Business Manager Visa Japan: Key Requirements and Common Pitfalls

The Business Manager Visa is the official name of the residence status “Business Manager.”
It is required when a foreign national establishes a company in Japan and operates a business, or becomes involved in managing an existing company.

The residence status “Business Manager” underwent major changes due to a ministerial ordinance revision on October 16, 2025 (Reiwa 7).

Key changes include an increase in the required capital or total investment from 5 million yen to 30 million yen, the new obligation to employ at least one full-time employee, the introduction of Japanese language proficiency requirements, and the requirement for a business plan to be reviewed by a qualified professional.

In addition, if an application for extension of period of stay is filed on or after October 16, 2028 (Reiwa 10), it is important to note that, in principle, compliance with the revised standards will be required.

What Is a Business Manager Visa?

The Business Manager Visa is a residence status required for foreign nationals who wish to establish and operate a company in Japan or manage an existing company in Japan.

Following a legal revision in 2014, the former “Investor/Business Manager” visa was renamed the “Business Manager” visa, allowing foreign nationals not only to invest but also to engage in the management and administration of foreign-affiliated companies.
In addition, from October 2025 (Reiwa 7), the requirements became stricter, including the need for capital of at least 30 million yen.

Obtaining a Business Manager Visa allows the following activities:

The main target applicants are company presidents, directors, branch managers, and other managerial personnel.

To obtain this visa, however, it is necessary to have established the company and completed the preparations to begin actual business operations. Specifically, evidence showing the stability and continuity of the business is required.

There are no restrictions on business type, but the legality of the business must be proven.

For certain businesses, such as restaurants, extensive preparations are needed, including store lease agreements, interior construction, and purchasing inventory. If the visa application is denied, this can result in substantial losses.

To avoid failure in obtaining a Business Manager Visa, we strongly recommend seeking assistance from a professional.

Requirements for Obtaining a Business Manager Visa

To obtain a Business Manager Visa, the following four requirements must be met:

1. Securing a Business Office

A business office for the applicant’s business must exist in Japan.
Even if the business has not yet started, a facility to be used as the business office must already be secured.

Please note that virtual offices are not recognized as business offices.

In addition, because at least one full-time employee must be hired, using a residence as both home and office is generally no longer accepted. It must be objectively clear that the space is an independent business office used for operating the business.

2. Business Scale

Regarding business scale, at least one of the following conditions must be satisfied:

A full-time employee must be either a Japanese national, a Special Permanent Resident, or a foreign national residing in Japan under one of the statuses listed in Appended Table II of the Immigration Control Act (“Permanent Resident,” “Spouse or Child of Japanese National,” “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident,” or “Long-Term Resident”).

“Assets used for the business” means, in the case of a corporation, the amount of paid-in capital for a joint-stock company, or the total amount of contributions for a general partnership company, limited partnership company, or limited liability company. Capital reserves, capital surplus, and retained earnings are not included.

In the case of an individual business, it means the total amount invested in items necessary to operate the business, such as securing office space, paying one year of employee salaries, and equipment investment expenses.

3. Japanese Language Ability

Either the applicant or a full-time employee must have a reasonable level of Japanese language proficiency.

Specifically, a Japanese language proficiency level equivalent to B2 or above under the “Framework of Reference for Japanese Language Education” is required (such as JLPT N2 or above, or a score of 400 or higher on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test).

However, proof of Japanese language proficiency through an examination is not required in certain cases, such as when the full-time employee is Japanese.

More specifically, this applies if either the applicant or the full-time employee falls under one of the following categories:

4. Academic Background or Experience in Management/Administration

The applicant must satisfy one of the following:

In addition, the applicant must receive compensation equal to or greater than that paid to a Japanese national engaged in the same work.

 

By satisfying the above requirements, it becomes possible to obtain a Business Manager Visa.

If these conditions are not met, the visa application may be denied. It is therefore important to check each requirement carefully and prepare with caution.

Important Points When Applying for a Business Manager Visa

There are several important points to keep in mind when applying for a Business Manager Visa.

The points differ depending on whether a foreign national is newly establishing a company in Japan, managing an existing Japanese company, or whether multiple foreign nationals are applying for visas through the same company.

Below, we explain the specific points to watch out for in each case.

When a Foreign National Starts a Business in Japan

The key points to note when a foreign national starts a business in Japan and applies for a Business Manager Visa are as follows:

1. Important Points When Securing a Business Office

A physical business office in Japan must be established.

Therefore, please note that virtual offices and rental offices consisting only of shared space are not accepted. A properly secured private room is required.

In addition, the office must be equipped with facilities such as a telephone, fax, computer, and copier. The lease agreement must be made in the name of the corporation, and the permitted use must be for business purposes.

Furthermore, because the employment of at least one full-time employee is now a premise, using a residence as both home and business office is generally no longer permitted.

