What insurance does the Japan Digital Nomad visa require?

Last checked: 2026-11-06

You need private medical insurance that covers death, injury and illness for your whole stay in Japan, with at least 10 million yen for medical treatment. There is no set amount for death cover, but the policy must include transport of the body or an insurance payment on death. The official Q&A is dated July 2024, so check that this is still current.

We could not confirm that SafetyWing Nomad Insurance meets every requirement. Do not assume it qualifies. Before you buy or apply, confirm in writing with the insurer and with the Japanese embassy or consulate handling your application.

The official requirement

Item	Official wording, in short
What must be covered	Death, injury or illness during your stay in Japan
Medical treatment	10 million yen or more for injuries and illnesses
Death	Must include transportation of the body or an insurance payment in the event of death. No amount is set.
Period	Must be valid for the planned stay in Japan
Credit card insurance	Accepted with proof of coverage, says the Immigration Services Agency page
Family	A spouse or child needs cover too. Family cover under the digital nomad's private policy is accepted with proof of its scope.

The rule exists because holders are not mid- to long-term residents and cannot join Japan's public medical insurance.

Where official sources differ

"10 million yen or more" or "more than": the Q&A says "10 million yen or more". The English side of the insurance form says "more than 10 million JPY". The Japanese side of the same form says 10 million yen or more. The Chicago checklist also says "more than". If your limit is exactly 10 million yen, ask.
Accidental death and dismemberment: the San Francisco and Los Angeles consulate checklists say the policy must include it. The Immigration Services Agency documents do not use this term.
Employer cover: the San Francisco checklist says employer-provided cover is not acceptable, and asks for proof of cover you hold yourself. We did not see this rule in the Immigration Services Agency documents.
"Valid for Japan": the same two checklists say cover must be valid specifically for Japan for the whole stay.

Each office may apply its own checklist, so read yours.

How SafetyWing's published terms compare

This table uses SafetyWing's own Description of Coverage for Nomad Insurance Essential, effective May 2026, plus its website and FAQ. The last column does not mean the plan passes. Only the embassy or consulate can decide that. We have not used this insurance.

Requirement	SafetyWing Essential wording	Our finding
10 million yen for treatment	Overall limit of $250,000 (US dollars) per active insurance period. It includes indirect claim costs such as bank charges and translation fees.	Not confirmed. The limit is in dollars. It equals 10 million yen at 40 yen per dollar, so check the rate on the day. That is our arithmetic, not an official test.
Illness and injury	Covers unexpected illness or injury. Excludes pre-existing conditions in most cases (180-day lookback), chronic conditions, mental health disorders, cancer and HIV, among others.	Unclear. We found no official text on whether these exclusions are acceptable.
Death: body or payment	Up to $20,000 to transport remains to your home country, or up to $10,000 for local burial. The illness or injury that caused death must be covered. Accident death payout: up to $25,000 (lifetime max), not for war or terrorism.	Unclear. The wording exists, but it applies only to covered causes. Ask if that is enough.
Accidental death and dismemberment	Up to $25,000 for accident death. $12,500 for one lost limb or eye, $25,000 for two or more, lifetime max $25,000.	Not confirmed. Ask if your consulate accepts this as its requirement.
Whole stay	One active insurance period lasts 5 to 364 days. Auto extension buys a new plan.	Depends on your dates. We could not confirm how a rolling plan appears on your proof of insurance. The form asks for start and expiry dates.
Valid in Japan	Japan is not named. The plan works in "the vast majority of the world" outside your home country and the US. Your proof of insurance email states the area of cover.	Not confirmed. If Japan counts as your home country, cover does not apply in the normal way.
Proof documents	The FAQ says you can get a visa letter or certificate of coverage, and that the letter serves as proof of insurance.	Not confirmed. Japan asks for a certificate, policy terms and an explanation of coverage. Foreign-language documents need a Japanese translation on the Certificate of Eligibility route.

What SafetyWing says about visas

SafetyWing's FAQ says it does not guarantee that every authority will accept its plans, because requirements vary. It tells you to email your list of requirements to support@safetywing.com to check. The FAQ does not mention Japan.

What to ask in writing

Ask the insurer: does this plan cover death, injury and illness in Japan for my exact dates, with at least 10 million yen for medical treatment?
Ask the insurer: will my proof show the start date, end date, medical amount and death benefit?
Ask the embassy or consulate: will you accept this insurer, this plan and these exclusions?
Ask the embassy or consulate: do you need accidental death and dismemberment cover, and do you need a Japanese translation?

Keep the replies with your application papers. See also the documents and fees page. Bringing family? See spouse and child rules.

We have not confirmed that SafetyWing Nomad Insurance meets Japan's visa rules. Read its current terms and get written confirmation before you buy.

Read SafetyWing Nomad Insurance details