You’ve been researching Japan for a while. Maybe you’ve looked at franchise options, or you’re wondering how to build a real life here alongside a business. The Business Manager Visa is the pathway that makes both possible. The requirements were overhauled in October 2025 — here’s exactly what they are now.
What the Business Manager Visa Actually Is
The Business Manager Visa allows foreign nationals to operate or manage a company in Japan. It’s issued for one year initially, renewable, and it counts toward permanent residency — which requires five continuous years of legal residence in most cases. Unlike an employment visa, this one puts you in control. You’re not working for a Japanese company. You’re running one.
The 6 Requirements You Need to Meet
As of October 16, 2025, all six conditions below must be satisfied — not just some of them:
- A registered Japanese business entity — a KK (kabushiki gaisha) or GK (goudou gaisha)
- A physical, independent office address in Japan — home offices and virtual offices are no longer accepted
- Minimum company capital of ¥30,000,000 (approximately $187,000 USD at current rates)
- At least one full-time employee who is a Japanese national, permanent resident, spouse of a Japanese national, or long-term resident
- Japanese language proficiency at JLPT N2 / CEFR B2 level — met by either the applicant or the qualifying employee
- A business plan certified by a licensed professional — a CPA, tax accountant or certified Japanese SME management consultant (chusho kigyo shindan shi)
You must also demonstrate at least 3 years of business management experience — or hold a master’s degree or higher in a relevant field.
💡 NB Insight: The language requirement surprises most international clients — but it doesn’t mean you personally need to pass a JLPT exam. If your qualifying full-time employee holds JLPT N2 or above, that satisfies the condition. Structuring the right hire often solves two requirements at once: the employment condition and the language condition.
Not Ready for the Full Requirements? There’s a Bridge.
Japan’s Startup Visa now offers up to 2 years of residency for entrepreneurs who are working toward meeting the Business Manager Visa criteria. It’s designed as a legitimate preparation period — you can incorporate your company, secure funding, hire staff, and build toward the ¥30,000,000 threshold before applying for the full Business Manager Visa.
What Immigration Officers Actually Look For
The capital threshold is the headline change, but the certified business plan now carries equal weight. Since October 2025, self-prepared plans are not accepted at the application stage — a licensed professional must verify feasibility before submission. Officers are specifically looking for evidence of genuine, sustainable business activity. Applications that look like visa vehicles rather than real businesses are rejected at an increasing rate.
🎌 Cultural Note: In Japan, the quality of your paperwork is treated as a signal of your seriousness. A thorough, well-organised application — with certified documentation and a credible business plan — communicates respect for the process. That carries real weight with immigration reviewers.
How Long It Takes
Processing typically takes 3-6 months from submission. Factor in 2–4 weeks for incorporation, time to hire a qualifying employee, and the professional business plan preparation — and you should plan at least 8 months before your intended start date.
Ready to start?
Book a free 30-min consultation — we’ll map out exactly what structure you need and walk you through every step.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Requirements may change. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
