A Simple Explanation of the “Business Manager” Visa (Status of Residence)

This article provides a simple summary of the “Business Manager" visa (status of residence), which I have explained in detail in a previous post.

Please refer to the following link for the full article:

Requirements for the Business Manager Visa

The requirements for the Business Manager visa are as follows:

1. The business must be funded with at least 5 million yen.
2. The business must have a secured office or place of operation.

In short, you need to establish a company with capital of at least 5 million yen and secure a physical location for the business. An “office” includes not only a typical office space but any location necessary for running your business.

Steps to Apply for the Business Manager Visa

1. Preparation: Create a business plan, prepare a company seal, decide on a business address, etc.
2. Company Establishment: For an LLC (Godo Kaisha), submitting the documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau is sufficient. For a corporation (Kabushiki Kaisha), you must first get the Articles of Incorporation notarized at a notary office, then submit them to the Legal Affairs Bureau.
3. After Establishing the Company: Notify the tax office, sign a lease contract for the office under the company’s name, and sign contracts with clients if necessary.
4. Apply for the visa.

Documents Required for the Business Manager Visa

To obtain a Business Manager visa, you must prove several key elements:

1. An investment of at least 5 million yen was made.
2. A business location has been secured.
3. A business plan is in place.

While item 3 (business plan) is not officially listed as a visa requirement, it is an important point in determining whether the applicant truly intends to operate a business.

To apply for the Business Manager visa, you need to submit documents that support these three points.

Documents to Prove “Investment of at least 5 million yen”

1. Company registry (Certificate of Registered Matters)
2. Articles of Incorporation
3. Copy of a bankbook showing a deposit of 5 million yen or more
4. Explanation of how the funds were prepared, along with supporting documentation

Documents to Prove “Securing of a Business Location”

1. Copy of the lease agreement for the business location (or property registry if owned)
2. Photos of the business premises
3. Floor plan of the business location

In some cases, documents for more than one property (such as both office and business location) may be required.

Documents Related to the “Business Plan”

1. Business plan document
2. Supporting materials related to the business plan

The business plan should explain what kind of business you will operate and how you will generate revenue. It should not be purely imaginative—it needs to be reasonably concrete and detailed. In addition, copies of contracts with clients or business partners may be required. If the business cannot function without employees, you must explain how you plan to secure them. If employees are already secured, include copies of agreements or employment contracts with them.

Important Final Notes

The most important thing is to successfully start and run your business in Japan. You need to show that you are thoroughly prepared to do so. If you are not well-prepared and your attitude is “I’ll think about the details after I get the visa,” it will be difficult to obtain the Business Manager visa.