How to Obtain the Business Manager Visa

The procedure for obtaining the Business Manager visa varies depending on whether you are currently overseas or in Japan, and whether you hold a Japanese bank account.

If the applicant is currently residing in Japan

If you are already residing in Japan under another status of residence, you will need to apply for a change of status of residence to the Business Manager visa.

Please note that if you remain in Japan for more than three months without engaging in the activities permitted under your current status of residence, this may be deemed as a failure to maintain your visa status.

Of course, an application does not guarantee approval regardless of the status of residence.
Our office can assist with preparing business plans, statements of reasons, articles of incorporation, and corporate registration. Please feel free to contact us.

If the applicant is currently residing overseas

If the applicant is currently residing overseas, the process differs depending on whether they hold a Japanese bank account.

For the Certificate of Eligibility application for the Business Manager visa, if someone other than the applicant files on their behalf, the following persons may act as an agent:

• A staff member of the Japanese business office of the business in which the applicant engages in management or administration
• Where the applicant is newly establishing a Japanese business office, a person commissioned to set up that office (or, in the case of a corporation, its staff member)

When filing a Certificate of Eligibility application without an agent in Japan, the applicant must be physically present in Japan at the time of application.

When you engage our office, it is necessary to commission us for the establishment of the business office.

If you have a Japanese bank account

If you have a Japanese bank account, it is now possible for a foreigner to complete corporate registration even without a Japanese address. Previously, a Japanese address was required for a sole foreign founder to register a corporation, but this restriction has been lifted.

If you entrust us with the process, we will handle all procedures on your behalf, apply for the Certificate of Eligibility for the Business Manager visa, and send the certificate to your home address overseas. You can then bring it to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country to obtain the visa, and enter Japan with the passport bearing the visa. If there is no employee or co-founder who can act as agent, the applicant must be present in Japan at the time of application. After filing, the applicant may return to their home country, and once approved, complete the visa procedures there and travel to Japan.

If you do not have a Japanese bank account

If you do not have a Japanese bank account, the procedure depends on whether you have a collaborator (partner) in Japan.

① If you have a collaborator (partner) in Japan

If you have a collaborator in Japan, you can ask that person to become a director of the newly established company and use their bank account to complete the corporate registration.
After completing the corporate registration, we will apply for the Certificate of Eligibility for the Business Manager visa for a one-year period of stay.

Once the certificate is issued, we will mail it to your overseas address so you can proceed with visa procedures at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate and then enter Japan.

② If you do not have a collaborator (partner) in Japan — Initial application for a 4-month Business Manager visa

If you are a foreigner living overseas without a Japanese bank account and without a partner in Japan, the first step is to apply for a Business Manager visa with a 4-month period of stay.

For the 4-month application, corporate registration is not yet required; it is possible to obtain approval by submitting the articles of incorporation, business plan, statement of reasons, and other documents. Once the Certificate of Eligibility is issued, we will send it to your overseas address. You can bring it to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate and enter Japan with the 4-month Business Manager visa endorsed in your passport.

Upon arriving in Japan with the 4-month Business Manager visa, you will be issued a residence card and can register your address in Japan.
By registering your address, you can submit a resident registration certificate as the Japan-issued ID required by banks when opening an account, and receive account-opening documents at the registered address.

Once a Japanese bank account is opened, you can transfer your start-up capital into it and proceed with corporate registration. After completing incorporation, you can apply for an extension to a one-year Business Manager visa.

What You Can Do with the Business Manager Visa

① Manage an existing company in Japan

With the Business Manager visa, you can manage an existing company in Japan. This applies when a foreigner comes to Japan as an executive or manager of a Japanese company.

② Start a new business and manage it

With the Business Manager visa, you can start a new business in Japan. This is for those who wish to establish and operate a company in Japan using their experience, knowledge, ideas, and connections.

③ Take over and manage a business from its current owner

With the Business Manager visa, you can take over a company currently run by someone else in Japan and manage it in place of the previous owner.

This covers cases where you invest in or acquire an existing company in Japan. If you lack ideas, experience, or connections, purchasing an already-established company with stable revenue is also an option.

