Your Business Manager Visa Guide to Japan

For ambitious entrepreneurs and established managers, Japan offers a vibrant economy and welcoming investment environment. The world's third-largest economy is actively seeking foreign direct investment and innovation, creating fertile ground for your venture. Japan’s weak yen combined with the boundless opportunities in high-growth tech and solutions for demographic challenges, provides a timely advantage for market entry.

Unpacking the Business Manager Visa

So, what exactly is the Japan Business Manager Visa?

It's your legal pass to live and run your own business, manage, or invest in a venture in Japan. It allows day-to-day management or executive decision-making. Unless you already have unrestricted work rights, (e.g., Permanent Resident), this visa is a must-have for long-term stay in Japan.

Who's This Visa For?

This visa is tailored for individuals playing a direct, active role in a Japanese business:

• Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Those with a business vision and capital to launch a new company.
• Strategic Investors: Individuals intending to invest significant capital and actively manage a Japanese business.
• Key Managers or Directors: Foreign nationals appointed to executive or managerial positions in existing Japanese companies or branches.

The Perks of Your Business Manager Visa

• Long-Term Stability: Initial stays typically range from 1 to 5 years, and as long as your business is doing well, you can keep renewing it.
• A Clear Path to Permanent Residency: Provides a route to permanent residency in Japan, potentially fast-tracking for highly skilled professionals (e.g., 3 years, or even 1 year with 80+ points on the immigration scorecard).
• Bringing Your Family Along: Yes, you can bring your family! Sponsor your spouse and dependent children to live with you in Japan under a Dependent Visa.
• Full Authority to Lead: Grants full legal rights to run, manage, and administer your company within Japan.

Visa Duration

Initial Business Manager Visas are typically granted for 1 year.

Multi-year periods are uncommon initially. Subsequent renewals can be for 1, 3, or 5 years, depending on business performance and stability. The initial 1-year visa is a probationary period requiring demonstrable progress and profitability for successful renewals.

Detailed Requirements: What You Need to Qualify for the Business Manager Visa

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan rigorously evaluates several key criteria. Meeting these requirements precisely is crucial for a successful application.

1. The Scale of Your Vision: Capital or Team?

You must meet at least one of these two criteria:

• Invest Your Capital: You’ll need to invest at least ¥5,000,000 JPY (around $45,000 - $50,000 USD) into the company. This is for your business operations, not a government fee, and its source will be carefully checked.

OR

• Build Your Team: Employ at least two full-time staff members who are residents of Japan (Japanese nationals or Permanent Residents), and are actively working in the business.

Even with ¥5,000,000 capital, certain business types (e.g., restaurants, salons) will still expect you to hire operational staff to demonstrate the visa holder's focus on management, not frontline labor.

2. Your Physical Office

A dedicated, independent physical office space in Japan is mandatory as crucial proof that this is a serious, operational business.

• What is not accepted: Virtual offices and shared co-working spaces without a private, lockable room as  immigration seeks tangible evidence of a distinct, operational business presence.
  • Residential addresses are also generally not accepted - unless a clearly separate home office with landlord approval.
• The lease must be in your company's name and clearly state it’s for commercial use.
• Photographic evidence of the office's operational readiness is typically required.

3. Your Indispensable Business Plan

It must demonstrate:

• Feasibility: A clear outline of business activities, market analysis, and revenue generation.
• Stability and Continuity: Detailed future financial projections for the next 3-5 years, showing sufficient operating funds, and a strategy for long-term success.
• Contribution to Japan: How your business will benefit the Japanese economy (e.g., job creation, new technology, filling market gaps). Your plan should justify why the business needs to be based in Japan and why you are the suitable manager. This plan is vital for both initial visa approval and subsequent renewals.

4. Your Expertise: Showcasing Your Management Prowess

• Relevant Experience: While not always strictly required for initial application, relevant business management or entrepreneurial experience definitely strengthens your case. If appointed as an "administrator," you will generally need three years of documented management experience (including graduate study).
• Financial Stability: You need to show you have sufficient personal funds to support yourself and any dependents, separate from business capital. Your proposed salary should be comparable to a Japanese counterpart.
• Clean Record: You must show a clean immigration and criminal record in Japan and your home country -  this is non-negotiable!

5. Establishing Your Japanese Business Entity

Before applying for the visa, your business needs to be officially set up in Japan. The two most common types are:

• Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) - The Traditional Powerhouse: Similar to a corporation, KKs offer higher perceived credibility which is suitable for larger ventures. Be ready for higher setup costs (approx. ¥210,000 - ¥242,000 JPY) and more formal requirements, including notarized Articles of Incorporation.
• Godo Kaisha (GK) - The Flexible Modern Choice: Similar to an LLC, GKs are simpler and more flexible, popular for startups or sole investors. They have lower setup costs (approx. ¥60,000 - ¥100,000 JPY) and do not need notarization.

Good news: Immigration accepts both! They're more interested in whether your business is real and viable.

