What changed with the October 2025 overhaul?

The October 16, 2025 changes significantly raised the bar for new Business Manager visa applicants. Key changes: (1) minimum capital increased from ¥5,000,000 to ¥30,000,000 — a 6x increase; (2) a certified business plan is now mandatory — it must be certified by a professional expert; (3) at least 3 years of management experience is now required; (4) Japanese language proficiency (approximately JLPT N2 / CEFR B2) is now mandatory; (5) the full-time employee must be a Japanese national or permanent resident — foreign employees no longer count. These changes were designed to ensure that Business Manager visa holders operate genuine, viable businesses.

Do the new rules affect existing Business Manager visa holders?

Published guidelines indicate that transitional measures apply until October 16, 2028. Existing holders who obtained their visas before the October 2025 overhaul may renew under more lenient conditions during this transition period. However, the exact scope of transitional measures — particularly regarding the ¥30,000,000 capital requirement at renewal — should be confirmed with the immigration bureau or a licensed immigration professional.

Can I transition from Engineer/Specialist visa to Business Manager?

Yes, but the timing is critical. Published guidelines indicate that you should file the startup notification and status change application while still employed — before your current employment ends. A gap of more than 3 months without valid status creates legal complications. You must meet all the new requirements: ¥30,000,000 capital, certified business plan, management experience, Japanese language proficiency, and at least 1 Japanese/permanent-resident full-time employee.

What type of business plan certification is required?

The business plan must be certified by a recognized professional expert. Published guidelines accept certification from: certified public accountants (公認会計士), tax accountants (税理士), SME management consultants (中小企業診断士), or other qualified business professionals. The certifier reviews the plan for feasibility, financial soundness, and market viability. This is a new requirement — before October 2025, a business plan was recommended but did not require formal certification.

Is ¥30,000,000 the minimum for all business types?

Published guidelines set ¥30,000,000 as the minimum capital investment for the Business Manager visa under the new October 2025 rules. This applies regardless of business type or industry. There is no lower threshold for smaller businesses or specific sectors. The full amount must be verifiable as invested capital — it cannot be a loan that is repaid after visa issuance, and the source of funds must be transparent.

Why do foreign employees no longer count toward the employee requirement?

Under the October 2025 overhaul, the full-time employee requirement specifies that the employee must be a Japanese national or permanent resident of Japan. Published guidelines indicate this change ensures that Business Manager visa holders create genuine local employment. Foreign employees on work visas can still be hired, but they do not satisfy the minimum employee requirement.

Can I operate the business remotely from outside Japan?

No. The Business Manager visa requires active, in-person management of the business in Japan. Published guidelines evaluate whether the visa holder is genuinely managing operations — passive ownership or remote management from abroad does not qualify. Extended absences from Japan can jeopardize visa renewal, as immigration may determine the holder is not actively engaged in business management.

What level of Japanese language is required?

Published guidelines indicate that Japanese language proficiency is now mandatory under the October 2025 rules. The expected level is approximately JLPT N2, which corresponds to B2 on the CEFR scale. This means the ability to read newspapers, participate in business conversations, and handle basic business correspondence in Japanese. This was not required before October 2025, and represents a significant additional barrier for non-Japanese-speaking entrepreneurs.

How does this visa lead to permanent residence?

Published guidelines indicate the standard route to permanent residence: 10 consecutive years of residence in Japan, with at least 5 years on a qualifying visa. Business Manager holders can also potentially qualify under HSP (Highly Skilled Professional) criteria in the Advanced Business Management category (i)(c) if they accumulate 70+ points, which accelerates the PR timeline to 1-3 years. From April 2027, PR applicants must hold the longest available visa period (typically 5 years). Tax and insurance payment history is also scrutinized.

What happens at renewal if the business is not profitable?

Immigration officers evaluate the business's ongoing viability at each renewal. Published guidelines indicate that temporary losses are not automatically disqualifying — early-stage businesses often operate at a loss. However, the business must demonstrate: ongoing operations, employee retention, tax compliance, and a credible path to sustainability. Persistent losses without clear recovery plans, failure to maintain the required employee, or tax delinquency can result in renewal denial.

Business Manager Visa (経営・管理) — Complete 2026 Guide

Establish and manage a business in Japan under the new 2025 framework

重要注意事項

The October 2025 overhaul raised the capital requirement 6x to ¥30,000,000 — applications under the old ¥5,000,000 threshold are no longer accepted for new applicants
Japanese language proficiency (approximately JLPT N2) is now mandatory — applicants without certification face rejection under the new rules
Foreign employees on work visas no longer count toward the minimum employee requirement — at least 1 Japanese national or permanent resident employee is required
If transitioning from another visa, a gap of more than 3 months without valid status creates serious legal complications that can affect all future visa applications
Passive investment or remote management from outside Japan does not qualify — immigration verifies active, in-person business management

效期

1, 3, or 5 years (determined by business scale, financial stability, and immigration officer assessment)

費用

Certificate of Eligibility (COE): ¥0 (free) | Visa issuance: ¥3,000 (single-entry) or ¥6,000 (multiple-entry)

審查期間

4-8 months total (business setup: 1-3 months + COE processing: 2-3 months + visa: 5-10 working days)

最長停留

No cumulative limit (path to permanent residence through 10-year standard route)

This information is compiled from publicly available sources for general reference only. It does not constitute immigration consulting (入管業務), document preparation services (行政書士業務), or legal advice. For personalized guidance, consult a licensed immigration lawyer (弁護士) or administrative scrivener (行政書士). Final decisions on visa issuance rest solely with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

依據公開要求整理，不構成法律建議。

Business Manager Visa (経営・管理) — Complete 2026 Guide

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