Eligibility Criteria for the Business Manager Visa

The following are the minimum eligibility criteria for the Business Manager visa. Meeting these criteria does not automatically guarantee approval.

From October 16, 2025 (Reiwa 7), the landing criteria for the "Business Manager" status of residence have been revised. Please confirm the updated criteria when submitting a new or renewal application. For those already holding the "Business Manager" status, transitional measures apply until October 16, 2028 (three years after the enforcement date). For details, please refer to the official materials published by the Ministry of Justice and Immigration Services Agency.

Our office supports Certificate of Eligibility applications, change of status applications, renewal applications, and company establishment for the Business Manager visa. Feel free to call or email us even if you just have a quick question.

Consultations are available. (¥8,000 per session — free of charge if you engage our office.)

Business Office Must Exist in Japan

A business office for conducting the business must exist in Japan. If the business has not yet commenced, the facilities to be used for it must be secured in Japan. Establishing a Japanese corporation is the most common method, and a Japanese office is required for corporate registration.

After the revision, it is required to secure a business office appropriate to the scale of management activities, and using your home as a business office is, in principle, no longer permitted.

Applying with a virtual office address is difficult, and some real estate agencies are reluctant to lease to foreigners or may charge higher rents and security deposits.
Please contact our office and we can assist with finding a suitable business office.

Employment of Full-Time Staff (Post-Revision)

The company operated by the applicant must employ at least one full-time staff member. Eligible full-time staff are limited to Japanese nationals, special permanent residents, and foreigners holding a status of residence listed in Appended Table II of the Immigration Control Act (permanent resident, spouse or child of Japanese national, spouse or child of permanent resident, long-term resident).

Scale of Business (Capital Amount, etc.)

Regarding the scale of the business, capital of ¥30,000,000 or more (paid-in capital or total investment) is required. For corporations, this is the amount of capital or total investment; for sole proprietors, it is the total amount invested in operating the business, including securing office space, employee salaries (one year's worth), and equipment investment.

At the time of a renewal application, the Immigration Services Agency will also assess whether the business is generating adequate revenue. If the business is running at a loss with no prospect of improvement, renewal may be refused. Even if renewed, continuing to operate an unprofitable company in Japan is also financially very challenging.

Carefully consider how much capital is needed for your planned business at the business plan drafting stage.

Japanese Language Proficiency (Post-Revision)

Either the applicant or at least one full-time staff member must possess a sufficient level of Japanese language proficiency (equivalent to B2 or above on the "Japanese Language Education Reference Framework"). Acceptable evidence includes JLPT N2 or higher certification, a BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test score of 400 or above, graduation from a Japanese university or higher education institution, or completion of compulsory education followed by high school graduation in Japan.

Background (Academic / Work Experience) (Post-Revision)

The applicant must hold a doctoral, master's, or professional degree in a field related to business management or the business operations involved in the application, or have at least three years of experience in business management or administration. If the applicant is employed to engage in business administration, they must additionally receive remuneration equivalent to or greater than that received by Japanese nationals performing the same duties.

It is possible to obtain the Business Manager visa by starting a business in a different industry from one's previous experience; however, in such cases, it will be necessary to demonstrate relevant knowledge, connections, and business relationships through the business plan and statement of reasons.

Business Plan and Statement of Reasons

While various documents are required to obtain the Business Manager visa, the most important are the business plan and the statement of reasons.

Business Plan

To obtain the Business Manager visa, you must demonstrate the stability and continuity of your company and business operations.

The Immigration Services Agency assesses whether the business can generate stable revenue, based on factors such as sales, profit, number of employees, business category, and financial statements (including projected figures).
The business plan is the document that proves this.

After the revision (on and after October 16, 2025), the business plan must be reviewed and confirmed by a qualified specialist with professional knowledge in business management — a Certified SME Consultant, Certified Public Accountant, or Tax Accountant — to assess whether the plan is specific, rational, and feasible.

Our office provides accurate business plan preparation support and can coordinate with relevant specialists. Please feel free to contact us if you are unsure how to proceed.

