Japan Business Manager Visa 2026 | New Rules & Renewal
Japan immigration / business owners & entrepreneurs
Japan Business Manager Visa: New Requirements, Renewal & Application Support
Planning to start or manage a company in Japan? Already holding Business Manager residence status and concerned about your next renewal? Japan revised the Business Manager requirements on 16 October 2025. We help international business owners understand the new eligibility rules, prepare company and financial documents, and apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), Change of Status, or Extension of Period of Stay.
Kawagoe Administrative Scrivener Office · Yamagata, Japan · Phone hours 9:00–18:00 Japan time
Starting a business
Review capital, full-time staff, a genuine office, Japanese-language ability, management background, and the business plan before applying.
Already in Japan
Understand transitional renewal treatment and how your financial statements, taxes, staffing and future plans will be assessed.
Changing your status
Check whether moving from a different residence status into business management is appropriate and which conditions apply.
What changed for the Business Manager Visa?
The residence status officially called Business Manager (経営・管理) covers genuine management or administration of a business in Japan. A company registration certificate alone does not establish immigration eligibility. The rules effective from 16 October 2025 place stronger emphasis on business substance, funding, employees, qualifications and the credibility of the business plan.
| Issue | Core requirement under the revised rules |
|---|---|
| Business capital / scale | For an incorporated business, generally at least ¥30 million in paid-in capital or total contributions. A sole proprietor is assessed differently. |
| Full-time employee | At least one qualifying full-time employee, separate from the funding requirement. |
| Japanese-language ability | At least one of the applicant or a qualifying full-time employee must meet approximately CEFR/Japanese-language framework B2 level. |
| Applicant's background | A relevant master's-level or higher degree, or at least three years of qualifying business management experience, subject to the applicable rules. |
| Business plan | Where required, confirmation of the plan's substance, feasibility and reasonableness by an eligible independent specialist. |
| Office and real activity | A genuine business office and actual participation in management, together with required business permits and compliance. |
The general new-application framework changed. The revised capital and staffing standards are separate requirements, and special or transitional cases must be checked individually.
Requirement 1: ¥30 million capital — what counts?
Corporations
For a company, the official guidance generally examines the paid-in share capital of a corporation or the total capital contributions of the relevant corporate form. Retained earnings, capital reserve, wages or rent cannot simply be added to the capital figure to reach ¥30 million.
Sole proprietors
A sole proprietor does not have corporate share capital. The assessment instead concerns qualifying amounts actually invested in the business, such as business premises, equipment and eligible staff costs, in accordance with immigration guidance.
¥30 million is not a government application fee. It is a business-scale requirement, and the source, accounting treatment and documentation of the funds matter. Purchasing a company, increasing capital, or reorganizing a business should be reviewed before committing funds.
Acquiring shares or becoming a representative director does not automatically satisfy the Business Manager requirements. We examine the legal entity, its capital, employee arrangements and whether you will actually manage the business.
Requirement 2: At least one eligible full-time employee
Under the revised rules, the business generally needs at least one full-time employee who can be counted toward the staffing requirement. Not every foreign employee qualifies for this headcount.
The group of workers who can help meet the Japanese-language requirement is not necessarily identical to those counted toward the full-time staffing requirement. The two tests should be checked separately.
Requirement 3: Japanese-language ability at approximately B2 level
Either the applicant or an eligible full-time employee must have the specified Japanese-language ability. The Immigration Services Agency identifies several ways to demonstrate this, including JLPT N2 or higher or a BJT Business Japanese Test score of at least 400, along with certain qualifying education or long-term residence backgrounds.
If you speak Japanese
Review whether you have an accepted test certificate or another recognized form of evidence. Being conversationally fluent without accepted documentation may require further consideration.
If your employee speaks Japanese
Check the employee's nationality or residence status, their role and full-time employment, and the acceptable evidence of Japanese-language ability.
Not in every case. The rule can be satisfied through an eligible full-time employee, and official guidance recognizes specified alternatives to JLPT. However, each proposed method of proof must be checked.
Requirement 4: The applicant's degree or management experience
For the revised standard, the relevant background includes a master's-level or higher degree relating to business management or the business field, or at least three years of qualifying experience in business management. Other category-specific criteria and evidence may also need review.
Requirement 5: A credible business plan and a genuine office
For new business-status determinations covered by the revised rules, the business plan may need an assessment by an appropriately qualified specialist, such as a Japanese Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant, Certified Public Accountant or Tax Accountant. The exact need for such confirmation depends on the application and any applicable exceptions.
