Japan Digital Nomad Visa: Insurance Requirements Explained
Insurance Requirements for the Japan Digital Nomad Visa What has to be covered, why it's required, and where people get tripped up
The insurance requirement isn't just "get travel insurance." ISA's official Q&A spells out exactly what must be covered — and it's more specific than most guides mention. Here's the requirement in full, straight from the source.
Based directly on the Immigration Services Agency's official Q&A for this status (Q5 and Q10). Last verified: July 2026.
Why This Exists
Why Insurance Is Required At All
This isn't a generic precaution — it's a direct consequence of another rule. Because Digital Nomad Visa holders don't count as "mid-to-long-term residents," you cannot enroll in Japan's national health insurance system (国民健康保険) the way most other visa holders can. Without private insurance, you'd have no safety net for medical costs, which in Japan can be substantial without coverage. That's the entire reason this requirement exists.
The Exact Requirement
What Your Policy Must Include
Per ISA's official Q&A, your insurance must cover three specific things:
| Coverage item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Injury/illness treatment costs | ¥10,000,000 or more |
| Death | Repatriation-of-remains cost, or a death benefit payout — no minimum amount is specified, but it must be included as a covered item |
| Duration | Must cover your full planned stay in Japan (not just an initial portion of it) |
Documentation
What You'll Submit
- The official insurance coverage explanation form (reference PDF), confirming your policy meets each requirement above
- A copy of your insurance policy certificate
- The policy's terms and conditions, showing the specific coverage amounts and duration
If your insurer's standard documentation doesn't clearly show these figures in a way that maps onto the official form, ask them directly for a written confirmation you can attach — reviewing officers are checking for these specific figures, not just "travel insurance" in general.
Where to Look
What Kind of Policy Actually Fits
The honest answer: a standard short-trip travel insurance policy usually won't work here, simply because of the duration requirement. What you're looking for falls into one of two categories:
→ Does My Credit Card's Insurance Qualify? →
Related
Continue Your Eligibility Check
Frequently Asked
FAQ
Can I use Japan's national health insurance instead of private insurance?
No. Digital Nomad Visa holders don't qualify as mid-to-long-term residents, so enrollment in Japan's national health insurance isn't available to you — this is exactly why private insurance is required.
Is there a minimum death benefit amount?
No minimum amount is specified for the death benefit or repatriation cost — it simply needs to be included as a covered item in your policy.
Does the insurance need to be purchased from a Japanese company?
No — the requirement is about what the policy covers, not which country the insurer is based in. International insurers are commonly used, as long as the coverage matches the requirement.
What happens if I need to extend my insurance mid-stay?
Since this visa itself is capped at 6 months with no renewal, your insurance should simply be purchased to match your full planned stay from the outset — there's no scenario where you'd need to extend it within this visa's framework.
Getting Your Documents Together?
Track every requirement with the fillable checklist
Instant download · Fillable PDF · Supervised by a licensed Administrative Scrivener (行政書士) · Updated July 2026Considering Japan’s Digital Nomad Visa?
Check the eligibility rules, stay period and practical limits before planning your move.