Japan Business Manager Visa 2026: What the New Rules Mean
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Supervised by a Licensed Administrative Scrivener (行政書士)
Based on official Immigration Services Agency guidelines. Last updated: April 2026
📋 GUIDE FOR FOREIGN ENTREPRENEURS
Japan Business Manager Visa 2026:
What the New Rules Mean for You
What the New Rules Mean for You
Japan tightened its Business Manager Visa requirements in October 2025 — significantly. Capital requirements tripled, a mandatory full-time Japanese employee was added, and a professional business plan evaluation is now required. If you're planning to start a company in Japan, or already hold this visa, here's what you need to know.
🚨 October 2025 reform: the rules changed substantially
The Ministry of Justice revised the Business Manager Visa (経営・管理ビザ) requirements effective October 2025. Many applications that would have been approved under the old rules will now be rejected. If you applied before October 2025, your current visa may still be valid — but your next renewal will be assessed under the new rules.
📖 What this article covers
1. What Changed in October 2025
The Business Manager Visa has always been one of Japan's more demanding visas to obtain. The October 2025 reform made it considerably harder — particularly for small-scale startups and sole operators.
BEFORE OCT 2025
✓ Capital requirement: ¥5 million
✓ Employee requirement: 2 full-time staff (Japanese nationals or permanent residents) — OR ¥5M capital instead
✓ Business plan: self-prepared, no expert review required
✓ Office: independent office required
✓ Applicant role: manager or executive of the business
AFTER OCT 2025 (current)
⬆ Capital requirement: ¥30 million 6× increase
⬆ Employee: at least 1 full-time Japanese national or permanent resident new
⬆ Business plan: must be evaluated by a certified professional (中小企業診断士 or equivalent) new
✓ Office: independent office still required
✓ Applicant role: manager or executive (unchanged)
⚠️ The ¥5M capital + 2 employees option no longer exists
Under the old rules, you could meet the requirement with either ¥5M in capital OR 2 full-time Japanese employees. That trade-off no longer applies. The new rules require both ¥30M capital AND at least 1 full-time Japanese/permanent resident employee.
2. Full Requirements Under the 2026 Rules
| Requirement | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | ¥30 million or more registered in the company's articles of incorporation | Must be verifiable in company registration documents |
| Full-time employee | At least 1 full-time employee who is a Japanese national or permanent resident of Japan | Must have an employment contract and be enrolled in social insurance |
| Business plan evaluation | Business plan assessed by a certified Small and Medium Enterprise Consultant (中小企業診断士) or equivalent professional | Viability and profitability must be certified by the evaluator |
| Independent office | Separate, dedicated business premises (not a home office) | Lease agreement required. Virtual offices are generally not acceptable |
| Applicant's role | Must actually manage or operate the business (director, CEO, or equivalent) | Nominal or figurehead roles are not accepted |
| Academic/professional background | Master's degree or higher, OR 3+ years of business management experience | Newly added in October 2025 |
| Japanese language ability | JLPT N2 or higher (applicant OR one full-time employee) | Newly added in October 2025 |
🚨 ¥30 million: this is the capital registered at incorporation
This is not cash in a bank account — it refers to the registered capital (資本金) in your company's articles of incorporation and company registry. Increasing registered capital after the fact is possible but requires a formal corporate process and involves registration fees. If your current capital is below ¥30M, this should be your first step to address.
3. The New Business Plan Evaluation Requirement
This is the most unfamiliar requirement for most foreign entrepreneurs. Under the new rules, your business plan cannot simply be self-prepared — it must be formally evaluated by a certified Small and Medium Enterprise Consultant (中小企業診断士) or equivalent professional, who certifies that your business is viable and commercially realistic.
What the evaluation covers
- Commercial viability of the business model
- Realistic revenue and cost projections
- Market analysis and competitive positioning
- Qualifications and background of the applicant relative to the business
- Ability of the business to generate sufficient income to sustain the operator's livelihood
How to obtain an evaluation
You will need to engage a registered 中小企業診断士 (SME management consultant) who will review your business plan and issue a formal written evaluation. This process typically takes 2–4 weeks and costs ¥100,000–¥300,000 depending on the complexity of your business. A licensed administrative scrivener (行政書士) can refer you to appropriate evaluators and help you prepare the business plan to a standard that passes evaluation.
💡 Start the business plan early: The evaluation process is the longest lead-time item in a new application. If you're planning to apply, begin drafting your business plan at least 3 months before your intended application date.
4. Your Situation: Can You Still Qualify?
✅ LIKELY ELIGIBLE
Established business with capital and staff
Your company has ¥30M+ registered capital, at least 1 full-time Japanese/PR employee, and an active office. Focus on the business plan evaluation and documentation quality.
⚠️ SIGNIFICANT HURDLE
Small startup, capital under ¥30M
Capital increase is required before applying. Consider whether the business model can support ¥30M in registered capital. Consult a specialist before proceeding.
