How to Obtain a Business Manager Visa in Japan
How to Obtain a Business Manager Visa in Japan
Requirements for a Business Manager Visa
To obtain a Business Manager Visa in Japan, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Physical Business Office – A dedicated office space (excluding residential addresses and virtual/shared offices) is required.
- Minimum Investment of 30 Million JPY
- Hiring at least one full-time employee (Japanese, PR citizen etc)
- Either the business manager or one employee must have Japanese language proficiency equivalent to JLPT N2 or higher and reside in Japan.
- The applicant must have at least three years of experience as a business manager, or hold a master’s degree or higher in a management- or business-related field.
- Valid Business Plan – A well-structured business plan, written in Japanese, demonstrating business sustainability.
- Business Partner in Japan – If applying from overseas, a co-representative or partner residing in Japan is necessary.
| 1.Office | Reqired a business office except your home for applying a Business Manager VISA |
|---|---|
| 2.Capital | Investment more than 30 million JPY for capital |
| 3.Employee | Employment of at least one full-time employee who is a Japanese national, Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident, or spouse of a Japanese or Permanent Resident. |
| 4.Japanese language | Either the business manager or one employee must have Japanese language proficiency equivalent to JLPT N2 or higher and reside in Japan. |
| 5.Experience Education | The applicant must have at least three years of experience as a business manager, or hold a master’s degree or higher in a management- or business-related field. |
| 6.Business Plan | The business plan must be reviewed and evaluated in advance by an independent professional, such as a certified public accountant or other qualified expert. |
| 7.If the applicant live abroad | If the applicant resides overseas, it is generally required to have a business partner in Japan who is a Japanese national or a Permanent Resident. Alternatively, the applicant may obtain a Startup Visa and come to Japan to prepare for the business establishment personally. |
1. Securing a Physical Business Office
A physical business office is mandatory for a Business Manager Visa. The office must meet the following conditions:
Accepted Offices:
- Corporate-leased office space
- Private rental office (with an independent room)
- Incubation office (if it has dedicated office space)
🚫 Not Accepted:
- Residential apartments, even large ones
- Monthly rental apartments
- Virtual offices
- Office name-lending arrangements
- Shared office spaces without a dedicated room
- Vehicles (e.g., trailer offices)
Additionally, the lease agreement must be in the company’s name with a business purpose specified (not residential use). The office should have essential equipment, such as desks, computers, printers, and storage.
*Learn more about Business Manager Visa’s office requirement.
2. Capital Investment Requirements
A minimum capital investment of 30 million JPY is required for a Business Manager Visa. The applicant must not personally invest this amount—funds from business partners or co-founders count towards the requirement.
*Learn more about Business manager Visa Investment Requirement
Key Considerations for Capital Investment:
- Bank Financing: Japanese banks may require applicants to have sufficient personal funds to secure additional financing.
- Tax Benefits: If the initial capital is under 10 million JPY, the company is generally exempt from consumption tax for the first two years.
- Industry-Specific Capital Requirements: Some industries (e.g., staffing agencies) may require higher capital investments.
- Source of Funds: If capital is borrowed from family abroad, official documentation proving the relationship, loan agreements, and remittance records are required.
3.Hiring at least one full-time employee (Japanese, PR citizen etc)
The applicant must employ at least one full-time employee.
The full-time employee must be a Japanese national, Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident, or a foreign national holding the status of Spouse or Child of a Japanese National or Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident.
Part-time staff are not considered full-time employees for this purpose.
Accordingly, from a business-planning perspective, if the company’s projected revenue structure does not allow it to cover both the applicant’s executive compensation and the salary of at least one full-time employee, it will be difficult to maintain the Business Manager Visa on a long-term basis.
4.Japanese language proficiency
The applicant (business manager) or one of the management members must possess sufficient Japanese language proficiency. In addition, the individual who holds such proficiency must reside in Japan when the applicant conducts business operations.
