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Last updated: July 17, 2026
Since 2024, Japan has offered a visa under the “Designated Activities” category for digital nomads. This visa allows eligible remote workers to live in Japan for up to 6 months while working for an overseas employer. Importantly, it is not a traditional work visa—holders cannot engage in local employment with a Japanese company during their stay. Key eligibility criteria include a high income threshold (applicants must prove an annual income of at least ¥10 million — confirm the current USD-equivalent figure at time of application, since it is not fixed and moves with exchange rates) and having private health insurance that covers at least ¥10 million in medical expenses. Only citizens of certain countries are eligible (currently the U.S., Canada, most European nations, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and a few others — confirm the current list before advising a specific applicant). The digital nomad visa is not extendable beyond 6 months; after leaving Japan for six months, one could apply again for another stay.
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Written by
Karl van der Weert
Karl leads the Customer Success team at Rivermate, overseeing all existing client relationships with a focus on delivering a smooth and highly personal EOR experience. Over the past two years, he has managed onboarding, payroll, and ongoing support, working closely with clients to resolve issues quickly and transparently. He coordinates with internal teams and local partners to ensure compliant, efficient EOR solutions, while identifying opportunities to support client growth. His role combines hands-on problem solving with strategic account management, with the goal of building strong, long-term client partnerships.
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Sebastien Wakim
Sébastien Wakim is CEO of Rivermate and has led the Hightekers group since 2024. An early Uber employee, he launched and scaled the company's operations across multiple MENA markets before holding senior leadership roles at OLX Group. He later co-founded Wisewell, a water-technology venture active in the US and GCC. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and an MS in engineering from UC Berkeley.
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