Business Manager Visa in Japan (経営・管理): 2025 Requirements, Company Setup, Fees | Climb (Tokyo)

Requirements in force since 16 October 2025

1. Capital or investment of ¥30 million or more. For a company this is the paid-in capital or total contributions; for a sole proprietor, the total amount invested in the business. (Before the change the threshold was ¥5 million.)
2. At least one full-time employee. The employee must be a Japanese national or a foreign national with a status of residence that has no work restrictions (such as a permanent resident or a spouse of a Japanese national). Holders of work visas do not count. A real employment contract and enrolment in social insurance are required.
3. Experience or education: at least 3 years of experience in managing or administering a business (time spent preparing to start the business counts), or a master’s degree or higher in business administration or in the field of the business, from Japan or abroad.
4. Japanese language ability: the applicant or a full-time employee must have Japanese at CEFR B2 level or above. Examples accepted include JLPT N2 or higher, BJT 400 points or higher, graduation from a Japanese university, or 20 years or more of mid- to long-term residence in Japan.
5. Expert review of the business plan: the business plan and funding plan must be checked by a certified small and medium enterprise consultant (中小企業診断士), a certified public accountant or a licensed tax accountant. Businesses of listed-company scale are exempt.
6. Office: a physical office in Japan that is separate from your home and large enough for the business. Month-to-month shared desks or easily removable premises such as stalls do not qualify. A lease must state business use and be in the company’s name.

If you already hold a Business Manager visa (transitional measures)

• If you were granted the status before 16 October 2025 and apply for renewal by 16 October 2028, your application will not be refused solely because you do not meet the new criteria.
• Renewals after that date must meet the new criteria. If the business is performing well, tax obligations are being met and you are expected to meet the new criteria by the next renewal, this is taken into account.
• From 16 October 2025, permanent residence from the Business Manager status requires that you meet the new criteria.

How Climb supports you

• Company formation: incorporation of a kabushiki kaisha or godo kaisha, in cooperation with judicial scriveners and tax accountants.
• Office: advice on choosing premises that meet the immigration requirements, and site inspection support when you visit Japan.
• Business plan: preparation of the plan and funding plan in the form the immigration office expects, and coordination of the expert review.
• Visa application: document list, drafting, and filing as certified application agents (申請取次行政書士). You do not need to appear at the immigration office.
• After the visa: advice on renewals and on keeping the business in line with the requirements.

Procedure and timeline

1. Free consultation: we check whether you meet the requirements and what is still needed (capital, employee, office, language, plan).
2. Company formation and office lease (if not yet done). Capital must be paid in and the source of funds documented.
3. Business plan and expert review; hiring of the full-time employee.
4. Application: a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) if you are overseas, or a change of status if you are in Japan. Published standard processing times: COE 1–3 months; change of status 1–2 months. The immigration office may request additional documents.
5. Visa issuance and entry (COE route), or new residence card (change route).

Documents (main items)

• Proof of capital and of the source of funds (bank records, gift or loan agreements)
• Certificate of registered matters of the company
• Business plan and funding plan with the expert’s confirmation
• Office lease (business use, in the company’s name) and photos of the office
• Employment contract of the full-time employee and social insurance enrolment
• Proof of the applicant’s experience or degree
• Proof of Japanese language ability (applicant or employee)
• Business licences where applicable

Fees

• Standard adds office introduction, purchase of office equipment and office layout photos. Full support adds competitor site visits, chauffeured car (fare included), hotel booking (hotel not included) and on-site guidance.
• Company formation plans: registration tax and articles-of-incorporation notarization fees are charged separately (for example, ¥260,000 in total for a kabushiki kaisha with ¥30 million capital; ¥210,000 registration tax for a godo kaisha).
• Government fee for a change of status or renewal (from 1 October 2026): ¥18,000–¥75,000 at the counter depending on the period granted, paid when the application is approved. A COE application is free.
• If the application is refused, you can choose either a refund of half of Climb’s fee or a free reapplication (conditions apply; see the fee page).

Frequently asked questions

Q．Can I start with ¥5 million as before?

A．No. For applications filed on or after 16 October 2025 the capital or investment must be ¥30 million or more. The ¥5 million threshold no longer applies to new applications.

Q．Can I count myself or a co-founder on a work visa as the full-time employee?

A．No. The employee must be a Japanese national or a foreign national whose status has no work restrictions, such as a permanent resident or the spouse of a Japanese national.

Q．I do not speak Japanese. Can I still apply?

A．Yes, if a full-time employee has Japanese at B2 level or above (for example JLPT N2). The requirement can be met by either the applicant or the employee.

Q．Can I use my home as the office?

A．In principle, no. The office must be separate from your residence, sized for the business, and leased for business use in the company’s name.

Q．I already have a Business Manager visa. Do I need ¥30 million now?

A．Renewals filed by 16 October 2028 are not refused solely for not meeting the new criteria. After that, the new criteria apply, so it is worth planning now. Permanent residence from this status already requires the new criteria.

Q．Can you consult in English?

A．Yes. We have English-speaking staff. The first consultation (60 minutes) is free, in our Takadanobaba office or on Zoom. We also handle Chinese, Vietnamese and Nepali.

Contact us for a free consultation

• Phone: 03-5937-6960 (weekdays 9:00–19:00 JST, closed on weekends and Japanese holidays)
• Inquiry form (24 hours; we reply within 2 business days, excluding weekends and Japanese holidays): https://visanavi-law.com/contact.html
• LINE: https://liff.line.me/1645278921-kWRPP32q/?accountId=776ekgtz
• Consultations in our office or on Zoom. Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Nepali.