Breaking News! Official Information! Stricter Requirements for Obtaining a “Business Manager Visa” ( Implemented October 16) — For Foreigners Who Wish to Start a Business in Japan
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To foreign entrepreneurs considering starting a business in Japan: On October 10, 2025, the Ministry of Justice and the Immigration Services Agency officially announced the tightening of requirements for the “Business Manager” visa (Keiei-Kanri visa), which will take effect from October 16, 2025. This article presents a comparison table between the old and new rules, explains the key changes and points to note, and provides up-to-date information necessary for preparing your visa application.
Tightened Requirements for Business Manager Visa: Key Points
① Capital / Total Investment Amount:
¥30 million
② Experience/Education (Manager):
3+ years of management/administrative experience
OR
Possession of a master's degree or higher in business administration or the relevant business field
③ Employment Obligation:
Requires employment of at least one full-time staff member
④ Japanese Language Proficiency:
Either the applicant or a full-time staff member must possess a sufficient level of Japanese language ability
⑤ Business Plan:
Requires verification of the new business plan by a management expert
■ Before Revision ⇄ After Revision (Detailed Comparison of Major Changes)
| Category | Before Revision (– Oct. 15, 2025) | After Revision (Oct. 16, 2025 –) |
|---|---|---|
| Office Requirement | Having a business office in Japan (in some cases, a home office was acceptable) | Applicants must secure a dedicated office or store and submit photos and a lease agreement to prove actual business operations. Shared residential-use offices are generally not allowed. |
| Capital Requirement | In practice, approval was possible if the capital exceeded JPY 5 million or if at least two full-time employees were hired (discretionary operation) | Verification of the authenticity and source of funds will be strengthened. Applicants must provide documentation showing the source and transfer path of invested funds. Applications based solely on nominal capital are unlikely to be approved. |
| Employment Requirement | Applications were generally approved if either the employment or capital requirement was met | Priority will be given to applicants with actual employees living and working in Japan who are enrolled in social insurance. Nominal employment is insufficient; evidence such as salary records and employment contracts is required. |
| Business Plan Requirement | Typically, submission of a three-year financial plan was sufficient | Applicants must submit a more detailed mid- to long-term plan, including several years of financial forecasts, funding plans, and employment schedules. Confirmation by a certified expert (e.g., SME management consultant, CPA, or tax accountant) becomes mandatory. |
| Applicant’s Background | Evaluation of management experience or education was discretionary, with few clear standards | Applicants must now demonstrate relevant managerial or business experience (e.g., three years or more) or academic/professional qualifications. Documentary proof of career background will be required. |
| On-site Inspection | Review was mainly document-based, with occasional site visits | The Immigration Bureau will now conduct on-site inspections as a rule, verifying business operations through visits or photographic evidence. |
| Tax & Social Insurance Compliance | Confirmation of tax filings was discretionary | Applicants must submit tax return documents, withholding slips, and proof of social insurance payments. Any false or delinquent declarations will lead to strict rejection. |
| Screening Period | Average processing time: 1–2 months | Due to stricter scrutiny, the review period may extend to up to 3 months, with possible requests for additional documents or on-site checks. |
■ Other Key Points (Based on Official Announcement)
Promulgation / Enforcement
This revision was promulgated on October 10, 2025 and enforced from October 16, 2025.
All applications submitted on or after October 16, 2025 will be examined under the new rules. Extra caution is required in preparing documents, especially in the initial enforcement period.
Prohibited or Restricted Business Types
Operations deemed “difficult to verify in substance,” or “intended solely for name lending or paper-company purposes,” will not be approved.
Examples include certain types of short-term rental (minpaku) businesses or brokerage-type operations lacking actual business activity.
Renewals for Existing Visa Holders
Foreigners already holding a Business Manager visa will not be forced to leave immediately.
However, at the time of renewal, applicants will be reviewed under the revised standards, requiring documentation of business activity and employment performance.
