Business Manager Visa Complete Application Guide

The Business Manager Visa is the status of residence for foreigners who run a business or manage a company in Japan. Whether you want to start your own company, invest in an existing business, or take a senior management role, this is the visa that allows you to legally operate and direct a real, continuous business in Japan. It is one of the most attractive routes for entrepreneurs — but it is also one of the most carefully scrutinized, because Immigration must be convinced that a genuine, sustainable business will actually operate.

This guide explains exactly how the Business Manager Visa works: the core requirements under the current rules (including the 30 million yen capital requirement in force since October 16, 2025, the requirement to employ at least one full-time staff member, the Japanese-language and applicant background requirements, the expert-confirmed business plan requirement, and the physical office requirement), the documents you need, the step-by-step application process, processing time and costs, what examiners look at, the most common reasons applications are refused, renewal, and frequently asked questions. It is written for the applicant — the foreigner who wants to build a business in Japan — and aims to be accurate and practical.

What the Business Manager Visa Is — and Who It's For

The Business Manager Visa is the status of residence designed for two kinds of people:

• Business operators — foreigners who establish and run their own company in Japan, or invest in and operate an existing business.
• Managers — foreigners who take a genuine management or executive role in a business in Japan (for example a branch manager or director), even if they did not found the company.

The key concept is that the activity must be genuine management of a business, not ordinary employment. If your day-to-day role is essentially that of a regular employee, the correct visa is usually Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, not Business Manager. Immigration looks closely at whether you are truly directing the business — making management decisions, controlling funds, hiring, and bearing responsibility for the operation.

Core Requirements at a Glance

To qualify for the Business Manager Visa, your business must satisfy all of the following:

These requirements work together. A strong capital figure with a weak office, or a great office with an unconvincing business plan, will not pass. Immigration evaluates the whole picture of whether a real business will operate continuously in Japan. Since October 16, 2025, three additional requirements have been introduced: (1) Japanese-language ability — the applicant or one qualifying full-time staff member must have ability equivalent to B2 or higher of the Framework of Reference for Japanese Language Education (such as JLPT N2 or higher, a BJT score of 400 or higher, or other accepted evidence); (2) applicant background — the applicant must have a doctoral, master's, or professional degree related to business management, or at least 3 years of experience in business management or administration; and (3) expert confirmation of the business plan — the business plan submitted at the time of initial permission must be reviewed and confirmed by a qualified expert: a Japanese SME management consultant (chusho kigyo shindanshi), certified public accountant, or licensed tax accountant. Applicants who were already residing under the Business Manager status before October 16, 2025 benefit from a transitional period: renewal applications submitted by October 16, 2028 are assessed comprehensively even if the new criteria are not yet fully met, but after that date the new criteria apply in full.

Since October 16, 2025, three additional requirements have been introduced: (1) Japanese-language ability — the applicant or one qualifying full-time staff member must have ability equivalent to B2 or higher of the Framework of Reference for Japanese Language Education (such as JLPT N2 or higher, a BJT score of 400 or higher, or other accepted evidence); (2) applicant background — the applicant must have a doctoral, master's, or professional degree related to business management, or at least 3 years of experience in business management or administration; and (3) expert confirmation of the business plan — the business plan submitted at the time of initial permission must be reviewed and confirmed by a qualified expert: a Japanese SME management consultant (chusho kigyo shindanshi), certified public accountant, or licensed tax accountant. Applicants who were already residing under the Business Manager status before October 16, 2025 benefit from a transitional period: renewal applications submitted by October 16, 2028 are assessed comprehensively even if the new criteria are not yet fully met, but after that date the new criteria apply in full.

The 30 Million Yen Capital and Full-Time Staff Requirement (Revised October 2025)

This requirement changed significantly in October 2025. Under the ministerial ordinance revision effective October 16, 2025, the business must have capital (or, for a sole proprietorship, total funds invested in the business) of at least 30 million yen AND must employ at least one full-time staff member limited to Japanese nationals, special permanent residents, and foreign residents with statuses such as Permanent Resident, Spouse of a Japanese National, Spouse of a Permanent Resident, or Long-Term Resident. The former rule—a choice between 5 million yen of capital or two full-time employees—no longer applies to new applications received on or after October 16, 2025.

