Business Manager Visa in Japan｜Requirements, Application Process, and Key Considerations After the 2025 Reform

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

When applying for a Business Manager Visa, securing an appropriate office is one of the essential requirements. The applicant must secure a physical office space that can serve as the actual base of business operations.
Virtual offices are not accepted as they do not provide a location where business activities can be conducted on an ongoing basis. In addition, using a residence as a business office is not recognized for Business Manager Visa purposes.
Applicants are expected to secure a dedicated business office where the company’s representative and employees can carry out their work on a continuous basis. The office should be suitable for daily business operations and demonstrate the stability and continuity of the business.

Capital Requirement of at Least 30 Million Yen

To qualify for a Business Manager Visa, the company must have a paid-in capital of at least 30 million yen.
In addition, the Immigration Services Agency will carefully examine whether the invested funds were obtained through legitimate means. Applicants should therefore be prepared to provide documentary evidence demonstrating the source of the investment funds.
Examples of supporting documents include:
✓ Loan agreements and related documentation
✓ Bank statements and remittance records showing the transfer of funds
✓ Other documents proving how the investment capital was accumulated

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 as a Business Owner or Manager

Applicants for a Business Manager Visa are generally required to have at least three years of practical experience as a business owner, executive, or manager. This requirement applies not only to individuals who have operated a company as an owner but also to those who have held managerial positions with responsibility for business operations.
Alternatively, applicants who hold a master’s degree or doctoral degree in a field related to the business they intend to manage in Japan are considered to satisfy this requirement.
When reviewing an application, the Immigration Services Agency will assess whether the applicant possesses the knowledge, experience, and capability necessary to successfully operate and manage the proposed business in Japan.

Employment of at Least One Full-Time Employee

Following the regulatory amendments that took effect in October 2025, employing at least one full-time employee has become a clearly defined requirement for obtaining a Business Manager Visa. This requirement serves as an important indicator that the business is genuinely operating in Japan and is now one of the most closely scrutinized aspects of the application process.
For this purpose, a “full-time employee” refers to an individual who holds a residence status with no restrictions on employment, such as a Japanese national, Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, or Long-Term Resident.
Foreign nationals working under employment-based visa categories, such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, do not qualify as full-time employees for this requirement. Therefore, even if a company employs several foreign workers under work visas, the requirement will not be satisfied unless at least one qualifying full-time employee is employed.
Applicants must also be able to demonstrate the existence of a genuine and ongoing employment relationship. Supporting documents may include employment agreements, payroll records, and evidence of enrollment in social insurance programs.
As the examination process for Business Manager Visa applications has become increasingly rigorous following the 2025 amendments, applicants should carefully plan their recruitment schedule, compensation structure, and employment conditions from the early stages of business planning to ensure compliance with all requirements.

Required Documents for a Business Manager Visa Application

What is the “Category” for a Business Manager Visas?

Foreign nationals seeking to obtain a Business Manager Visa must apply for the appropriate immigration procedure. Applicants residing outside Japan are generally required to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before applying for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. Those already residing in Japan under another residence status may be eligible to apply for a Change of Status of Residence to the Business Manager Visa category.

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

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

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.

How Many Foreign Nationals Can Obtain a Business Manager Visa in One Company?

As a general rule, a company with paid-in capital of 30 million yen is expected to support one Business Manager Visa holder.
If a company wishes to sponsor a second foreign national under the Business Manager Visa category, an additional capital investment of at least 30 million yen is generally required. In other words, the company is expected to maintain paid-in capital of at least 60 million yen to support two Business Manager Visa holders.
The same principle applies to additional Business Manager Visa holders. The Immigration Services Agency will examine whether the company’s capital, business scale, organizational structure, and financial condition are sufficient to justify the number of foreign business managers.
Furthermore, each applicant must be able to demonstrate that they will independently engage in the management and operation of the business and assume genuine managerial responsibilities within the company.

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.

Practical Process from Company Incorporation to Obtaining a Business Manager Visa

Since the regulatory amendments that took effect in October 2025, the requirements for obtaining a Business Manager Visa have become significantly more demanding. As a result, the traditional approach of establishing a company and immediately proceeding with a visa application is no longer feasible in many cases.
In particular, the requirement to maintain a company with paid-in capital of at least 30 million yen, together with the requirement for relevant business ownership or management experience, can present substantial challenges for many applicants both inside and outside Japan. Meeting these requirements often requires considerable preparation and planning.
In addition, securing at least one qualifying full-time employee has become another major hurdle. This requirement can be especially difficult for applicants residing overseas, who may face practical challenges in recruitment, communication, and business setup activities within Japan.
For these reasons, a phased approach has become a more realistic strategy following the 2025 amendments. Many applicants first establish a company with the capital currently available to them while remaining based outside Japan. During this period, they may travel to Japan as necessary to make preparations for the future launch and operation of the business.
Throughout this preparation stage, the company can focus on building its operational foundation, including recruiting qualifying full-time employees, establishing an effective management structure, raising additional capital, and developing a track record of business activities.
By taking these steps, applicants can gradually position themselves to satisfy all requirements for a Business Manager Visa.
In other words, obtaining a Business Manager Visa after the 2025 amendments is increasingly viewed not as:
Company Incorporation → Immediate Visa Application
but rather as:
Company Incorporation → Business Development and Organizational Preparation → Satisfaction of Requirements → Visa Application
This phased process better reflects the practical realities of establishing and operating a sustainable business in Japan under the current regulatory framework.

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 June 2026.
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

ご相談のご予約はこちら

弁護士法人ファースト＆タンデムスプリント法律事務所
(代表弁護士 小野智博 東京弁護士会所属)
 03-4405-4611
＊受付時間 9:00～18:00

メールでのお問い合わせ・資料請求はこちら