How to Increase the Approval Rate for the Business Manager Visa Japan? Tips and Common Reasons for Denial

Due to the legal revision, the Business Manager Visa has become one of the most difficult residence statuses to obtain in Japan. Raising the approval rate has become a higher hurdle than ever for many entrepreneurs seeking to develop international business.
On October 16, 2025, the eligibility requirements for the Business Manager Visa were significantly tightened, fundamentally changing the prerequisites for applying. The key points of this article are as follows:

✓The Business Management Visa is required for foreigners to establish and manage a company in Japan. ✓With the October 16, 2025 legal revision, the eligibility requirements for the Business Manager Visa were significantly tightened. ✓The former “no requirements for academic or work background” approach is now a thing of the past; a minimum of three years of management experience or a master’s degree or higher has become a mandatory requirement. ✓ The former capital requirement of 5 million yen has been replaced by a much higher hurdle: capital of at least 30 million yen plus the employment of at least one full-time staff member. ✓To improve your chances of approval, it is essential to prepare a business plan that is convincing to certified experts such as Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants. ✓If your application is unfortunately denied, you should contact the Immigration Services Agency to confirm the reasons for the refusal and then reconsider how to meet these stringent requirements.

In this article, we will explain the key considerations when applying for a Business Management Visa, common disapproval cases, and tips to improve the approval rate for obtaining a Business Management Visa.

1.What is the Business Manager Visa?

The Business Management Visa is required for foreigners to establish or manage a company in Japan.

Foreigners aiming to obtain this visa are expected to contribute to the domestic economy by becoming a part of Japan’s business environment. The Business Management Visa is issued to foreigners with sustainable and growth-oriented business plans. It is an essential visa for managing a company in Japan.

1-1. Business Owners and Managers Eligible for the Business Management Visa

The Business Management Visa is applicable to a wide range of business owners and managers, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations. Specifically, it includes individuals who wish to start a new business, foreign investors who want to invest in and participate in the management of existing companies, as well as those who plan to establish and manage branches or subsidiaries of their companies in Japan. For these diverse business owners and managers, the Business Management Visa is a crucial visa for expanding their business in Japan.

1-2. Qualifications That Allow Company Management Without a Business Management Visa

While obtaining a Business Management Visa is typically necessary to manage a company in Japan, individuals who fall into one of the following categories can operate as business managers without needing this visa, regardless of nationality:

• Permanent Residents
• Long-Term Residents
• Spouses of Japanese Nationals
• Spouses of Permanent Residents

Foreigners who fall into these categories can work in Japan similarly to Japanese nationals, allowing them to manage a company without obtaining a Business Management Visa.

2.[2025 New System] Why Is the Approval Rate for Japan’s Business Manager Visa So Low?

In Japan, the approval rate for the Business Management Visa is lower compared to other work visas. Although the exact disapproval rate is not publicly disclosed, it is said to be less than half that of general work visas.

The reasons for the low approval rate of the Business Manager Visa have changed dramatically since the legal revision in October 2025. In the past, it was “because anyone could apply,” but now it is “because only a very limited number of people can even apply in the first place.” In this section, we explain four key factors behind the low approval rate.

2-1. Reason 1: Extremely Strict Career and Educational Requirements Have Been Introduced

As the biggest change, the personal qualifications of the business owner, which were not examined under the old system, have now become mandatory requirements. Specifically, unless you can prove either “at least three years of experience in business management or administration” or “a master’s degree or higher in a relevant field,” you cannot even reach the starting line of the application process. As a result, in principle, individuals with no management experience or without a relevant degree can no longer obtain this visa.

2-2. Reason 2: An investment of at least 30 million yen in the business and the hiring of at least one full-time employee are required

The former standard of “5 million yen in capital” under the old system has been completely abolished, and meeting both “capital of at least 30 million yen” and “employment of at least one full-time staff member” has become the new minimum requirement. This is not just about formally preparing funds; it requires a substantial initial investment in the business, as well as ongoing cost burdens in the form of personnel expenses. Only a very limited number of applicants can clear this high financial hurdle.

2-3. Reason 3:The Review of Business Plans Has Been Upgraded to Expert Evaluation

While the feasibility of the business plan continues to be examined as strictly as before, the method of review has changed significantly. The business plan prepared by the applicant must now be presented to a certified expert holding a national qualification—such as a Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant, Certified Public Accountant, or Tax Accountant—and it is mandatory to obtain their confirmation (endorsement) that the plan is realistically achievable. Any plan based on overly optimistic assumptions that fails to convince such professionals will not be accepted as part of the application documents.

2-4. Reason 4: The Procedures Leading Up to Visa Approval Are Complex

Before you can apply for a Business Manager Visa, you must go through the following procedures.

1. Apply for company registration
2. Submit a business opening notification to the tax office and other relevant authorities
3. Conclude a real estate contract (office or store) under the company’s name
4. Carry out preparations for opening the business (setting up the office or store, opening a bank account, hiring employees, obtaining necessary permits and licenses, etc.)
5. Reach a state where the business is ready to open
6. Apply for the Business Manager Visa

For foreign nationals residing overseas to establish a company in Japan, they must go through the above procedures, and in practice it is difficult to complete all of them alone without someone in Japan to cooperate and assist.
This sequence of steps involves a wide range of tasks, including company registration procedures, opening a bank account, preparing and obtaining the necessary documents, formulating a business plan, and, for businesses that require authorization, applying for the relevant permits and licenses.
The complexity of these procedures often leads to missing required documents or overlooking critical points where mistakes are not allowed, and this also contributes to the low approval rate. Proper and efficient handling of the procedures has a significant impact on the path to obtaining a visa, so foreigners considering starting a business in Japan cannot afford to take this aspect lightly

3.Key to Raising Approval Rates: Five New Requirements and Strategies for Japan’s Business Manager Visa

The legal revision on October 16, 2025 has drastically changed the screening standards for the Business Manager Visa. To increase your chances of approval, it is essential first to accurately understand what examiners focus on—in other words, the true nature of the “five new requirements.” In this section, we will explain in detail the key points for satisfying each requirement.

• Requirement 1: Proving the business foundation (30 million yen in capital and employment of full-time staff)
• Requirement 2: Demonstrating that the business actually exists (securing an independent place of business)
• Requirement 3: Objectively proving the feasibility of the business (a business plan endorsed by certified experts)
• Requirement 4: Proving eligibility as a manager (career or academic background)
• Requirement 5: Demonstrating the ability to conduct business smoothly in Japan (Japanese language ability)

Below, we will explain these requirements in detail.

3-1. Requirement 1: Proving the Business Foundation (30 Million Yen in Capital and Employment of Full-Time Staff)

The biggest change concerns how to prove the “scale” that forms the foundation of the business. The previous option of “either 5 million yen in capital or two full-time employees” has been completely abolished. Under the new rules, you must now satisfy both of the following conditions at the same time: capital (or total investment) of at least 30 million yen, and the employment of at least one full-time employee.
What you need to pay attention to is that the definition of a “full-time employee” is extremely strict. In this context, “full-time employee” is limited to Japanese nationals, special permanent residents, or foreign nationals who hold a status of residence without restrictions on work activities, such as “Permanent Resident” or “Spouse or Child of Japanese National.” Foreign nationals working under typical work visas such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” are not counted toward this employment requirement.

[Key Point for Increasing Approval Rates]
It is not enough to simply prepare 30 million yen; it is critically important to clearly explain how those funds were formed and to demonstrate the reliability of your business foundation by lawfully employing full-time staff and properly enrolling them in social insurance and other required systems.

3-2. Requirement 2: Demonstrating the Actual Existence of the Business (Securing an Independent Place of Business)

Next, to prove that your business has real substance, you must secure a physical base where you can devote yourself to business activities. Under the recent revision, it is, in principle, no longer permitted to use your residence and business office as a combined space.
A virtual office that only provides a mailbox or a coworking space without a private room does not meet the requirement. You must have an independent office space dedicated to business use, leased under the company’s name.

[Key Point for Increasing Approval Rates]
In addition to the office lease agreement, it is highly effective in demonstrating the actual existence of your business to examiners to submit photos of the entrance with the company sign installed and of the work area equipped with office furniture and equipment, visually showing that operations can start at any time. At the time you apply for the Business Manager Visa, the interior fit-out must already be completed and the premises must be in a condition where business activities can actually be carried out.

3-3. Requirement 3: Objectively Proving Business Feasibility (A Business Plan Endorsed by Certified Experts)

While the importance of the business plan remains unchanged, the way its reliability is proven has changed significantly. Under the new system, it is mandatory to have the business plan you prepare evaluated by an independent management professional and obtain their endorsement that “this plan is feasible.”
As of the date of implementation, the professionals recognized for this role are those holding the following national qualifications.

• Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant
• Certified Public Accountant
• Tax Accountant

[Key Point for Increasing Approval Rates]

Business plans based on wishful thinking will not be accepted. It is an absolute requirement for approval to refine your plan to a level that can convince seasoned management professionals—grounded in thorough market research, concrete profit-and-loss projections, and persuasive data.

3-4.Requirement 4: Proving Your Eligibility as a Manager (Career or Academic Background)

It has now become mandatory to prove the applicant’s own capability as a manager, which was not examined under the previous system. You must demonstrate that you are a suitable person to serve as a manager by one of the following methods.

Proving through practical experience

You must concretely demonstrate, with documents such as certificates of employment, that you have at least three years of experience in running or managing a business. This can include management experience gained overseas, as well as periods spent preparing to start a business in Japan.

Proving through academic background

You can prove this by holding a master’s degree, doctoral degree, or professional degree in business administration (such as an MBA) or in a field related to the business you plan to start, and by submitting documents such as your diploma or degree certificate. Equivalent degrees obtained from overseas universities are also accepted.

[Key Point for Increasing Approval Rates]

clearly highlight in your business plan how your past experience and academic background will be leveraged to ensure the success of the proposed business, and to demonstrate the consistency between them.
In addition, you must actually hold management rights and be substantially engaged in managing the company. Being “substantially engaged in management” means having authority over the operation of the company, including carrying out business activities and making important management decisions. If you invest funds and serve as the representative director yourself, there is no problem. However, if you only invest and appoint a third party as representative director, you are not considered to be managing the business yourself, and there is a high likelihood that this requirement will be deemed not to have been satisfied.

3-5. Requirement 5: Demonstrating the Ability to Conduct Business Smoothly in Japan (Japanese Language Proficiency)

Communication skills necessary to conduct business smoothly in Japan have also become a new screening factor. This requirement is flexible: it can be satisfied if either the applicant themself or one of the full-time employees has a certain level of Japanese language proficiency.
The required level is as follows:

• Having passed the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at N2 or higher
• Scoring 400 points or more on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test
• Having graduated from a higher education institution in Japan, such as a university or graduate school
• Having completed compulsory education in Japan and graduated from high school
• Having resided in Japan as a mid- to long-term resident for 20 years or more

[Key Point for Increasing Approval Rates]

Unlike the employment obligation under Requirement 1, the “full-time employee” used to satisfy the Japanese language requirement may also include foreign nationals working in Japan under work visas such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.” If the applicant themself does not have Japanese language skills at the above levels, it is still possible to apply by securing an employee who meets this requirement and proving their employment.
Applying for a Business Manager Visa involves many hurdles, but by meeting these requirements, you can open the path to running a company in Japan.

4.Examples of Business Management Visa Approvals and Rejections

When applying for a Business Management Visa, strict scrutiny is applied, requiring meticulous preparation of the application documents. There are many cases where approval is not granted, often due to issues arising from the application process.
Below, we will list typical cases where visa approval was denied and explain the problems that caused these rejections.

4-1. Failure to Secure an Independent Business Office

To obtain a Business Manager Visa, an independent place of business registered in the company’s name is essential. In particular, under the 2025 revision, it is, in principle, no longer permitted to use part of your own residence as the business office. The following examples are from the previous system, but the substantive reality of the office is still examined strictly and should be regarded as being assessed even more rigorously under the new system.

Below are examples of cases where the use of a residence as a business office led to both rejection and approval of the visa.

Case 1: Rejection

D applied for an extension of stay to establish a limited company in Japan and engage in its business management. However, it was suspected that the business office was actually D’s residence. Upon investigation, it was found that there were no signs or markers indicating the presence of a business office on the mailbox or entrance. Inside the residence, there were no necessary equipment or supplies for business operations, no payroll or attendance records for employees, and only household items were present. As a result, it was determined that a proper business office had not been secured.

Case 2: Rejection

E applied for a Certificate of Eligibility to establish a limited company and operate as a general sales agent in Japan. However, the submitted materials suggested that the business office was a residence. Upon investigation, it was found that the two-story apartment had no signs or markers indicating the company’s name on the mailbox or entrance. Inside the residence, there were no office equipment or business-related items, only general household furniture and everyday living items. As a result, it was determined that a proper business office had not been secured.

Case 3: Approval

A applied for a change of status of residence to operate a privately-owned restaurant in Japan. Although the lease agreement for the property designated as the office listed the purpose of use as “residence,” a special agreement with the landlord was made to allow its use as a “company office.” As a result, it was recognized that a proper business office had been secured.

Case 4: Approval

B applied for a Certificate of Eligibility to operate a seafood import, export, and processing business in Japan. Although the main office was located at the executive’s residence, a branch office was rented in a property owned by the Chamber of Commerce. As a result, it was recognized that a proper business office had been secured.

4-2. Overly Optimistic Business Plans in Japan

In an application for a Business Manager Visa, a feasible business plan is the single most important element. Due to the 2025 revision, this business plan must now undergo prior confirmation by experts such as Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants. In other words, if the plan cannot convince such professionals, you cannot even proceed with the application itself. The following cases of refusal are typical examples where the very continuity of the business is questioned even before expert review.

For a Business Management Visa application, a feasible business plan is essential. A common reason for rejection is the applicant’s failure to adequately consider the necessary funds and business plan required to start and sustain the business. Even with an initial capital of over 5 million yen, if the financial plan for subsequent operations is insufficient or future revenue projections are deemed unrealistic by the examiner, the visa may be denied.

Additionally, if the submitted business plan is unclear or unrealistic, it is often rejected. The business plan must clearly outline the business overview, market analysis, sales strategy, business partners, supply routes, and competitive advantages, and convincingly depict long-term success.

Since the Business Management Visa is for managing a business, it does not accept business plans where the owner must perform the work themselves. For IT or trade businesses, it may be acceptable for the owner to run the business alone, but for businesses like restaurants, massage parlors, or retail stores, the owner’s role is management. Business plans that require the owner to cook, provide services, or perform other tasks themselves will not be accepted.

If the business plan is abstract or lacks specificity, examiners may question the feasibility of the business, resulting in rejection.

Below is an example of a rejection case during the renewal of a Business Management Visa, highlighting the importance the Immigration Services Agency places on the business plan.

Case 5: Rejection

According to the company’s most recent financial statements, there was a gross loss (sales revenue minus cost of goods sold), the current profit and loss were in the red with a deficit, and the deficit amount was about twice the capital. As a result, the continuity of the business was not recognized.

■ Reference Indicators (Gross Profit Margin: approximately -30%, Operating Profit Margin: over -1,000%, Equity Ratio: approximately -100%) Various calculations are based on the most recent financial statements submitted, calculated as follows (profits are positive, losses are negative). Gross Profit Margin = Gross Profit (Loss) ÷ Net Sales × 100 Operating Profit Margin = Operating Profit (Loss) ÷ Net Sales × 100 Equity Ratio = Equity (including surplus or deficit) ÷ Total Assets × 100

5.How to Increase the Approval Rate for the Business Management Visa: Application Tips

If you are unable to obtain a Business Manager Visa, you may end up in a situation where you have successfully established a company but cannot actually manage it within Japan. For foreign nationals planning to start a business in Japan under this new and stricter system, it is essential to apply for the visa with the following points in mind in order to increase the approval rate for the Business Manager Visa.

5-1.Refine Your Business Plan to a Level That Can Convince Professional Experts

The single most important factor is your business plan. This is not just a document to submit; it is a presentation tool to prove to seasoned management professionals that your business is worth an investment of 30 million yen or more. You must thoroughly refine your market analysis, differentiation from competitors, concrete profit-and-loss projections, and cash-flow plans, and use objective data to show why this business will succeed. The plan needs to be polished to a level that can earn an expert’s endorsement.

This document should not be considered just another required formality. It is a vital tool to demonstrate the foreign entrepreneur’s business model, vision, strategy, and execution capabilities to the examiner.

Creating a feasible business plan and clearly communicating the reasons for the business’s success and its execution plan can convince the examiner. Therefore, special attention must be paid to each section, such as market analysis, competitive strategy, and financial planning, ensuring both feasibility and profitability are well-explained.

Instead of just a one-year business plan, prepare a mid- to long-term business plan covering about three years. Explain stable and continuous business operations with projected sales, specific product lines, business partners, transaction amounts, and annual sales. Additionally, support this with details on supply routes, sales channels, pricing, expected general administrative expenses like personnel costs and rent, and the entrepreneur’s own business experience.

5-2. Demonstrating Consistency Between Your Background and Business Activities

The newly introduced requirement of “at least three years of management experience or a master’s degree or higher” is not something you can simply prove and be done with. It is important to clearly explain in your business plan how your past experience and the specialized knowledge you have acquired will be utilized in the business you are about to undertake in Japan, and to show the consistency between them. By doing so, you can effectively demonstrate that you are the “right person” to make this business a success.

5-3. Check the Reasons for Rejection if Denied

If your application is denied, it is crucial to thoroughly check the reasons for the rejection and prepare for a future reapplication. Contact the Immigration Services Agency and ask the examiner to explain the reasons for the denial. Understanding the cause of the rejection allows you to correct the mistakes and increase your chances of success in obtaining the visa. In some cases, the reasons for the denial may be unclear, and seeking advice from a specialist can be a good option.

5-4. Request a Specialist for Both Business Management Visa and Company Registration

Due to the legal revision, the requirements for company incorporation (registration) and visa application have become more intricately intertwined. For example, even if the registered capital on the company’s registry is 30 million yen, it is meaningless for visa purposes if you cannot prove how that capital was formed.
To maximize your chances of approval, the most reliable approach is to engage, from the earliest stage and on a consistent basis, a professional who is well-versed in both company incorporation procedures (judicial scrivener work) and Business Manager Visa applications (administrative scrivener work), and who has an accurate understanding of the latest legal amendments.

6.Summary

✓The Business Management Visa is required for foreigners to establish and manage a company in Japan. ✓With the October 16, 2025 legal revision, the eligibility requirements for the Business Manager Visa were significantly tightened. ✓The former “no requirements for academic or work background” approach is now a thing of the past; a minimum of three years of management experience or a master’s degree or higher has become a mandatory requirement. ✓ The former capital requirement of 5 million yen has been replaced by a much higher hurdle: capital of at least 30 million yen plus the employment of at least one full-time staff member. ✓To improve your chances of approval, it is essential to prepare a business plan that is convincing to certified experts such as Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants. ✓If your application is unfortunately denied, you should contact the Immigration Services Agency to confirm the reasons for the refusal and then reconsider how to meet these stringent requirements.

Obtaining a Business Management Visa is achievable with proper preparation and knowledge. However, neglecting the necessary preparations can lead to rejection and delay the start of your business in Japan.

Our company offers free consultations with experienced specialists to navigate these complex procedures and increase your chances of visa approval. If you have any questions or concerns about the Business Management Visa or wish to ensure a smooth application process, please do not hesitate to contact us. We promise to carefully evaluate each business plan and propose the best solutions. Let us help you take the first step towards your business success together.

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