Business Manager Visa, considered one of the most challenging visas to obtain and maintain in Japan, serves as a viable option for entrepreneurs or business owners looking for ways to stay in Japan and run a successful business.
It is important to submit documents such as business plan and purchase orders/contracts to convince the Immigration Bureau that your business will be profitable and sustainable.
The Business Manager Visa requires your commitment prior to visa application, including 5 million yen capital, a lease contract for an office, and company registration.
There are startup visas or 4-month Business Manager Visas available to make the business start-up process easier for foreign nationals residing overseas.
The processing time for the Business Manager Visa is approximately 3 months.
If you are considering starting a business in Japan as a foreign national, one of the most important factors to consider is your visa status: Does your current visa allow you to run or manage a business?
If your current visa falls under categories such as Spouse/Child of a Japanese National Visa, Permanent Resident Visa, or Long-Term Resident, which impose no work restrictions, you are in the clear.
However, for those under visas like Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, obtaining a Business Manager Visa is necessary to start running your own business.
If you are starting a business on your own, you must first establish the company before applying for the visa. This involves navigating the company registration process and signing a leasing contract for an office. It’s a financial commitment required before the visa application.
If you’re considering changing your current visa which imposes restriction on work, to a Business Manager Visa, you can initiate the company establishment process while on the previous visa but the actual business operations can only commence after the Business Manager Visa is granted.
Business Manager Visa is gaining attention as a means for self-sponsorship for those wanting to work in Japan. Check if the following points apply to your case to determine whether the Business Manager Visa is a viable option for you:
You want to start and run a business in Japan
You can invest 5 million yen (around 3.4K US dollars) to a company that you will establish
You are prepared to dedicate time and energy to the company’s establishment before obtaining the visa
You have experience/background in running a business
You have a solid business plan for the new business
Now, let’s delve into the more specific requirements for a Business Manager Visa.
You must meet certain criteria to obtain a Business Manager Visa. Here are the key requirements to keep in mind:
The list can be more extensive if we look into detail, but the above are the main requirements that will be helpful to keep in mind as you consider getting a Business Manager Visa.
What office should look like:
When applying for a Business Manager Visa, you will need to submit various documents. Here is a general list:
The above list is provided to serve as your general guide. For a personalized checklist tailored to your case, consult your immigration lawyer.
The four-month Business Manager Visa enables foreign nationals to relocate to Japan, obtain a residence card, establish their business, and subsequently apply for the 1-year Business Manager visa. Before the introduction of this four-month visa option, the process was significantly challenging for foreigners residing overseas because without collaboration with a Japanese or Japanese resident partner, they couldn’t secure a bank account for the initial capital investment or rent an office.
Now, this is what the process will look like after your arrival in Japan:
Another interesting initiative is a program to increase foreign entrepreneurs under Tokyo’s Special Zone System, which offers you a six-month status for entrepreneurs to conduct the business establishment process. You will engage in business startup activities for six months after entering Japan to fulfill the requirements needed for renewing the visa.
The Digital Nomad Visa, officially known as the ‘Designated Activities’ Visa for Digital Nomads / Spouses or children of Digital Nomads, allows individuals to stay in Japan for up to six months to work remotely for overseas companies, provided they meet certain conditions such as having an income higher than 10 million yen (approximately 63,000 US dollars). It targets high-earning remote workers, including entrepreneurs and YouTubers, making it a great option for those who want to stay in Japan.
It is important to note that after the initial six-month period, you have to wait another six months before reapplying.
The application process varies, depending on whether you are already in Japan with a visa, or if you are applying from abroad, but assuming you are applying for a change of status in Japan here is the general workflow.
The processing time for a Business Manager Visa could take around 3 months but could be shorter or longer depending on the case.
The period of stay for a Business Manager can be 6 months, 1 year, 3 years to 5 years. The number of years depends on the confidence that the Immigration Bureau will have in your business and multiple other factors, based on the documents you prepare. It also matters a lot whether the business is profitable or not by the time of visa renewal.
Up to three months before your visa expiration date, you can apply for the renewal of your Business Manager Visa. They will review your financial statements and business performance to mainly evaluate the profitability and sustainability of your business.
Spouse or children of Business Manager Visa holder can apply for a dependent visa.
Business Manager Visa is one of the most difficult visas to obtain and to sustain. Get your support from us Small Seasons & Co. to ensure you have all items you need to maximize the chance of you getting the visa and get the visa approved.
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For a Business Manager visa, you will need to have a physical office independent of your residential home. If it is a home, it has to have an independent entrance/exit separate from your living space.
The Business Manager Visa is granted to those whose business will be on track to grow into a scale of hiring two employees, following the definition of being a “business manager.” However, in the beginning, you can create a plan incorporating the hiring factor, and necessary growth would suffice, as long as 5 million yen is secured.
