Are you an entrepreneur concerned about the news regarding the major revision of Japan’s Business Manager Visa (Status of Residence: “Business Manager”)?
The new rules introduce stricter requirements, including the ¥30 million capital threshold, the mandatory employment of a full-time employee, and the prohibition of using a home address as the main office. These changes fundamentally challenge the solidity and continuity of your business in Japan.
This article provides an accurate, practice-oriented explanation of the revised criteria, based on the latest official public announcements from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA). We will not only clarify the changes but also provide a precise action plan from an expert’s perspective to help you avoid renewal rejection in 2028 and beyond.
Reading this guide will resolve your anxieties and clarify the immediate steps you must take for business stability in Japan.
- 1. Article Authority and Expertise Declaration (E-E-A-T Block)
- 2. Understanding the Management Visa Revision: Overview and Background
- 3. Mandatory Steps: Addressing the Strictest New Requirements
- 4. Renewal Rejection Factors: The Three Keys of “Public Dues Compliance”
- 5. Administrative Scrivener’s Strategy: Securing Your Renewal
- 6. When to Consult an Administrative Scrivener (Gyoseishoshi)
1. Article Authority and Expertise Declaration (E-E-A-T Block)
【Article Author and Supervisor】 Gyoseishoshi (Administrative Scrivener) [Your Name]
- Expertise: [Your Name]’s Office has [Number] years of practical experience supporting Business Manager Visa renewals, specializing in all Statuses of Residence, including Specified Skilled Worker and Highly Skilled Professional.
- Message: We offer accurate and up-to-date information based on official ISA materials. We provide concrete strategies to turn your anxiety into confidence.
2. Understanding the Management Visa Revision: Overview and Background
The core goal of the revision is two-fold: to eliminate “paper companies” with no actual business activities and to foster businesses that genuinely contribute to the Japanese economy. The examination process will shift from a mere check of formal requirements to a detailed review of the substantive stability and continuity of the business.
2-1. Key Revision Points Effective October 16, 2025
Here is a comparison of the current and revised requirements, highlighting the most significant changes.
| Current Requirement | Revised Requirement (Effective Oct 16, 2025) | Impact Level |
|---|---|---|
| Capital / Investment Amount：¥5 million | Capital / Investment Amount：¥30 million | Extremely High |
| Full-Time Employees：Not mandatory | Full-Time Employees：Mandatory employment of 1 or more (Note: Restricted categories) | High |
| Office Requirement：Not clearly defined (Home office sometimes permitted) | Office Requirement：Independence & Exclusivity (Home office generally prohibited) | High |
| Experience / Education (Manager)：None | Experience / Education：Master’s degree or 3+ years of management experience | Medium |
| Japanese Language Skills：None | Japanese Language Skills：Applicant or Full-Time employee must have B2 level competency | Medium |
2-2. The Critical “Three-Year Grace Period” for Current Residents
For those who already hold the “Business Manager” status, a “three-year grace period” is provided until October 16, 2028, for the first renewal application after the revision takes effect.
Practical Interpretation of the Grace Period (Until Oct 16, 2028)
During this period, the application may be reviewed even if it does not immediately meet all the revised criteria. However, this is not an exemption.
The immigration officer will critically assess whether there is a “prospect of meeting the revised requirements” in the future. You must provide a highly persuasive explanation, backed by an updated business plan, evidence of fundraising efforts, and a clear employment strategy, demonstrating that the business will meet the new standards within three years.
3. Mandatory Steps: Addressing the Strictest New Requirements
We focus on the three new requirements that carry the highest risk of renewal rejection.
3-1. Critical: Who Qualifies as a “Full-Time Employee”?
The definition of a “Full-Time Employee” (常勤職員) is very strict under the revised rules. Misinterpreting this can lead directly to rejection.
Who Counts as a Full-Time Employee (Eligible)
The employee must hold a Status of Residence listed in Table II of the Immigration Control Act, or be a Japanese national or Special Permanent Resident.
- Eligible Employees: Japanese Nationals, Special Permanent Residents, Permanent Residents, Spouse/Child of Japanese National, Spouse/Child of Permanent Resident, and Long-Term Residents.
Who Does NOT Count as a Full-Time Employee (Ineligible)
- Foreign nationals holding a Status of Residence listed in Table I of the Immigration Control Act (e.g., Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Skilled Labor, Designated Activities, etc.)
- Crucially: Any foreign staff you sponsored for a work visa will NOT count towards the mandatory one Full-Time Employee requirement.