What matters about the 30 million yen:

• It must be real capital that flows into the company. For a kabushiki kaisha, this means paid-in capital of at least 30 million yen; for a godo kaisha or other membership company, the total amount of capital contributions must be at least 30 million yen. For a sole proprietorship, Immigration assesses the total funds actually invested in the business, including office setup costs, one year of qualifying staff salaries, equipment, and similar necessary investments.
• The source of funds must be clear and legitimate. This is where many applications fail. You must document where the money came from — for example personal savings built up over time, the documented sale of property or other assets, a clearly evidenced gift from a relative, or a loan with an identifiable lender and contract.
• Sudden, unexplained deposits are a red flag. A large amount appearing in an account just before the application, with no traceable origin, is one of the most common triggers for refusal or a request for additional documents.

The Physical Office Requirement

The business must have a secured, independent physical place of business in Japan. This is a frequent stumbling block, especially for applicants used to running businesses from home or virtual addresses abroad.

What is generally accepted:

• A commercial office or shop secured under a lease in the company's name, used exclusively for the business.
• A space with a clear, dedicated entrance, signage, and the equipment (desks, communications, etc.) appropriate to the business.

What is generally not accepted:

• A virtual office, rental mailbox, or registered address service with no real dedicated space.
• A shared co-working "hot desk" with no exclusive, dedicated area.
• A residential apartment used as a combined home and office is, under the October 2025 revision, generally not accepted. The Immigration Services Agency states that an office appropriate to the scale of the business is required.

The Business Plan — The Heart of the Application

The business plan is often the single most important document. Immigration uses it to judge whether the business is realistic, continuous, and capable of being profitable. A vague or copied plan is a major weakness. Since October 16, 2025, the business plan submitted when the status is first granted must also be reviewed and confirmed by a qualified expert: a Japanese SME management consultant (chusho kigyo shindanshi), certified public accountant, or licensed tax accountant. An officer or employee of your own company cannot serve as the confirming expert.

A strong business plan generally covers:

• What the business does — concrete products or services, target customers, and how you make money.
• Market and competition — why there is demand and how you will compete.
• Financial projections — realistic revenue, costs, and profit forecasts, usually for the first 1 to 3 years, with assumptions that make sense.
• Use of the capital — how the 30 million yen (and any other funds) will be spent to start and run the business.
• Your role and experience — why you are capable of running this specific business.
• Staffing and operations — how the business will actually function day to day.

Numbers that do not add up — revenue with no customers, profit with no costs, or projections copied from a template — undermine credibility quickly. The plan should be specific to your business and consistent with every other document you submit.

Required Documents

The exact list depends on whether you apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from abroad or a change of status from within Japan, and on your specific business. A typical document set includes:

Company / business documents

• Certificate of company registration.
• Articles of incorporation.
• Proof of capital and its source (bank statements, savings history, asset-sale records, gift or loan documents).
• Business plan, together with the required expert confirmation (by an SME management consultant, certified public accountant, or licensed tax accountant) for applications filed on or after October 16, 2025.
• Office lease contract and photos of the premises (interior and exterior).
• Any industry-specific licenses or permits required for your business.

Financial and tax documents

• Opening financial statements / balance sheet, or financial statements if the business has been operating.
• Notification of incorporation submitted to the tax office and related filings.
• Documents on social insurance enrollment for the company and employees, if applicable.

Applicant documents

• Application form for the Certificate of Eligibility or change of status.
• Passport and residence card (if already in Japan).
• Photograph meeting Immigration specifications.
• Your resume / career history and evidence that you meet the applicant background requirement: such as a relevant doctoral, master's or professional degree, or documentation of at least 3 years of professional experience in business management or administration.
• Documents showing how you will be paid by the business (planned remuneration).
• Documents proving employment of at least one qualifying full-time staff member, such as employment contract, offer letter, payroll details, social insurance enrollment documentation, and proof of the staff member's residence status (visa status or nationality documentation) where relevant.
• Documents proving Japanese-language ability equivalent to B2 level or above for the applicant or the full-time staff member, such as JLPT N2 or higher score, BJT score of 400 or higher, or other officially accepted evidence.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Processing Time

Processing time depends on the route:

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from abroad: typically about 1 to 3 months, and sometimes longer for complex or brand-new businesses. After approval, you still need to obtain the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate before entering Japan.
• Change of status from within Japan (e.g., from Student or another work visa): generally about 2 weeks to 2 months.

