Points to note when obtaining a business manager visa

What is a Business Manager Visa?

The Business Manager Visa is a status of residence required for foreigners to establish and manage a company in Japan, or to manage an existing company.

The Business Manager visa was renamed from the “Investor/Manager” visa due to a legal change in 2014, and now allows foreigners to not only invest, but also to be involved in the management and administration of foreign-affiliated companies.

By obtaining a business manager visa, you will be able to carry out the following activities:

The main targets are:Company presidents, directors, branch managers, and other managersis.

In order to obtain a visa, you must be ready to set up a company and actually start business. Specifically, you will be required to provide evidence of the stability and continuity of your business.

There are no restrictions on the type of business you can operate, but you will need to prove that your business is legitimate.

However, a business like a restaurant requires a lot of preparation, such as signing a store contract, doing interior construction work, and purchasing supplies, and there is a risk of suffering large losses if the visa application is denied.

In order to avoid failure in obtaining a business manager visa, we strongly recommend that you seek the help of an expert.

Conditions for obtaining a business manager visa

To obtain a business manager visa, you must meet the following three conditions:

①Securing a place of business

The applicant must have a place of business in Japan.

Even if your business has not yet commenced operations, you must have secured premises to use as your business location.

②Business scale

Regarding the scale of your business, you must meet one of the following criteria:

③Experience in management and administration

If the applicant intends to engage in the management of a business, he/she must have at least three years of experience in business management or administration (including postgraduate study in business or administration).

In addition, they are required to receive remuneration equal to or greater than that which a Japanese person would receive for the same job.

By satisfying the above conditions, you will be able to obtain a business manager visa.

If you do not meet these conditions, your visa application may be rejected, so it is important to prepare carefully, checking each condition one by one.

Points to note when obtaining a business manager visa

There are a few points to keep in mind when obtaining a business manager visa.

There are different points to note when a foreigner establishes a new company in Japan, when managing an existing Japanese company, and when multiple foreigners obtain visas for one company.

Below we will explain the specific points to note for each case.

When a foreigner starts a business in Japan

The following are points to note when a foreigner starts a business in Japan and obtains a business manager visa.

①Points to note when securing a place of business

You must have a physical business presence in Japan.
Therefore,Please note that virtual offices and rental offices that only consist of shared spaces are not permitted. Private rooms must be provided.

In addition, the business premises must be equipped with equipment such as a telephone, fax, computer, and copier, a rental agreement must be signed in the name of the corporation, and the purpose of use must be for business purposes.

②Points to note about business size

You must employ two or more full-time employees or have capital of 5 million yen or more.
Full-time employees must be directly employed; part-timers and temporary workers are not permitted.

In addition, it must be shown that capital reserves have been secured through legal means, and appropriate documentation is required for any equity or borrowings.

③Points to note if you want to use part of your home as a business office

Basically, your home and business cannot be the same place.
If you still want to use part of your home as a business, you must obtain the landlord’s consent, clearly distinguish between your residence and business, and make sure it has the necessary facilities for a business.

You will then need to submit an application with documents proving that there are no problems with your business.
Please be aware that the hurdles are higher than for a normal application.

④Points to note when creating a business plan

Your business plan must explain how your business will operate steadily and sustainably.

Also, be aware that the business itself must be run appropriately, including procuring raw materials and products, explaining sales routes, and enrolling workers in employment insurance and social insurance.

When a foreigner manages a company in Japan

When a foreigner works as a manager in a company in Japan, such as a general manager, branch manager, or factory manager, the applicant is required to actually perform the management duties.

It is important to note that managers in name only are not permitted.

When multiple foreigners apply for visas at one company

Please note that in order for multiple foreigners to obtain business manager visas for one company, it is necessary to take into consideration the scale of the business and the volume of work, and there must be a reasonable reason for each foreigner to be engaged in management or administration.

In addition, it is required that the role and duties of each foreign national be clearly defined and that they receive appropriate remuneration.

Please note that if you do not meet these conditions, not everyone will be able to obtain a Business Manager Visa, and you may need to consider other visas.

Important points to note when renewing your business owner’s visa

When renewing a business manager visa, you need to pay attention to the following points.

①The company is in the black

The company’s financial results are required to be in the black.
Even if you are in the red, your application will not be immediately rejected, but you will need to show a plan to turn a profit.

If there is a negative debt or no gross profit for two consecutive periods, renewal itself will be difficult, so you must pay close attention to the business situation on a daily basis.

②Have a certain amount of sales

When renewing a business manager visa, you are required to have a certain amount of sales.

Sales standards vary depending on the type of business, but you must be able to prove that you have a certain amount of sales in order to demonstrate continuous business activity.

③Executive compensation of approximately 200,000 yen per month

If executive compensation is too low, it will raise suspicions about how the company is affording its living expenses.

Since there is a possibility that the company may be suspected of having income outside the scope permitted by the Business Manager Visa, the company must set executive compensation at a minimum of 200,000 yen per month.

④Not being behind on taxes

Please be aware that when renewing your license, it is important to check that not only the corporate tax that the company is required to pay, but also that the individual manager is not in arrears with any taxes such as local resident taxes.

⑤The necessary notifications have been submitted.

It is also important to make necessary notifications, such as company change registrations, within the deadline.

If there is a change in address or officer status, you must promptly register the change at the Legal Affairs Bureau and submit the necessary notification to the relevant Immigration Bureau, city/town/village office, etc.

⑥The number of days you are away from the country is not excessive.

When renewing a business manager visa, you are also required to not leave Japan for an excessively long period.

Although there are no clear standards, you should be careful because if you spend most of the year outside of Japan without any reason, this could put you at a disadvantage when it comes time to renew your visa.

Please consult with an administrative scrivener regarding obtaining a business manager visa.

Our office provides full support for procedures related to obtaining a business manager visa.
Our office can handle everything from preparing the necessary documents to filling out the application form on your behalf.

There are many points to note when applying for a business manager visa, such as securing a place of business, requirements for business scale, proof of the appropriateness, stability, and continuity of the business, etc. Please contact our office to carry out these procedures accurately and avoid the risk of refusal.

Our office also provides general consultation regarding the acquisition of business manager visas.
If you have any questions or concerns about the precautions and conditions for obtaining a visa, our specialized staff will answer your questions carefully and provide you with appropriate advice for each individual.

To book a free consultation, please contact our office by phone or through our contact form.

If you are having trouble obtaining a business manager visa, please leave it to “Administrative Scrivener Corporation Touch.”