For foreign entrepreneurs looking to establish a company and expand their business in Japan, obtaining a “Business Manager Visa” is the first and most significant hurdle.
The assumption that “you just need to prepare 5 million yen as capital, rent a cheap apartment, and set up a company to get the visa” is a fatal mistake. The Immigration Bureau ruthlessly scrutinizes not only formal documents but also the “authenticity” and “continuity” of the business.
In this article, a visa and relocation expert logically explains the absolute requirements (objective facts) for obtaining a Business Manager Visa and the screening traps many entrepreneurs fall into.
The “3 Major Requirements” for a Business Manager Visa
To win approval for a Business Manager Visa, you must meet all three of the following requirements perfectly.
1. Investment of 5 Million Yen or More (Business Scale Requirement)
The scale of the business requires either an “investment of 5 million yen or more” or the “employment of two or more full-time staff.” In practice, choosing the “5 million yen investment” is standard in the initial stages.
[Expert Warning: “Show Money” Will 100% Be Detected]
The tactic of temporarily borrowing 5 million yen from a friend, putting it in an account, and returning it after the visa is issued is completely ineffective today. Immigration meticulously traces how that 5 million yen was formed (savings from salary, remittance from relatives, investment profits) down to the last yen using remittance statements and bankbook copies.
2. Securing an Independent Office Space
You must secure an “office” in Japan to conduct your business.
[Expert Warning: Virtual or Home Offices are Generally Unacceptable]
Virtual offices used only for receiving mail or short-term rental offices will not be approved. Furthermore, using a residence (apartment) as an office to save on rent has an extremely high probability of denial unless the living space and business space are distinctly and physically separated. You must physically prove that the business can start immediately with signage, desks, and PCs installed.
3. Business Stability and Continuity (Business Plan)
Even with money and a location, the visa will not be granted unless you can logically prove that “the business can actually generate enough income to survive.” The “Business Plan” proves this. You must detail the basis for sales, suppliers, target audience, and monthly expense calculations, convincing the examiner that it is a “viable business model,” not just a theory.
The Risk of Losing “Funds” Due to Amateur Judgments
The terrifying aspect of the Business Manager Visa is that you must “complete the office contract and company incorporation (registration) before applying for the visa.” This means you must invest millions of yen upfront for initial office costs and capital.
If, based on amateur judgment, you sign a contract for an “office that does not meet the requirements” or establish a company without being able to “prove the source of funds,” your visa will be denied, and you will lose the majority of the substantial funds you invested.
Obtaining a Business Manager Visa is not a mere administrative procedure; it is a “high-level business investment strategy.” Before embarking on the major challenge of starting a business in Japan, you must receive a diagnostic from a professional who can comprehensively judge everything from building a business plan to selecting real estate (office space).