Business Manager Visa Japan – 2025 New Rules Officially Announced

Big Changes to Japan’s Business Manager Visa

Japan has officially revised the requirements for the Business Manager Visa, and the changes were announced by the Immigration Services Agency on October 10, 2025.
The new rules will come into effect on October 16, 2025, and introduce stricter eligibility criteria — especially in terms of capital, hiring, experience, and Japanese language ability.

This guide explains what’s changing, who is affected, and how current visa holders should prepare.

Official Source: Immigration Services Agency Announcement – October 10, 2024 (PDF)
Related Page (MOJ site): ISA “Business Manager” Visa Overview

🆕 What’s Changing in 2025?

The Business Manager Visa is for foreign nationals who intend to start and operate a business in Japan. Under the new rules, key eligibility requirements will become significantly more rigorous.

Requirement	Until October 15, 2025	From October 16, 2025
Capital / Investment	Minimum ¥5,000,000 (or equivalent business scale)	Minimum ¥30,000,000 (paid-in capital or equivalent investment)
Employees	No fixed rule; 2 full-time staff often used to meet criteria	Must employ at least 1 full-time employee (Japanese citizen, permanent resident, spouse of a Japanese / PR, or long-term resident)
Applicant Experience	No formal requirement	Must have 3+ years of experience in management or business, or a university degree in business / economics
Japanese Language	No requirement	Applicant or full-time staff must have sufficient Japanese ability, e.g. JLPT N2, BJT 400+, or graduation from a Japanese school
Business Plan Review by Certified Expert	Not required	Business plan must be reviewed and confirmed by a certified expert (SME consultant, CPA, or tax accountant)
Office	A physical office in Japan required	A physical office in Japan required
Timing	Old rules apply until Oct 15, 2025	New rules apply from Oct 16, 2025

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👤 Who Is Affected?

New Applicants

If you are applying for a Business Manager visa on or after October 16, 2025, you must meet all new requirements, including the Japanese ability and ¥30M capital rule.

Current Visa Holders

If you already hold a valid Business Manager visa:

• You can continue renewing under the current rules until October 15, 2028.
• The new rules will apply to all renewal applications submitted on or after October 16, 2028.

⏳ You have a 3-year grace period to adjust your business and personal profile to meet the new standards.

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🛠️ How to Prepare (If You Currently Hold a Business Manager Visa)

To remain eligible for renewal after 2028, consider the following steps:

1. Increase Your Capital to ¥30 Million

Plan to raise your paid-in capital via staged investment or internal reinvestment.

2. Hire One Full-Time Eligible Staff

Employ at least one full-time worker who is:

• A Japanese national, or
• A permanent resident, long-term resident, or spouse of a Japanese national/PR

3. Continue Operating Your Business Compliantly

If you already hold a Business Manager visa, by the time the new rules apply to renewals (in 2028), you will likely have acquired 3 years of business management experience — one of the key new requirements.

However, it is important that you:

• Operate your business continuously and legally
• Maintain proper company records and tax filings
• Avoid any visa violations or long periods of inactivity

✅ Staying compliant for 3+ years will help you meet the experience requirement for both renewal and possible Permanent Residency applications.

4. Work on Your Japanese Language Skills

The new rule requires that you possess Japanese language ability necessary to manage your business — this is generally interpreted as JLPT N2 level or higher.

If you don’t yet meet this level, now is the time to start studying.

5. Ensure Proper Payment of Taxes and Insurance

Immigration authorities will now strictly check your company’s compliance with public obligations during visa renewals.
Make sure your business:

• Has enrolled in employment insurance and workers’ compensation
• Has properly registered for health insurance and pension (shakai hoken)
• Has paid all applicable national and local taxes (corporate/income/consumption/resident tax)

⚠️ Failure to comply with these obligations may result in denial of your renewal — even if your capital and staff meet the new standards.

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💭 What if I can’t raise ¥30 million?

