Japan introduced the Japan’s Business Manager Visa (formerly known as the Entrepreneur Visa) to attract international talent and encourage new businesses. In recent years, however, concerns have grown that some applicants were using the visa for purposes unrelated to genuine business activities. To protect the credibility of the system and ensure that only serious entrepreneurs benefit, the government is preparing to raise the bar for eligibility.
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The Immigration Services Agency of Japan has announced plans to revise the ordinance after collecting public comments, with the changes expected to take effect in October, 2025. The goal is to prevent inappropriate visa use while ensuring that foreign entrepreneurs entering Japan have the skills, funding, and business plans necessary to contribute meaningfully to the Japanese economy.
Requirements of Japan’s Business Manager Visa
Current requirements
Employ at least two full-time employees (other than the business owner), or
Have a capital of at least 5 million yen.
Planned new requirements
Employ at least one full-time employee, AND
Have a capital of at least 30 million yen.
In addition, applicants must meet new qualification standards, such as:
Holding a doctoral, master’s, or professional degree related to management or the relevant business field, or
Demonstrating at least three years of management or administrative experience, and
Submitting a business plan evaluated by experts.
These updated conditions are designed to ensure that Business Manager Visa holders are highly capable entrepreneurs with both the financial strength and professional expertise to establish and operate sustainable businesses in Japan.
For foreign residents considering this visa, careful preparation—both financially and professionally—will now be more important than ever.
