目次
- 1 What is a Business Manager Visa?
- 2 Business Manager Visa Requirements and Application Process
- 3 Required Documents for a Business Manager Visa Application
- 4 Key Points about the Business Manager Visa (Frequently Asked Questions)
- 4.1 Is There Some Way to Find Out the Approval Rate for Business Manager Visa Applications?
- 4.2 Are There Any Restrictions on the Type of Business to Apply for a Business Manager Visa?
- 4.3 Are Non-profit Businesses Eligible for a Business Manager Visa?
- 4.4 Is there a Restriction on the Number of Foreign Managers Allowed a Single Business Employ?
- 4.5 What Should I Be Aware of Applying for a Business Manager Visa for a Restaurant Business?
- 4.6 Can I Renew my Business Manager Visa Even If My Business Has a Deficit?
- 5 Advantages of Seeking Assistance with a Legal Professionalto Obtain a Business Manager Visa
What is a Business Manager Visa?
Are you interested in establishing a new company in Japan to start a business or are you going to assume an executive position at a Japanese corporation? A Business Manager (経営管理 Keiei-Kanri) Visa is suitable for foreign nationals who wish to start a business in Japan or engage in management duties at a Japanese office. This article explains the fundamental knowledge and key points of how to obtain a Business Manager Visa.
Job Scope Under a Business Manager Visa
A Business Manager Visa applies to activities that involve “substantial participation in the management or administration of a business in Japan.”
e.g.
✓ Corporate executives (such as representative directors or directors) who intend to establish and operate a company in Japan
✓ Representatives of foreign companies who wish to work at their Japanese branch.
✓ Foreign nationals who are neither permanent residents nor spouses of Japanese nationals but wish to start a business in Japan, etc.
Duration of Stay Under a Business Manager Visa
A Business Manager Visa allows six different periods of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 4 months, or 3 months.
The Immigration Services Agency determines the granted period after reviewing the application. After they decide your duration of stay, you might find that approved duration does not match your expectation: Please be noted that it may not always match the applicant’s preference even if you wish for a long period of stay.
When the granted period is about to expire, you need to apply for an extension of the period of stay. If approved, you can extend your stay in Japan.
Business Manager Visa Requirements and Application Process
Business Legitimacy, Stability, and Continuity
Business under the Business Manager Visa must be conducted properly and demonstrate stability and continuity based on a sustainable business plan.
For example, when hiring employees, you must enroll them in labor and social insurance. If the business requires permits or licenses, you must obtain them. In addition, procurement and sales must be conducted through legitimate channels.
The stability and continuity of the business are assessed not only based on the amount of common stock, but also on factors such as revenue and profit. Preparing a well-structured and feasible business plan is crucial for proving these aspects in the application process.
Securing Office Space as a Base of Operations
To prove you have prepared an appropriate office, a lease agreement signed in the name of the company must indicate that the office is for business use (e.g., commercial, office, or store use, etc.).
Additionally, the office must be physically separate from the residence area. If you rent a room to use as your home and office, you need to secure an independent space clearly separated for resident and business.
Moreover, because business continuity is required, short-term rental spaces or easily removable setups like street stalls are generally not accepted.
Investment of at Least 5 Million Yen When Starting a Business
If a foreign national is starting a business under a Business Manager Visa, a minimum investment of 5 million yen is generally required.
This requirement may be waived if certain conditions are met, such as employing two or more full-time Japanese employees and enrolling in labor insurance. However, meeting these conditions can be challenging in most situations.
Also, if investing 5 million yen or more, the source of funds will be strictly examined. Therefore, applicants need to prepare appropriate documents such as:
✓ Income certificate
✓ Copy of loan agreements
✓ Bank transaction receipts for fund transfers
Registration of Establishment of Company
Although company registration is not a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Business Manager Visa, obtaining the visa without company registration is very difficult. A typical step is applicants first complete the company registration process and then apply for a visa with the Certificate of Registered Matters.
