Currently, a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for the Business Manager visa can be issued at the immigration services bureau in Japan. The name of status of residence is "Business Manager" which covers the activities of investors as well. A signature by the applicant or their proxy is required in the application form of the COE, therefore, they need to be in Japan at the time of the application being filed, or they could nominate a proxy living in Japan to sign it on their behalf. At present, the visa for foreign investors and businesspeople will not be issued at a Japanese consulate office or embassy overseas even after the COE is issued unless the applicant is recognized to be in special exceptional circumstances corresponding to an individual situation such as the need for humanitarian consideration, or the need for public benefit due to entry restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