① Develop a specific plan

Create a detailed business plan covering your target customers, market research, unit selling price, and projected monthly revenue. The plan must be specific enough for the Immigration Services Agency to conclude that the business will generate stable revenue.

② Create a financial projection

Based on the content developed in ①, prepare projected income and expense statements for the first, second, and third year of operation.

Statement of Reasons

The statement of reasons is not listed as a required document on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, but you will almost always be asked to submit one. It is important to prepare it in advance along with your other documents.

There are no specific rules about how it should be written, but the reasons for applying must be clearly explained.

If you are unsure how to write it or feel anxious about the process, please contact our office.

For Applicants Currently Outside Japan (Obtaining a 4-Month Business Manager Visa)

1. Visit Japan

   Travel to Japan for an initial meeting and consultation at our office.

2. Find a Business Office

   The first step is to secure a business office. If you need help finding one, our office can introduce offices available to foreigners. A virtual office that only provides an address cannot be used for visa purposes.

3. Draft Articles of Incorporation

   We will discuss the nature of your business in Japan and prepare the articles of incorporation on your behalf.

4. Notarization of Articles of Incorporation

   Our office will handle the notarization procedure on your behalf.

5. Prepare Business Plan

   The business plan is essential for obtaining approval of the Business Manager visa application. The Immigration Services Agency uses it to assess whether the business is likely to generate revenue. Our office will prepare it on your behalf.

6. Apply for 4-Month Business Manager Visa

   Our office will submit the Certificate of Eligibility application for the Business Manager visa. If you are residing overseas, the necessary documents can be sent to our office by mail from abroad.

7. Return Home

   Return to your home country and wait there for the decision.

8. Certificate of Eligibility Sent by Mail

   We will mail the Certificate of Eligibility to your home address overseas. Please bring it to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country to apply for the visa.

9. Enter Japan

   Enter Japan with your passport bearing the visa. A residence card will be issued upon arrival.

10. Complete Municipal Procedures

    Complete resident registration and seal registration procedures.

11. Open a Bank Account and Deposit Capital

    Open a bank account in the applicant's name and transfer the capital into it.

12. Complete Corporate Registration

    Our affiliated judicial scrivener will handle the registration procedure.

13. Complete Tax and Social Insurance Procedures

    Failure to complete tax and social insurance procedures may cause a denial at the time of status renewal. These should be handled as early as possible.

14. Apply for Extension of Period of Stay

    Apply to extend your stay to a one-year Business Manager visa. Do not wait until the last moment — apply with sufficient time to spare.

For Applicants Already Residing in Japan Under Another Status of Residence

1. Find a Business Office

   The first step is to secure a business office. If you need help finding one, our office can introduce offices available to foreigners. A virtual office that only provides an address cannot be used for visa purposes.

2. Draft Articles of Incorporation

   We will discuss the nature of your business in Japan and prepare the articles of incorporation on your behalf.

3. Notarization of Articles of Incorporation

   Our office will handle the notarization procedure on your behalf.

4. Prepare Business Plan

   The business plan is essential for obtaining approval of the Business Manager visa application. The Immigration Services Agency uses it to assess whether the business is likely to generate revenue. Our office will prepare it on your behalf.

5. Open a Bank Account and Deposit Capital

   Open a bank account in the applicant's name and transfer the capital into it.

6. Complete Corporate Registration

   Our affiliated judicial scrivener will handle the registration procedure.

7. Complete Tax and Social Insurance Procedures

   Failure to complete tax and social insurance procedures may cause a denial at the time of status renewal. These should be handled as early as possible.

8. Apply for Change of Status to 1-Year Business Manager Visa

   Even if you currently hold a 5-year period of stay under another status of residence, the initial approval for the Business Manager visa is generally for a 1-year period of stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there restrictions on the type of industry eligible for the Business Manager visa?

There are no restrictions on the type of industry.
Restaurants, trading companies, real estate agencies, and any other type of business are all eligible. However, if a license or permit is required to operate in a certain industry, you must obtain the relevant license before commencing operations.

How do I prove that the required capital has been deposited?

After the revision, capital of ¥30,000,000 or more is required. A bank certificate confirming the remittance is submitted to the Immigration Services Agency as proof.

