Japan Business Manager Visa
Rules changed
Capital requirement rose to ~¥30,000,000 (from ¥5M) on 10 Oct 2025, and a real independent office plus a qualifying employee are now required.
Short answer
Japan's Business Manager Visa (経営・管理) — for genuinely founding and running a real business in Japan. Sharply tightened in October 2025 (higher capital, an independent office, a qualifying employee and management experience). A genuine multi-year settlement track, not a passive scheme.
Best for
- Founders and company owners ready to operate locally
- Families planning long-term relocation to Japan
- Parents prioritising education and stability
Not ideal for
- Applicants without a real business plan
- Those wanting low residence or low compliance
Snapshot
- Region
- Asia
- Budget band
- Medium–High
- Timeline
- Medium
- Residence burden
- High
- Passport potential
- Long-term possible
- Family suitability
- High
- Tax / banking complexity
- High / High
- Entry capital
- US$200,000 · Invested / contributed
- Typical processing
- 3–6 months
- Estimated budget
- Capital requirement was raised to ~¥30,000,000 (~US$200,000) effective 10 Oct 2025 (up from ¥5M), plus a real independent office (home offices no longer accepted), at least one qualifying employee, and setup/professional fees. Subject to current rules.
Timeline, stay requirement & passport in detail
- Timeline
- Roughly 3–6+ months to set up the entity, secure an office and obtain the Certificate of Eligibility, then visa issuance; the business must be genuinely operational. Subject to current rules.
- Residence burden
- Effectively resident — you must actually run the business in Japan, and renewals depend on its ongoing viability.
- Passport potential
- Long-term — permanent residence generally after ~10 years (with ~5 on a work status); naturalization possible after ~5 years, under strict criteria.
Commonly requested documents
- Valid passport and proof of address
- Business plan and company documents
- Proof of capital and bank statements
- Family certificates where relevant
Main risks
- Tightened sharply in Oct 2025: ~¥30M capital, an independent office, a qualifying employee, and management experience or a relevant degree
- Renewals fail if the business is not genuinely viable
- Ongoing corporate tax, accounting and compliance burden
Recommended next steps
- Clarify your business model and capital
- Plan local operations and compliance
- Arrange professional company-setup support
See if this route fits your profile
Frequently asked questions
Information reviewed: 2026-06 · subject to change — not legal advice · Sources: bakermckenzie.com, english.visajapan.jp
Important disclaimer
This tool provides a general route-matching estimate based on the information you entered. It is not legal, tax, financial, or immigration advice. It does not guarantee eligibility, approval, visa issuance, residence approval, citizenship, bank account approval, or any government outcome. A professional assessment is recommended.