What is the Business Manager Visa?
The Business Manager visa allows individuals with sufficient financial resources (typically at least ¥5 million in capital) to either engage in the management of their own company (e.g. as a director / CEO), or take on administrative responsibilities within an existing business in Japan, such as acting as a plant manager. It provides an opportunity for long-term stay, in some cases, a pathway to permanent residency.
Duration of Stay
The Business Manager visa (also known as the Business Manager Status of Residence) typically grants an initial stay of 1 year. Extensions may be granted in increments of up to 5 years, subject to the ongoing viability and operation of the business in Japan.
Requirements for Eligibility
The applicant must either engage in the management of a business—such as acting as a company director or representative—or take on a senior administrative role within the organisation.
In this context, "management" refers to high-level decision-making and business ownership responsibilities, while "administration" typically involves overseeing operations on behalf of the company, such as serving as a plant manager, branch manager, or general operations director.
Both types of roles are eligible under the Business Manager visa, provided they are clearly defined and central to the functioning of the business.
For Visa Acquisition - Management roles
(A) At least 5,000,000 JPY capital OR, (B) 2 or more full-time employees in Japan | Option (B) can effectively be disregarded, as hiring two full-time employees will cost you at least ¥5,000,000 per year in labour alone, not including additional operational expenses. |
| A physical place of business in Japan | While working-from-home is the norm for many businesses nowadays, virtual offices, shared offices, or your residential addresses are not accepted as your company’s address for visa purposes. You need to secure a physical, private office space in Japan, such as a serviced office with private rooms. |
| Director's Salary | At least 3,000,000 JPY/year Or At least 250,000 JPY/month |
| Potential for profitability and continuity | Your business is expected to generate sufficient and stable revenue to cover both operational costs and your own compensation as a director. If your business continues to operate at a loss by the end of the second fiscal year, and there is no clear sign of recovery, your Business Manager visa may not be renewed. |
| Concrete Business Plan | A clear, detailed, and realistic business plan is essential to demonstrate that your business is genuine, viable, and strategically structured for long-term success. Even if the initial capital appears sufficient, an unclear or vague business plan may lead them to consider your company a paper company—lacking genuine commercial substance. |
Important Note on Capital Requirements: Japanese immigration authorities have announced plans to raise the bar for Business Manager visa applicants, specifically by tightening the current minimum capital requirement of ¥5,000,000.
Although the existing threshold remains in effect for now, revised criteria are expected to be discussed in 2025.
For Visa Acquisition - Administrative roles
(A) At least 3 years practical experience in the relevant sector OR, (B) 2 years in MBA course + 1 year of practical experience in the relevant sector | A 3-year MBA programme alone can satisfy the experience requirement. However, relevant practical experience is considered advantageous and may improve the overall strength of the application. |
| Employment agreement between the applicant and the company | A contract of employment must be in place if the applicant serves as an administrative role. |
| Administrator's Salary | At least 3,000,000 JPY/year Or At least 250,000 JPY/month The salary offered to the applicant must not discriminate based on nationality and should be equal to or higher than that of a Japanese national performing the same role. |
| A sufficient operational scale | This requirement is typically met by either: (A) At least 5,000,000 JPY capital OR, (B) 2 or more full-time employees in Japan |
| Potential for profitability and continuity | Your business is expected to generate sufficient and stable revenue to cover both operational costs and your own compensation as a director. If your business continues to operate at a loss by the end of the second fiscal year, and there is no clear sign of recovery, your Business Manager visa may not be renewed. |
| Concrete Business Plan | A clear, detailed, and realistic business plan is essential to demonstrate that your business is genuine, viable, and strategically structured for long-term success. Even if the initial capital appears sufficient, an unclear or vague business plan may lead them to consider your company a paper company—lacking genuine commercial substance. |
(ii) For Visa renewal
| Director's salary must have been genuinely paid | Failing to pay the director’s salary may result in failure to meet the visa renewal requirements. |
| Sustainable Business Revenue to cover the director's salary and operational costs including taxes | Sustaining losses for two consecutive years may result in failure to meet the visa renewal requirements. |
| Physical Office and Business Activity | A dormant or shell company may result in failure to meet the visa renewal requirements. |
| Compliance with Laws and Taxes | Failing to comply with the Laws and Taxes may result in visa revocation or failure to meet the visa renewal requirements. |
Rights and Privileges
Holders of the Business Manager visa may reside in Japan and engage in the operation and management of their designated enterprise. They may also sponsor family members, allowing spouses to apply for dependent visas (which may include permission to work, depending on the circumstances) and children to attend local schools on student or dependent visas.
