Japan is implementing significant changes to its Business Manager Visa system, effective mid-October 2025. The minimum investment requirement has increased sixfold from ¥5 million to ¥30 million (approximately $204,000).
Additionally, new mandatory employment and professional qualification requirements have been introduced.
These changes aim to attract more substantial businesses while curbing shell company abuse, fundamentally shifting Japan’s approach from accessibility to selective high-value entrepreneurship.
The reforms affect both new applicants and potentially existing visa holders during renewal periods, which mark the most substantial reform in foreign entrepreneur immigration policy in recent years.
This guide explores:
- What is a Japan Business Manager Visa?
- What is the minimum investment for a business visa in Japan?
- How long does it take to get a business visa in Japan?
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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.
What is a Business Manager Visa in Japan?
The Business Manager Visa (経営・管理ビザ) is a residency status that allows foreign nationals to establish, operate, and manage businesses in Japan.
This visa enables long-term residency typically ranging from one to five years with renewal possibilities.
And, it also serves as a potential pathway to permanent residency after approximately 10 years of qualifying status.
The visa is designed for individuals who are:
- Engaged in starting or managing a business in Japan,
- Participating in and managing existing Japanese businesses,
(or)
- Managing businesses on behalf of corporations already operating in Japan.
Business management activities include decision-making on significant matters, conducting audits in roles such as representative director or director.
It may comprise positions like department head, plant manager, or branch manager.
Changes to Business Manager Visa Japan
Previously, many foreign entrepreneurs exploited the relatively low ¥5 million threshold for visa purposes without creating substantial economic activity.
Key drivers for these changes include:
- Preventing system misuse
- Restoring program credibility after public criticism
- Aligning with international standards
- Emphasizing economic substance through mandatory employment and business plan vetting
- Political pressure from anti-immigration factions following the July 2025 Upper House election
The October 2025 reforms represent a fundamental policy shift, responding to concerns about shell companies being used primarily for residency rather than genuine business operations.
Is Japan a good place for business?
Japan offers excellent business opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs, ranking among the world’s most dynamic economies.
Key advantages include access to a large, wealthy domestic market with high consumer spending levels, advanced technological infrastructure supporting innovation, and strong intellectual property protections.
Japan’s strategic location provides gateway access to broader Asian markets, while the country’s skilled workforce and manufacturing expertise offer competitive advantages.
Government support includes various incentives for foreign businesses and assistance in navigating legal requirements.
Additionally, Japan’s strong passport (ranked 1st globally) and potential pathways to permanent residency make it attractive for long-term business planning.
However, the 2025 visa reforms significantly raise entry barriers, making Japan more selective in attracting only well-funded, substantial enterprises capable of immediate job creation and significant economic contribution.
What are the requirements for a Business Manager visa in Japan?
Under current Business Manager visa requirements (until mid-October 2025), applicants must meet one of the following conditions:
- Investment capital of ¥5 million or more,
OR
- Employment of two or more full-time employees who are Japanese citizens or permanent residents.
Additional requirements include securing a legitimate physical business office in Japan, submitting a feasible business plan, and having no formal educational or managerial experience requirements.
From October 2025, both conditions must be met simultaneously: required capital AND employment of at least one full-time employee.
The employee can be a Japanese national or a foreign resident with a long-term visa, such as a permanent resident or spouse visa.
What is the capital requirement for a Business Manager visa in Japan?
The capital requirement is undergoing the most dramatic change in the 2025 reform. Currently, the minimum required capital is ¥5 million (approximately $33,800).
This threshold has allowed relatively accessible entry for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
From mid-October 2025, the minimum capital requirement will increase to ¥30 million (approximately $204,000), representing a six-fold increase.
This substantial jump aims to ensure applicants have a significant financial commitment and aren’t establishing shell companies merely to obtain residency.
The capital must be actual paid-in capital or invested funds in the company, and funds raised from share sales can count toward this requirement.
How long does it take to get a business manager visa in Japan?
The average processing time for the Japanese business manager visa examination is 81.3 days (approximately 2.7 months).
However, the total timeline from business planning to visa approval typically ranges from 4-8 months.
The processing timeline for a Business Manager Visa involves several phases, including:
- Company establishment and securing business premises (1-3 months)
- Filing tax office notifications (2 weeks)
- Obtaining necessary business licenses (1 month)
- Preparing visa application documents (1 month)
- The Immigration Bureau examination period (2-3 months)
During the examination process, additional documentation may be requested if submitted materials are insufficient, which can extend the timeline.
Working with experienced professionals can help minimize delays by ensuring complete documentation from the initial submission.