We understand that not every entrepreneur can realistically meet the new capital requirement — especially solo founders or those running small, service-based businesses.
But there is no exception: if your company doesn’t meet the new standards by the time you renew after October 2028, your Business Manager visa may not be extended.

Here are some possible paths to consider:

• Grow slowly and reinvest profits
  If your company generates steady profit, you can accumulate retained earnings and increase capital gradually through legal procedures over the next 3 years.
• Secure external funding or a business loan
  This may include borrowing from banks or private lenders, or raising investment from outside partners. Be careful: loans used for capital injection may trigger scrutiny unless well-documented.
• Transfer ownership to a Japanese or PR-holder and become an employee
  You could switch to a working visa (like Engineer/Humanities/International Services, Skilled Labor), but you would have to meet the work visa eligibilities such as 10+ years of experience.

The best path depends on your personal background, business goals, and risk tolerance — but one thing is clear: doing nothing is not an option.

❓ Why Did Japan Tighten the Rules?

According to the Immigration Services Agency, this reform aims to:

• Prevent abuse of the visa system by individuals who are not operating real businesses
• Raise the standard and stability of foreign-owned businesses in Japan
• Ensure proper communication with Japanese clients, banks, suppliers, and authorities

📢 Official statement (JP):
経営・管理在留資格の制度見直し（2024年10月10日発表）

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💡 Note for Permanent Residency Applicants

If you plan to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) based on your Business Manager status, you must meet the new 2025 standards — even if you obtained your visa under the old rules.

In short:
🛑 You cannot apply for PR from a Business Manager visa unless your business meets the new capital, staffing, and language criteria.

The bar has been raised significantly. Be sure to start preparing now.

📅 Timeline Summary

Date	Event
October 10, 2025	Official announcement
October 16, 2025	New rules apply to all new visa applicants
October 16, 2028	New rules also apply to renewals of current visa holders

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🧭 Summary: What You Need to Know

✅ ¥30 million capital becomes mandatory
✅ Must hire 1 full-time eligible employee (Japanese or PR)
✅ 3 years of experience OR business degree required
✅ Japanese language ability is now officially required
✅ Existing visa holders have until 2028 to get ready

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓ Can I still apply with ¥5 million in capital?

No.
From October 16, 2025, you must have at least ¥30 million in paid-in capital or equivalent investment.

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❓ Do I need to hire Japanese staff?

Yes.
You must employ at least one full-time staff member who is a Japanese national, permanent resident, or has an equivalent status (e.g. long-term resident, spouse of a Japanese).

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❓ Do I need to speak Japanese myself?

Not necessarily.
But either you or your full-time staff must have sufficient Japanese language ability to operate the business.

Accepted proof includes:

• JLPT N2 or higher
• BJT score of 400+
• Graduation from a Japanese school or university
• 20+ years of residence in Japan

📄 Source – MOJ PDF

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❓ Can I apply for Permanent Residency (PR) later?

Only if your business meets the new requirements.
After October 16, 2025, you cannot apply for PR (or upgrade to HSP visa) from a Business Manager visa unless your business satisfies all new standards — including capital, staffing, and language.

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❓ I already have a Business Manager visa. Do the new rules apply to me?

Not immediately.
You can renew your visa under the current rules until October 15, 2028.
But from that point forward, your business must meet the new criteria to extend your stay or apply for PR.

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❓ What happens if I don’t pay my taxes or social insurance?

Immigration will now closely review your payment status for:

• Employment & labor insurance
• Social insurance (pension + health)
• Corporate and local taxes (income tax, consumption tax, resident tax)

Failure to comply may result in denial of your renewal, even if other conditions are met.

📩 Ready to Apply?

If your business already meets the new 2025 standards — or will soon — we’d be happy to support your Business Manager visa application or renewal, as well as Permanent Residency or HSP transitions.

Let’s move forward confidently, with a strong business foundation.
Need assistance? Contact us today for a consultation!

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Not Ready Yet?

The updated visa system gives existing Business Manager holders 3 years to get ready.
For now, focus on running a compliant, growing business — that’s the best way to protect your future immigration status in Japan.