As of October 16, 2025, the requirements for the “Business Manager Visa” required for foreigners to start and manage businesses in Japan have been significantly tightened. The main changes include raising the capital requirement from “5 million yen or more” to “30 million yen or more,” and requiring the employment of at least one full-time employee.
This reform aims to improve the quality of foreign entrepreneurs by strengthening the business substance and social credibility of those with capital of 30 million yen or more.
New capital requirements for Business Manager Visa renewal
Previously, capital of around 5 million yen was acceptable, but under the new system, a capital of 30 million yen or more is required, six times as much. For joint-stock companies, this requirement applies to the amount of paid-up capital, while for limited liability companies and general partnerships, this requirement applies to the total investment.
In addition, the company must employ at least one full-time employee, and these employees must have legal residence status, such as Japanese nationality or permanent resident status. This means that “substantial business management” is now given greater weight in the review process.
Timing of Business Manager Visa Renewal
Renewal applications can be made 3 months before the expiration date of your visa.
Applications for renewal of a Business Manager Visa can be submitted to the Immigration Bureau three months before the expiration of the period of stay. The examination process takes about one to three months, so in order to ensure a smooth renewal, it is important to avoid applying at the last minute and start preparing early enough.
Ideally, start preparations four months before your visa expires
It takes time to gather documents, create a business plan, and apply for capital increases (if necessary). In particular, obtaining a copy of the corporate register, financial statements, tax payment certificate, and social insurance certificate can take several weeks. Therefore, it is best to start preparing four months before your visa expires.
New rules and grace period from October 16, 2025
A legal amendment on October 16, 2025 established new standards, such as a capital of 30 million yen or more and the employment of at least one full-time employee, but those who already have a visa will have a “grace period” until October 16, 2028. If you apply for renewal during this period, even if you do not currently fully meet the new standards, you may be approved if you can show “plans and efforts that meet the new standards.”
- It’s not necessary to completely increase your capital to 30 million yen right away.
- However, it’s essential to demonstrate a concrete plan and progress toward achieving the required targets within 3 years.
- Planned preparations are required, taking into account this grace period.
The Importance of Newly Required “Expert Business Evaluations”
One notable aspect of the 2025 amendments is the increased requirement for the submission of “business evaluations by experts, such as small and medium-sized enterprise management consultants and tax accountants,” when applying for license renewal. These evaluations will professionally review the following:
- The realism of the business plan and the appropriateness of revenue projections
- The cash flow situation and KPI setting status
- The soundness of management
These evaluations will enhance the reliability of renewal reviews. Going forward, professional verification of the content will become a substantial review requirement, going beyond simply attaching documents.
Preparations for when a judicial scrivener’s involvement is required
If a capital increase is required to renew a visa, a judicial scrivener will be responsible for the capital increase registration procedure. This registration takes time, so once the decision to increase capital is made, it is necessary to promptly request a judicial scrivener’s involvement and plan ahead until the registration application is submitted to the Legal Affairs Bureau.
It is also important to consider the timing of the capital increase and the review period, and coordinate the schedule with the renewal application.
If a capital increase is not expected, dissolution and liquidation will be an option. In that case, we will also support the dissolution and liquidation registration.
Preparing visa application documents, compiling business activity explanations, and dealing with government agencies are areas of expertise for the Immigration Lawyer.
As a judicial scrivener, I focus on capital increase registrations and the Immigration Lawyer will handle the following:
- Preparation of documents certifying business plans and business conditions
- Checking and submitting residence status renewal application documents
This collaboration enables efficient and reliable renewal preparations.
Summary
- You can apply for a Business Manager Visa renewal up to 3 months before your visa expires.
- After October 16, 2025, the minimum capital requirement will be 30 million yen, but until October 16, 2028, you have a grace period during which you can plan ahead.
- If you need to increase your capital, request a capital increase registration from a judicial scrivener early on, and work with an administrative scrivener to prepare your renewal application documents.
- The key to success is to allow yourself ample time and prepare in a planned, step-by-step manner.