6. Building Your Team: The Role of Employees

If meeting the "two full-time employee" requirement:

• Ensure clear employment contracts and proof of residency for staff.
• Consider hiring local staff as this strengthens your application by demonstrating job creation and commitment to Japan, even if you meet the capital requirement.
• Ensure dedicated operational staff are hired for businesses requiring hands-on work (e.g., restaurants) to clearly demonstrate your role is managerial, not frontline.

Note: While typically one Business Manager Visa is issued per company, multiple visas are possible with strong justification and clearly defined roles for each person.

The Application Journey: Step-by-Step

The application is a multi-step process, typically beginning after your company is legally established.

Navigating Pre-Application for Overseas Applicants

• Startup Visa: This visa allows you to enter Japan for up to 2 years to establish your company. It enables you to finalize registration, capital, and office arrangements after arrival, thereby reducing initial financial risk before applying for the standard Business Manager Visa.
• Company Registration (if not using Startup Visa or for subsequent steps): Company registration involves drafting and notarizing Articles of Incorporation (for KKs), depositing ¥5,000,000 capital, and submitting documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau; professional assistance is highly recommended due to intricate paperwork and strict deadlines.
• Obtaining Necessary Business Licenses: If your business falls into a regulated industry, you'll need specific licenses and approvals before you can start operating, and often before your visa application. This process can take approximately one month.

The Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

The CoE is an essential official document from Japan's Immigration Services Agency that pre-screens and verifies eligibility for long-term visas, particularly for overseas applicants. It significantly reduces visa processing times and streamlines entry.

• Necessary Documents:
  • Application form
  • Passport photo
  • Detailed CV
  • Proof of relevant experience
  • Business plan
  • Company brochures
  • Financial statements
  • Office lease
  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Proof of ¥5,000,000 capital source
  • Employee list (if applicable)

All foreign language documents must be officially translated into Japanese.

• Submitting Your CoE Application: Typically submitted by your Japanese company or a legal representative (administrative scrivener) at a regional immigration authority.
• CoE Processing Time: Generally ranges from 1 to 3 months.

The Final Step: Visa Application at Your Local Japanese Embassy/Consulate

Once the CoE is issued, you apply for the actual visa.

• Documents for Your Visa Application: Generally includes -
  • Valid passport
  • Completed visa application form
  • Passport-sized photo
  • Original CoE
  • Additional documents like proof of immigration status, residency, flight itinerary, and schedule of stay may be required.
• Nationality-Specific Nuances: While core requirements are universal, some nationalities may have minor additional requirements. Always consult your local Japanese diplomatic mission's website.
• Visa Application Processing Time: With a CoE, processing is typically around 1 week.

Already in Japan?

If you're already in Japan on another visa (e.g., Temporary Visitor, Student, Startup Visa), you can apply directly to the Immigration Services Agency to change your status to "Business Manager," provided you meet all criteria.

A Typical Timeline

The entire process, from company setup to visa issuance, typically takes approximately 6 to 8 months.

• Company Establishment and Office Setup: 1-3 months (company registration itself 4-6 weeks).
• Tax Office Notifications: ~2 weeks.
• Obtaining Business Licenses/Permits: ~1 month.
• Preparation of Visa Application Documents: ~1 month.
• CoE Examination: 2-3 months (can extend to 3-5 months).
• Visa Application at Diplomatic Mission (after CoE): ~1 week.

The Financial Landscape: Costs to Consider

Beyond the mandatory ¥5,000,000 JPY capital investment, budget for:

• Government Visa Application Fees: Typically ¥3,000 - ¥6,000 (plus ¥5,500 for CoS/Extension).
• Company Registration Costs: Varies by structure: GK (¥60,000 - ¥100,000 JPY), KK (¥210,000 - ¥242,000 JPY).
• Professional Fees: Highly recommended for legal/administrative scrivener/immigration lawyer (¥150,000 - ¥300,000+ JPY for visa support) and accountants.
• Initial Capital Investment: The ¥5,000,000 JPY is working capital for your business, not a fee.
• Operational Funds and Personal Living Expenses: Sufficient funds are needed for ongoing business costs and personal support for yourself and dependents.

Your Future in Japan: Pathway to Permanent Residency & Citizenship

The Business Manager Visa serves as a viable pathway to long-term settlement:

• Permanent Residency (PR): Generally requires 10 years of residence (5 on a work visa), demonstrated financial stability, consistent tax/social insurance payments, and a guarantor.
• Highly Skilled Foreign Professional (HSP) Route: Qualify for HSP (points-based system) to accelerate PR application (3 years for 70 points, 1 year for 80+ points).
• Citizenship: Possible after 5 years of continuous legal residence, requiring strong ties, Japanese fluency, and full integration.
• Important Considerations: Frequent overseas travel or minor violations can impact PR applications. Dependents exceeding part-time work limits can also affect the primary visa holder's PR.

Japan Awaits Your Business

The Business Manager Visa offers a strategic path for entrepreneurs to establish a lasting presence in Japan. Success requires meticulous preparation, substantial capital, a clear business vision, and a multi-faceted approach to navigate Japan's unique economic, legal, and cultural landscape.

At Omnilinks, we provide comprehensive support, from visa application assistance to business setup and ongoing compliance, ensuring your seamless and successful entry into the Japanese market. We are your dedicated partner every step of the way.

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