What are the new requirements for the Business Manager Visa?

From 2025 (expected), applicants are required to have at least JPY 30,000,000 in paid-in capital and employ at least one full-time Japanese national or permanent resident, alongside a dedicated office and a feasible business plan.

Are shared or rental offices acceptable?

If the lease explicitly states business use and allows corporate address registration, and you can prove a dedicated, physical space, shared or rental offices may be accepted.

What are common reasons for refusal?

Lack of a real business-use office, insufficient proof of capital source and payment, inconsistencies between articles and business plan, lack of contract evidence, and no Japanese full-time hire.

What do I need for renewal?

Track record of revenue/profit, continued office use, proper tax payments (corporate, consumption, withholding), and ongoing Japanese hiring are important.

When should I consult a professional?

If you are unsure about business purpose or articles, choosing an office, drafting the plan, or if you have a past refusal—early consultation reduces risk and saves time.

Business Manager Visa: Application Steps & 5 Key Mistakes to Avoid (2025 Update: ¥30M Capital + 1 Full-Time Hire)

Chapter 2: How to Obtain the Business Manager Visa — Application Steps & 5 Key Points to Avoid Rejection

Quick Summary

The updated requirement (expected 2025): ¥30,000,000 paid-in capital + at least 1 full-time hire (Japanese/PR, etc.).
Typical flow: Office lease → Incorporation → Licenses/notifications → Business plan → Immigration filing.
Frequent refusal causes: no real office / weak capital proof / no Japanese full-time hire.
For renewal, revenue, hiring, and tax compliance are essential.
Early advice from a professional significantly reduces refusal risk.

Introduction

Success depends on more than just collecting documents. Reviewers focus on whether you will actually start and continue operating a business in Japan. This chapter covers the application steps, incorporation flow, typical rejection reasons, and how all of this connects to renewals.

1. Step-by-Step: Getting the Business Manager Visa

Lease a business-use office
Homes and virtual offices are generally not accepted. Your lease should explicitly state business use and address registration allowed.
Incorporate the company
Articles notarization, capital payment, and registration.
Capital of ¥30,000,000 or more is expected under the new rule.
Obtain required licenses/notifications
Regulated industries (e.g., F&B, real estate) require permits.
Draft a business plan
Include financial projections, staffing, and target customers. Assume at least 1 full-time Japanese/PR employee.
File with Immigration
Submit the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) application with your full document set.

2. Incorporation Flow

Choose the entity (KK or GK). If external credibility matters, choose a KK.
Draft & notarize articles (KK requires a notary). Align the business purpose with your visa application.
Pay in the capital (to the promoter’s personal account). ¥30,000,000+ required under the new rule.
Register the corporation (Legal Affairs Bureau, ~1 week). Then get a registry certificate and seal certificate.
File with the tax office (incorporation notice, blue return approval, payroll office opening, etc.).
Open a corporate bank account (screening can be strict—consult multiple banks in advance).

3. What reviewers care about

Physical office reality (on-site checks may occur)
Proof that the ¥30M capital is paid in under the representative’s name
A coherent, revenue-generating business plan
Consistency between the founder’s experience and the business field
Presence of a full-time Japanese/PR employee

4. Common refusal reasons & countermeasures

Registering at a home address → judged as no real business entity
Mismatch between articles and business plan → judged as unreliable
Third-party capital only → reviewer doubts the representative’s management intent
Lack of evidence (quotes, contracts, POs) → judged as not concrete enough
No Japanese full-time hire → high risk of renewal failure

5. After registration: practical cautions

Missed tax filings → hurts credibility at renewal
Inconsistency between lease and registration → align name and usage purpose
Start real sales activity → early contracts/revenue strengthen your case
Company website → reviewers may search and check

6. Connection with renewals

Initial residence is often “1 year.” For renewal, you will need to show:

Revenue/profit records
Continued office use
Tax payments (corporate, consumption, withholding)
Ongoing Japanese hiring

If met, you may obtain a longer period such as 3 or 5 years.

7. When to consult an administrative scrivener

When you’re unsure about business purpose or articles
When selecting an office property
When drafting the business plan
When you have a past refusal

Early consultation saves time and cost—and raises your approval rate.

8. Summary: Preparation wins approvals

The Business Manager Visa is your first step to launching in Japan. Most refusals trace back to failing to prove real operations and continuity. Thorough preparation and expert support are the keys to success.

The first consultation is free. Feel free to contact us.

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