How long is the examination period for a business management visa? The timeline for obtaining a visa is also explained

For foreigners wishing to run a company in Japan, obtaining a business management visa is an essential procedure for medium- to long-term stays in Japan.

The average processing time for a business administration visa is 87.5 days (Published Data for July 2025, Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

However, the requirements for a business management visa and the overall timetable for the necessary procedures in obtaining a visa are often complex and unclear, and many people wonder how to proceed.

The main points of this article are as follows.

This article provides detailed information on the requirements for obtaining a business management visa and its examination period. It also introduces the timeline for obtaining a visa and supports a smooth application process.

1.[2025 Update] 5 New Requirements for the Business Manager Visa

Following the legal revision on October 16, 2025, the requirements for obtaining a Business Manager Visa have been extensively reviewed and significantly tightened. Before considering your timeline, you must first confirm whether you can clear the following five high hurdles:

Requirement 1: Business Scale (Minimum Capital of ¥30 Million AND at least 1 Full-time Employee)

It is now mandatory to satisfy both the minimum capital investment of 30 million yen and the employment of at least one full-time staff member.

Requirement 2: Secured Independent Office Space (Home-offices generally prohibited)

A physical, dedicated base for business operations is required. In principle, using a residence as a combined office (home-office) is no longer permitted.

Requirement 3: Business Plan Verified by Professionals

It is now mandatory for business plans to be verified by professionals such as Registered Management Consultants (Chusho Kigyo Shindanshi), Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), or Tax Accountants.

To obtain a Business Manager Visa, you must demonstrate that your business will be conducted appropriately and has the potential for stable and sustainable operations. This must be proven through the submission of a comprehensive business plan. The plan must include detailed information such as the business overview, revenue projections, market analysis, and operational strategies. Based on this document, the Immigration Services Agency evaluates whether the applicant’s business is feasible and has a high probability of long-term success.

Requirement 4: Applicant’s Professional Background or Academic Credentials

Applicants are now required to meet either of the following: at least 3 years of experience in business management or administration, or a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field.

Requirement 5: Specific Level of Japanese Language Proficiency

It is now mandatory that either the applicant themselves or the full-time employee they hire possesses Japanese language proficiency equivalent to JLPT N2 level or higher.

The business must be recognised as stable and sustainable.

These are the main requirements for obtaining a business management visa. Understanding these and preparing well will ensure a smooth application. Next, let’s take a closer look at the specific application procedure and timeline.

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2. The timetable and duration of obtaining a business management visa

Due to the legal revisions, the preparation required prior to a visa application has become significantly more complex and time-consuming. Below is an explanation of the new schedule and what steps you need to take. Overall, you should expect the process to take at least 6 months to 1 year.

To obtain a business management visa, a number of steps need to be followed in sequence. Let’s look at the time required for each step and the specific procedures.

2-1. Preliminary Eligibility Check & Strategic Planning (approx. 1 month or more)

First, you must confirm whether you satisfy “Requirement 4: Applicant’s Professional Background or Academic Credentials.” If you need to obtain documents from overseas to prove three or more years of management experience (such as Certificates of Employment), this step alone can take several weeks to over a month. At this stage, it is crucial to consult with an expert to develop a comprehensive strategy for obtaining your visa.

2-2. Drafting the Business Plan and Professional Verification (approx. 1–2 months)

Next, you will draft the business plan, which serves as the core of your business. It is necessary to thoroughly refine the market research and financial projections to a level that can clear the subsequent “professional verification” step. Once completed, you must request a review from an expert, such as a Registered Management Consultant, and obtain a certificate of verification stating that “this plan is feasible.” You should anticipate that coordinating with the expert and making revisions to the plan may take anywhere from several weeks to over a month.

2-3 Establishing a company and securing a place of business to obtain a business management visa (1-3 months)

Based on the business plan verified by experts, you will incorporate your company and establish the business infrastructure.

• Preparing, remitting, and depositing the 30 million yen capital.
• Recruiting full-time staff and executing employment contracts.
• Searching for independent office space and entering into a lease agreement.
• Registering the company incorporation at the Legal Affairs Bureau.

In particular, the international remittance of a large capital amount and the recruitment of personnel who meet the specific requirements may take considerable time.

Preparation of required documents.

First, the articles of association are drawn up and certified by a notary public. The capital is then transferred to a designated bank account and the incorporation is registered at the Legal Affairs Bureau.

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Securing a place of business where the company’s head office is located

After the company is established, it is necessary to secure an office to serve as the head office. An office lease contract is concluded in the name of the new company for the purpose of using the office for business purposes. If the contract is already in the name of an individual foreigner, the contract is changed to the name of the company.

Securing office properties & interior decoration work, etc.

When applying for a business management visa, drawings and photographs of the business premises are required. To prove that the business is ready to start operating, desks, computers and office equipment are required. If you are running a shop-based business, you will need to secure a property and carry out interior work. This will provide the necessary environment for you to start your business.

2-4. Various notifications to the tax office and other authorities to obtain a business management visa (about 2 weeks)

Various notifications to the tax office are another important step. This takes about two weeks.

Notification of incorporation, notification of the establishment of a payroll office, etc., and an application for approval of a special period for payment of withholding tax at source are to be submitted. These notifications should be kept on file as they will be required when applying for a business management visa. If you hire employees from the beginning of your business, you will also need to apply for social insurance and unemployment insurance.

2-5. Business licences and other permits required before applying for a business management visa (about one month)

If a business requires permits and licences, it is necessary to obtain various permits and licences in advance. This takes about one month.

The main businesses that require permits and licences include the catering, real estate, manufacturing, hotel and inn, construction and transport industries. Procedures are carried out with the appropriate administrative body for each type of business to obtain the necessary permits.

This step can also be carried out in parallel with other procedures.

2-6. Preparation of business management visa application (about one month)

Based on all the documents gathered in the previous steps (expert’s certificate of verification, company register, employment contracts, office lease agreement, etc.), you will prepare the full set of application documents for the Immigration Services Agency. To demonstrate the actual state of the business, you must also set up the office interior and equipment and prepare supporting materials such as photographs.

2-7. Business management visa examination period (2 to 3 months) by the Immigration Bureau

The examination period for a business management visa by the Immigration Bureau is two to three months. The examination may include a document review and an interview, the duration of which depends on the case and the time of year. During the examination, it is important to respond promptly to the submission of additional documents and interviews.

Key points to shorten the review period

During the visa application examination process, additional documentation may be requested if the documents submitted are insufficient or if it is unclear whether the requirements have been met. When this ‘Notice of Submission of Documents’ is issued, the examination process is suspended and the examination period is prolonged.

To avoid this situation, make sure you have all the necessary documents before submitting your application. In addition, by hiring an experienced administrative scrivener or other specialist, you can prepare documents that are free from any deficiencies and prepare a business plan that will make it easier to obtain a business management visa.

Once the examination is successfully completed, you can obtain a business management visa. This officially allows you to operate your business in Japan.

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3. Points to note on business activities prior to obtaining a business management visa

Prior to obtaining a business management visa, the foreign manager cannot act as a manager in Japan. Therefore, during this period, the foreign manager himself cannot act as a manager in Japan.

During the examination period, measures must be taken to mitigate costs and operational problems, such as office rent, which are incurred in Japan. Below are some notes and specific measures to be taken regarding business activities during the examination period.

3-1. Appointing a Japanese National or a Foreign National with a Valid Work Visa as a Collaborator

While the visa application is under review, the foreign business manager cannot engage in management or administrative activities within Japan. However, it is possible to manage and administer the business remotely from overseas. Therefore, to ensure business operations continue during this review period, one viable approach is to have a Japanese national or a foreign national holding a status of residence that allows work assist with the business commencement procedures.

3-2. Before obtaining a visa, the lease contract is ‘rent-free’.

One of the most significant expenses incurred during the examination period for an accounting management visa is the rent of the business premises. One effective way to reduce this is to make use of ‘free rent’.

Free rent refers to free rent for a certain period of time in a property lease contract. This reduces the rent burden during the review period.

Negotiate with the property owner or management company to have the rent waived during the accounting visa assessment period. Negotiations are particularly successful for properties that have not found a long-term tenant. At the time of signing the contract, you can include conditions such as, for example, ‘no rent until the visa is granted’. This can reduce the rent burden in the event of a lengthy assessment process.

By taking these measures, business activities can be facilitated during the examination period for a business management visa. Even in the event of a lengthy examination, proper preparation and action can ensure business continuity and minimise costs.

4. summary

Taking appropriate measures to deal with problems that arise during the examination period for a business management visa can facilitate business activities. Even if the examination is lengthy, it is important to prepare well in advance and take appropriate action. This will ensure business continuity and minimise costs.

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