⚠️ SIGNIFICANT HURDLE
Solo operation, no Japanese employees
You must hire at least 1 full-time Japanese national or permanent resident before applying. This means employment contract, social insurance enrollment, and ongoing salary cost.
💡 CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES
Tech founder, freelancer, or remote worker
If your work is primarily digital or knowledge-based, the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa or the Digital Nomad visa may be more accessible pathways worth exploring first.
Alternatives to consider if the Business Manager Visa is out of reach
| Alternative visa | Best for | Key advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) | Tech founders, executives, researchers with 70+ points | No capital requirement. Spouse can work freely. PR in 1–3 years. |
| ESHIS (Gijinkoku) work visa | Founders who also draw a salary from their own company | Lower barrier than Business Manager if you qualify as an employee |
| Digital Nomad visa | Remote workers earning ¥10M+ from foreign employers | No Japan company required. 6-month stay. Renewable. |
| Investor visa (Permanent residency track) | High-net-worth individuals with significant Japan investment | Long-term option for those with substantial capital |
5. If You Already Hold the Business Manager Visa: What to Do Before Renewal
If you currently hold a Business Manager Visa that was granted before October 2025, your existing visa remains valid until its expiry date. However, your renewal will be evaluated under the new October 2025 rules.
What you need to check now
- Capital: Is your registered capital at or above ¥30M? If not, begin the capital increase process well before your renewal date — it takes time to complete the corporate registration.
- Employees: Do you have at least 1 full-time Japanese national or permanent resident employee on payroll and enrolled in social insurance? If not, you need to hire before renewal.
- Business plan: Even for renewals, a professional evaluation of your business plan is now required. Prepare this 2–3 months before your renewal application.
- Academic/language: Do you have a Master's degree or higher, or 3+ years of documented management experience? Is your JLPT N2 or higher, or does one of your employees hold it?
⚠️ Tokyo Immigration is taking 4–7 months for renewal processing
Business Manager Visa renewals in Tokyo currently take 4–7 months. Given the additional documents required under the new rules, start preparing at least 6 months before your renewal date. This is earlier than you might expect.
6. Application Process and Timeline
1
Confirm eligibility and identify gaps
Check capital, employee status, office, and your own qualifications against the current requirements. Identify what needs to be resolved before applying. Consult a specialist if uncertain.
2
Prepare and evaluate your business plan (2–4 weeks)
Draft a detailed business plan covering market analysis, revenue projections, operations, and your qualifications. Engage a certified SME consultant to formally evaluate and certify the plan.
3
Collect all required documents (2–3 weeks)
Company registration (登記事項証明書), lease agreement, capital payment certificates, employment contracts, social insurance enrollment proof, degree certificates, JLPT certificates, tax certificates, and more.
4
Submit the application
Applications can be submitted in person at the relevant immigration office, by post, or through a licensed administrative scrivener who can apply on your behalf.
5
Await decision (4–7 months, Tokyo)
Immigration will review your application. Respond promptly to any requests for additional materials — delays in responding extend the overall processing time. Once approved, the residence card is issued or renewed.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
QI started my company with ¥5M capital before October 2025. Can I still renew?
Your current visa remains valid until its expiry. However, to renew, you will need to meet the new requirements — including raising registered capital to ¥30M. This requires a formal capital increase process through a company registry amendment. It is possible but takes time and involves registration fees. Begin this process at least 6 months before your renewal date.
QCan I use a virtual office to satisfy the office requirement?
Generally, no. Virtual offices are not acceptable for the Business Manager Visa. Immigration requires a dedicated, physical office space where the business is actually conducted — evidenced by a standard lease agreement in the company's name. Co-working spaces with a dedicated desk or private room have been accepted in some cases, but this is assessed individually. Consult a specialist before relying on this option.
QMy spouse is a Japanese national. Does that count toward the employee requirement?
If your spouse is employed by your company under a genuine employment contract, with regular working hours and enrolled in social insurance, they may qualify as the required full-time employee. However, this arrangement is scrutinised carefully by immigration. Family members employed purely on paper — without genuine work duties — do not qualify. The employment must be substantive and verifiable.
QI don't have a Master's degree. Can I still qualify?
Yes — the academic requirement can be substituted with documented management experience of 3 or more years. You will need to provide certificates or letters from previous employers clearly describing your management responsibilities and duration. General work experience is not sufficient; the experience must demonstrate actual management of a business or team.
QMy business is purely online / digital. Does that affect my application?
Online businesses are not excluded in principle, but they face additional scrutiny because immigration wants to verify genuine business activity in Japan. You will need to demonstrate actual operations — clients, revenue, contracts, communications — based in or connected to Japan. An entirely overseas-facing business with no Japan nexus may face difficulty. The business plan evaluation becomes especially important in these cases.
QCan I apply for the Business Manager Visa from outside Japan?
Yes. For a new Business Manager Visa (rather than a renewal), you apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in Japan first — typically through a licensed representative — and then use the COE to obtain the actual visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country. Processing currently takes 4–7 months in Tokyo, so plan accordingly.
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