These are general guides, not guarantees. Requests for additional documents extend the timeline. Because the first period of stay for a new business is often only 1 year, plan your launch with comfortable margins so you are not forced to operate under time pressure.

Costs to Budget For

Beyond the required 30 million yen capital, realistic startup costs include:

Remember that the 30 million yen is capital for the business, not a fee you give away. It funds your operations — but you should also have enough beyond it to cover setup and living costs while the business ramps up.

Period of Stay and Renewal

The Business Manager status may be granted for 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 4 months, or 3 months. A brand-new business often receives 1 year for the first period, with longer periods granted later once the business has a track record.

At renewal, Immigration looks at whether the business actually operated as planned:

• Did the business trade and generate the activity described in the plan?
• Are corporate and personal taxes filed and paid properly?
• Is the company properly handling labor insurance (employment insurance and workers' compensation insurance), health insurance, pension, and other relevant insurance and social insurance obligations and filing and paying all required taxes?
• Is the business financially sustainable, or at least credibly recovering if the first year was tough?

A business that did nothing, has no records, lacks the required business scale or staff structure, or ignored tax, labor insurance, and social insurance obligations is at serious risk at renewal. Long absences from Japan without valid business reason may also undermine the finding that the applicant is genuinely conducting management activities. Continuous, well-documented operation that meets the current permission criteria is what turns the first 1-year permission into longer-term stability.

Common Reasons for Refusal

Understanding why applications fail is the best way to avoid failure. The most common reasons are:

• Unconvincing business plan — unrealistic numbers, no clear customers, or a template that doesn't fit the actual business.
• Unclear source of capital or insufficient business assets — the required 30 million yen or qualifying business assets appear without a documented, legitimate origin, or the actual investment in the business cannot be proven.
• Missing or nominal full-time staff — no qualifying full-time staff member is employed, or the employment arrangement appears to exist only for the application.
• Japanese-language ability or applicant background not proven — the required B2-level Japanese ability or the applicant's degree or experience requirement is not adequately documented.
• Weak office — the place of business looks like a virtual office, a mailbox, or a residence rather than a genuine, independent office.
• Role looks like employment, not management — insufficient evidence that you genuinely operate and direct the business.
• Inconsistent documents — figures or addresses that contradict each other across the application.
• Missing licenses — operating a regulated business (food service, recruitment, used goods, etc.) without the required permits.
• Insufficient business substance — no contracts, no suppliers, no signs that the business will actually trade.

Business Manager vs. Other Work Visas

It helps to see where the Business Manager Visa sits compared with the two other statuses foreigners most often consider:

A common mistake is applying for Business Manager when the real role is employment — that belongs under 技術·人文知識·国際業務, where the central test is that your degree or experience relates to your job duties. If you are unsure which status fits, professional advice early can save months.

Family, Permanent Residence, and the Future

• Family: your spouse and children can apply for Dependent status, supported by your income from the business. Dependents may work up to 28 hours per week only with separate permission to engage in activity outside their status.
• Permanent residence: time on the Business Manager status counts toward permanent residence, which normally requires 10 years of continuous residence in Japan, including at least 5 years on a work or business status, stable income, proper tax and insurance payment, and good conduct. Note: for permanent residence applications based on Business Manager status after October 16, 2025, the applicant must meet the current Business Manager permission criteria (30 million yen capital, one qualifying full-time staff member, and the other new requirements).
• Highly Skilled Professional: qualifying managers and entrepreneurs may use the points-based Highly Skilled Professional system, which offers benefits and a faster path to permanent residence.
• The throughline: a genuinely operating, profitable, tax-compliant business is what protects every renewal and strengthens any future application — from dependents to permanent residence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

The Business Manager status rewards real entrepreneurship in Japan, but it is granted on evidence, not intentions. If you prepare clean capital or business assets with a documented source, secure a genuine office appropriate to the business scale, employ the required qualifying full-time staff member, address the Japanese-language and applicant background requirements, obtain the required expert confirmation of the business plan, and keep every document consistent, you give yourself the best possible chance — and you build the foundation for renewals, your family's stay, and eventual permanent residence. When in doubt, get professional guidance early; it is far cheaper than a refusal.