Japan

Japan Business Manager Visa Overview

Japan’s Business Manager Visa, formally known as the Status of Residence for Business Management, allows third-country nationals to establish and manage a business in Japan.

The program targets entrepreneurs and investors who can demonstrate a viable business with a minimum paid-in capital of JPY 30,000,000 (approx. US$190,000), at least one qualifying full-time employee, relevant management experience or academic qualifications, and Japanese language proficiency at B2 level.

The visa is issued for an initial period of one, three, or five years depending on the assessment of the application, and is renewable provided all qualifying conditions continue to be met at the time of renewal. 

A spouse and unmarried children under the age of 18 may join the main applicant in Japan as dependents under the Dependent Visa, subject to the main applicant demonstrating sufficient income and accommodation to support the family unit.

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must meet the following conditions.

Capital Requirement

• Minimum paid-in capital or equivalent total investment of JPY 30,000,000 (approx. US$190,000)
• For a joint-stock company (Kabushiki Kaisha, KK), this means paid-in capital of at least JPY 30,000,000; for a limited liability company (Godo Kaisha, GK), total member contributions of at least JPY 30,000,000; for a sole proprietorship, total business investment including office costs, one year of personnel expenses, and equipment of at least JPY 30,000,000

Employment Requirement

• At least one full-time employee must be engaged and properly registered under Japanese employment insurance and social insurance
• The qualifying employee must be a Japanese national, a permanent resident of Japan, or a holder of another specified residence status that permits full-time employment; family members of the applicant on a Dependent Visa do not qualify

Applicant Qualifications

• A doctoral, master’s, or professional degree from a recognized institution in a field related to business management, economics, law, accounting, or a relevant professional discipline, OR
• A minimum of three years of practical experience in business management or a managerial capacity, accumulated before or during the application period

Japanese Language Proficiency

• Either the applicant or the employed full-time staff member must demonstrate Japanese language proficiency at JLPT N2 level or equivalent (CEFR B2), demonstrated through one of the following: a JLPT N2 or higher certificate; a BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test score of 400 or above; graduation from a Japanese university or vocational school; completion of compulsory education and graduation from high school in Japan; or a minimum of 20 years of continuous residence in Japan

Business Plan and Office

• A detailed business plan covering the business concept, market analysis, revenue forecast, financing plan, and evidence of economic viability; the plan must be verified and certified by a certified Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant, a Certified Public Accountant, or a licensed tax accountant
• A dedicated business office in Japan of appropriate scale; combined residential and office use is not permitted in principle

General Conditions

• Valid passport with sufficient remaining validity
• Clean criminal record and no grounds for deportation
• Compliance with all public obligations including tax payments, employment insurance, and social insurance throughout the validity of the permit

Route to Citizenship

After ten years of cumulative legal residence in Japan, of which at least five years must have been on a work-related status such as the Business Manager Visa, holders become eligible to apply for permanent residence (eijuken) through the Immigration Services Agency. 

The permanent residence application requires continued compliance with all current Business Manager standards, a clean tax and social insurance payment record, sufficient stable income, and a Japanese national or permanent resident willing to act as a guarantor. 

Permanent residence grants the right to live and work in Japan indefinitely without restrictions, while the holder retains their original nationality.

Naturalization to Japanese citizenship requires ten years of continuous legal residence, meaning holders who have already met the permanent residence threshold may apply for citizenship at the same stage or shortly after. 

Unlike permanent residence, naturalization requires demonstrated Japanese language ability at an everyday conversational level, assessed informally during an interview at the relevant Legal Affairs Bureau. 

Additional requirements include financial self-sufficiency, a clean criminal record, and good conduct throughout the residence period.

Japan does not permit dual nationality. 

Mobility and Taxation

Mobility

The Business Manager Visa grants holders the right to live and manage a business in Japan for the duration of the permit. Japan is not a Schengen Area member, but Business Manager Visa holders may re-enter Japan freely with a valid re-entry permit for trips abroad during the validity period. Single and multiple re-entry permits are available from the Immigration Services Agency.

Upon acquiring Japanese citizenship, holders gain access to one of the most powerful passports in the world. Japanese citizens can access approximately 193 destinations visa-free or visa-on-arrival, ranking first globally, including the United States, the entire European Union and Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and virtually all major international destinations. 

Tax

Japan taxes tax residents on worldwide income. An individual is generally considered a Japanese tax resident if they have a registered address (jusho) in Japan or have resided in Japan for one year or more. 

Business Manager Visa holders who establish tax residency in Japan are subject to Japanese national income tax at progressive rates from 5% to 45% on all income from all sources, plus a 2.1% reconstruction surtax and a flat 10% local inhabitant tax, resulting in a maximum effective rate of approximately 55% for the highest income bracket. 

Holders who have been resident in Japan for five years or less within the preceding ten years are classified as non-permanent residents and are taxed on Japanese-sourced income and on foreign-sourced income remitted to Japan; foreign income not remitted is exempt.

After five years of residence, holders become permanent tax residents and are taxed on all worldwide income regardless of remittance. 

Corporate income tax applies at approximately 23.2% on profits of the Japanese business entity. 

How to Apply

The program is administered by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan under the Ministry of Justice, under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the amended Landing Standards Ministerial Ordinance, effective 16 October 2025. 

Applications for a Certificate of Eligibility may be submitted online through the Immigration Services Agency online application system or in person at the relevant regional immigration bureau. 

The process typically runs as follows.

• Step 1: Incorporate the qualifying business entity in Japan, make the required capital contribution of at least JPY 30,000,000, and establish a dedicated business office; engage at least one qualifying full-time employee, and register the employment with the relevant insurance authorities.
• Step 2: Prepare the business plan and have it verified and certified by a certified Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant, a Certified Public Accountant, or a licensed tax accountant; compile all required documents, including evidence of capital, employment records, office lease or ownership documents, qualification certificates, and Japanese language proficiency evidence.
• Step 3: Apply for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) through the Immigration Services Agency, either online or in person at the relevant regional immigration bureau. The standard processing period is approximately 1 to 3 months.
• Step 4: Upon receiving the COE, apply for the Business Manager Visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in the country of residence; enter Japan on the issued visa and collect the residence card from the regional immigration bureau.
• Step 5: Maintain all qualifying conditions throughout the permit period, including capital levels, employment obligations, business office, tax payments, and social insurance compliance; submit the renewal application at least two to three months before the current permit expires.