Introduction: The Business Manager Visa Capital Requirement Has Increased to ¥30 Million
On October 16, 2025, the requirements for the “Business Management” status of residence were significantly tightened, and the investment amount (capital) required to prove the scale of the business was raised from the previous ¥5 million to ¥30 million.
We are often asked, “If I prepare ¥30 million, can I get the visa?” The answer is “No.” In immigration screening, the source of that money—in other words, “how you built up such a large amount as ¥30 million”—will be examined more strictly than ever before.
In this article, we explain in detail, from an expert perspective, specific ways to prove how the ¥30 million investment capital was formed, as well as key points to watch for in each case.
- Case 1: Saved from Your Own Income (Saved by Yourself)
- Case 2: Received as a Gift from Family Members or Others (Received from Someone)
- Case 3: Borrowed from a Financial Institution or Others (Borrowed Funds)
- [New] A New Option When Meeting the Requirement Is Difficult
- Summary: Immigration Also Reviews the “Background” of the ¥30 Million
Case 1: Saved from Your Own Income (Saved by Yourself)
The most straightforward approach is to use funds you personally saved from your own income.
The key point in proving this is to submit copies of bankbooks or account statements that clearly show the process by which you accumulated ¥30 million, demonstrating that the money was saved steadily over a long period from salary income or similar sources. Not only domestic Japanese bank accounts, but also transaction records from accounts in your home country may be required.
However, because ¥30 million is a very large amount, the review will be far more cautious.
Simply submitting bank records is not enough. If the amount saved is disproportionately large compared to your salary income, or if unusually large sums of money (in the range of several million yen) were deposited over a short period, you may be strongly suspected of using “show money.”
In that case, you will need to explain the specific source of those funds in detail—such as proceeds from the sale of real estate or retirement benefits—together with objective supporting documents such as contracts.
It is important to substantiate, with salary statements, tax certificates, and similar materials, that you had a sufficiently high income over a long period.
Case 2: Received as a Gift from Family Members or Others (Received from Someone)
This is the case where you receive a gift from family members, such as your parents, as financial support for your business.
In this case, the following three documents are important.
- Documents proving the relationship with the donor: If the donor is your parent, official documents such as a birth certificate that objectively show the relationship.
- Proof of the donor’s financial capacity: (This is the most important point.) Proof that the donor has sufficient assets to give ¥30 million, such as a bank balance certificate, property valuation certificate, or tax return.
- Gift agreement: A contract clearly stating who gave the money to whom, when, how much, and for what purpose.
Because a gift of as much as ¥30 million is, objectively speaking, an extremely large transfer of funds, you must be able to explain reasonably “why such a large sum was gifted at this particular timing.”
Also, if the gift is received in Japan, substantial gift tax may be imposed, so we strongly recommend consulting a tax accountant or other specialist in advance.
Case 3: Borrowed from a Financial Institution or Others (Borrowed Funds)
This is the case where you receive financing for your business from a bank, the Japan Finance Corporation, or even an individual.
If it is a loan from a financial institution, the loan agreement is the most important supporting document. The fact that your business plan was considered viable and you were able to obtain financing of as much as ¥30 million from a financial institution works very favorably in demonstrating the credibility of your business.
On the other hand, if you borrow from an individual such as a family member or friend, be sure to prepare a loan agreement as well.
Furthermore, a contract alone is usually not enough, and there is a very high possibility that you will also be asked to submit materials proving that the lender has the financial capacity to lend ¥30 million (such as copies of bankbooks or account statements). If the lender’s financial capacity cannot be proven, the credibility of the loan itself may be questioned, so caution is required.
[New] A New Option When Meeting the Requirement Is Difficult
Quite a few people may feel that “it is difficult to prepare ¥30 million right away.”
With this legal revision, a new route is also being developed for such cases. That is the use of the “Startup Visa”.
One possible approach is to first build a track record of business activity in Japan under a Startup Visa, and then transition to a “Business Management” visa.
Related article: The New Standard Route: A Complete Guide to Transitioning from a Startup Visa to a Business Manager Visa
Summary: Immigration Also Reviews the “Background” of the ¥30 Million
In a Business Manager Visa application, the examination of capital does not end only at the time of filing. After the application is submitted, immigration may also request the latest bank balance certificate. You should assume that any “show money” prepared only temporarily for the application will be detected.
With this revision, the Immigration Bureau’s position has become even clearer: it is not simply looking for “investors who happen to have money,” but rather “business managers with a credible background who are serious about running a business in Japan”.
Of course, the amount of ¥30 million matters, but even more important is proving, through objective documents, “the legitimate background and credibility that justify your ability to move that amount of money”. That is the most important key to obtaining approval.
If you have any concerns at all about what documents are needed for your specific case, please feel free to contact our office for advice. Free Consultation & Contact Page
