How Can I Obtain Permanent Residency After Getting a Business Manager Visa?

Q11. After obtaining a Business Manager Visa, I would like to apply for Permanent Residency. What should I be aware of?

A11. When applying for Permanent Residency (PR) in Japan as a Business Manager Visa holder, immigration authorities primarily review your company’s business performance, tax payment records, and compliance with public obligations. Notably, under current PR examination practices, applicants must generally hold a Business Manager Visa with a period of stay of at least three years to meet the eligibility criteria.

However, even if your business performance is strong, if you spend a significant amount of time outside Japan (frequent overseas travel), you may continue to receive only one-year renewals for your Business Manager Visa. In such cases, if you meet the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) 1b points requirements, and your company has stable performance with multiple full-time employees in Japan, it may be advisable to change your status to HSP 1b.

The HSP 1b status always grants a five-year period of stay and offers a fast-track pathway to PR eligibility—potentially after just one or three years of residence. Specifically, if your HSP points total is 70, you may apply for PR after three years; if you have 80 points or more, PR may be granted after as little as one year.

Additionally, if you qualify under the “Special Highly Skilled Talent” category described in Chapter 6, you may apply for PR after just one year of residence in Japan. Even if you are currently limited to a one-year Business Manager Visa, switching to a Highly Skilled Professional status can improve your PR application prospects.

That said, please note that immigration authorities will scrutinize your travel history and physical presence in Japan during the relevant reference period (typically the most recent one or three years). Business owners with frequent overseas trips should take particular care to maintain sufficient presence in Japan to satisfy PR requirements.