Japan Business Manager Visa RENEWAL
What are the key criteria for renewing a Business Manager Visa in Japan?
Financial stability, tax compliance, and executive salary levels are critical factors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How much capital is required(kept) to renew a Business Manager Visa?
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The amount of paid-in capital remains unchanged even if the company runs a deficit. What changes in such a case is the “Net Assets” section of the Balance Sheet (B/S). The deficit amount will be reflected as a negative figure under Retained Earnings (RIEKI JYOYOKIN, 利益剰余金). As long as the total net assets remain positive, your Business Manager Visa can generally be renewed.
- Can I renew my Business Manager Visa while outside Japan?
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You can only apply to renew your Business Manager Visa while you are physically present in Japan. Furthermore, you must also be in Japan at the time the renewal is approved and the new residence card is issued. It is not possible to renew your Business Manager Visa while staying overseas.
- What is the minimum number of days I must stay in Japan each year to renew my Business Manager Visa?
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Japan’s Immigration law does not specify a minimum number of days that a Business Manager Visa holder must stay in Japan for renewal purposes. Some applicants own companies in the U.S., Europe, Australia, or Asia and travel extensively throughout the year to manage their overseas operations. Even in such cases, the Business Manager Visa may be renewed. However, if there is no reasonable explanation for the applicant’s prolonged absence from Japan, the immigration authorities may deny the renewal.
Renewing the Business Manager Visa
Renewing a Business Manager Visa in Japan can be complex. Typically issued initially for one year, renewals may be granted for periods of 5, 3, 1 year(s), depending on your business’s financial stability and overall compliance (tax and pension payment).
Generally, the first renewal after the initial year is granted for another 1-year period. Subsequent renewal periods (such as a 3-year or 5-year extension) depend heavily on your business’s ongoing financial health and sustainability.
Key Criteria for Business Visa Renewal
The Immigration Bureau evaluates the following primary factors:
- Financial stability and sustainability of your business
- Payment of corporate taxes
- Personal tax compliance
- Executive salary levels (minimum ¥250,000/month, comparable to new graduate salaries)
A) Corporate tax compliance
B) Personal tax compliance
C) Minimum executive salary (approx. ¥250,000/month)
Personal and Corporate Tax Obligations
Aside from strong financial performance, fulfilling both personal and corporate tax obligations is essential. Executive remuneration must at least match the starting salary of a new graduate in Japan (around ¥250,000/month). Setting your salary too low, even if reinvesting funds into the business, may negatively impact visa renewal outcomes.
What if Your Business is Running at a Loss?
A business loss doesn’t automatically disqualify your visa renewal. However, you’ll need to provide the Immigration Bureau with a credible recovery plan detailing strategies to return to profitability. In cases of substantial debt, you may require an evaluation from a certified professional (e.g., Small Business Diagnostician or CPA), demonstrating a realistic plan for debt resolution within one year.
In situations of prolonged financial difficulty, the Immigration Bureau might grant only a one-year extension, closely monitoring your recovery progress. Injecting additional capital or securing third-party funding can significantly strengthen your renewal application.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
One critical mistake is providing false or misleading information to immigration authorities. Illegal practices or fraudulent schemes offered by unscrupulous agents or advisors will lead to immediate rejection of your application. Always provide accurate, truthful information and documentation.
Importance of Financial Stability & Sustainability
Dealing with Insolvency or Debt Issues
If your company faces insolvency or substantial debts, provide the Immigration Bureau with a written assessment from a financial specialist confirming the debts can be resolved within one year.
Businesses showing consecutive annual losses or ongoing debt without concrete management support (such as additional capital injection) typically will not qualify for visa renewal.
Click here for more details on obtaining and renewing your Business Manager Visa.
FYI: How long stay in Japan after getting a Business VISA
FYI: What is the 2 months VISA extension (特例期間, TOKUREI KIKAN)?
Professional Consultant
Masakazu Murai
Immigration Consultant & Financial Advisor with 18 years of investment banking experience at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley, advising over 500 entrepreneurs and executives.
- Gyoseishoshi Immigration Lawyer
- CMA (Japanese Certified Member Analyst)
- CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
- MBA in Entrepreneurship (Hosei Business School)