Accordingly, employing a Japanese national or a fluent Japanese-speaking foreign national who lives overseas and works remotely does not satisfy the requirements for the Business Manager Visa.
For reference, “Japanese language proficiency” refers to a level equivalent to B2 on the international CEFR scale or JLPT N2.
Proof of proficiency should be provided by submitting a copy of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) certificate, or, in the case of a Japanese national, through a Koseki Tohon (family registry certificate) or other equivalent documentation.
5.Experience or Degree
The applicant must have at least three years of experience as a business manager or executive, or hold a master’s degree in a field related to business management or commerce.
The period spent preparing for entrepreneurship under Designated Activities (Category No. 44, Start-Up Visa) may be counted toward the three years of managerial experience.
In other words, applicants whose highest academic qualification is a bachelor’s degree cannot start a business under the Business Manager Visa without prior managerial or executive experience.
Such applicants must either earn a graduate-level degree (e.g., an MBA) or gain at least three years of management experience at a company or other organization.
This requirement was introduced in response to a growing number of Business Manager Visa applications from nominal business owners, such as elderly parents residing overseas, who had no actual involvement in business operations.
6. Business Sustainability & Planning
Applicants must submit a detailed business plan in Japanese to the Immigration Bureau. The plan should cover:
- Business model and revenue strategy
- Market research and competition analysis
- Financial forecasts and budget planning
- Growth strategy and hiring plans
- Meet the Compensation requirement for the applicant
Important Note: The business plan must undergo a prior evaluation of its business feasibility conducted by an independent third-party professional, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Licensed Tax Accountant.
There is no interview process, so the business plan must clearly demonstrate viability and long-term sustainability.
Visa Renewal & Business Performance
For visa renewals, financial performance will be examined. If the company is running at a deficit, a new business plan may be required to justify continued operations.
7. Business Partner Requirement (If Applying from Overseas)
If you are applying from abroad, a business partner or co-representative director residing in Japan is necessary. This person must:
- Be a Japanese citizen, permanent resident, or current Business Manager Visa holder.
- Have a registered address in Japan (住民票/Juminhyo).
- Hold a Japanese bank account to facilitate the company registration process.
Steps to Establish the Company with a Business Partner:
- The business partner registers the company in Japan.
- The partner contracts the office lease and applies for any necessary business licenses.
- After the visa is granted, the partner resigns as co-representative, if necessary.
If applicant (you) has already lived in Japan, your compliance with legal obligations in Japan will be really important.
Application Processing Time & Approval Flow
The typical processing timeline for a Business Manager Visa is around 3-6 months, but additional document requests can extend this period.
Visa Application Process:
- Business planning and preparation
- Company establishment (2-4 weeks)
- Obtaining business licenses (if required)
- Preparing visa application documents
- Submitting application to the Immigration Bureau
- Immigration review (approx. 3-6 months)
- Additional document requests (if necessary)
- Notification of approval or rejection
📌 Total estimated timeline: 4-8 months
Case Studies: Successful Business Manager Visa Applications
- YouTube consulting company
- Hospitality & Minpaku (guesthouse) business
- IT services & software development
- E-commerce startups
- Food import/export business
- Student transitioning from a Student Visa to a Business Manager Visa
- Highly Skilled Professional (HSP-1c) entrepreneurs
Additional Resources
- Necessary Documents for Business Manager Visa
- How long can I stay in Japan after getting my Business Visa?
- Guide to extending(renew) a Business Manager Visa
- What to do if your application is rejected
- Can two foreign nationals jointly apply for a Business Manager Visa in Japan?
For professional assistance with your Business Manager Visa application, contact Continental Consulting today!
Professional
Masakazu Murai Immigration consultant, financial advisor 18 years’ experience in Investment Banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley. He had provided financial advisory more than 500 entrepreneurs and senior management.
Gyoseishoshi Immigration Lawyer
– Co head of the Tokyo Gyoseishoshi Association, Minato branch
CMA(Japanese financial analyst license)
CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
MBA in Entrepreneurship
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