Business Manager Visa (経営・管理)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa Name	Business Manager Visa (経営・管理)
Stay	4 months, 1, 3, or 5 years
Cost	COE free; visa fee ¥15,000–¥30,000
Eligibility Timing	Prior to launch or managing operations
Work Rights	Restricted to managing own business
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel Facility	Not stated in the source
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family Sponsorship	Spouse and minor children eligible
Visa Record	Certificate of Eligibility (COE) required
Minimum Capital	¥30,000,000 (¥30M mandatory)
Mandatory Staff	≥1 full-time work-restriction-free employee
Language Requirement	JLPT N2 (operator or full-time employee)
Experience Requirement	3+ years management or advanced degree

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Purpose & Target Audience

The Business Manager visa is designed for foreign entrepreneurs, investors, and senior executives to establish, invest in, or manage a business in Japan. It applies to:

• Entrepreneurs launching a new Japanese legal entity (such as a Kabushiki Kaisha [KK] or Godo Kaisha [GK]).
• Foreign investors establishing or acquiring a Japanese enterprise.
• Senior executives managing a Japanese branch or subsidiary.
• Business owners relocating operations to Japan.

Eligibility Requirements

Under standards effective October 16, 2025:

• Capital Investment: Registered capital of at least ¥30,000,000 (¥30M) formally invested in the company.
• Staffing: Mandatory employment of at least one full-time employee who holds a status with no work restrictions (Japanese national, Permanent Resident, Special Permanent Resident, or Spouse/Child of Japanese National or Permanent Resident).
• Japanese Language Proficiency: JLPT N2 (CEFR B2) or higher, held by either the applicant or the full-time employee.
• Experience / Education: At least 3 years of business management experience OR a master’s, doctoral, or professional degree.
• Business Plan: A viable business plan reviewed and verified by a licensed SME consultant (中小企業診断士), tax accountant (税理士), or certified public accountant (公認会計士).
• Office Space: A dedicated, physical business office secured under a valid corporate lease (private residences and purely virtual offices are not accepted; co-working spaces require explicit usage permission).
• Substantive Role & Compensation: The applicant must directly and substantively manage the business, receiving compensation commensurate with Japanese counterparts (typically ≥ ¥300,000/month).

Transitional Provision: Existing Business Manager visa holders renewing before October 16, 2028, may be assessed under the previous standard (¥5M capital rule).

Validity & Period of Stay

• Single Residence Period: 4 months, 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years.
• Renewals: Renewable indefinitely provided business operations, financial stability, and legal criteria remain satisfied.

Costs & Fees

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE): Free.
• Visa Sticker Issuance Fee: ¥15,000–¥30,000 (effective from 2026-07-01).
• Company Registration: ~¥200,000–¥250,000 (KK) or ~¥60,000–¥100,000 (GK).
• Expert Business Plan Review: ~¥100,000–¥300,000.
• Administrative Scrivener Fee (Reference): ~¥200,000–¥400,000+.
• Full-Time Employee Salary: ~¥3,000,000–¥5,000,000+ per year.

Processing Times

• General Estimate: 1–3 months for COE; 3–4 months for the entire process including company incorporation (1–2 weeks).
• MOJ Statistical Averages (as of June 2026):
  • COE (from overseas): 212.3 days (30-month average: 120.5 days).
  • Change of Status (within Japan): 199.6 days (30-month average: 83.2 days).
  • Renewal/Extension: 46.8 days (30-month average: 42.8 days).

Work Rights & Conditions

• Exclusive Management Scope: Holders may only operate and manage their own enterprise. They cannot work as regular employees for other companies or engage in unrelated side businesses.
• Outside Activities: Any business activity outside the approved status requires prior Permission for Activities Outside Status.

Family Provisions

• Dependents: Spouses and minor children can apply for a Dependent (Family Stay) visa.
• Spousal Work Rights: Spouses may work part-time up to 28 hours per week if they obtain Permission for Activities Outside Status. Full-time employment requires an independent work visa.
• Children: May attend school in Japan.

Renewal & Extension Criteria

Applications for renewal open 3 months before expiration. Immigration authorities evaluate:

1. Normal business operations and substantive management by the visa holder.
2. Timely corporate/personal tax filings and social insurance contributions.
3. Revenue, profit, and financial health (continuous losses for 2+ years require an actionable recovery plan).
4. Ongoing maintenance of ¥30M capital and at least one full-time employee with no work restrictions.

Transition Paths

• Highly Skilled Professional (HSP 1 & 2): Eligible with a score of 70+ points.
• Permanent Resident: Eligible after 10+ years of residence/management with clean tax compliance.
• Work Visas (e.g., Engineer/Specialist in Humanities): Available if transitioning from business ownership to regular employment.

Required Documents

• Valid passport and recent passport-size photograph.
• Application for Certificate of Eligibility.
• Company registration certificate (登記事項証明書) and Articles of Incorporation (定款).
• Verified business plan (market analysis, revenue projections, operational structure).
• Lease agreement for dedicated physical office space.
• Capital investment records (bank transfer receipts, capital tables showing ≥ ¥30M).
• Resume/CV verifying management background or relevant advanced degree credentials.

Application Steps

1. Incorporate Business: Establish a legal entity (KK/GK) or prepare branch documentation in Japan.
2. Secure Premises: Sign a commercial lease agreement for a dedicated office.
3. Invest Capital & Hire Staff: Deposit the mandatory ¥30M registered capital and hire at least 1 qualified full-time employee.
4. Finalize Business Plan: Obtain formal feasibility verification from a certified expert.
5. Apply for COE: Submit application documents to the regional Immigration Services Agency in Japan (directly or through an administrative scrivener/lawyer).
6. Obtain Visa: Submit the issued COE to an overseas Japanese Embassy or Consulate to receive the visa sticker.
7. Enter Japan: Land in Japan, register an address at the local municipal office within 14 days, and commence operations.

Important Warnings

• Strict Capital Retention: Capital cannot be withdrawn immediately after company formation; immigration audits fund tracing.
• Separation of Accounts: Personal and corporate finances must remain strictly separated.
• Virtual Offices Disallowed: Purely virtual addresses lacking physical usage rights will lead to application denial.
• Nominee Arrangements Prohibited: Nominee directors without substantive management involvement face visa rejection or revocation.
• Tax Compliance: Delinquent tax payments or unpaid social insurance represent primary grounds for renewal refusal.
• Employee Status Restriction: Foreign nationals holding standard work visas (e.g., Engineer/Humanities) do not satisfy the mandatory 1 full-time employee requirement.