Be proactive! Startup visa and business manager visa in the National Strategic Special Area

For those who have the following thoughts about Startup Visas and Business Manager Visas

Some of you reading this article may be thinking the same way. This article contains information that will be useful to such people. Although it is a slightly complicated system, it is a kind system that makes it easier to start a business in Japan. Despite this, it is not very well known. Therefore, if you are doing business in Japan, this is essential information to read.

What you can learn about Startup Visa in this article

In this article, you will learn the following points:

Is it difficult to obtain a business manager visa?

(1) Securing an office and opening a bank account are obstacles

In general, a business manager visa is more difficult to obtain than other visas. Among them, the most difficult aspects are securing an office and opening a bank account.

Regarding securing an office, it is virtually impossible for a foreigner to enter into a lease agreement in Japan if they have no address in Japan and only a passport as identification. In addition, when obtaining a business manager visa, the total amount of capital or investment must be 5 million yen or more. A bank account is required to make a payment of capital when establishing a company. However, banks will not accept the opening of this bank account unless you have a proper residence status. Therefore, it is virtually impossible to open a bank account.

(2) Inconvenience

In order to overcome these challenges, some people may choose to ask for support from a collaborator. However, this is cumbersome, and if you are unable to find a collaborator, you may be forced to give up on starting a business in Japan. If you do this, you will not be able to obtain a business manager visa, and in the end, it will be impossible to start a business in Japan.

National Strategic Special Zones and Business Manager Visas

In light of the above, projects are being carried out to lower the barriers to starting businesses for foreigners. The reason for the existence of such projects is that they aim to revitalize the industry by providing support for foreign entrepreneurs in preparing to start a business and making it easier to obtain a business manager visa.

There are two types of startup visas (foreign entrepreneurship promotion programs): the National Strategic Special Zone Entrepreneurship Support Program led by the Cabinet Office, and the Startup Preparation Support Program run by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. This article focuses on the former.

Startup Visa for National Strategic Special Zones

(1) What is the Startup Visa for National Strategic Special Zones?

What exactly is the startup visa related to the National Strategic Special Zone? I’m sure you are very curious about this. If we clarify this point at the beginning, it will be easier to understand the following explanation.

So, to put it simply, the startup visa for the National Strategic Special Zone is a visa that allows you to stay in Japan as a stopgap until you obtain a business manager visa. What does “stopgap” mean? It means that what you really want to do is to obtain a business manager visa, but as mentioned above, the hurdle is high, so it is a term given to you to prepare for that. Or, in other words, it is like a special gift that says, “You can stay in Japan for a certain period of time to prepare for getting a business manager visa.”

(2) Benefits of the Startup Visa for National Strategic Special Zones

After reading this far, some of you may have found the Startup Visa to be quite an attractive visa. In addition, we will briefly touch on other benefits of the Startup Visa.

First, some experts believe that the startup visa will make it easier to prepare for starting a business, and will also lower the hurdles for changing from a startup visa to a business manager visa.

Secondly, even if the requirements for a business manager visa are not met, it is still okay. If you obtain a startup visa, you will be able to register your address in Japan. What this means is that the problems mentioned in 3 above of “not being able to rent an office” and “not being able to open a bank account” will be cleared up! Go to the real estate agency and the bank with confidence.

(3) Designated National Strategic Special Zones

The main designated areas are shown below.
　

[Tohoku region]

Senboku City, Akita Prefecture and Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture

[Kanto region]

Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture, Narita City, Chiba Prefecture, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture

[Chubu region]

Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture and Aichi Prefecture

[Kinki region]

All or part of Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, and Hyogo Prefecture

[Chugoku-Shikoku region]

Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture

[Kyushu region]

Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Okinawa prefecture

Startup Visa System for National Strategic Special Zones

Considering the above, interest in the startup visa must be growing at this point. So, let’s take a look at the startup visa system related to the National Strategic Special Zones.

As we will explain in more detail later, startup visas (foreign entrepreneurship promotion projects) related to national strategic special zones are granted in specific areas. Below, we will explain the general system as an example.

(1) Overview

Let’s start by looking at the overall flow:

① Start-up visa (basically 6 months)
↓
② Preparation for starting a business; preparing an office, opening an account, conducting market research, meeting with experts, etc.
↓
③ Business manager visa

(2) Process for obtaining a startup visa for the National Strategic Special Zone

Apply to the local government

You will need to prepare certain documents and submit them to the local government. The documents you need to submit are listed below. They must be written in Japanese, not in your native language. The unusual term “start-up activities” is used,

Think of it as the business you are trying to run.
　　　　

Issuance of a Certificate of Confirmation of Startup Activities

The local government will check the documents you submit when applying and issue a certificate.

What exactly does “checking” mean? We will examine whether there is a possibility that the applicant will be able to obtain a business manager visa in the future, whether the content of the business that the applicant is going to conduct is specific, whether the applicant has specifically decided what they plan to do to prepare for starting a business, whether they have assets to pay for living expenses during their stay in Japan, etc.

Startup Visa Application

If you have successfully completed the above confirmation process and received the certificate, the next place to go is the Immigration Bureau. Submit the Certificate of Confirmation of Startup Activities that you received earlier along with the necessary documents.

If the screening is successful, you will be granted a startup visa.

Important points regarding startup visas in national strategic special zones

(1) Target businesses may vary by region

Some national strategic special zones have restrictions on the types of business that can be conducted within the zone, so it is best to check whether the business you plan to operate is included in the list of businesses that can be conducted within that zone.

(2) Unable to work

Some of you may be thinking the following: “I’ll get a startup visa and work in Japan during that time to earn a living and save up the funds necessary to start a business.” However, unfortunately, this is basically a no-no. This is because the period of stay here is strictly for starting a business, not for working for a company.

Therefore, it is essential that financial prospects are secured in advance.

(3) Differences by target region

Application procedures vary depending on the area designated as a national strategic special zone. For example, some cities require application documents to be written in Japanese, while other municipalities may allow them in English. Therefore, it is a good idea to check the website of the area where you are planning to apply.

Depending on the local government, the information may be quite detailed and include tips to make it easier to have your startup activities verified, so you may be able to find some useful information.

Summary of Startup Visa

If you’ve read this far, let’s go over it again here to help you in the future.