Business Manager Visa

If you want to start your own business in Japan, or establish a Japanese branch office of a foreign company, you should get permission for "Business Manager" Visa. It is a residential status for activities to engage in the management and the operation of an international trade or other business.The basic requirements and the main points revised on October 16, 2025 are as follows.

"Business Manager"

Basic Requirements
The applicant falls under all of the following requirements. 1. A business office for the purpose of conducting the business pertaining to the application exists in Japan; provided, however, that if the business has not yet commenced, facilities to be used as a business office for the purpose of conducting the business have been secured in Japan. 2. The size of the business pertaining to the application falls under both of the following requirements. (a) The business is conducted by at least one full-time employee residing in Japan (except for foreign nationals residing in Japan with a status of residence listed in the Appended Table I of the Act) other than those who operate or manage the business. (b) The total amount of the assets including the stated capital and the total amount of the contribution for the the business pertaining to the application is at least 30 million yen. 3. The applicant or those who engage in the business have sufficient level of Japanese language proficiency. And when the applicant engages in operating or managing the business, the person who has sufficient Japanese language proficiency is supposed to stay in Japan 4. The applicant falls under any of the following requirements. (a)The applicant has master's, doctor's, or professional degree in business management or the field related to the business. (b)The applicant has at least 3 years experience of operating or managing a business. 5. If the applicant seeks to manage the business,the applicant receives a remuneration equivalent to or greater than that a Japanese national receives for the same work.
Main Revisions [October 16, 2025]
1. Employment of full-time staff The full-time employee is applicable to Japanese nationals, permanent residents, long-term residents, and spouses of Japanese nationals/permanent residents. 2. Amount of capital Capital of 30 million yen or more is required.(including total amount invested) 3. Japanese language proficiency The applicant or the full-time staff needs to have sufficient level of Japanese language proficiency. A sufficient level means one of the followings. * N2 or above on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) * 400 or more score on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test * Having resided in Japan for more than 20 years * Graduated from a university or higher education in Japan * Complete compulsory education in Japan and graduate from high school 4. Career (education and job experience) Master's, doctor's, or professional degree in business management or the field related to the business is required. Otherwise, at least 3 years experience of operating or managing a business is required. 5. Business plan The business plan needs to be reviewed by a certified public accountant, a tax accountant or a business consultant.