🧾 What Is the Business Manager Visa?
The Business Manager Visa is a long-term visa issued to foreign nationals who intend to start, invest in, or manage a business in Japan. This visa allows the holder to:
• Live in Japan legally
• Manage a company or business operations
• Sponsor dependents (spouse and children) to live in Japan
• Renew the visa and potentially apply for permanent residency after several years
This visa is suitable for:
• Entrepreneurs starting a new company in Japan
• Investors buying or taking over a Japanese business
• Foreign executives dispatched to manage branch offices or subsidiaries
🔗 Immigration Services Agency – Business Manager Visa Details
📋 Business Manager Visa Requirements
To qualify for this visa, applicants must meet several key conditions:
1. Office Space in Japan
You must secure a physical office in Japan that is used exclusively for business. A virtual office or shared co-working space typically does not qualify.
• Proof: Lease agreement and photos of the office
2. Capital Investment
A minimum capital of ¥5 million (~$35,000 USD) must be invested in the business. This can come from the applicant or from third-party investors.
3. Business Plan
A detailed and credible business plan must be submitted, including:
• Description of services or products
• Revenue model and financial forecasts
• Hiring plans and company structure
4. Legal Company Registration
The company must be:
• Registered with the Legal Affairs Bureau
• Have articles of incorporation
• Registered at the tax office
5. Operational Readiness
You must demonstrate that the business is ready to operate. This includes:
• Hiring at least one full-time resident employee (other than the applicant) OR the applicant being a majority investor and managing the business.
🔗 JETRO – Business Setup Guidelines
💼 Real-World Example
Anna, a Canadian entrepreneur, wants to open a vegan bakery in Tokyo. She:
• Invests ¥6 million to open her shop
• Leases a storefront in Shibuya
• Registers her company as a Kabushiki Kaisha (KK)
• Submits a comprehensive business plan
• Hires a full-time Japanese manager
She receives a 1-year Business Manager Visa, which she can renew if her business remains active and compliant. After 5 years of stable operations, she may apply for permanent residency.
🧑🤝🧑 Bringing Your Family
Once granted a Business Manager Visa, you can sponsor your spouse and children to live with you in Japan under the Dependent Visa. They can attend school and, with permission, work part-time.
🔁 Visa Duration and Renewal
The visa is usually granted for 1 year initially, but depending on your business stability and profitability, you may later qualify for 3-year or even 5-year renewals.
To renew, you must prove:
• Your business is still operational
• You are financially supporting yourself and dependents
• You are complying with tax and employment regulations
🔗 ISA – Visa Renewal Procedures
🗺️ Can I Apply from Outside Japan?
Yes. You can either:
• Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from outside Japan through a sponsor or representative in Japan
• Or, enter Japan on a temporary visa and change status once all requirements (such as office and company registration) are in place
However, it is strongly recommended to partner with a visa consultant or legal representative in Japan to ensure proper documentation.
📈 Benefits of the Business Manager Visa
• Live and work in Japan legally
• Control your own business
• Pathway to permanent residency
• Ability to sponsor family
• Access to Japanese markets and clientele
⚠️ Challenges to Consider
• High setup costs compared to other visa routes
• Rigid legal and tax requirements
• Risk of visa non-renewal if the business fails
• Japanese language and bureaucratic barriers
For these reasons, local legal help is highly recommended, especially for first-time business owners.
If you're serious about moving to Japan and running your own business, the Investor/Business Manager Visa is one of the best ways to do it. While the process is demanding, it offers freedom, control, and a route to permanent residence for committed entrepreneurs. Make sure to work with local legal and immigration professionals to ensure your application succeeds. Please contact us at for any assistance.