Amendments to the Ministerial Ordinance on Landing Standards for the “Business Manager” Visa (11 Oct. 2025)

Parts of the Immigration Control Act Standards Ordinance and the Immigration Control Act Enforcement Regulations concerning the “Management and Administration” status of residence have been amended and will take effect on October 16, 2025.

Main Amendments

Employment of Full-Time Staff

Foreign applicants must employ at least one full-time employee at the company they operate.

The scope of “full-time employees” is limited to Japanese nationals, special permanent residents (Tokubetsu Eiju), permanent residents (Eiju), holders of the spouse or child of a Japanese national visa, holders of the spouse or child of a permanent resident visa, and long-term residents visa. Foreign nationals holding other work visas, such as the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa, are excluded.

Ammount of Capital

A minimum capital of 30 million (approx. 200K USD) yen is required. This 30M yen refers to the capital amount for a corporation. The scale of the business being operated must be confirmed as being at least 30 million yen in scale via a Certificate of Registered Matters (Tokibo tohon).

Japanese Language Proficiency

Either the foreign applicant or a full-time employee must possess a sufficient level of Japanese language proficiency. The term “full-time employee” here includes not only those mentioned in point 1 above but also foreign nationals holding work visas. The required sufficient level of Japanese proficiency corresponds to B2 or higher on the Japanese Language Education Reference Framework. For individuals other than Japanese nationals or special permanent residents, one of the following must be confirmed:

• JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N2 or higher
• 400 points or higher on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test
• Residence in Japan for 20 years or more
• Graduation from a Japanese university or other higher education institution
• Graduation from Japanese compulsory education (elementary and junior high school) and high school

If proving through an examination, submit a certificate of passing, transcript, or other proof. If proving through other means, submit documents verifying the Japanese language proficiency of the individual (e.g., residence certificate, graduation certificate). Please note: While the application form requires you to indicate whether a Japanese-proficient individual is present and the nature of their involvement, the “Details” field must contain specific information such as “Employing a Japanese national” or “The business owner (applicant) holds JPT N2 or higher certification from “.

Background (Academic and Work History)

The foreign applicant must hold a doctoral, master’s, or professional degree in a field related to the technical skills or knowledge necessary for business management or the operations of the business being applied for. This includes equivalent degrees awarded abroad. Alternatively, the applicant must have at least three years of experience in business management or administration.

Business Plan (Evaluation by Management Expert)

At the time of residence status determination, the submitted business plan must be evaluated by an individual possessing specialized knowledge in management to confirm its specificity, rationality, and feasibility. The following individuals qualify as such evaluators:

• Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant (Chusho Kigyo Shindan shi)
• Certified Public Accountant (Konin Kaikei shi)
• Tax Accountant (Zeiri shi)

Other Notes

Business Activities

If the actual activities as a business operator cannot be sufficiently recognized, such as through outsourcing, the activities will not be deemed to fall under the “Business Manager” visa.

Business Premises

Using your residence as a business office is not permitted.

Application for Permanent Residence, etc.

If the revised permit criteria are not met, permanent residence permits from the “Business Manager”, “Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c)” or “Highly Skilled Professional (ii)” statuses (which presuppose “Business Manager” activities) will not be granted. Similarly, permission to change status from “Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c)” to “Highly Skilled Professional (ii)” will not be granted.

Departure During Period of Stay

If you leave Japan for an extended period without a valid reason during your period of stay, your application for renewal will not be approved as it will be deemed that you have no actual activities in Japan.

Payment of Public Taxes and Duties

At the time of residence period renewal, the following public dues payment obligations will be verified:

• Labor Insurance Coverage Status (Acquisition of Employment Insurance coverage, Payment of Employment Insurance premiums, Status of Workers’ Accident Compensation Insurance application procedures, etc.)
• Social Insurance Coverage Status (Acquisition of Health Insurance and Employees’ Pension Insurance coverage, payment of the above social insurance premiums)
• Payment status of national and local taxes payable by the business establishment (For corporations: National taxes: Withholding income tax and special reconstruction income tax, corporate tax, consumption tax and local consumption tax; Local taxes: Corporate resident tax, corporate enterprise tax)

Acquisition of necessary licenses and permits to conduct business

Foreign applicants are required to submit documentation proving the status of obtaining necessary permits and licenses for their business operations. If a valid reason is recognized, such as the inability to obtain permits or licenses until after receiving a residence permit, submission will be requested at the time of the next residence period renewal application.

Application for Renewal of Period of Stay by Persons Already Staying in Japan under “Business Manager” visa

For foreign individuals already residing under the “Business Manager” visa status who apply for a period of stay renewal permit before the date three years after the enforcement date (October 16, 2028), the decision to grant or deny the application will be made based on the business situation and the likelihood of meeting the revised criteria, even if they do not currently meet the revised criteria. Note that during the examination, you may be required to submit documents containing evaluations from business management experts.

Applications for extension of period of stay submitted after the date three years following the enforcement date must meet the revised criteria. This also applies to “Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c),” as it is premised on meeting the criteria for “Business Manager” status.