What the plan should explain
Products and services, target customers, sales assumptions, financing, staffing, office premises, necessary business permissions and a credible financial outlook.
What the office should demonstrate
A real location appropriate for the planned operations. Using a residence as the business office is, in principle, not accepted under the revised guidance. A virtual office alone may be insufficient.
The applicant must actually participate in the management or administration of the business. Outsourcing virtually all management functions or holding a title without meaningful responsibility can create a serious eligibility issue.
Business plan verification, company registration, accounting and tax filings, and sector-specific permits may require separate qualified professionals. We explain the boundary between immigration application support and other professional services.
Already holding a Business Manager Visa? Renewal and the 2028 transition
For business owners who already held Business Manager status under the former rules, the renewal assessment is not identical to a new application. The Immigration Services Agency has issued a transitional approach covering the three-year period following the reform.
| Timing of renewal application | What the official guidance says |
|---|---|
| During the transitional period, up to 16 October 2028 | For existing qualifying residents, a renewal is not refused solely because the revised criteria are not yet met. Business performance, compliance and the prospect of meeting the new criteria are considered. |
| After the transitional period | The revised criteria generally apply. However, the Agency also explains that where business performance and tax compliance are good and there is a credible prospect of meeting the criteria by the next renewal, the case may still be examined comprehensively rather than automatically refused for capital below ¥30 million alone. |
The official FAQ explicitly rejects that claim. Nevertheless, a favorable individual decision is never guaranteed; the company's actual situation, financial records, compliance and improvement plan remain crucial.
If staffing, capital, Japanese-language evidence, taxes or social insurance need attention, start documenting a realistic compliance plan well before the residence card expires.
What immigration reviews when you renew
Renewal is not merely a check of the company's registration and the owner's residence card. The Agency considers whether the business is operating genuinely and whether the entrepreneur is fulfilling applicable public obligations.
Losses or a recent startup phase do not always mean refusal. But operating losses, tax arrears, lack of business activity or missing insurance may require detailed explanations and evidence of a sustainable plan.
Which immigration application do you need?
COE: Entering from overseas
For an applicant outside Japan who plans to engage in eligible business management. We review the company, activity, supporting documents and COE filing route.
Change of Status
For someone in Japan under another residence status who intends to undertake qualifying management activities. The timing of beginning work matters.
Extension of Period of Stay
For an existing Business Manager resident. We review operations, compliance, renewal timing and the 2025 reform's transitional treatment.
Startup Visa / Designated Activities arrangements are separate from an ordinary Business Manager application. Some transitional cases have their own treatment depending on certification and filing dates. We check which rules apply rather than assuming a general exemption.
Documents commonly reviewed for your case
| Area | Examples of documents and evidence |
|---|---|
| Applicant | Passport, residence card if in Japan, CV, qualifications, employment and management history, relevant Japanese-language evidence. |
| Company and ownership | Corporate registration, articles, capital/contribution evidence, shareholder or member information, office lease and company profile. |
| Full-time employees | Employment contracts, payroll, employment status and relevant nationality/residence documents, insurance enrollment where applicable. |
| New business | Business plan, financing sources, revenue forecasts, required specialist confirmation, business permits, and contracts or evidence of commercial activity. |
| Renewal | Financial statements, tax certificates, insurance-related materials, business activity evidence and information on progress toward the revised standards. |
| Immigration forms | COE, Change of Status or Extension forms and the category-specific supporting documents required for the filing. |
The Immigration Services Agency publishes separate submission lists for COE, Change of Status and Extension applications. Additional documents and declarations may depend on the receiving institution's category and the applicant's role. The list above is an overview, not a universal checklist.
How we help — from assessment to filing
01. Explain your business and residence situation
Tell us whether you are applying for the first time or renewing, your business type, company capital, staff, current status and planned dates.
02. Review the applicable requirements
We check whether the revised rules, transitional renewal treatment or another specific procedure applies to your circumstances.
03. Organize supporting evidence
We identify the corporate, employment, financial, language and management documents needed, and flag items requiring separate qualified professionals.
04. Prepare and submit the immigration application
We assist with the appropriate paperwork and application representation where permitted, taking account of the relevant immigration office and submission method.
05. Respond to further document requests
We help organize explanations and additional records requested during examination. Approval remains subject to the Immigration Services Agency's assessment.
