Startup Visa (Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Program)

Startup image: A team collaborating to launch a new business

What Is the Startup Visa?

The Startup Visa (officially: Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Program) is a program promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) that allows foreign nationals who wish to start a new business in Japan to reside in Japan during a preparation period before launching their business. The status of residence granted is "Designated Activities (No. 44 – Foreign Entrepreneur)."

Normally, operating a company in Japan requires the "Business Management" status of residence, which demands establishing a business office, hiring full-time employees, and investing ¥3 million or more. Under the Startup Visa, even those who have not yet met these requirements may be granted permission to reside in Japan as a preparation period if it is recognized that they have a high likelihood of meeting the requirements within 1 year (extendable to a maximum of 2 years).

The program aims to strengthen Japan's international industrial competitiveness and establish Japan as a hub for global economic activity. Applications are submitted in accordance with the requirements set by accredited organizations (Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Implementing Organizations) certified by the Minister of METI, located in regions such as Fukuoka City, Osaka City, Tokyo, Aichi Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Yokohama City, Sendai City, Hokkaido, and Shibuya Ward.

References: METI "Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Program (Startup Visa)", Osaka City "Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Program" Application, Osaka City "Q&A on the Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Program"

Process Overview

A local government or private business operator submits and applies for certification of a "Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Management and Support Plan" to the Minister of METI.
The foreign entrepreneur submits a Business Preparation Activity Plan to an accredited Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Implementing Organization (e.g., Osaka City, Fukuoka City, Tokyo, etc.).
The implementing organization reviews the plan and, if the requirements are met, issues a Business Preparation Activity Plan Confirmation Certificate.
The foreign entrepreneur submits this certificate along with the required documents to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau and applies for the "Designated Activities" status of residence (or a change to it).
Upon approval, the applicant is recognized as a "Designated Foreign Entrepreneur" and may engage in business preparation activities in Japan for up to 2 years (renewed every 6 months).
During this period, the implementing organization conducts progress checks (e.g., monthly interviews).
Once preparations are complete, the applicant applies for a change to the "Business Management" status of residence to begin operations.

※ The Business Preparation Activity Plan Confirmation Certificate is valid for 3 months. Please submit your application to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau within the validity period.

Who Is This Suitable For?

Foreign nationals who wish to newly start a business in Japan (as a manager or executive officer)
Those who expect to meet the requirements of establishing a business office, hiring full-time employees, and investing ¥3 million or more within 1 year
Those who plan to conduct business preparation activities and establish their business office in a region designated by an accredited organization (e.g., within Osaka City, Fukuoka City, etc.)
Those already residing in Japan under statuses such as Student, Professor, Researcher, or Designated Activities for job-seeking may also be eligible in some cases (varies by organization)

Those residing overseas may also be able to apply through a representative (attorney, administrative scrivener, or other person meeting the organization's requirements). Succession of an existing company or accompanying a family member's startup are not eligible.

Comparison: Startup Visa / J-Find / Business Management Visa

The main statuses of residence related to "starting a business" or "preparing to start a business" in Japan include the Startup Visa (Designated Activities No. 44), the Future Creation Human Resource System (J-Find), and the Business Management visa. They differ in purpose, target applicants, period of stay, and financial requirements. Please use this comparison to determine which program best suits your situation.

