In October 2025, revisions to ministerial ordinances related to Japan’s Immigration Control Act significantly changed the requirements for obtaining a Business Manager visa (status of residence: “Business Manager”).
In the past, international students could start a business relatively smoothly after graduation, but now the bar has been raised substantially, with requirements such as capital of at least 30 million yen, practical experience or a master’s degree, and full-time employment of a Japanese national or equivalent.
In this article, an administrative scrivener specializing in immigration procedures thoroughly explains the realistic ways international students can start a business in Japan and obtain a Business Manager visa under this dramatically changed system, the details of the new requirements, and the key points for passing the screening process.
- October 2025 revision! The dramatically changed new requirements for the Business Manager visa
- The conditions international students (undergraduate and graduate school graduates) must meet to start a business
- How to overcome the hurdles of “30 million yen in capital” and “practical experience”
- What “expert review” of a business plan means
- The latest process from company formation to visa status change
- What Is a Business Manager Visa? (Background of the Legal Revision)
- Important: Requirements for Changing from Student Status to a Business Manager Visa (New Standards)
- 1. Capital Requirement: At Least 30 Million Yen
- 2. Employment Requirement: Mandatory Hiring of at Least One Full-Time Employee
- 3. Background Requirement: Practical Experience or a Master’s Degree (MBA, etc.)
- 4. Japanese Language Ability: JLPT N2 or Higher, or Hiring a Qualified Employee
- 5. Business Plan Must Be Pre-Reviewed by an Expert
- Important Considerations and Screening Points Specific to International Students
- Application Process Flow (Updated for the New System)
- STEP 1: Create a Business Plan and Consult a Professional
- STEP 2: Prepare the Articles of Incorporation and Establish the Company
- STEP 3: File Required Notifications and Obtain Licenses/Permits
- STEP 4: Sign an Employment Contract with a Full-Time Employee
- STEP 5: Obtain an External Evaluation of the Business Plan
- STEP 6: Submit the Application to Immigration
- Key Points for Preparing the Business Plan
- Success Stories and Failure Cases for International Students Under the New System
- Support and Strengths of TOUCH Law Firm
What Is a Business Manager Visa? (Background of the Legal Revision)
After graduating from a university or other educational institution, an international student who wants to establish a company in Japan and become a business owner must change their status of residence from “Student” to “Business Manager.”
Overview of the Business Manager Visa
A Business Manager visa is a status of residence granted to foreign nationals who engage in the management or administration of trade or other businesses in Japan.
While a work visa (such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services) is a visa for working as an employee, a Business Manager visa is for activities as a business owner or manager.
The Impact of the October 2025 Revision
Previously, a Business Manager visa could be obtained with “5 million yen in capital” and no academic or professional experience requirements.
However, concerns grew over the proliferation of shell companies with no real business substance and cases where they were used to facilitate illegal employment, so the permission standards were tightened from October 16, 2025.
As a result, obtaining this visa has become extremely difficult unless financial strength and management capability can be objectively proven. Inadequate preparation is likely to lead to rejection, so having accurate information is essential.
Important: Requirements for Changing from Student Status to a Business Manager Visa (New Standards)
When an international student changes to a Business Manager visa, there are no special exceptions. They must meet all five major new requirements in full.
1. Capital Requirement: At Least 30 Million Yen
The biggest change is the amount of required capital. Before the revision, the minimum was 5 million yen, but now applicants must have capital or total investment of at least 30 million yen.
- Impact on international students: It is not realistic to prepare 30 million yen on your own. Financial support from family members or fundraising from investors is now essential.
- Proof of how the funds were formed: You must strictly prove how this 30 million yen was obtained, such as remittance records from parents or investment agreements.
2. Employment Requirement: Mandatory Hiring of at Least One Full-Time Employee
Before the revision, hiring employees was optional as long as the capital requirement was met. Now, however, hiring at least one full-time employee is mandatory.
- Who must be hired: The employee must have a status with no work restrictions, such as a Japanese national, Special Permanent Resident, Permanent Resident, spouse of a Japanese national, or Long-Term Resident.
- Important note: Hiring a fellow international student as a part-time worker does not count. Enrollment in social insurance is also mandatory.
3. Background Requirement: Practical Experience or a Master’s Degree (MBA, etc.)
Before the revision, there were no requirements regarding academic background or work history. Now, suitability as a business manager is examined much more strictly. You must meet either of the following:
- At least 3 years of practical experience in business management or administration
- This can include time spent under a “Designated Activities” visa for startup preparation.
- A master’s degree or higher related to business management
- This includes an MBA, a master’s degree in a field related to the intended business, a professional degree, or a doctoral degree.
Impact on international students
- International students with only a bachelor’s degree: Since they generally do not have practical experience, they usually cannot meet this requirement, making it extremely difficult to start a business immediately after graduation.
- International students who completed graduate school (business-related fields): They may be able to satisfy the requirement through the “master’s degree” criterion. This can be seen as the only practical relief measure.
4. Japanese Language Ability: JLPT N2 or Higher, or Hiring a Qualified Employee
Either the applicant (you) or the full-time employee you hire must have a sufficient level of Japanese language ability.
- Standard: JLPT N2 or higher, or a score of 400 or above on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test.
- If you graduated from a Japanese university or graduate school, you are considered to meet this requirement.
5. Business Plan Must Be Pre-Reviewed by an Expert
Previously, applicants could submit a self-prepared business plan directly to immigration. Now, however, before filing the application, it is mandatory to obtain an evaluation and review by a person with professional knowledge of business management, such as a certified public accountant or certified small and medium enterprise management consultant.
