How Long Must You Remain in Japan
to Maintain Your Business Manager Visa?

Q10. I hold a Business Manager Visa but also operate companies overseas, limiting my ability to remain in Japan for extended periods. How many days per year must I stay in Japan to maintain and renew my visa?

A10. Under current Japanese immigration law, there is no explicit minimum number of days that a Business Manager Visa holder must remain in Japan to qualify for renewal. In practice, many foreign executives manage multiple companies in their home country or other jurisdictions, or their business activities inherently require extensive overseas travel for negotiations, market research, or strategic planning. Consequently, it is not uncommon for visa holders to spend the majority of the year abroad. In such cases, renewal may still be granted, provided that the applicant’s activities, compensation level, and compliance with legal obligations (including taxes and social insurance) align with requirements for this visa category.

However, it is critical to understand that the applicant must be physically present in Japan both at the time of filing the renewal application and upon receiving the updated residence card. While re-entry is permitted during the “Special Period” following application submission, from a practical standpoint, maintaining at least some degree of continuous presence in Japan is advisable to respond promptly to potential document requests or additional procedural steps during the examination process.

Foreign executives who consider themselves completely free to travel without restriction should take particular care to plan their stays strategically to avoid inadvertent non-compliance.

FAQ: Japan Business Manager VISA
7.When can I start using the paid-in capital?
8.Is It Safe to Purchase an Existing Company for My Business Manager Visa Instead of Establishing a New One?
9.What Should I Do If My Business Manager Visa Application Was Denied?
10.How Long Must You Remain in Japan to Maintain Your Business Manager Visa?
11.How Can I Obtain Permanent Residency After Getting a Business Manager Visa?