← Check a different combination

What documents do I need to move to Japan as a China citizen?

Typical pathway: Digital Nomad

Last verified: August 5, 2026

• Nationality eligibility confirmation against the ISA list of eligible countries/regions (before) — Source: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001416932.pdf
  CRITICAL BLOCKER: Japan's Digital Nomad status (Designated Activities, Ministry of Justice Notification No. 53) is limited to nationals of countries/regions holding BOTH a tax treaty and a visa-exemption arrangement with Japan (approx. 49-50 countries/regions). The People's Republic of China (ordinary PRC passport) is NOT on this list because PRC passport holders do not have visa-exempt entry to Japan, so a mainland Chinese citizen cannot obtain this visa. Holders of HKSAR, Macao SAR or Taiwan travel documents ARE on the eligible list. Print the current ISA eligible-countries PDF and verify your exact travel document before spending money on any other document. Verify with the Embassy of Japan in China, as the list is periodically updated.
• Eligible passport (HKSAR / Macao SAR / Taiwan travel document, or other eligible nationality) (before) — Source: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities10_00001.html
  Original passport valid for the full intended stay (consulates commonly ask for 6 months' remaining validity beyond the visa expiry) with at least one to two completely blank visa pages. A mainland PRC ordinary passport cannot be used for this visa category; if you hold a PRC passport only, the practical alternatives are a Temporary Visitor visa (max 90 days, no work), an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities work visa, Highly Skilled Professional, or Business Manager/Startup status.
• Completed MOFA visa application form (Designated Activities) (before) — Source: https://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/Consular/visa/downloadable/nomad.pdf
  Official Japanese visa application form, completed in ink or typed (never pencil), signed, including a Japan-reachable contact telephone number. Some Japanese missions accept submission through the Japan e-Visa system instead of paper.
• Biometric passport photograph of the applicant (45mm x 45mm) (before) — Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
  One recent colour photo taken within the last 6 months, plain background, affixed to the visa application form. This is physically separate from any passport photocopy — both are typically requested.
• Photocopy of passport bio-data page and any current visas/residence stamps (before) — Source: Embassy of Japan in the People's Republic of China
  Plain paper copy of the identification page (and, if applying from a third country, of the pages showing your legal status there). Kept by the mission as the file copy; distinct from the original passport and from the biometric photo.
• Proof of legal residence in the consulate's jurisdiction (before) — Source: https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/101001925.pdf
  Residence permit, ID card, recent utility bill, bank statement or lease showing your full name and current address, proving the Japanese Embassy/Consulate-General you apply to has jurisdiction over you. Especially relevant for Chinese nationals residing abroad who hold an eligible second nationality or SAR travel document.
• Application submitted via a Japan-accredited visa agency (mainland China applicants) (before) — Source: Embassy of Japan in the People's Republic of China
  Japanese diplomatic missions in mainland China generally do not accept walk-in individual visa applications; files must be lodged through an accredited/designated travel or visa agency, which issues a submission receipt you should retain. Confirm the current agency list and whether the Designated Activities category is handled this way with your jurisdictional Japanese mission before filing.
• Description of Intended Activities in Japan (ISA prescribed form) (before) — Source: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities10_00001.html
  Statement on the ISA form describing the remote work you will perform, the overseas employer/clients, the timeframe, and your contact details including a phone number reachable in Japan. Required only when applying WITHOUT a Certificate of Eligibility.
• Proof of annual income of at least JPY 10,000,000 (before) — Source: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities10_00001.html
  Chinese individual income tax payment record (个人所得税纳税记录) from the State Taxation Administration electronic tax bureau, or salary/dividend statements and audited business income for the self-employed, showing at least JPY 10 million in the year of application from non-Japanese sources. Provide a Japanese or English translation; some missions require notarisation.
• Remote-work employment contract or overseas client contracts (before) — Source: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities10_00001.html
  Contract with a company incorporated outside Japan, or freelance/consulting agreements and invoices with non-Japan-based clients, confirming the work is performed remotely. Contracts with Japanese companies or invoicing of Japanese entities is prohibited under this status and will cause refusal.
• Private medical insurance certificate with JPY 10,000,000+ coverage (before) — Source: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities10_00001.html
  Copy of the policy plus an insurer-issued coverage certificate in English or Japanese, covering death, injury and illness in Japan for the entire stay, with a minimum indemnity of JPY 10 million and coverage for rescue/repatriation costs. Digital Nomad holders cannot enrol in Japanese National Health Insurance, so this is the sole health cover.
• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issued by a Regional Immigration Bureau (before) — Source: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities10_00001.html
  Optional advance approval filed in Japan by a proxy. If presented at the visa application, the separate income-proof, insurance and planned-activity documents may be omitted. Processing can take around three months, so most applicants apply directly at the mission instead.
• Notarised family relationship documents for accompanying spouse/children (before) — Source: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities10_00001.html
  For dependants applying under Designated Activities Notification No. 54: Chinese marriage certificate (结婚证) and/or birth certificate (出生医学证明), notarised and translated, plus a copy of the principal digital nomad's passport and separate insurance for each family member. Legally recognised marriage and cohabitation are required; de-facto and same-sex partnerships are not covered.
• Visit Japan Web pre-registration QR codes (during) — Source: Visit Japan Web, Digital Agency of Japan
  Online pre-registration for immigration entry and customs declaration completed before boarding; generates QR codes presented at the airport to speed up landing procedures.
• Landing permission seal granting Designated Activities (Digital Nomad), 6 months (during) — Source: https://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/Consular/visa/downloadable/nomad.pdf
  Granted in the passport at the port of entry; the visa itself is single-entry and valid only 3 months from issue, so you must enter within that window. Note that Digital Nomad holders are not mid-to-long-term residents, so no Residence Card (在留カード) and no resident registration (住民票) are issued — keep the passport stamp as your only proof of status.
• Customs declaration for accompanied and unaccompanied personal effects (during) — Source: Japan Customs (Ministry of Finance)
  Declaration form for baggage and any separately shipped belongings; submit the unaccompanied-baggage copy at arrival to clear items shipped from China duty-free as personal effects.
• Short-stay accommodation contract (monthly apartment, serviced flat or hotel) (during)
  Signed booking or monthly-lease agreement covering the stay. Without a Residence Card most standard long-term Japanese leases, bank accounts and postpaid mobile contracts are unavailable, so arrange accommodation, eSIM/prepaid data and payment methods that do not require residency.
• Chinese Certificate of Tax Residency (中国税收居民身份证明) (after) — Source: State Taxation Administration of the People's Republic of China
  Issued by the State Taxation Administration to support treaty relief under the Japan-China double taxation agreement. Foreign-source income is generally not taxed in Japan under this status, but residency can be argued if your centre of living is in Japan — take professional advice for stays approaching 183 days.
• Special Re-entry Permit confirmation for trips out of Japan (after) — Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan
  Digital Nomad holders may use the deemed re-entry permit system when leaving and returning within the validity of their stay; because no Residence Card is issued, confirm at the airport immigration counter which departure form and endorsement apply to your case before travelling.
• Departure or change-of-status file before the 6-month expiry (after) — Source: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities10_00001.html
  The 6-month period cannot be extended or renewed. To stay in Japan you must file a Change of Status of Residence application (e.g. to Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Business Manager or Highly Skilled Professional) with supporting employer or company documents; otherwise you must depart, and re-application as a digital nomad generally requires around six consecutive months outside Japan.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

Want a personalized plan? Start free →