Registration of establishment of company involves many procedures such as:
✓ Drafting articles of incorporation
✓ Creating a company seal
✓ Submitting business opening notifications to the tax office
It is essential to allow enough time to complete these procedures alongside the visa application.
At Least Three Years of Practical Experience in Management
If engaging in business management rather than starting a business, the applicant must have at least three years of practical experience in management. Time spent studying business-related subjects such as MBA is counted as part of the three-year experience.
In addition, there is a salary requirement: a salary of foreigners with a Business Manager Visa needs to be equivalent to or higher than Japanese employees in the same position at the company.
Required Documents for a Business Manager Visa Application
What is the “Category” for a Business Manager Visas?
Foreign nationals applying for a Business Manager Visa need to apply for the Certificate of Eligibility.
Business Manager Visa applications are divided into four categories (Category 1 to 4) based on the size and structure of the business including startups as follows.
Business Manager Visa Categories
| Categories | Classification (Affiliated Organizations) |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | Companies listed on a Japanese stock exchange, mutual companies engaged in insurance business, national or local government agencies, independent administrative agencies, and certain public corporations, etc. |
| Category 2 | Organizations or individuals with a total withholding tax amount of at least 10 million yen in their statutory withholding tax report for the previous year, etc. |
| Category 3 | Organizations or individuals other than Category 2, who submit the previous year’s statutory withholding tax report for employee salaries |
| Category 4 | Organizations or individuals that do not fall under Categories 1 to 3 |
Different Required Documents by Each Category
Regardless of the category, applicants must submit documents proving their classification and any relevant supplementary materials.
Would you like more details on the required documents based on each category? Please take a look at the chart below.
Required Documents by Each Category
| Required Documents | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Application for Certificate of Eligibility (for all categories) |
| 2 | Photograph (for all categories) |
| 3 | Documents proving classification under one of the categories Note: If no documents can be submitted, the applicant will be classified under Category 4. Category 1 ✓ Copy of the company’s listing in a stock exchange publication (Shikiho) ✓ Certificate of establishment approval from the relevant authorities, etc. Categories 2 & 3 ✓ Copy of the previous year’s statutory withholding tax report for employee salaries, etc. Categories 4 ✓ Certificate of withholding tax exemption for a foreign corporation ✓ Copy of notification of establishment of a salary-paying office ✓ Certificate of special tax payment schedule exemption, etc.For Categories 1 and 2, documents 4 to 10 listed below are generally not required. |
| 4 | Documents clarifying the applicant’s activities ✓ Copy of the articles of incorporation specifying executive compensation or copy of the shareholders’ meeting minutes approving executive compensation ✓ Documents from the affiliated organization specifying the position, responsibilities, employment period, employment status and salary (e.g., dispatch request letter, transfer notice) ✓ Employment contract specifying working conditions for employees |
| 5 | Proof of at least 3 years of experience in business management (including MBA or other business-related studies) ✓ Resume detailing employment history, responsibilities, and duration ✓ Certificates proving work experience, including documents from educational institutions verifying study periods in business-related fields. |
| 6 | Documents clarifying business details ✓ Copy of the certificate of registered matters ✓ A company brochure detailing the company’s history, executives, organizational structure, business content including major business partners and track records, etc. |
| 7 | Documents proving business scale ✓ Salary documents prove the business employs at least two full-time people and copies of resident records for those employees, etc. |
| 8 | Documents proving the existence of office facilities ✓ Copy of the certificate of registered matters ✓ Copy of the lease agreement, etc. |
| 9 | Copy of the business plan |
| 10 | Copy of the financial statements for the most recent fiscal year |
Key Points about the Business Manager Visa (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is There Some Way to Find Out the Approval Rate for Business Manager Visa Applications?
There is no publicly available data from government agencies such as the Immigration Services Agency of Japan or the Ministry of Justice regarding approval rates. Therefore, there is no way to grasp the exact approval percentage. For your information, it is said that the application of Business Manager Visa is one of the most difficult and complicated to obtain among the work visas.
