Compensation Requirements for Applicants of the Japan Business Manager VISA (Business VISA)

Under the Business Manager VISA (hereafter Business VISA) requirements, there are no strict legal regulations specifying the amount of executive compensation. However, immigration authorities will verify whether the applicant is able to financially support themselves through an adequate salary. As such, foreign entrepreneurs applying for the Business VISA cannot remain unpaid, nor can they deliberately set an extremely low executive salary to reduce taxes or social insurance premiums, unlike Japanese entrepreneurs who sometimes delay drawing a salary until their business becomes profitable.

Although there is no official minimum salary amount set forth, a reasonable benchmark would be the average starting salary of a university graduate in Japan, which currently ranges between JPY 250,000 to 300,000 per month.

If the applicant also intends to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in the future, a higher level of executive compensation may be advisable. Depending on the number of dependents, the applicant should plan for a sufficiently comfortable income level. For example, an applicant supporting a spouse and two children should consider setting an annual executive salary of approximately JPY 5,500,000 or more. As a general guide, an additional JPY 800,000 in annual income is recommended for each dependent family member.

 

 

Professional Profile

Masakazu Murai
Producer for Foreign Entrepreneur Support
– Comprehensive Support from Company Formation to Business VISA Acquisition –

Masakazu Murai specializes in minimizing risks of Business VISA denials and long examination periods for foreign entrepreneurs seeking to launch businesses in Japan. Born in 1977, he spent 18 years in investment banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities (a joint venture between MUFG and Morgan Stanley), providing strategic advisory services to entrepreneurs and executives of listed companies on business planning, financing, and capital strategies.

He specializes in consulting for immigration status applications and financial advisory services for foreign nationals. His personal interests include attending concerts of Japanese pop idols, watching Leonardo DiCaprio movies, and playing with cats.

Certifications and Memberships:

• Administrative Scrivener (Gyoseishoshi)
• Certified Member of the Securities Analysts Association of Japan
• CFP® (Certified Financial Planner – Japan Association for Financial Planners)
• Executive Officer, Minato Ward Chapter, Tokyo Administrative Scrivener Association