Japan Business Manager Visa
A residence route for genuine business operations in Japan, subject to current business-scale, staffing, qualification and Japanese-language requirements.
Japan offers established healthcare, education and business infrastructure. Applicants genuinely establishing and operating a business may assess Business Manager residence; incorporation alone does not guarantee approval. Family inclusion, healthcare and school eligibility need separate checks, as do permanent residence and naturalisation.
Authentic Overseas Entrepreneurs
Small to medium business owners looking to expand into the market, establish a company, and genuinely operate in Japan.
Highly Educated / High-Income Professionals
Eligible highly skilled professionals may qualify for a shorter residence period for permanent residence, subject to points evidence and all other applicable conditions.
Deep Japanese Culture Enthusiasts
People who want to experience the Japanese lifestyle long-term and have the financial strength to keep a company running.
Processing Time
3-6 Months
Min Investment
Revised business scale from JPY 30 million; other conditions apply
Residency Req
Advised to reside majority of the year
Passport Rank
Residence status does not confer a Japanese passport
Corporate Tax
Relatively High (Has estate tax)
Business scale and qualifications
New applications under the rules effective 16 October 2025 must address the JPY 30 million business scale, at least one qualifying full-time employee, management qualifications, Japanese ability and professionally reviewed business plan.
Highly Skilled Pathway
Applicants meeting the applicable highly skilled points conditions may qualify for shorter residence requirements, but permanent residence remains a separate application with compliance, financial and other criteria.
Extreme Proximity
Dense flights to China and only a 1-hour time difference make it extremely convenient to return home to manage core businesses or visit family in Greater China/APAC.
National-Level Welfare
Health-insurance eligibility, personal contributions and child medical subsidies depend on employment, residence and local rules; costs are not automatically waived.
Heavy Tax Burden and High Estate Tax Warning
Japan is a high-tax country, with top marginal personal income tax at 45% and resident tax at 10%. The biggest headache for HNWIs is Japan's staggering 55% inheritance (estate) and gift taxes. Before obtaining long-term residency in Japan, it is imperative to conduct thorough tax planning using offshore structures or life insurance; otherwise, wealth can easily shrink significantly in Japan.
Extremely Fair yet Highly Competitive Top Asian Education
Check admission, tuition and language support by the child's age, location and school. Business Manager residence does not guarantee free high school, university admission or eligibility for China's overseas-Chinese examinations; each has separate requirements.
"Because I have a master's degree, years of e-commerce management experience, and excellent company revenue, my lawyer used the HSPF points system. I got permanent residency in just one year—much faster than I ever imagined!"
Establish Japanese Company (1-2 months)
Arrange premises, business scale, staffing and the business plan under current rules before completing company and application documents; incorporation alone does not guarantee residence approval.
Submit Visa Application (2-4 months)
Submit the business plan and complete documents to the Immigration Bureau and await the Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
Visa Stamping & Landing
Exchange the COE for a visa at the embassy/consulate in your home country, enter Japan, receive the Residence Card, and register at the city hall.
Genuine Operation & Renewal
Renew according to the granted period and demonstrate genuine continuing operations and tax and social-insurance compliance; permanent residence and naturalisation are assessed separately.
Does the old JPY 5 million Business Manager threshold still apply?
New applications cannot rely on the old threshold. Since 16 October 2025, the rules require assessment of JPY 30 million business scale plus staffing, qualifications, Japanese and business-plan conditions. Corporate capital and qualifying sole-proprietor expenditure are calculated differently. Existing holders require an individual transitional-rule assessment.
What is the Highly Skilled Professional (HSPF) visa? How can I get PR in 1 year?
Highly Skilled Professional status is assessed against applicable points and actual professional activities. Eligible applicants may benefit from shorter residence requirements for permanent residence, not automatic approval; points history, continuing eligibility and tax and social-insurance compliance must still be checked.
Is the Business Manager Visa easy to renew? Can I fake it?
Renewal assesses genuine operations, business continuity, applicable Business Manager standards and tax, social-insurance and labour compliance. Existing holders may have transitional arrangements; a uniform salary figure or fixed renewal sequence cannot guarantee an outcome, and false documents must never be submitted.