Business Manager

Eligibility requirements

• Maintain a real business office in Japan and perform substantive management or administration of a viable enterprise. Passive property ownership alone is not the qualifying activity.
• Meet the JPY30 million scale test. For a corporation, ISA examines paid-in capital or contributed capital; for a sole proprietor, qualifying amounts invested in operating the business require a separate analysis.
• Employ at least one qualifying full-time worker. The mandatory employee category excludes foreign nationals holding Appended Table I activity-based statuses; Japanese nationals and specified unrestricted-status residents may count.
• The applicant needs a relevant doctorate, master’s or professional degree, or at least three years’ management/administration experience. The applicant or an eligible full-time employee must demonstrate the required Japanese capability.
• The submitted new business plan generally needs confirmation by an eligible Japanese professional, such as a registered SME management consultant, CPA or tax accountant, subject to the stated exceptions. Appropriate licences, payroll and insurance compliance remain essential.

Legal framework

Build the evidence

Prepare records that substantiate the relevant criteria. The final checklist depends on the applicant, route and filing authority.

• Corporate registry and capital records, source/transfer explanations, business bank documents and any necessary sector licences.
• Business-office lease or ownership evidence, floor/use information and proof the premises support the proposed operation.
• Qualifying employee’s status, contract, payroll and residence records; Japanese-language evidence such as accepted test or education records.
• Management experience or degree evidence, and a coherent business plan with budgets, customers, staffing, forecasts and the required independent professional confirmation.

How to apply

1. 01

   Test business substance

   WG coordinates the activity, entity and immigration analysis with Japanese professionals before the founder commits to premises, staffing or capital.

2. 02

   Build the operating evidence

   Prepare the entity, office, employee and funding records. Reconcile the business plan with contracts, market assumptions and realistic cash requirements.

3. 03

   Complete the required professional review

   Arrange an eligible Japanese reviewer for the plan. Use appropriately authorised Japanese immigration professionals for regulated application preparation and representation.

4. 04

   File and move into ongoing compliance

   Submit the current COE or status-change package, complete the visa/arrival stage where needed, and implement a calendar for accounts, taxes, labour obligations, insurance and renewal evidence.

After approval & family planning

• Renewals examine the actual operation and compliance, not just whether initial capital appeared in the company register.
• Existing holders have transitional assessment arrangements through 16 October 2028. Even after that point, ISA describes individual consideration in specified circumstances; do not present transition as unconditional grandfathering or automatic removal.
• Eligible spouses and children may seek Dependent status. Their employment requires appropriate permission rather than following automatically from the principal’s management status.

Frequently asked questions

Points to consider

• Capital is not a visa fee or a guaranteed investment return.
• A professional plan review does not replace immigration approval or the need to operate the stated business.