From late March, Japan will join the growing trend of attracting digital nomads with a new six-month visa program.

However, the program’s requirements have raised eyebrows in the nomad community, sparking criticism for being too restrictive.

Citizens from 49 countries, including Thailand, Singapore, the US, and Australia, can apply, but they must earn a minimum annual income of ¥10 million (US$66,681) and possess private health insurance. While remote work within Japan is permitted, visa holders aren’t eligible for residence cards or certain government benefits.

Adding to the perceived limitations, the visa is non-renewable and requires reapplication after leaving Japan for just six months.

This has fueled complaints from digital nomad communities, who consider the duration “too short” and the income requirement “too stringent,” as reported by Australia’s ABC News.

Compared to Southeast Asian neighbors like Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, which offer special remote work visas with varying conditions, Japan’s program stands out for its selectivity. While it signals the country’s interest in tapping into the digital nomad trend, the strict criteria might deter some potential applicants.

Whether Japan’s approach effectively balances economic benefits with controlled immigration remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: the competition for attracting digital nomads is heating up, and other countries will be watching Japan’s experiment closely.