Official Info for Japanese Business Manager Visa - EN

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Immigration Service Agency HP: Official Information: Japanese Business Manager Visa (Status of Residence)

If a foreign national residing outside Japan wishes to establish a new company in Japan and obtain a "Japanese Business Manager Visa"

This page extracts and organizes key information from the official Immigration Services Agency website.

👉 Detailed Information Link: Immigration Services Agency - Status of Residence “Business Manager”

Status of Residence: Business Manager

Relevant Activities (Cabinet Order)

Activities of managing or operating trade or other businesses in Japan, or engaging in the management of such businesses.

Criteria for Permission (Ministerial Ordinance) – Application Requirements (Summary)

The applicant must meet all of the following requirements.

1. Location of Business Facilities

• The business facility for the applied business is located in Japan.
• If the business has not started, the facility for conducting the business in Japan has been secured.

2. Scale of Business

• Employees: In addition to the manager, there is at least one full-time employee residing in Japan.
• Capital: Total assets used for the business (including capital stock and investments) must be at least 30 million yen.

3. Competence of Managers/Administrators

• The manager or full-time employee has advanced proficiency in Japanese language and usage.

4. Academic Background / Experience

Fulfill one of the following:

• Academic qualifications: Possess a doctoral, master’s, or professional degree in a field required for business management or operation.
• Experience: Have at least three years of practical experience in business management or administration.

5. Remuneration

• For those engaged in business administration, remuneration must be equivalent to or greater than that received by Japanese nationals.

Period of Stay

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

Application for Certificate of Eligibility: Applicant Categories

For those seeking to newly enter Japan under this visa status

Applicants are classified into four categories.
In general, if you do not belong to a company already conducting business in Japan, and if you did not operate a business in Japan in the previous year, you fall under Category 4.
Therefore,

if you are establishing a company and applying for this visa, you are typically categorized as
“Category 4.”

[ Simple YES/NO Chart ] *Exceptions may apply

[Category Overview ] *Exceptions may apply

Application for Certificate of Eligibility: Required Documents

For applicants entering Japan under this new visa status :
(Category 4)

1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence
2. Photograph (4cm high × 3cm wide)
3. Return envelope (standard size, with postage paid)
4. (Category 4 not required: Document certifying that the affiliated institution is classified under one of the categories)
5. Documents clarifying the applicant's activities: Proof of remuneration, employment contract, etc.
6. Copy of the business plan evaluated by an expert with specialized knowledge in business management
7. Documents clarifying the business details: Copy of certificate of registered information (if corporation registration not completed, copy of articles of incorporation or other documents clarifying the intention to commence business), detailed guidance of employer, etc.
8. Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year
9. Documents certifying the acquisition of necessary permits/licenses for operating the business
10. Documents explaining the reasons why legal documents, such as the statutory total table of salary income withholding slips for staff of the previous year, cannot be submitted: Copy of office establishment notification, etc.
11. Documents certifying the existence of business facilities: Copy of real estate registry or lease contract, etc.
12. Documents clarifying the scale of business
    • (1) Documents related to wage payment and resident registration, etc. for the full-time employee(s), proving that there is at least one full-time staff member
    • (2) Balance sheet
    • (3) Certificate of registered information
    • (4) Other documents clarifying the scale of the business
13. Documents clarifying Japanese language proficiency
    • (1) Explanatory statement for application (reference format)
    • (2) Resident registration of a person (excluding the applicant) with Japanese language proficiency
    • (3) Any of the following documents certifying that the manager or full-time employee has Japanese language proficiency
      • Examination certificate or transcript if proven by test
      • Documents proving the status and background of a person with Japanese language proficiency by other means (such as graduation certificate, etc.)
    • (4) If a person with Japanese language proficiency (excluding the applicant) is a full-time employee, documents related to wage payment for the staff member
14. Any of the following documents clarifying career background
    • (1) For proof by academic background: Documents certifying a doctoral, master's, or professional degree in business management or a related field (e.g., diploma)
    • (2) For proof by work experience
      • Resume specifying institutions engaged in relevant work, details of activities, and duration
      • Documents certifying the duration of engagement in relevant work (such as certificate of employment)

Frequently Asked Questions

Foreign nationals wishing to operate a business in Japan or act as an executive managing business operations must obtain a “Japanese Business Manager Visa.” With this visa, a wide range of business activities are possible within Japan.

Free Consultation Available

If you are considering applying for a Japanese Business Manager Visa, feel free to contact us for a consultation!

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• 
  Official Info for Japanese Business Manager Visa - EN
  Summary of the official Information for Japanese Business Manager Visa
• 
  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
  To Foreign Nationals Considering Starting a Business in Japan: On October 10, 2025, the Immigration Services Agency officially announced stricter requirements for the “Business Manager Visa.” These changes will take effect on October 16, 2025. This article compares the finalized revised requirements with the previous ones and provides a quick update on the information necessary for application preparation.
• 
  Urgent Release: Video Explanation of Changes to Japan Business Visa Requirements - Effective October 16th
  Urgent Release: Video Explanation of Changes to Japan Business Visa Requirements - Effective October 16th
• 
  【Changed in October 2025】Experts Thoroughly Explain New Rules for the “Japan Business Visa (Business Manager Visa)” for Foreign Entrepreneurs
  Starting October 16, 2025, the rules for the “Japan Business Visa (Business Manager Visa)” for foreign entrepreneurs will undergo significant changes. Administrative scriveners will provide detailed explanations of the new requirements, including a minimum capital of 30 million yen and at least three years of management experience.