Are There Any Restrictions on the Type of Business to Apply for a Business Manager Visa?
There are no specific restrictions on the industries that can be engaged in under a Business Manager Visa. However, the business must be legally operated and demonstrate continuity and sustainability as a matter of course.
Are Non-profit Businesses Eligible for a Business Manager Visa?
Yes. The Business Manager Visa applies to both for-profit and non-profit businesses.
Is there a Restriction on the Number of Foreign Managers Allowed a Single Business Employ?
There is no strict restriction on the number of foreign managers that a business can hire under a Business Manager Visa. However, the number of foreign managers must be reasonable based on the scale of the business.
If the number of foreign managers is excessively high compared to the size of the business, applications may be denied. In the case where the denial of a Business Manager Visa happens, alternative visa types such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” or “Intra-company Transferee” are to become one of your options to consider.
What Should I Be Aware of Applying for a Business Manager Visa for a Restaurant Business?
If your business involves running a restaurant in Japan, you must submit detailed documents such as:
✓ Copy of tenant lease agreement
✓ Copy of food business license certificate issued by the local health department
✓ Copy of the restaurant’s menu
In addition, the Business Manager Visa holder needs to act as a manager: A worker who engages in cooking, serving, or other on-site operational tasks are not permitted to stay in Japan under a Business Manager Visa. Therefore, the business must hire sufficient staff to operate the restaurant under the premise that a manager cannot be involved in operations other than management.
Please be advised that this rule applies not only to the restaurant industry, but also to other businesses that require obtaining a business license certificate such as:
✓ Accommodation businesses
✓ Liquor stores and nightlife businesses
✓ Travel agencies
These industries require additional business permissions from relevant authorities.
Can I Renew my Business Manager Visa Even If My Business Has a Deficit?
Since the Business Manager Visa is based on proper business operations and continuity, having a net loss may result in visa renewal denial. However, renewal may still be possible if you can demonstrate a clear path to financial recovery by submitting support documents such as:
✓ A Business Improvement Report
Explains the reasons for the financial loss (e.g., low sales, high costs).
Outlines corrective actions and a strategy for recovery.
Includes revenue improvement and cost reduction plans.
✓ Third-party evaluation if insolvency
If the business is in serious financial difficulty, immigration authorities may require an assessment from a certified professional such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a Small and Medium sized Enterprise Consultant.
In addition to submitting these support documents, raising capital can be one of the solutions so that the capital reserves exceed the deficit.
Advantages of Seeking Assistance with a Legal Professional
to Obtain a Business Manager Visa
As we explained above, applying for a Business Manager Visa requires detailed preparation since the process varies based on conditions such as business type and size, financial stability, and business outlook.
When applying for a Business Manager Visa, you may have several questions such as “Do I meet the requirements?” and “What additional documents should I prepare?” In addition, in the examination of Business Manager Visa applications, it is necessary to make a detailed business plan and prepare various supporting documents.
You may consider that a Business Manager Visa process is too complicated to complete successfully by yourself. We First & TandemSprint LPC offer free consultation regarding a Business Manager Visa based on practical experience. Our firm specializes in various areas of law such as visa applications, foreign employment, labor law, and contracts. All staff hold administrative scrivener qualifications and work under the supervision of experienced lawyers. Working with legal experts greatly increases approval chances. Please feel free to contact us if you need any assistance.
Useful Links from the website of Immigration Services Agency（ISA）(in Japanese only)
✓ Business Manager Visa
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/businessmanager.html
✓ Clarification of Visa Criteria for Foreign Executives
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyukan_nyukan43.html
✓ Certificate of Eligibility Application Forms:
（PDF）https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/930004033.pdf
（Excel）https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/930004034.xlsx
Links may change: check the Immigration Services Agency’s official website for updates.
The contents of this article are based on laws and information as of January 2025.
This article is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. We strive to provide accurate information; however, we do not guarantee the accuracy of the contents.
Author: ONO, Tomohiro
Attorney at Law
First & TandemSprint LPC
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