For foreign entrepreneurs planning to establish a company and start a business in Hiroshima.
The Business Manager Visa is the residence status required to operate a business in Japan. Following the major regulatory revisions implemented in October 2025, the screening standards have become significantly stricter. For this reason, obtaining the Business Manager Visa in Hiroshima now requires high‑level, professionally prepared documentation based on a clear understanding of current immigration screening trends.
As an immigration lawyer based in Hiroshima, our office has extensive experience supporting Business Manager Visa applications under the latest screening standards.
The Business Manager Visa is a residence status that allows foreign nationals to establish a company in Japan and engage in “business management” or “business administration.” It is the essential visa category for entrepreneurs who wish to operate and oversee business activities in Japan.
As long as the business is operated properly and in compliance with regulations, the Business Manager Visa can be granted for any industry—including restaurants, trade, real estate, IT, and various service sectors.
The Business Manager Visa cannot be obtained merely by investing money.Applicants must demonstrate actual involvement in business management, supported by concrete elements such as a physical office, staff, and a credible business plan.Following the major regulatory revisions in October 2025, these requirements have become significantly stricter, making preparation aligned with the latest standards essential for successful approval.
While home‑based offices and virtual offices are permitted for Japanese entrepreneurs, the Business Manager Visa requires a dedicated, physical office space.
The minimum capital requirement has been significantly raised from the previous 5 million yen to 30 million yen.
The full‑time employee must be one of the following statuses:Japanese national, Special Permanent Resident, Permanent Resident, Spouse of a Japanese national, Spouse of a Permanent Resident, or Long‑Term Resident.
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
A detailed business plan must be prepared, including:Business overview,Pricing structure, Customer acquisition strategy,Clients, suppliers, outsourcing partners,Profit‑and‑loss projections
Under the 2025 regulatory revisions, confirmation by a certified professional—such as a CPA, tax accountant, or SME management consultant—has become mandatory.
Either the applicant or the full‑time employee must possess a sufficient level of Japanese language proficiency to ensure smooth business operation and compliance.
A guideline for sufficient proficiency is passing the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at level N2 or higher, or achieving a score of 400 or above on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test.
Required Documents
| Required Documents | Certificate of Eligibility Application (COE) | Application for Change of Status of Residence | Application for Extension of Period of Stay | Explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Form | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Use the designated form provided by Immigration depending on the application type. |
| Photo | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 4cm × 3cm, taken within 6 months, no hat, plain background, clear front-facing image. |
| Passport | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | For identity verification and confirmation of residence status. |
| Residence Card | - | ✔ | ✔ | Same purpose as above. |
| Proof of Career / Background | ✔ | ✔ | - | Documents proving 3+ years of management experience, or a master’s degree or higher in a field related to business management. |
| Japanese Language Certificate | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Applicant or full-time employee must hold JLPT N2 or higher. |
| Individual Tax Certificates | - | - | ✔ | Issued by the municipality where the applicant was registered on January 1 of the relevant year. |
| Certificate of Registered Matters | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Proves company details (name, address, officers, capital). Obtained from the Legal Affairs Bureau. |
| Articles of Incorporation / Minutes on Executive Compensation | ✔ | ✔ | - | Confirms whether the applicant is applying as a manager or administrator. |
| Withholding Tax Report | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Submitted to the tax office; used to determine the company’s category classification. |
| Office Lease Documents | ✔ | ✔ | ▲ Required in cases of office relocation | Required when renting or relocating an office: commercial lease agreement or property registry (if owned). |
| Business Plan | ✔ | ✔ | ▲ Required in cases such as business content changes or when the company has recorded a deficit | Required for business changes or deficit situations. Must be confirmed by a certified professional (CPA, tax accountant, SME consultant) under 2025 revisions. |
| Financial Statements | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Important for confirming business stability and actual business operations. |
| Statement of Reasons | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Use the designated Immigration form. |
| Business Licenses | ▲ | ▲ | ▲ | Required for businesses operating in regulated industries. |
| Employment Contract of Full-Time Employee | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Proves employment of at least one full-time employee. |
| Resident Record of Employee | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Same purpose as above. |
| Description of Recent Business Activities | - | - | ✔ | Free format; explains recent business activities. |
| National Tax Payment Certificates No3 | - | - | ✔ | Corporate tax, consumption tax, withholding tax, etc. Issued by the tax office. |
| Tax Payment Certificate for Corporate Enterprise Tax and Special Corporate Enterprise Tax | - | - | ✔ | Corporate enterprise tax, special enterprise tax. Issued by the prefectural tax office. |
| Tax Payment Certificate for Corporate Prefectural Inhabitant Tax | - | - | ✔ | Corporate inhabitant tax. Issued by the municipality of the company’s registered address. |
| Tax Payment Certificate for Corporate Municipal Inhabitant Tax | - | - | ✔ | Tax Payment Certificate for Corporate Municipal Inhabitant Tax This certificate verifies the payment status of corporate municipal inhabitant tax, including corporate city, town, and village taxes. It is obtained from the municipal office that has jurisdiction over the location of the company’s registered head office. |
| Labor Insurance Payment Records | - | - | ✔ | Proof of enrollment and payment of labor insurance. |
| Social Insurance Payment Records | - | - | ✔ | Proof of enrollment and payment of social insurance. |
For more details, please refer to the blog article below.
Our office has a proven track record of obtaining approvals under the latest, stricter standards introduced by the October 2025 revisions to the Business Manager Visa.
We specialize exclusively in residence visas, permanent residency, and naturalization, enabling us to provide highly accurate support based on the most up‑to‑date immigration screening trends.
We provide full English-language support, allowing clients from English-speaking countries to proceed with their applications confidently and without stress. Obtaining a Business Manager Visa requires communication in Japanese with various institutions—such as municipal offices, real estate agencies, and banks. We offer clear guidance in English for all of these interactions, helping you understand each step and eliminating any uncertainty throughout the process.
We address common concerns—such as worries about renewing the Business Manager Visa under the stricter post‑2025 standards or uncertainty about the application procedures—by providing clear and thorough guidance during the initial consultation. Our goal is to ensure that you fully understand the requirements and feel confident moving forward with your application.
Excluding tax
Actual costs will be charged, as fees vary depending on the language and volume. The applicant may handle the translation themselves or request our office to do so.
Excluding tax
Excluding tax
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