Required Documents to Prove “Appropriate Employment”
To satisfy the “appropriate employment” requirement, you must submit documents confirming:
- Written confirmation of labor conditions (e.g., Employment Contract).
- Proof of enrollment in Health Insurance (健康保険) and Employee Pension Insurance (厚生年金保険).
- Proof of enrollment in Employment Insurance (雇用保険) and Workers’ Accident Compensation Insurance (労災保険).
3-2. Strict Office Requirement (Prohibition of Home Offices)
The office requirements are now strictly enforced, and using a personal residence as the primary business office will generally not be accepted.
The office premises must demonstrate:
- Independence: Clearly separated from the residential area.
- Exclusivity: A dedicated, lockable private space not used for any other purpose.
- Adequate Facilities: Suitable equipment for business activities (desks, computers, phones, reception area).
- Lease Agreement: The lease contract must explicitly state “business use” or “combined residential and business use”.
3-3. Strategies for Meeting the ¥30 Million Capital Requirement
If raising capital to ¥30 million is challenging for an existing business, the total amount invested in the business can be considered, especially for sole proprietorships.
- Corporation: Paid-in capital or total investment amount must be ¥30 million or more.
- Sole Proprietorship (Individual Business): The total invested amount must be ¥30 million or more, including:
- Office procurement costs (security deposit, key money, prepaid rent).
- Necessary equipment and facility investments.
- Personnel expenses for the first year of operation.
4. Renewal Rejection Factors: The Three Keys of “Public Dues Compliance”
The most significant factor in renewal assessment under the new rules is the “Compliance with Public Dues” (公租公課の履行状況), which proves the stability and integrity of the business. The supplementary document “Explanation of Application” will demand mandatory confirmation of the following three points.
① Social Insurance Enrollment and Proper Payment
Compliance with Health and Pension Insurance is a fundamental corporate obligation in Japan.
- Mandatory Checks:
- Have all employees been enrolled in the mandatory social insurance schemes?
- Have all due premiums (Health and Pension) been paid on time?
- Lapses or delays in payment will severely increase the risk of rejection.
② Labor Insurance (Employment and Worker’s Compensation)
If you have employees, compliance with Labor Insurance is essential.
- Mandatory Checks:
- Is the company appropriately registered as an Employment Insurance business?
- Have all employees been enrolled in Employment Insurance?
- Has the company registered for Workers’ Accident Compensation Insurance (労災保険)?
③ Tax Filing and Payment Status
The ISA will confirm the payment status of all taxes that have reached their payment deadline.
- Taxes Checked:
- Corporate Tax (法人税), Consumption Tax (消費税), Withholding Income Tax (源泉所得税).
- Corporate Resident Tax (法人住民税) or Individual Resident Tax (個人住民税).
Any outstanding tax or social insurance payment will be viewed as evidence of financial instability or lack of integrity, making renewal highly unfavorable.
5. Administrative Scrivener’s Strategy: Securing Your Renewal
To clear the strict revised standards, you need a compelling business plan that proves the “prospect of continuous contribution to the Japanese economy”.
Expert Guidance on Revising Your Business Plan
- Emphasizing Financial Stability: Go beyond just sales forecasts. Based on historical data, project detailed three-year forecasts for Operating Profit and Tax Payments to stress the stability and contribution of your business.
- Clear Employment Strategy: If you plan to meet the Full-Time Employee requirement during the grace period, the plan must explicitly state the timeline, position, and the Status of Residence of the individuals you intend to hire.
6. When to Consult an Administrative Scrivener (Gyoseishoshi)
The complexity of these revisions makes self-application highly risky. If any of the following apply to you, please consult us immediately:
- You are unsure if your current staff qualifies as a “Full-Time Employee.”
- You operate your business from a home office and need advice on relocation or lease modification.
- You have a history of delays or issues with tax or social insurance payments.
- You face difficulties in meeting the ¥30 million capital threshold or proving the total investment.
Our Business Manager Visa Renewal Support We offer specialized support to navigate these strict new criteria:
- Compliance Assessment & Business Plan Support: We assess your current compliance level and help you revise your business plan to meet the new standards.
- “Explanation of Application” Document Creation: We draft the necessary documentation regarding Public Dues compliance to satisfy the ISA’s strict requirements.
- Document Preparation & ISA Liaison: We handle all paperwork, application submission, and follow-up correspondence with the Immigration Services Agency on your behalf.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Use our free consultation to secure your future in Japan.
