traditional, yet home to high-speed tech; rigid bureaucracy, yet limitless potential for those who navigate it right.

Freelancing legally in Japan is not impossible—but it does require:

• Patience

• Strategy

• Documentation

• Willingness to follow the rules (and sometimes, outsmart the system)

The country rewards those who respect its order with safety, deep inspiration, and one of the most uniquely livable environments in the world for focused, intentional work.

If you’re looking to turn Japan into your creative base, treat the visa process like a client pitch: show value, show structure, and show that you’re here to stay—legally and professionally.