I am currently a graduate student. Is it possible to start a business in Japan after graduation?

Yes, it is possible.
You will likely need to prove the source of the capital — for example, that the funds were transferred from a parent overseas. Using money temporarily borrowed from a friend is generally considered insufficient.

Rather than establishing a new company, is it possible to obtain a Business Manager visa by investing in an existing Japanese company?

Yes, it is possible.
To obtain the Business Manager visa, the applicant must fall under one of the following categories. Investing in an existing business in Japan and applying as its manager is also an eligible route.

1. A person who commences the management of a business in Japan and operates that business
2. A person who engages in the administration of a business operated by a foreigner falling under item 1
3. A person who invests in a business in Japan and operates that business
4. A person who engages in the administration of a business operated by a foreigner falling under item 3
5. A person who operates a business on behalf of a foreigner who has commenced its management in Japan
6. A person who engages in the administration of a business operated by a foreigner falling under item 5, or of a business managed by a Japanese national on behalf of a foreigner who has commenced management of a business in Japan
7. A person who operates a business on behalf of a foreigner who has invested in a business in Japan
8. A person who engages in the administration of a business operated by a foreigner falling under item 7, or of a business managed by a Japanese national on behalf of a foreigner who has invested in a business in Japan

Can the company's business office also serve as a residence?

Under the revised rules effective October 16, 2025, it is required to secure a dedicated business office appropriate to the scale of management activities, and using a home address as a business office is, in principle, no longer permitted. We strongly recommend renting a dedicated office space.
As has always been the case, the use of short-term rental spaces charged on a monthly basis or easily removable stalls is not accepted. The lease agreement must be signed in the name of the corporation, and it must be clear that the premises are used exclusively by the corporation.

I have been living in Japan under another status of residence for a long time and am considering establishing a company to obtain the Business Manager visa. Are there any points I should be aware of?

If you remain in Japan for three months without engaging in the activities permitted under your current status of residence, your status may be revoked, which would prevent you from continuing to stay in Japan. Therefore, it is advisable to submit a change of status application — including the corporate registration — within three months. If the application is not approved, you would be able to continue residing in Japan under your current status. However, since the review period can span several months, it is advisable to consult with the Immigration Services Agency in advance if the application is expected to take a long time. If you have resided in Japan for 10 years or more and meet the eligibility requirements for permanent residency, you may also consider applying for a permanent resident visa. Obtaining a permanent resident visa eliminates the need for periodic visa renewals and removes restrictions on residence activities.

I applied for a Certificate of Eligibility for a Business Manager visa to bring a Chinese national (representative of a Chinese company) currently residing in China to Japan, but the application was denied. What should I do?

First, confirm with the Immigration Services Agency why the application was denied and whether re-application is possible. If the cause can be corrected and re-application is possible, resubmit following the agency's guidance. If the representative has a problematic immigration history in Japan (such as past overstaying or other violations), re-application may be difficult. Obtaining a permanent resident visa eliminates the need for periodic visa renewals and removes restrictions on residence activities.

If I hire one full-time employee, how much capital is required?

After the revision (on and after October 16, 2025), both employment of at least one full-time staff member and capital of ¥30,000,000 or more are required. Eligible full-time staff are limited to Japanese nationals, special permanent residents, permanent residents, spouses or children of Japanese nationals, spouses or children of permanent residents, and long-term residents. Rather than simply meeting the minimum criteria, we recommend securing sufficient funds to put your business on a sustainable track.

Period of Stay

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 4 months, 3 months

Documents Required for the Business Manager Visa

Required documents vary depending on the type of application (Certificate of Eligibility / Change of Status / Extension of Period of Stay) and the category of the applicant's organization (Categories 1–4). The documents listed below are based on the revised criteria effective October 16, 2025. For the latest forms and lists, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency "Business Manager" information page.

Category Classification

Categories 1 and 2: common required documents plus category verification; other materials are generally not required. Categories 3 and 4: the additional documents listed below are required.