Business Manager Visa application fees
| Service | Professional fee (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application | From ¥165,000 |
| Change of Status to Business Manager | From ¥165,000 |
| Standard Extension of Period of Stay (no major business changes) | From ¥66,000 |
| Company formation documentation support, if separately engaged | From ¥110,000 |
The amounts above are our administrative scrivener's service fees, not the ¥30 million capital requirement. Corporate registration, independent business-plan specialist assessments, translations, required permits, tax/accounting services, travel, mailing and other third-party expenses may be charged separately. A formal quotation is provided before engagement.
Immigration government fees for permission to change status or extend a period of stay are separate and depend on the applicable rules, including the filing and permission details. A COE application itself has no immigration filing fee.
Frequently asked questions
Can I obtain a new Business Manager Visa with only ¥5 million?
For an ordinary new corporate application under the revised framework, the capital or contribution requirement is generally ¥30 million. The former ¥5 million rule should not be used as the current general standard. Specific transitional cases require separate analysis.
Do I need ¥30 million AND a full-time employee?
Generally, yes. The revised capital/scale requirement and one qualifying full-time employee are separate conditions; meeting one does not automatically replace the other.
Can an Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services employee count as my required full-time employee?
That residence status generally cannot be counted toward the special full-time headcount requirement. The permitted staff categories are defined by immigration guidance. The Japanese-language test is a separate issue.
Must I personally pass JLPT N2?
Not necessarily. The rule may be fulfilled through a qualifying full-time employee, and the Immigration Services Agency recognizes certain alternative forms of Japanese-language evidence. We review the proposed proof before filing.
Is a university bachelor's degree enough?
A bachelor's degree alone does not automatically meet the revised master's-level or qualifying management-experience standard. The field and level of study, or evidence of at least three years of eligible experience, need to be checked.
Do I need a business plan reviewed by a professional?
The revised rules introduce specialist confirmation for covered business-status determinations, subject to exceptions. Eligible qualifications generally include Japanese SME Management Consultant, Certified Public Accountant and Tax Accountant. A company officer or employee cannot simply certify their own plan as an independent assessor.
My company has ¥10 million capital and my renewal is in 2027. Will I automatically be refused?
No. For eligible existing residents during the transitional period, failure to meet the new capital threshold alone does not mean automatic refusal. Immigration will also look at the company's performance, tax and legal compliance, and the prospect of meeting the requirements.
What happens if I still have less than ¥30 million after October 2028?
The revised criteria generally apply. However, official guidance explains that a good business record, proper tax compliance and a credible expectation of satisfying the requirements by the next renewal may be considered along with the other facts. Permission is not guaranteed.
Can I use company profits or office rent to make up the ¥30 million capital for a corporation?
Not simply by adding those figures. For incorporated businesses, the stated capital or total capital contributions are the relevant measure under the Agency's explanation. The assessment for sole proprietors is different.
Can I run the business from my apartment?
The revised guidance generally does not recognize combining one's residence and business office. The suitability of any premises depends on the business structure and actual use. Check office requirements before signing a lease or submitting an application.
Can I renew if my company recorded a loss?
A loss does not automatically determine the outcome. Business continuity, the reason for losses, financing, sales prospects and compliance may be important, and additional financial or independent evaluation materials may be requested.
Is company incorporation included in the visa application fee?
No. Company formation documents, commercial registration, immigration filing and any specialist assessment are separate services. We explain which services require a judicial scrivener, accountant, tax accountant or other professional.
Can I ask questions in English from outside Japan?
Yes. We accept English-language enquiries from Japan and overseas. Please provide your current location, planned business, capital and staffing situation, and whether this is a new application or renewal.
Related guidance and official immigration resources
Kawagoe Administrative Scrivener Office
Based in Sagae, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. We assist foreign nationals and Japanese businesses with immigration applications and related administrative procedures, including Business Manager status applications and renewals.
English consultation available · Enquiries welcome from across Japan and overseas
English immigration consultation
Starting or running a business in Japan? Check your visa requirements before you apply.
Tell us whether you are applying for the first time or renewing, your current residence status, company capital, number of employees, business activities and visa expiration date. We can explain the requirements, supporting documents, possible transitional treatment and our professional fees.
Kawagoe Administrative Scrivener Office · Sagae, Yamagata, Japan · Telephone 9:00–18:00 JST · Nationwide / overseas enquiries