Comparison Item	Startup Visa (Designated Activities No. 44)	Future Creation Human Resource System (J-Find) (Designated Activities – Future Creation Human Resource)	Business Management Visa
Purpose	Residing in Japan during a preparation period for starting a new business	Talented overseas university graduates engaging in job-seeking or startup preparation activities in Japan	Managing or administering a business in Japan (actually operating a business)
Main Target	Those expecting to start a business within 1 year who plan to establish their office in the region of an accredited organization. No academic or university ranking requirements.	Graduates from universities ranked within the top 100 in at least 2 of the 3 world university rankings (QS, THE, Shanghai), within 5 years of graduation. Applicable for both job-seeking and startup preparation.	Those who meet the approval criteria: securing a business office, at least 1 full-time employee, capital of ¥3 million or more, etc. Applicable for new startups, investment in existing companies, business succession, etc.
Period of Stay	1 year in principle. Extendable to a maximum of 2 years (renewed every 6 months).	1 year in principle. Renewable every 1 year or 6 months, up to 2 years maximum.	5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 4 months, 3 months (granted based on application details).
Financial Requirements	Must secure living expenses and startup preparation funds for the preparation period. As a rough guide, Osaka City may verify savings of approximately ¥3 million or more to cover living costs. Working (activities outside permitted scope) is generally not permitted.	Savings (bank deposits) equivalent to ¥200,000 or more in Japanese yen at the time of application. Working (part-time jobs, internships, etc.) is permitted without a separate permission for activities outside permitted scope.	Capital of ¥3 million or more (or equivalent business scale). Employment of at least 1 full-time employee is also required.
Application Process	① Submit Business Preparation Activity Plan to accredited organization ② Receive Business Preparation Activity Plan Confirmation Certificate ③ Apply for status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau	Apply directly to the Immigration Services Bureau for a Certificate of Eligibility or Change of Status of Residence. No application to a designated organization required.	Apply directly to the Immigration Services Bureau for a Certificate of Eligibility, Change of Status, or Renewal of Status. Proof of business office, employees, and capital is required.
Regional Restrictions	Yes. Startup preparation activities and business office must be located in a designated region of an organization certified by the Minister of METI (Fukuoka City, Osaka City, Tokyo, Aichi Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Yokohama City, Sendai City, Hokkaido, Shibuya Ward, etc.). Requirements vary by organization.	None. Job-seeking and startup preparation activities may be conducted anywhere in Japan.	None. A business office for operating a business in Japan must be secured (home-office combinations are generally not permitted, etc.).
After the Visa Period	Once preparations are complete, apply for a change to "Business Management". Having the certificate does not guarantee approval.	If employment is secured, change to a work-related status of residence. If starting a business, change to "Business Management," etc.	Continuation of business, revenue, and employment are reviewed at renewal. Permanent residency application is possible once requirements are met.

※ For details on the Startup Visa, please refer to the website of each accredited organization (METI "List of Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Implementing Organizations"). For J-Find, please see the Ministry of Justice "For Graduates of Excellent Overseas Universities Engaging in Startup or Job-Seeking Activities (J-Find)", and for Business Management, see the Immigration Services Agency "Status of Residence 'Business Management'".

Advantages and Important Notes for the Startup Visa

Advantages

Even if you have not yet established a business office, hired full-time employees, or invested ¥3 million or more, you can reside in Japan for up to 2 years as a preparation period if it is recognized that you have a "high likelihood of meeting the requirements within 1 year."
You can receive management support and guidance from the accredited organization (progress checks, consultations, etc.) during your preparation period.
The Business Preparation Activity Plan Confirmation Certificate is expected to have a positive effect on the subsequent "Business Management" status of residence review (though not guaranteed).

Important Notes

Even after obtaining the certificate, approval of "Designated Activities" by the Immigration Services Bureau is not guaranteed. Furthermore, whether you can change to "Business Management" after the period ends depends on the requirements at that time.
Since working (activities outside permitted scope) is generally not permitted during the preparation period, you must secure your living expenses and startup funds in advance.
This program is for those who are starting a new business on their own. Succession of an existing company, accompanying a family member's startup, or employment as an employee are not eligible.
In many cases, interviews and screenings before application are conducted in Japanese by the implementing organization. If you do not speak Japanese, you will need to arrange an interpreter.

Main Accredited Organizations (Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Implementing Organizations)

A list of organizations certified by the Minister of METI is published on the METI website. The following are examples of local governments and operators (certification dates and URLs are subject to change).

Fukuoka City
Osaka City
Tokyo
Aichi Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, Mie Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture, Hokkaido, Sendai City, Yokohama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Oita Prefecture, Niigata Prefecture, Shibuya Ward, Hamamatsu City, Kaga City, Toyama Prefecture, Kumamoto City, Okinawa Prefecture, Narita City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Kitakyushu City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and more
Private sector: Tsukurie Co., Ltd., and others

For the latest list, please check the METI "List of Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Implementing Organizations". Apply to the organization corresponding to your place of residence or planned startup location.

Period of Stay and After Expiration

The period of stay under the Startup Visa (Designated Activities) is 1 year in principle, extendable to a maximum of 2 years (renewal every 6 months may be required). After the period ends, if you wish to continue operating a business in Japan, you must apply for a change to the "Business Management" status of residence at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau. At that point, you must meet the "Business Management" approval criteria, including a business office, full-time employees, capital, and Japanese language ability.

If it becomes difficult to continue business preparations or if the "Business Management" approval is not granted, you will be required to return to your home country. It is recommended to secure the cost of return travel separately from your business funds.

Contact Us

Applying for the Startup Visa requires both submitting a Business Preparation Activity Plan to an accredited organization and applying for a status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau. If you need assistance with preparing documents or writing the plan, please feel free to consult our office, which is staffed by a certified application agent (administrative scrivener).

Reference links: METI Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Program (Startup Visa), Osaka City Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Program Application, Osaka City Q&A, Ministry of Justice J-Find, Immigration Services Agency Business Management