Please note:
This visa permits the holder to be involved in management and administrative activities only. It does not allow hands-on or manual work, such as shop floor operations, physical labour, or simple tasks typically assigned to employees.
Engaging in unauthorised work duties may result in the refusal of application, future visa renewals, or other immigration consequences.
Pathway to Residency
This visa may serve as a route to permanent residency in Japan. After five years of continuous, lawful residence—demonstrating financial stability, good conduct, and fulfilling tax obligations—the applicant may be eligible to apply for permanent resident status.
We strongly recommend applicants to prepare a well-documented, realistic business plan, and to consider a higher level of capital investment to improve the chances of approval.
Required Documents for Application
Here are the typical documents required for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application and visa process.
For Applicant - Management roles
| Application Form for Certificate of Eligibility | |
| Face Photo (Passport-sized) | We print it out if you provide us with digital image data |
| CV/Resume (Dated & signed) | To show relevant professional background or qualifications |
| Proof of work experience | Such as reference letter, certificate of employment * Submission is optional, though it may strengthen your application) |
| Transcript | * Submission is optional, though it may strengthen your application) |
| Proof of Capital Investment | Bank statement, a screenshot(s) of transaction details showing you remitted the capital to your bank account in Japan |
| Supporting document for the Source of Funds | To show what the Capital originated from. For instances, (A) Income: Transaction details showing you have received income and saved up to invest (B) Loan: A copy of Loan agreement (C) Crowdfunding: URL and screenshots of relevant webpages |
| Letter of Reason for Visa Application | Although submitting Letter of Reason for visa application is not mandatory for the Business Manager Visa, we strongly encourgage you to submit this document so the Immigration Authorities understand the purpose of your application. |
For Applicant - Administrative roles
| Application Form for Certificate of Eligibility | |
| Face Photo (passport-sized) | We print it out if you provide us with digital image data |
| CV/Resume (dated & signed) | To show relevant professional background or qualifications |
| Proof of work experience (if applicable) | If you have experience in management, this document is necessary. |
| Transcript (if applicable) | If you completed an MBA course, this document is necessary. |
| Supporting document for the Source of Funds | To show what the Capital originated from. For instances, (A) Income: Transaction details showing you have received income and saved up to invest (B) Loan: A copy of Loan agreement (C) Crowdfunding: URL and screenshots of relevant webpages |
| Letter of Reason for Visa Application | Although submitting Letter of Reason for visa application is not mandatory for the Business Manager Visa, we strongly encourgage you to submit this document so the Immigration Authorities understand the purpose of your application. |
For Company
| Company documents, including: 1. Certificate of Incorporation 2. Articles of Incorporation 3. Business License Certificates (if applicable) | |
| Office Lease Contract (if applicable) | If you rented a property for the office use, this document is necessary. |
| Utility Bill of the office (if applicable) | If you signed up gas / electricity / water for the office use, this document is necessary. |
| Office Photos and Floor Plan | Everything you need for business must be in office photos, such as desks, laptops, printers, scanners, bins, and any other equipments. |
| Business Plan | Should clearly outline projected revenue, cost structure, staffing plans, strategic goals, and risk management measures for the next three years. |
| (A) Tax Office-Stamped Copy of the Notification of Establishment of a Salary-Paying Office OR (B) Receipt Copy of the Payment Slip for Withholding Income Tax | If the current directors are not receiving any salary at the time of the visa application, Letter of Reason will be required. |
Estimated Processing Time
Approx. 4 to 6 months, depending on the immigration office and complexity of your case
Note: Delays are possible if documents are incomplete or additional explanation is required.
Our Services & Fees
We provide complete assistance with the following:
- Consulting on eligibility and requirements
- Creating the following documents in Japanese based on the information we will collect from you through the initial consultation
- The statement of purpose for visa application
- (Option) Business Plan & Profit Plan: 50,000 JPY
- Translating the provided documents into Japanese
- Preparation and submission of COE application
- Communication with Immigration Bureau
Service Fee:
From ¥200,000 (+ option & tax)
Exact cost may vary depending on the complexity and services required.
Contact Us for a Consultation
Thinking about starting your business in Japan?
Let our immigration lawyer and administrative scrivener team guide you from planning to visa approval.
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