What are the qualifications for a Business Manager visa?
Currently, there are no specific educational or professional experience requirements for Business Manager Visa applicants.
However, the October 2025 reforms introduce strict personal qualification requirements.
Under the new system, business managers must demonstrate:
- At least three years of business management experience (including periods spent majoring in business management in graduate school)
OR
- Hold a Master’s degree or higher in business, management, or a related field
This requirement emphasizes the government’s aim to ensure only candidates with sufficient qualifications and managerial background can obtain the visa.
Important Considerations:
- Employee/Staffing Requirements:
The employment requirements will undergo significant changes in 2025.
Currently, hiring two or more full-time employees can serve as an alternative to the ¥5 million capital requirement.
Employees must be Japanese citizens, permanent residents, spouses of Japanese nationals, spouses of permanent residents, or long-term residents.
From October 2025, employment becomes mandatory alongside capital requirements.
Companies must employ at least one full-time employee residing in Japan, and this cannot substitute for the capital requirement but must be in addition to it.
The employee requirement ensures businesses create local jobs rather than operating as one-person entities.
- Business Plan & Documentation Requirements:
Business plan requirements are becoming more stringent under the 2025 reforms.
Currently, applicants must submit a feasible business plan, but external expert review is not required.
The Immigration Bureau conducts internal reviews of submitted plans.
The new system mandates that submitted business plans must be vetted and signed off by qualified professionals such as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), tax accountants, or SME management consultants to ensure viability and authenticity.
This professional review requirement aims to prevent fraudulent or non-viable business proposals and ensure genuine entrepreneurial activity.
How to get a Business Manager Visa in Japan?
The application process involves several sequential steps.
- First, applicants must incorporate their company in Japan and secure appropriate business premises.
- The business must have a physical office dedicated exclusively to the company’s operations, and virtual offices are not acceptable.
- Next, applicants need to obtain necessary business licenses and permits, file required notifications with tax offices.
- They must also prepare comprehensive application documents, including business plans, financial statements, and proof of capital investment. The source of capital will be scrutinized, requiring clear documentation of fund origins.
- After preparation, applicants submit their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application to the Immigration Services Agency. The COE is valid for three months once issued.
- Following COE approval, applicants must visit Japanese consulates or embassies in their home countries to complete the visa application process.
Professional assistance from administrative scriveners or immigration lawyers is highly recommended, given the complexity and strict requirements, particularly under the new 2025 system.
Conclusion
Japan’s Business Manager Visa reforms represent a pivotal shift from accessibility to selectivity in foreign entrepreneurship policy.
The six-fold increase in capital requirements to ¥30 million, mandatory employment obligations, and new professional qualification standards signal Japan’s commitment to attracting substantial businesses rather than small-scale ventures.
While these changes may limit opportunities for bootstrapped entrepreneurs, they aim to ensure genuine economic contribution and job creation.
Prospective applicants should carefully evaluate their readiness to meet these enhanced requirements and consider alternative pathways such as the Startup Visa program for initial market entry.
The reforms reflect Japan’s strategic approach to balancing economic growth with immigration control in an increasingly competitive global talent market.
FAQs
What is the new immigration law in Japan 2025?
Japan’s 2025 immigration law introduces stricter residency rules and compliance measures.
Starting April 2027, permanent residency can be revoked for deliberate non-payment of taxes or social insurance.
The reforms also include tighter visa enforcement, easier banking access for Startup Visa holders, and an upcoming electronic travel authorization (eTA) system by 2028.
What is the benefit of a business manager visa in Japan?
The Business Manager Visa lets foreign entrepreneurs live and operate a business in Japan legally.
Key benefits include:
– Residency for up to 5 years with renewal options
– Eligibility to sponsor dependents
– Full rights to run and manage companies
– Access to Japan’s large, high-spending market
– Pathway to permanent residency after 5–10 years
– Tax relief through Japan’s double taxation treaties
How long can I stay in Japan with a business manager visa?
The Business Manager Visa allows stays from 4 months up to 5 years, depending on your business and visa category.
Most first-time applicants receive 1-year visas, while profitable businesses may qualify for 3- or 5-year renewals.
The visa can be renewed as long as your company remains active, and long-term holders may later apply for permanent residency.
Will Japan change its immigration policy?
Yes. Japan is reviewing its immigration policies to manage the rising number of foreign residents.
A new task force is studying the social and economic impacts, with possible limits on foreign entry if social tensions increase.
Future reforms will focus on stricter compliance, better immigrant support, and selective visa issuance.
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