Japan Introduces Stricter Rules for Foreign Business Manager Visas in October

Japan's Immigration Services Agency has proposed changes to the "Business Manager" visa requirements, increasing the minimum capital or investment to ¥30 million and requiring at least one full-time staff member residing in Japan. Applicants must also meet stricter qualifications, such as a graduate degree in management or three years of management experience. Supporting documents, including business plans and employee records, will face tighter scrutiny. The revised rules aim to ensure more appropriate acceptance of foreign entrepreneurs while considering the impact on industry and daily life in Japan.

Japan's Immigration Services Agency has proposed significant changes to the "Business Manager" visa requirements, aiming to tighten the criteria for foreign entrepreneurs seeking to start, operate, or manage businesses in the country. The proposed revisions, scheduled to take effect in October 2025, include an increase in the minimum capital investment and stricter personal qualifications.

The new requirements, as outlined in the proposed revision of the ministerial ordinance, stipulate that applicants must have a minimum capital investment of 30 million yen ($203,000), up from the current 5 million yen. Additionally, applicants must employ at least one full-time staff member residing in Japan. This move follows revelations of cases where individuals established firms with no actual operations to obtain the visa, indicating a need for stricter oversight [1].

The revised rules also impose stricter personal qualifications for applicants. They must have either three years of business management experience or a master's degree or higher in business and management. Furthermore, business plans submitted for visa applications must be reviewed by a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Tax Accountant, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Management Consultant, or similar, to ensure their quality and feasibility [2].

The proposed changes aim to address concerns about the abuse of the system and to ensure that only candidates with sufficient qualifications and managerial background can obtain the visa. The new requirements are expected to significantly raise the entry threshold for foreign entrepreneurs.

The Immigration Services Agency compared similar systems in the United States and South Korea when deciding to make the substantial increase in the minimum capital requirement. As of the end of 2024, foreigners living in Japan on the visa hit a record 41,615, with Chinese nationals being the highest proportion at 21,740, followed by Nepal at 2,830 and South Korea at 2,741 [1].

The proposed revisions have sparked concern among foreign entrepreneurs and investors, as they may find it more challenging to meet the new criteria. However, the Immigration Services Agency maintains that the changes are necessary to ensure the integrity of the visa system and to protect the interests of the Japanese economy and society.

References:
[1] https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/59839
[2] https://imsvisa.support/en/2025/08/26/important-update-stricter-requirements-business-manager-visa/