An evaluation report is required in which the expert confirms that the plan is “feasible” and “reasonable.”
Important Considerations and Screening Points Specific to International Students
Under the new requirements, the risks and screening points specific to international students have also changed.
Proof of Source of Funds: The 30 Million Yen Barrier
The source of such a large amount as 30 million yen will be examined thoroughly. If you say, “I borrowed it from my parents,” immigration may also ask how your parents accumulated those funds.
In addition, if overseas remittance records, loan agreements, gift agreements, and other documents are inconsistent, the application may be denied on suspicion of money laundering.
Risk of Unauthorized Activity Violations (Overworking)
If you worked part-time to save startup funds, immigration will strictly check whether you exceeded the 28-hour weekly limit for part-time work.
If there was any violation in the past, your change of status may be denied due to poor conduct, even if you can prepare the full 30 million yen.
Relevance of the Major to the Academic Requirement
If you intend to meet the requirement with a graduate degree (master’s), that degree must be related to business management or the business you plan to operate. There is a risk that a master’s degree in a completely unrelated field will not be accepted, so consulting a professional is advisable.
Application Process Flow (Updated for the New System)
Below is the process from company formation to obtaining the visa under the new requirements.
There are more steps than under the previous system.
STEP 1: Create a Business Plan and Consult a Professional
First, consider whether it is possible to raise 30 million yen in capital and whether your revenue plan will allow you to hire at least one full-time employee.
At this stage, it is strongly recommended that you consult a professional such as an administrative scrivener.
STEP 2: Prepare the Articles of Incorporation and Establish the Company
- Articles notarization and capital payment: Deposit at least 30 million yen in the account and establish the company.
- Corporate registration: Complete the incorporation registration at the Legal Affairs Bureau.
STEP 3: File Required Notifications and Obtain Licenses/Permits
- File the notification of company establishment with the tax office and other relevant authorities.
- Important: Complete enrollment procedures for social insurance (health insurance and employee pension) and labor insurance (employment insurance and workers’ accident compensation insurance). Under the new system, approval will not be granted if these are not in place.
- For businesses such as restaurants or construction that require permits, begin preparing the necessary applications.
STEP 4: Sign an Employment Contract with a Full-Time Employee
Hire at least one Japanese national, permanent resident, or similar eligible person as a full-time employee under a formal employment contract.
STEP 5: Obtain an External Evaluation of the Business Plan
For the business plan you created, request a designated expert such as a certified public accountant or certified small and medium enterprise management consultant to prepare an evaluation report.
STEP 6: Submit the Application to Immigration
Prepare the following documents and submit them to the Immigration Services Agency.
- Application for Change of Status of Residence
- Expert evaluation report on the business plan and the business plan itself
- Company registration certificate
- Most recent financial statements (not required for a newly established company)
- Employment-related documents for the full-time employee (employment contract, payroll ledger, etc.)
- The applicant’s degree certificate (master’s degree, etc.) or proof of practical experience
- Proof of Japanese language ability (for the applicant or the employee)
- Documents proving how the 30 million yen was accumulated
- Office lease agreement (a home office is generally not acceptable)
Key Points for Preparing the Business Plan
Under the new system, the business plan must be at a level that can withstand expert review.
Proving Stability and Continuity
Rather than a simple dream scenario, you need a rigorous financial plan showing how the 30 million yen in capital will be used, how you will pay personnel expenses for at least one full-time employee, and how the business will generate profits.
Evidence of Feasibility
- Market analysis: What differentiates your business from competitors?
- Sales plan: Do you have a concrete customer list or sales channels?
- Cash flow: Does your plan show that you can cover at least one year of personnel costs, rent, and expenses?
Success Stories and Failure Cases for International Students Under the New System
Successful Cases
- Graduate school graduates (MBA holders): Cases where applicants used a master’s degree instead of practical experience and were able to prepare 30 million yen with substantial financial support from their home country.
- Using a startup visa: Cases where applicants did not aim for a Business Manager visa immediately, but first used a “Designated Activities (Foreign Entrepreneur)” status to build a track record and have that period counted as practical experience.
Failure Cases
- Insufficient funds: Cases where the applicant could not prepare 30 million yen and tried to apply using temporary borrowed funds, which was later discovered.
- Starting a business immediately after a bachelor’s degree: Cases where the applicant did not meet the 3-year practical experience requirement, and the application was either not accepted or denied.
- Cost burden of full-time employees: Cases where the applicant could not afford the labor costs of the hired Japanese staff member and the business quickly failed.
Support and Strengths of TOUCH Law Firm
Due to the 2025 legal revision, starting a business as an international student now requires serious commitment, overwhelming financial capacity, and careful planning.
The application documents have also become more complex, and prior review by an expert has become mandatory.
- Full support for the complex new requirements
We carefully assess from a professional perspective whether you meet the new requirements, including proof of 30 million yen in funds, verification of practical experience, and whether your master’s major is relevant. - Business plan preparation and coordination for expert evaluation
Our firm not only supports the preparation of business plans designed to pass immigration screening, but also smoothly arranges and coordinates the now-required evaluation by certified small and medium enterprise management consultants and other experts. - Comprehensive support from company formation to visa status change
We provide consistent support from articles notarization, company registration, and tax office filings to the highly challenging Business Manager visa application.
Free Consultation Information
You may have many concerns, such as “Can I meet the new requirements?” or “I have a master’s degree, but is this major acceptable?”
Start with a free consultation from TOUCH Law Firm. We will analyze your background and financial situation and propose the likelihood of obtaining a Business Manager visa and the most suitable strategy.
Take the first step toward entrepreneurship with confidence.