Therefore, it is strongly advised to maintain thorough records such as tax filings, contracts, and receipts on a daily basis.
■ Explanation: Purpose and Impact of the Revision
The purpose of this amendment is clear: to prevent the misuse of the visa through fictitious company formations or name lending, and to enhance the credibility of foreign entrepreneurship in Japan.
Key focus areas during screening include the following:
- Verification of Fund Authenticity: Applicants must prove that the invested funds are legitimate and actually used in the business. Supporting evidence includes bank statements, remittance records, and capital contribution agreements.
- Evidence of Actual Employment: Nominal employment is insufficient. Proof such as payroll records, social insurance enrollment, and time cards will be required.
- Feasibility of Business Plan: Revenue forecasts and funding plans must be supported with objective data. Confirmation by certified experts such as SME consultants, CPAs, or tax accountants becomes mandatory.
- On-site Inspections: Immigration officers will visit business locations to verify actual operations; document-only evaluations will no longer suffice.
■ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is it still possible to apply with JPY 5 million in capital?
A: Under the new rules, the authenticity and source of funds will be strictly examined. While exceptions may exist, a solid financial plan and third-party expert verification will be practically essential.
Q: I already hold a Business Manager visa. Will this change affect me immediately?
A: Not immediately. However, upon renewal, the new standards will apply, and additional documentation may be required to demonstrate your business’s substance.
■ Expert Confirmation Required for Business Plans (Official Announcement Excerpt)
5. Handling of Business Plans At the time of determination of the status of residence, the submitted business plan must be evaluated for its specificity, rationality, and feasibility, and confirmation by an expert with professional knowledge of business management is required (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Enforcement Regulations, Appended Table III, Item 1(i)). (Note) As of the enforcement date, the following are recognized as such experts: - Certified SME Management Consultant - Certified Public Accountant - Licensed Tax Accountant Please note that except for attorneys and administrative scriveners, preparing application documents for submission to government agencies for remuneration may constitute a violation of the Administrative Scrivener Act.
■ About Our Center (Operated by Certified Administrative Scriveners and SME Consultants)
Our center is jointly operated by Administrative Scriveners (experts in application document preparation and immigration procedures) and Certified SME Management Consultants (experts in business planning, financial forecasting, and feasibility evaluation).
We provide full one-stop support compliant with the newly mandated “expert confirmation” requirement for business plans.
- Administrative Scrivener Services: Preparation and submission of applications for Certificate of Eligibility, visa renewals, and related documentation; representation with the Immigration Bureau.
- SME Consultant Services: Preparation of multi-year business plans, including financial projections, funding schedules, and KPIs, and issuance of expert confirmation certificates in accordance with official requirements.
- One-stop Support: Assistance with verifying the origin of capital, organizing remittance records, preparing employment and tax documents, and gathering on-site evidence for inspection readiness.
As the new rule explicitly requires confirmation by certified experts such as SME consultants, CPAs, or tax accountants, our center ensures that business plan verification is handled by an SME consultant, while application documentation and submission are managed by an administrative scrivener.
This enables high-quality, fully compliant submissions under the revised visa requirements.
Free Initial Consultation & Paid Support Overview
We first offer a free 30-minute online consultation to assess your situation and provide a document checklist and quotation.
From business plan creation and expert confirmation to full application preparation and submission, all procedures are handled seamlessly.
Main Services Offered:
- Business plan creation (by SME Consultant – compliant with new requirements)
- Preparation of necessary application documents (by Administrative Scrivener)
- Full application and submission for “Business Manager Visa” (by Administrative Scrivener)
- Post-submission follow-up and communication with Immigration Bureau
Our center provides fully compliant visa application support under the new rules through close collaboration between Administrative Scriveners and SME Consultants.
Please feel free to start with a free consultation.
無料相談はこちら / Free Consultation Here / 如需免费咨询
経営管理ビザの取得をお考えの方は、まずはお気軽にご相談ください！
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