Business Manager
| VISA OVERVIEW |
| Business Manager visa is for foreign nationals who wish to work in a business in Japan as a management or an administrative role. |
| Dependent Visa Eligibility: ○ Duration of Stay: 1, 3, or 5 years Processing Time: 3 months or more (SIGNIFICANT DELAYS POSSIBLE !!!) |
| WHO IS ELIGIBLE Foreign nationals who will establish or manage a business in Japan, or who will engage in the administration of an existing enterprise, provided they meet the requirements regarding investment, office facilities, and business plan. |
| EXAMPLES OF OCCUPATIONS |
| Management roles: CEO, director Administrativer roles: General manager, factory manager, office administrator |
| SERVICE OVERVIEW |
| 1. Collect information and supporting documents from you – including personal details, employment records, and any official documents issued by your previous employer, home country government, or other relevant authorities. 2. We draft and organise the documents marked "✍️ WE ASSIST!" listed in the document section of this page based on the information and materials you provide, ensuring they meet immigration requirements. 3. Submit the application online to the immigration office on behalf of you. 4. Communicate with the immigration office and respond to the requests for additional information as required. 5. Send the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to you once issued. |
Since Japan lifted its border restrictions in 2022, the number of applications to the Immigration Services Agency has risen sharply, causing significant delays. In some cases, processing for new applications has taken over a year. Please note that we are unable to urge the Agency to speed up the process, and we shall not be liable for any losses resulting from these delays.
| REQUIREMENT |
| Applicant - Management role |
| ✅ Sufficient capital (At least The Immigration Services Agency has announced new criteria for the Business Manager visa. Under the revised standards, a minimum capital investment of 30,000,000 JPY and at least one full-time employee are required. The new rules are expected to be formally enacted within 2025 following further deliberation. |
| ✅ Sufficient director's salary (At least JPY 3,000,000 / annual) |
| ✅ At least 3 years work experience as an management / administrator role or ✅ MBA |
| Appicant - Administrative role |
| ✅ At least 3 years work experience as a management / administrator role or ✅ MBA |
| ✅ A valid job offer for the administrator role |
| ✅ Same or higher salary than Japanese employees in the same position |
| Company |
| ✅ A certain business scale (a) having at least two full-time employees, or (b) by investing at least 5,000,000 JPY in capital In new criteria, this can be achieved by (a) having at least one full-time employee, AND (b) by investing at least 30,000,000 JPY in capital |
| ✅ A physical office Virtual office and residential address are not eligible |
| ✅ Business Activity Dormant or shell companies are not eligible |
| ✅ A clear business purpose and financial stability |
Note:
- The Immigration Services Agency has announced new criteria for the Business Manager visa. Under the revised standards, a minimum capital investment of 30,000,000 JPY and at least one full-time employee are required. The new rules are expected to be formally enacted within 2025 following further deliberation.
- “Full-time employees” must be Japanese nationals, permanent residents, or spouses of either. Foreign nationals holding working visas are not counted toward this requirement.
| DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT |
For Management roles
| Applicant |
| CAT1 | CAT2 | CAT3 | CAT4 | Note | |
| Application Form for Certificate of Eligibility ✍️WE ASSIST! | ● | ● | ● | ● | Common |
| Face photo - last 3 months, passport size | ● | ● | ● | ● | Common |
| A copy of your passport | ● | ● | ● | ● | Common |
| Statement of Purpose of Visa Application ✍️WE ASSIST! | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| CV / Resume | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| Diploma / Transcripts | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| Certificates of Employment | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| Certificates of Professional Qualifications | if applicable | if applicable | if applicable | if applicable | |
| Other Supporting Documents / Materials | if applicable | if applicable | if applicable | if applicable |
| Company |
| CAT1 | CAT2 | CAT3 | CAT4 | Note | |
| Copy of documentation showing listing on a Japanese stock exchange | ● | -- | -- | -- | |
| Copy of statutory summary of withholding tax (previous year) | -- | ● | ● | -- | |
| Copy of most recent financial statements | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| Certificate of Incorporation | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| Business plan ✍️WE ASSIST! (Option) | -- | -- | ●* | ● | Optional but highly encouraged for CAT3 |
| Copy of notification of salary-paying office | -- | -- | -- | ● | |
| Income tax payment records (last 3 months) | -- | -- | -- | ● | |
| Letter of Reason for Invitation ✍️WE ASSIST! | -- | -- | ● | ● | Must explain the background of the offer, details of the position |
| Resolution for the appointment of directors | -- | -- | ● | ● | Must be dated, signed, and sealed |
| Company brochure, website or profile (with business details) | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| Office Lease Agreement | -- | -- | ● | ● | if applicable |
| Office Photos | -- | -- | ● | ● | Must show desks, computers, and any other facilities |
| Other Supporting Documents / Materials | if applicable | if applicable | if applicable | if applicable |
For Administrative roles
| Applicant |
| CAT1 | CAT2 | CAT3 | CAT4 | Note | |
| Application Form for Certificate of Eligibility ✍️WE ASSIST! | ● | ● | ● | ● | Common |
| Face photo - last 3 months, passport size | ● | ● | ● | ● | Common |
| A copy of your passport | ● | ● | ● | ● | Common |
| Statement of Purpose of Visa Application ✍️WE ASSIST! | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| CV / Resume | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| Diploma / Transcripts | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| Certificates of Employment | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| Certificates of Professional Qualifications | if applicable | if applicable | if applicable | if applicable | |
| Other Supporting Documents / Materials | if applicable | if applicable | if applicable | if applicable |
| Company |
| CAT1 | CAT2 | CAT3 | CAT4 | Note | |
| Copy of documentation showing listing on a Japanese stock exchange | ● | -- | -- | -- | |
| Copy of statutory summary of withholding tax (previous year) | -- | ● | ● | -- | |
| Copy of most recent financial statements | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| Certificate of Incorporation | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| Business plan ✍️WE ASSIST! (Option) | -- | -- | ●* | ● | Optional but highly encouraged for CAT3 |
| Copy of notification of salary-paying office | -- | -- | -- | ● | |
| Income tax payment records (last 3 months) | -- | -- | -- | ● | |
| Letter of Reason for Invitation ✍️WE ASSIST! | -- | -- | ● | ● | Must explain the background of the offer, details of the position |
| Employment contract or offer letter | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| Company brochure, website or profile (with business details) | -- | -- | ● | ● | |
| Office Lease Agreement | -- | -- | ● | ● | if applicable |
| Office Photos | -- | -- | ● | ● | Must show desks, computers, and any other facilities |
| Other Supporting Documents / Materials | if applicable | if applicable | if applicable | if applicable |
You are encouraged to submit any additional supporting documents, as they may be beneficial to the assessment.
Please refrain from providing any materials that contain information subject to a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). We cannot be held liable for any consequences resulting from providing such confidential information.
| FEES |
Basic fee
| Visa Acquisition | JPY 150,000 |
| Visa Extension No significant changes in circumstances since visa acquisition or previous extension. | JPY 40,000 |
| Visa Extension Significant changes in circumstances since visa acquisition or previous extension. | JPY 90,000 |
| Change of Visa Status | Quoted |
| Option | Business Plan: JPY 50,000 |
| Retainer | 50% of the total fee |
| Tax | 10% of the total fee |
Additional fee for complexity/difficulty
| Unclear / underdevelopped business plan | JPY 50,000 |
| Fully/mainly Remote work (WFH) | JPY 50,000 |
| Sole proprietor's business | JPY 50,000 |
| Company was at a deficit in the previous fiscal year | JPY 30,000 |
| Previous visa refusal history | JPY 30,000 |
| Applicant has a history of misconduct or behavioral issues | JPY 30,000-50,000 |
We are unable to accept requests in the following cases:
- You are not eligible for the visa (for example, if the role involves unskilled labour or the sponsoring company is a shell company)
- Your application cannot be completed lawfully (for example, if it requires falsifying documents)
- You failed to provide essential information, making it impossible for us to complete the documentation process
You can contact us by submitting an enquiry below: