{"id":1361,"date":"2024-05-30T13:22:41","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T04:22:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/s-legalestate.com\/kaigai\/?post_type=en&p=1361"},"modified":"2025-11-19T15:47:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T06:47:15","slug":"keieivisa-kaisei","status":"publish","type":"en","link":"https:\/\/s-legalestate.com\/kaigai\/en\/visas\/keieivisa-kaisei\/","title":{"rendered":"No, Japan\u2019s Business Manager Visa Rules Got Stricter: 2025 Update & Expert Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

To establish and run a company in Japan as a foreign national, you need a Business Manager Visa. In the past, there were predictions about \u201crelaxed requirements\u201d and the \u201cnationwide rollout of startup visas\u201d to encourage more foreign entrepreneurs. However, on October 16, 2025, the conclusion was the opposite: instead of being relaxed, the requirements were tightened to an unprecedented degree.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2713The Business Manager Visa is a work visa that allows foreign nationals to manage or work as an executive in a company in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2713The standard period of stay for the Business Manager Visa is one year, but it can be extended to two or three years upon renewal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2713\u00a0The former 5-million-yen capital requirement has been raised to 30 million yen or more<\/strong>, and on top of that, hiring at least one full-time employee<\/strong> is now also mandatory.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2713 A new requirement has been added: at least three years of management experience or a master\u2019s degree (or higher), plus Japanese-language ability.<\/p>\n

\u2713 The business plan must now be reviewed and confirmed by a qualified expert, such as a Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2713 The anticipated \u201crelaxation\u201d of startup visas has not materialized; instead, the hurdle for obtaining a visa after the startup preparation phase has become significantly higher.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2713In principle, the period of stay for a Business Manager Visa is one year, and it can sometimes be extended to two or three years through renewal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2713From March 2024, the payment for stock options with consideration will be recognized as the 5 million yen investment if certain conditions are met.<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In this article, a specialist clearly explains the exact details of this historic regulatory reform based on official materials from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.<\/p>\n

\"0120-85-0457<\/a><\/p>\n

Contact<\/a><\/p>\n

1. What is a Business Manager Visa Japan?<\/h2>\n

The Business Manager Visa (Management Visa) is a type of work visa required for foreign nationals to manage a company or work as an executive in Japan.<\/strong> It was previously known as the Investor\/Business Manager Visa, but the name was changed to Business Manager Visa because it is now possible to obtain it without foreign capital involvement.<\/p>\n

Japanese nationals, permanent residents, and spouses of Japanese nationals can freely manage companies or take executive positions within Japan. However, foreign nationals face restrictions on taking these positions based on their residency status. By obtaining a Business Manager Visa, foreign nationals can also work as business managers or executives in Japan.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1-1.The initial period of stay for the Business Manager Visa is generally one year.<\/h3>\n

Generally, the period of stay for the Business Manager Visa ranges from 3 months to 5 years. The period of stay is determined based on the applicant’s submitted plan and circumstances, but the standard duration for the initial application is one year.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, while the visa is typically renewed annually, there are cases where the renewal period may be extended to 2 or 3 years depending on factors such as the business’s operational status, the manager’s residency history, and the scale of the business.<\/p>\n

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<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

1-2. The Business Manager Visa generally requires annual renewal.<\/h3>\n

When a foreign national obtains a Business Manager Visa, it is essentially a one-year renewable visa, requiring the renewal process to be completed annually. Each renewal necessitates the preparation and submission of documents, imposing a significant administrative burden on foreign business managers.<\/p>\n

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Related articles<\/p>\n \"What<\/a>\n

\n What is the Renewal of the Business Manager Visa Japan? Explanation of Conditions, Required Documents, and Tips for Extending the Period of Stay<\/a>\n Read more<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

2.[2025 New System] Five New Requirements for Obtaining Japan\u2019s Business Manager Visa<\/h2>\n

Due to the legal revision on October 16, 2025, the rules for obtaining a Business Manager Visa have been revised and made significantly stricter. The previous requirements such as \u201c5 million yen in capital\u201d and \u201cno restrictions on academic or professional background\u201d no longer apply. Applicants must now satisfy all of the following five newly established requirements.<\/p>\n

Requirement 1: Business scale (capital of at least 30 million yen and at least one full-time employee)<\/h3>\n

The benchmark for demonstrating the stability of the business has been raised more than any other requirement. Under the previous system, it was sufficient to meet either \u201ccapital of 5 million yen\u201d or \u201ctwo full-time employees.\u201d Under the new system, however, it is mandatory to meet both of the following conditions: \u201ccapital of 30 million yen\u201d and \u201cat least one full-time employee.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Capital or total investment of at least 30 million yen<\/h4>\n

If you operate a joint-stock company (kabushiki kaisha), the capital must be at least 30 million yen, and if you operate a limited liability company (godo kaisha), the total amount of investment must be at least 30 million yen. In the case of a sole proprietorship, the total amount invested in the business\u2014such as securing an office and purchasing equipment\u2014must be at least 30 million yen.<\/p>\n

Employment of at least one full-time employee<\/h4>\n

In addition to the above capital requirement, it is now mandatory to employ at least one full-time staff member. There are also conditions for who can qualify as this \u201cfull-time employee,\u201d limited to individuals who fall under one of the following categories.<\/p>\n