NEWS / UPDATE · BUSINESS MANAGER VISA
Japan Business Manager Visa 2026: What the New Rules Mean
Japan tightened Business Manager Visa requirements in October 2025 — capital tripled to ¥30M, full-time Japanese employee required, expert business plan evaluation mandatory. Here's what changed and what to do next.
- Effective date
- October 2025
- Status
- In effect
- Who it affects
- Business Manager applicants and current holders
What changed
The requirements became substantially stricter
Japan tightened the Business Manager Visa requirements in October 2025. The minimum capital requirement increased, staffing rules changed, and professional evaluation of the business plan became part of the process.
The practical impact depends on whether you are preparing a new application or already hold this status and are approaching renewal.
Who is affected
Check whether this update applies to you
Affected
New applicants and current holders preparing for renewal
Use the updated requirements when planning capital, staffing and business-plan evidence. Current holders should check the renewal implications before their next filing.
Probably not affected
People applying under a different status of residence
This update is specific to the Business Manager status. Confirm the rules for your own visa category separately.
What this means for you
Details and practical impact
What the New Rules Mean for You
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.
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.
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 |
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.
4. Your Situation: Can You Still Qualify?
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?
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
7. Frequently Asked Questions
What to do now
Take the step that matches your situation
Planning an application
Review the current requirements before committing funds
Check the full eligibility, capital, staffing and business-plan requirements in the evergreen guide.
Already holding this status
Check the new rules before your next renewal
Compare your current business structure with the updated requirements and prepare evidence early.
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