How do I apply under the revised business manager ministerial Ordinance on Landing Standards Concerning?

revised criteria

Revised permission criteria of Business Manager Visa

(4 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.)

Effective date of new standards: October 16 2025

Official announcement: The Immigration Services Agency officially announced the revised criteria on October 10 2025, and the new standards will apply to all applications submitted on or after October 16 2025. Applications filed under the old rules on or after that date will be refused.
Note: This page reflects the revised requirements for the Business Manager status of residence under Japan’s Immigration Control Act. The amendments raise the capital requirement and introduce new hiring, language and professional‑experience standards. Existing visa holders must meet these new standards by the time of their renewal application—no later than October 16 2028—or their renewal will be denied.
Introduction
The Business Manager status of residence applies when a foreign national establishes a business in Japan or manages an existing business. Holders must be actively involved in running the enterprise—making important decisions, executing operations or supervising staff.
Under the revised ministerial ordinance, applicants must now satisfy both a higher capital requirement and an employment requirement.
 
In addition, a new Japanese‑language standard and professional‑experience/education criteria have been introduced. Renewal examinations also review whether the applicant complies with tax, labor and social‑insurance obligations.
The sections below explain the key requirements and practical considerations based on official guidance from the Immigration Services Agency and relevant ministry publications.

(1) Securing a Business Office

 
Under the ordinance, a business must have an office in Japan. A business office is defined as a physically sectioned‑off location where economic activity is carried out under a single management entity, with goods or services produced or provided continuously by staff and equipment. For leases, the contract must specify business use, and the lessee should be the corporation itself. Incubation facilities (e.g., JETRO’s Invest Japan Business Support Center) may be acceptable.
 
❌ What is not a valid office?

• Short‑term monthly rental spaces that lack permanence.
• Easily removable facilities such as market stalls.

 
🏠 Using a home as an office
The former rules allowed partial use of a residence if the landlord consented and a dedicated room was equipped for business. From October 16 2025, however, the Immigration Services Agency will generally require a distinct commercial property separate from the applicant’s residence, with its own entrance and utilities. This change reflects the emphasis on genuine economic activity. Applicants should therefore secure suitable office space when applying or renewing under the new standards.

(2) Hiring and Investment Requirements

 
💼 Capital requirement
Applicants must invest at least ¥30 million (approx. US$197,000) in paid‑in capital. This is a sixfold increase from the previous ¥5 million minimum. The full amount must be paid into the company before filing for the visa. Sole proprietors may count the cost of acquiring premises, one year of salaries, equipment and other operational expenses toward this threshold, but the total investment still must exceed ¥30 million.
 
👥 Employment obligation
At least one full‑time employee must be hired. The employee must be a Japanese national or a foreign national with independent residency status—such as a Permanent Resident, Special Permanent Resident, Spouse/Child of Japanese National, Spouse/Child of Permanent Resident or Long‑Term Resident. Simply hiring someone on a work visa or dependent visa is insufficient unless their status is changed to a qualifying category. In addition, either the applicant or the full‑time employee must meet the language requirement described below.
 

(3) Japanese‑Language Proficiency Requirement

 
Either the applicant or one full‑time employee must possess business‑level Japanese proficiency, defined as approximately CEFR B2 or JLPT N2. Acceptable proofs include:

• A certificate showing a passing grade of N2 or higher on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
• A score of 400 or higher on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test.
• Evidence of 20 years or more of residence in Japan.
• Graduation from a Japanese university or graduate school, or completion of Japanese compulsory education and high school.

This requirement aims to ensure that business owners can communicate with government agencies, financial institutions and the local community. If the applicant meets the language standard, the hired employee does not need to; conversely, if the full‑time employee meets the standard, the applicant need not.
（※Although this point is not explicitly mentioned in the revised landing permission criteria for the Business Manager visa, please be extremely careful to maintain good communication and harmonious relationships with the local Japanese community near your office.）

(4) Professional Experience or Education

 
Applicants must have either three years of management or business experience or hold a master’s degree (or higher) in business management or a related field. Experience gained during startup activities under certain “Designated Activities” visas—such as the Foreign Entrepreneur Visa (Public Notice No. 44), J‑Find, or Future Creation Visa (Public Notice No. 51)—may count toward the three‑year requirement. Those lacking the requisite experience should plan to gain management experience or pursue relevant graduate studies.

(5) Certified Business Plan

 
First‑time applicants must submit a business plan that demonstrates concrete, reasonable and feasible operations. First, I, Certified administrative procedures legal specialist, Shinichi Narita will make your Business Planning paper based on our meeting. After that, the plan must be certified by a qualified specialist, such as a Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant, Certified Public Accountant or Licensed Tax Accountant. These professionals evaluate the plan’s projections, financial ratios and market assumptions to ensure that the business has a realistic chance of profitability. An evaluation report should accompany the application.

(6) Continuity and Compliance

 
📊 Business continuity
Visa renewal examinations assess whether the business can continue operating. Even if the company runs a loss, renewal may be granted if the plan shows reasonable prospects for recovery—e.g., through financing, product development or customer acquisition. Persistent insolvency, accumulated deficits exceeding capital, or lack of gross profit over multiple years will likely lead to denial. New businesses within their first five years may receive flexibility if funding, product development and market expansion are underway.
 
📑 Legal obligations
Business Manager visa holders must comply with Japanese laws and fulfil their obligations as business operators. Renewal evaluations check:

1. Tax payments – corporate tax, consumption tax and local inhabitant taxes must be paid appropriately.
2. Labour laws – employment conditions must meet labour standards; at least one full‑time employee must be registered for employment and workers’ compensation insurance.
3. Social insurance – health insurance and employees’ pension insurance enrolment and premium payments.

Failure to meet these obligations can be grounds for denial.
 
🌍 Residence and business location
Applicants must not combine their residence and business office; the two must be distinct properties. Additionally, long‑term absence from Japan without justifiable business reasons can lead authorities to conclude that the applicant is not actively managing the business, resulting in refusal of renewal. Ensuring that the office is staffed and operated in Japan is therefore essential.
 
🕒 Transition period
Existing Business Manager visa holders are subject to a three‑year transitional period. Renewal applications submitted between October 16 2025 and October 16 2028 may be granted even if the new standards are not fully met—provided the business remains financially sound and shows prospects of compliance. From October 16 2028 onward, all renewals must fully comply with the revised standards, or the renewal will be denied. During the transitional period you should proactively adjust your capital, staffing and other requirements to align with the new criteria well before your renewal deadline.

Conclusion

The revised Business Manager visa standards represent a significant tightening of Japan’s investor immigration system. Applicants must demonstrate genuine commitment through substantial capital, at least one qualifying full‑time employee, adequate Japanese‑language ability, relevant management experience or education, and a professionally vetted business plan. Ongoing compliance with tax, labor and social‑insurance obligations is also essential. Merely registering a company is insufficient authorities will scrutinize the reality of your operations, financial health and community engagement.
As a certified immigration lawyer, Shinichi Narita provides comprehensive support tailored to each client’s circumstances. We help foreign entrepreneurs navigate these regulations, prepare robust business plans, secure capital and office space, and structure their applications to meet all requirements.