Best for budget
Malta
Lower monthly income thresholds make this option easier to qualify for financially.
Side-by-side visa comparison
Japan vs Malta — Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
Japan requires $68,000/year with 6 months stay, while Malta requires $3,850/month with 12 months stay. Malta wins on budget.
Budget
Malta
Long-term
Malta
Fastest
Japan
Feature
Japan
Malta
Minimum Income
$68,000/year
$3,850/month
Duration
6 months
12 months
Processing Time
3 weeks
6 weeks
Application Fee
$20
$440
Tax Status
Tax exposure depends on stay length, treaty status, and sourcing rules; shorter stays under 183 days may avoid Japanese tax in treaty-supported cases.
Three-phase tax regime: Phase 1 (first 12 months) — income from authorised remote work is exempt from Maltese income tax. Phase 2 (after exemption) — authorised remote work income taxed at flat 10%. Phase 3 — any additional non-remote-work income taxed at standard progressive rates (0%–35%). Registration with Maltese tax authorities is mandatory even during the exemption period.
Dependents
Yes
Yes
Path to Residency
No
No
Path to Citizenship
No
No
Best for long-term
Malta
Longer approved stay periods reduce renewal pressure and support slower relocation plans.
Fastest processing
Japan
Shorter processing windows can make this the better pick for near-term travel timelines.
Next step
Check Japan eligibility for your nationality
Next step
Check Malta eligibility for your nationality