2. Important Points Regarding Business Scale

For business scale, the following two requirements must be met:

The full-time employee must be directly employed; part-time workers and dispatched workers are not accepted.

“The amount of capital or total investment” refers to assets used for the business. In the case of a joint-stock company, this means the amount of paid-in capital, and does not include capital reserves, capital surplus, or retained earnings.

In addition, it is necessary to show that the capital was secured through lawful means, and appropriate documents proving the source of funds are required.

3. Important Points When Preparing the Business Plan

The business plan must be specific, reasonable, and feasible.

Furthermore, confirmation by a person with professional knowledge of business management is mandatory to determine whether this requirement has been met.

Specifically, an evaluation by one of the following is required:

These evaluators must be external parties. Please note that officers of the company managed by the applicant are not accepted.

It is also important to note that the appropriateness of the business itself will be examined, including explanations of procurement routes for raw materials or products, sales channels, and enrollment in employment insurance and social insurance when hiring workers.

When a Foreign National Manages a Company in Japan

When a foreign national works as a manager of a company in Japan, such as a department head, branch manager, or factory manager, the applicant must actually engage in managerial duties.

Please note that a position in name only will not be accepted.

When Multiple Foreign Nationals Apply for Visas Through One Company

When multiple foreign nationals seek to obtain Business Manager Visas through a single company, it is important to note that, considering the scale of the business and the volume of work, there must be a reasonable basis for each foreign national to engage in management or administration.

In addition, each foreign national’s role and job duties must be clear, and appropriate compensation must also be paid.

If these conditions are not met, not everyone will be able to obtain a Business Manager Visa, and it may be necessary to consider other visa options.

Important Points When Renewing a Business Manager Visa

When renewing a Business Manager Visa, attention should be paid to the following points:

1. The Company Must Be Profitable

The company is expected to show a profit in its financial statements.
Even if the company is in the red, this does not automatically lead to denial, but a plan for returning to profitability must be presented.

If, however, the company has negative net assets or no gross profit for two consecutive fiscal years, renewal itself may become difficult, so careful attention to business performance is essential.

2. The Company Must Have Sales Above a Certain Level

When renewing a Business Manager Visa, the company is expected to have sales above a certain level.

The sales benchmark differs depending on the type of business, but in order to demonstrate ongoing business activity, it must be possible to prove that the company has generated sales above a certain level.

3. Executive Compensation Should Be Around 250,000 Yen Per Month

If executive compensation is too low, immigration authorities may question how the applicant is covering living expenses.

Since this may raise suspicion that the applicant has income outside the scope permitted under the Business Manager Visa, executive compensation should be set at no less than approximately 250,000 yen per month.

4. No Unpaid Taxes

Please note that not only must the company have no overdue corporate taxes, but the business owner personally must also have no unpaid taxes such as resident tax, as this is an important checkpoint at the time of renewal.

5. Required Notifications and Filings Must Have Been Completed

It is also important that required filings, such as changes in company registration, have been completed within the prescribed deadlines.

If there have been changes such as an address change or change of directors, change registration must be filed promptly with the Legal Affairs Bureau, and required notifications must also be submitted to the relevant Immigration Services Agency office and local municipal office.

6. The Number of Days Spent Outside Japan Must Not Be Excessive

If the applicant has spent a long period outside Japan without a valid reason during the period of stay, renewal of the period of stay will not be granted on the grounds that there is no actual business activity in Japan.

For example, if the applicant has departed Japan under a re-entry permit (including a special re-entry permit) for more than half of the total period of stay in aggregate, renewal may become highly difficult.

7. Compliance with the Revised Standards

Until October 16, 2025 (Reiwa 7), it was possible to obtain the residence status “Business Manager” under the old standards.
However, even in such cases, if an application for extension of period of stay is filed on or after October 16, 2028 (Reiwa 10), it is generally necessary to comply with the revised standards.

One particularly important point is the requirement that “the amount of capital or total investment must be at least 30 million yen.” Under the old standards, 5 million yen was sufficient, but if the company cannot increase its capital to 30 million yen or more within three years, renewing the Business Manager Visa may become difficult.

Please Consult a Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist for Your Business Manager Visa

At our office, we provide full support for Business Manager Visa applications.
From preparing the required documents to drafting the application forms, our office can handle the process on your behalf.

Applying for a Business Manager Visa involves many important considerations, including securing a business office, meeting the business scale requirements, and proving the legality, stability, and continuity of the business. To complete these procedures accurately and reduce the risk of denial, we encourage you to consult our office.

We also handle general consultations regarding Business Manager Visa applications.
If you have questions or concerns about the requirements, procedures, or key considerations for obtaining this visa, our specialist staff will respond carefully and provide advice tailored to your situation.

You can book a free consultation by phone or through our inquiry form, so please feel free to contact us.

If you are having trouble with a Business Manager Visa application, leave it to TOUCH Law Firm.