Can You Obtain a Business Manager Visa for an App Development Company with an Unfinished Service?

This article is written by a Japanese local.

An increasing number of foreign engineers aiming to start businesses in the IT sector or tech startups are establishing app development companies or SaaS businesses in Japan, seeking to obtain a “Business Manager” visa.

However, a structural hurdle that founders most frequently face in software development is the question: “Even if our app or service is unfinished (pre-release) with zero current revenue, can we prove the feasibility and future viability of our business to immigration and successfully acquire a visa?”

Applying solely with technical overconfidence or qualitative claims—such as “I have superior engineering skills, so it should pass” or “It will definitely go viral once completed”—will lead immigration officers to judge the application as “nothing more than a planning stage lacking feasibility (a paper company),” resulting in unsparing refusals (rejections of Certificates of Eligibility).

To conclude, even if an app or service is unfinished (zero revenue), obtaining a Business Manager visa is fully achievable provided you demonstrate a concrete development roadmap, objective technical prototypes, and verified financial runway for development capital.

This article details key points immigration officers focus on when reviewing pre-release products, specific evidentiary packages to prove business viability with zero sales, and practical steps to prevent visa refusals.

1. Why Are “Pre-Release App Projects” Scrutinized Severely by Immigration?

Under examinations for the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, immigration officers strictly evaluate “business stability, continuity, and feasibility.” For app development businesses lacking physical storefronts or tangible products, officers remain highly cautious regarding the following risks:

Screening / Practical Focus	Immigration Concerns	Primary Causes of Refusal or Delays
① Development Stagnation Risk	Possibility that technical hurdles or schedule delays prevent the service from ever launching.	Relying on abstract ideas with no concrete development roadmap.
② Revenue Uncertainty	Risk of failing to acquire users post-launch, leading to monetization failure and deficits.	Lacking objective grounds for monetization models (billing structures, ad revenue, etc.).
③ Capital Depletion Risk	Inability to endure the zero-income period (runway) until completion.	Failing to prove sufficient funds to cover labor and server costs.

2. Four Key Requirements to Prove “Business Viability” with an Unfinished Product

To secure a Business Manager visa before a product reaches the market, you must present objective physical and financial evidence that convinces third parties beyond verbal assertions.

Requirement ①: Primary Technical Evidence Showing Progress (Wireframes, Beta Versions, Specs)

To substantiate claims of “active development,” attach UI/UX blueprints (Figma, etc.), wireframes, database schemas, system architecture diagrams, or screenshots of operational prototypes (alpha/beta versions). Visually demonstrating that development has moved past the concept phase into concrete execution is essential.

Requirement ②: Proof of Capital Runway to Sustain the Pre-Revenue Period

You must fully disclose bank balances and capital formation pathways to prove sufficient personal funds (or raised investment) exist to cover development labor, office rent, server expenses, and personal living expenses (executive compensation) during the zero-revenue period (e.g., 6–12 months) before completion.

Requirement ③: Pre-Agreements (MOUs) for B2B Projects or Pre-Registration Records

For B2B software or contract development, submitting basic outsourcing contracts, provisional purchase orders, or MOUs (Memorandums of Understanding) with prospective clients serves as a decisive factor. For consumer (B2C) apps, present teaser site pre-registrations or user interview data to objectively validate market demand.

Requirement ④: A Sophisticated Business Plan Verified by Professional Specialists

A meticulous business plan covering development milestones, post-launch marketing strategies, CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) and LTV (Lifetime Value) projections, and risk mitigation (countermeasures for delays) is required. Submitting a plan verified by public institutions or certified specialists significantly enhances business credibility.

3. Pitfalls and Refusal Prevention in Pre-Release App Applications

In practice, key pitfalls during Business Manager visa applications for unfinished products and their corresponding defenses are as follows:

Pitfall ①: The Founder Appears to Be a “Mere Programmer (Solo Worker)”

If the founder operates as a “solo developer” coding all day, immigration risks judging that “this falls under the Work Visa domain, and the applicant is not conducting management activities.” You must demonstrate an organizational structure overseeing projects—such as directing internal/external designers and engineers, managing development, and formulating marketing strategy.

Pitfall ②: Lacking an Independent Office (Operating Solely on Home PCs)

Designating your home as the office under the rationale that “app development can be done anywhere on a single PC” fails Business Manager visa criteria, resulting in refusal. Leasing an independent office equipped with development terminals, communication facilities, and meeting space is an absolute prerequisite.

4. Q&A Regarding Unfinished Apps and Business Manager Visas

Q1. Can a visa be approved if the app launch is scheduled more than six months away?

A. Yes, provided you demonstrate clear capital runway to sustain the pre-launch period alongside monthly milestones.
Extended development timelines are common in tech. The crucial factors are proving “sufficient funds to maintain operations during zero-revenue periods” and providing “objective proof that development is proceeding as scheduled.”

Q2. If capital is limited, can a prototype built with no-code tools serve as evidence?

A. While the development method (no-code vs. custom code) is not restricted, business scale and capital backing remain mandatory.
Having a functional prototype built with no-code tools is a strength. However, fulfilling statutory criteria—such as capital requirements and securing an independent office—remains a prerequisite.

5. Conclusion: Pre-Release Projects Demand Feasibility Proof via Objective Technical and Financial Data

Concluding the acquisition of a Business Manager visa for an app company with an unfinished service: “① Obtaining a visa is fully achievable even before launch if progress is proven through primary technical data like wireframes and prototypes; ② securing capital runway to cover pre-revenue periods alongside leasing an independent office is mandatory; ③ obtaining pre-agreements (MOUs) and preparing expert-verified business plans represent decisive legal approaches to prevent refusals.”

Because app development involves intangible assets, immigration scrutinizes physical substance rigorously. Transforming technical vision into an objective evidentiary package is the key to securing your visa and launching a successful tech startup in Japan.