Due to the amendment of the ministerial ordinance enacted on October 10, 2025, the requirements for renewing a Business Manager Visa have become significantly stricter than before.
Even if you have gone through the effort to obtain a Business Manager Visa, your initial success will be meaningless if your renewal application is denied.
To secure approval for the renewal of your Business Manager Visa in the future, it is essential to keep the following two key points in mind.
Point 1: Demonstrate that you meet — or are likely to meet — the new eligibility requirements.
Point 2: Comply with the existing screening criteria, which have become more stringent than before.
This article will explain each of these two points in detail.
The official name of the Business Manager Visa is the residence status “Management and Administration.”
However, for convenience, this article will use the commonly known term Business Manager Visa throughout.
- Point 1: Demonstrate that you meet — or are likely to meet — the new eligibility requirements.
- Point 2: Comply with the Stricter Existing Screening Criteria
- In Conclusion
Point 1: Demonstrate that you meet — or are likely to meet — the new eligibility requirements.
Although a grace period has been established, applicants must, in principle, meet the new requirements introduced by this revision in order to renew their Business Manager Visa.
The details of these new requirements and the grace period are explained below.
[New Requirements] Five Key Items to Be Checked
Due to the amendment of the ministerial ordinance that takes effect on October 16, 2025, the approval criteria for the Business Manager Visa have become significantly stricter.
This important change affects not only new applications but also future renewals, making compliance with the updated standards essential.
(1) Employment of Full-Time Staff
The applicant is now required to employ at least one full-time employee at the company they manage.
Note: “Full-time employees” are limited to Japanese nationals, special permanent residents, or foreign nationals who hold a residence status such as “Permanent Resident” or “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National.”
(2) Capital Requirement
The business must have a capital amount of at least 30 million yen (or equivalent investment).
Note:
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For corporations, this refers to the amount of stated capital or total investment.
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For sole proprietors, this refers to the total amount invested in the business, including office expenses, personnel costs, and capital investments.
(3) Japanese Language Proficiency
Either the applicant or at least one full-time staff member must possess a reasonable level of Japanese language proficiency (for example, equivalent to Level N2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test).
Note: “Full-time employees” for the purpose of this requirement may include foreign nationals working in Japan under other types of work visas.
(4) Background (Education and Work Experience)
The applicant must have at least three years of experience in business management or administration, or hold a master’s degree (or higher) in a related field such as business administration.
Note: The “three years of work experience” may include periods of preparatory activities conducted under a Start-up Visa (Designated Activities).
(5) Confirmation of Business Plan by Experts
The applicant’s business plan must now be reviewed and confirmed as feasible by qualified management professionals, such as Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants, Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), or Certified Tax Accountants.
⚠️ Transitional Measures: Three-Year Grace Period (Until October 16, 2028)
Many of you may feel, “I already have a visa, but I can’t suddenly meet these criteria.” For this reason, there are important transitional measures have been established.
Three-Year Grace Period (Until October 16, 2028)
If an existing visa holder applies for renewal during this period, even if they do not yet meet the new standards, the immigration authorities will make a comprehensive assessment based on the applicant’s current business situation and the prospect of meeting the new requirements.
⚠️ Important: If there is no reasonable prospect of compliance, the renewal application will be denied.
The concept of being “expected to conform” is extremely important.
It does not mean that your current situation will be acceptable for the next three years.
Instead, the authorities will evaluate whether you have concrete plans and actions in place to meet the new requirements within that period.
Without a clear and credible plan, renewal will not be approved.
⚠️ Important: If there is no reasonable prospect of compliance, the renewal application will be denied.
Measures to Be Taken During the Grace Period
During these three years, applicants are expected to:
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Develop and implement a financial plan to increase business capital
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Establish a recruitment plan to hire full-time staff
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Prepare a language improvement plan to enhance Japanese proficiency
After the Grace Period (On and After October 17, 2028)
As a general rule, renewals after this date must fully comply with the new standards.
However, if a company demonstrates strong business performance, has fulfilled all tax obligations, and shows a credible prospect of compliance by the time of the next renewal, an exception may be granted at the discretion of the immigration authorities.
Point 2: Comply with the Stricter Existing Screening Criteria
Next, we will explain the screening items that have traditionally been reviewed but are now being examined more strictly and with greater clarity under the latest revision.
These are key points that directly relate to the actual operation and substance of the business.