Certificate of Eligibility / Change of Status Application (Main Documents Required for Categories 3 & 4)

[Common] Application form, photograph, passport, document proving applicable category (Category 1: proof of stock exchange listing, establishment permit, etc.; Categories 2 & 3: copy of preceding year's withholding statement, etc.)

[Additional for Categories 3 & 4]

1. Documents clarifying background: Degree certificate for academic qualifications; resume + certificate of employment, etc. for work history
2. Documents demonstrating Japanese language proficiency: Explanatory note (reference format), residence certificate of the Japanese-proficient person, JLPT certificate / academic transcript or graduation certificate, etc.; wage payment documents for full-time staff where applicable
3. Documents clarifying business scale: Wage payment documents and residence certificate showing at least one full-time staff member, balance sheet, certificate of corporate registration, and other materials clarifying business scale
4. Documents confirming the existence of the business premises: Real estate registration, lease agreement, or other relevant documents
5. Documents proving necessary permits and licenses for the business: Explanatory note (reference format), copies of permits (if applicable)
6. Copy of the most recent annual financial statements
7. Documents clarifying the nature of the business: Certificate of corporate registration (or articles of incorporation if not yet registered), or company brochure or equivalent document
8. Copy of the business plan evaluated by a qualified expert in business management: After the revision, evaluation by a Certified SME Consultant, Certified Public Accountant, or Tax Accountant is mandatory
9. Documents clarifying the applicant's activities: Copy of articles of incorporation or shareholders' meeting minutes for directors; dispatch order or transfer notice for intra-company transfers; employment contract, etc. for managers hired from outside

[Category 4 only] Documents explaining why the preceding year's withholding statement cannot be submitted (withholding exemption certificate, or copy of the notification of establishment of payroll office + income tax withholding calculation sheets for the last three months, etc.)

Extension of Period of Stay Application (Main Documents Required for Categories 3 & 4)

[Common] Application form, photograph, passport, residence card, document proving applicable category

[Additional for Categories 3 & 4]

1. Documents clarifying the tax and social insurance compliance status of the affiliated organization: Explanatory note (reference format) plus all of the following that apply:
   For corporations: labor insurance and social insurance enrollment/payment status, tax certificates for withheld income tax, special income tax for reconstruction, corporate tax, consumption tax, and local consumption tax, and municipal/prefectural corporate tax certificates
   For sole proprietors: labor insurance and social insurance (or national health insurance) enrollment/payment status, tax certificates for withheld income tax, assessed income tax, consumption tax, individual resident tax, and individual business tax
2. Certificate of municipal tax assessment (or non-assessment) and payment (showing total annual income and tax payment status for the year) — one copy each
3. Document specifically describing activities related to business management during the most recent period of stay (any format; include reasons if there have been any changes)
4. Documents demonstrating Japanese language proficiency (explanatory note, residence certificate, qualification certificate / graduation certificate, etc.; wage payment documents for full-time staff)
5. Documents confirming at least one full-time staff member (wage payment documents, residence certificate, etc.)
6. Documents proving necessary permits and licenses for the business
7. Copy of the certificate of corporate registration (for corporations)
8. Copy of the most recent annual financial statements

[Category 4 only] Documents showing that withholding is not required

※ All certificates must have been issued within the three months prior to submission. Foreign-language documents must be accompanied by a Japanese translation. Some documents may be omitted depending on the type of application and category. For details, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency's guidance or contact our office.

Category 1

Applicable to listed companies, mutual insurance companies, national/local government bodies, public interest corporations, etc. In principle, no documents other than the common required documents are needed.

Category 2

Organizations or individuals whose withheld income tax on the preceding year's salary income statement is ¥10,000,000 or more. In principle, no documents other than the common required documents are needed.

Category 3

Organizations or individuals for whom a withholding statement was submitted for the preceding year (excluding Category 2). The additional documents listed under "Certificate of Eligibility / Change of Status Application" and "Extension of Period of Stay Application" for Categories 3 & 4 are required.

Category 4

Organizations or individuals not falling into any of the above categories (most people newly establishing a company fall into Category 4). In addition to the Category 3 documents, materials explaining why the preceding year's withholding statement cannot be submitted are also required.

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