Stricter Examination: The Reality of Management Will Be Questioned
Business Activities and Actual Operations
The immigration authorities will assess whether the company is a genuine operating business rather than a paper company, and whether its business activities are being conducted appropriately.
The amended guidelines clearly state:
“If the actual activities of the business manager cannot be sufficiently verified — for example, when all operations are outsourced — the visa will not be granted.”
Although the actual state of business operations has always been part of the examination, the scrutiny has now become much stricter.
For instance, cases in which the operation of a private lodging business (minpaku) is entirely outsourced to a contractor will now carry a significantly higher risk of being judged as not engaging in management activities. As a result, the overall examination process has become considerably more rigorous.
Office Requirements
Having a properly secured office suitable for conducting business is a key factor in the examination process.
To ensure that management activities align with the revised business scale, the use of a combined home and business office—which was previously allowed in some cases—is no longer permitted in principle.
The size and functionality of the business office must also be carefully considered, as the new requirements mandate the employment of at least one full-time staff member.
A one-person rental office, which many foreign business owners have used in the past, is now unlikely to be recognized as a valid place of business, as it generally does not provide sufficient workspace for employees.
Financial report
One key guideline is that the company must not be insolvent in its most recent financial statements.
Insolvency occurs when a company’s liabilities exceed its assets.While a deficit in the most recent fiscal year is generally acceptable, if the company is insolvent, it must submit a business plan and supporting documents that provide a reasonable explanation of the company’s ability to continue operations and convince the examiner of its financial viability.
Fulfillment of Public Obligations (Tax and Social Insurance)
It is an absolute requirement that both the company and the business manager have properly paid all applicable taxes and social insurance premiums.
At the time of renewal, immigration authorities will strictly verify the payment status of labor insurance, social insurance, national taxes (such as corporate tax and consumption tax), and local taxes (such as corporate inhabitant tax).
Any non-payment or delinquency will make the renewal extremely difficult to obtain.
Fulfillment of Official Obligations
(Notifications under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act)
Another point that is often overlooked is the fulfillment of notification obligations under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.
The immigration authorities will verify that you have promptly submitted all required notifications, including any changes in your residence, address, or affiliated organization (company).
Failure to submit these notifications in a timely manner may negatively affect your visa renewal.
Departure from Japan During the Period of Stay
The screening criteria regarding long-term departures from Japan during the period of stay have also changed significantly.
In the past, if (1) the company’s management was sound and (2) tax obligations were properly fulfilled, the manager’s long-term absence from Japan was generally not considered a direct reason for disapproval.
However, under the recent amendment, the guidelines clearly state:
“If a business manager has been out of Japan for a long period of time without a justifiable reason, the renewal of the visa will not be granted.”
As a result, even if the business is performing well, it will now be extremely difficult to renew the visa unless the manager resides in Japan and is personally engaged in management activities.
Required Documents for Visa Renewal (Example: Category 3)
The following documents are required to prove that the above conditions have been met.
1. Basic Documents
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Application for Extension of Period of Stay (1 copy)
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One photograph
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Passport and Residence Card (to be presented at the time of application)
2. Company Information and Financial Documents
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Copy of the Statutory Record of Withholding Tax for employee salary income from the previous year
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Copies of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year
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Certified copy of the company’s Certificate of Registered Matters (if applicable)
3. Documents Related to New Requirements and Actual Business Activities
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Copies of required business permits and licenses
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Documentation identifying at least one full-time employee
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Proof of Japanese language proficiency
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A document specifically describing business management or administrative activities during the most recent period of stay
4. Tax and Public Dues
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Certificate of Taxation and Tax Payment for the individual applicant (Inhabitant Tax Certificate)
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Documents showing the organization’s payment status for taxes and public dues, such as:
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Labor and social insurance payment records
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National and local tax payment certificates
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Other materials verifying the company’s compliance with tax and public obligations
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In Conclusion
The renewal of a Business Manager Visa involves a comprehensive evaluation of whether the business operations conducted during the period of stay were appropriate and sustainable.
Especially after the 2025 amendment, the number of required documents has increased, and the actual condition of the business will now be examined in greater detail.
The best way to ensure a smooth and successful renewal is to maintain sound business operations on a daily basis and to properly fulfill all tax and social insurance obligations.
If you have any concerns about your situation or need assistance with document preparation, please feel free to consult our experts.
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