Visa Rules
Japan's 2025 Business Manager Visa Rules: The Complete Guide for Foreign Buyers
July 21, 2026
On October 16, 2025, Japan implemented the most significant tightening of the Business Manager (経営・管理) residence status in its history. If you are an international entrepreneur planning to live in Japan by running a business, the ground rules have fundamentally changed — and the strategy that best fits the new rules has changed with them.
What exactly changed
| Requirement | Before Oct 16, 2025 | After |
|---|---|---|
| Capital / investment | ¥5 million | ¥30 million |
| Full-time employee | Not required (if capital met) | Required: at least 1 (Japanese national, permanent resident, or long-term resident) |
| Management experience | Not formally required | 3+ years of business management experience, or a master's-level qualification in a related field |
| Japanese language | Not required | Roughly JLPT N2-level ability by the applicant, or employing a Japanese-speaking full-time staff member |
| Business plan review | Standard | Stricter scrutiny, with professional (e.g., SME consultant) evaluation expected in many cases |
The intent, as stated by the Immigration Services Agency, is to filter out shell companies established primarily to obtain residence status, while welcoming genuine operators.
The strategic consequence: acquisition beats incorporation
Under the old rules, the standard playbook was to incorporate a small company with ¥5 million and apply. That playbook is effectively dead. Consider what a new company must now prove from a standing start, versus what an acquired company already has:
| New requirement | Newly incorporated company | Acquired operating company |
|---|---|---|
| ¥30M capital | Must be fully funded by you | Existing capital + top-up increase at closing |
| Full-time employee | Must recruit before/at application | Employees already on payroll |
| Credible business plan | Projections only, no history | Years of actual P&L and tax filings |
| Business substance (office, operations) | Must create from zero | Already exists and is verifiable |
This is why, since late 2025, practitioners across the immigration and M&A communities have converged on the same conclusion: for many qualified applicants, acquiring an existing operating company can provide one of the strongest evidence-based approaches to the Business Manager visa. Acquisition does not by itself qualify a buyer — the applicant's own experience, funds, and management plan are still assessed.
What a strong acquisition looks like for visa purposes
Not every business purchase supports a strong visa case. Based on the post-reform review criteria, the profile that works best is:
- Employees included — at least one full-time employee who will remain after the transfer, ideally more.
- Real operations — physical premises, active customers, filed tax returns.
- A coherent narrative — reviewers ask why is this buyer acquiring this business? An exporter acquired by a buyer with overseas distribution networks tells a convincing story; a random purchase does not.
- Capital path to ¥30M — if the target's paid-in capital is below ¥30 million, plan a capital increase as part of the transaction structure.
- Your demonstrable role — the visa is for a manager. Document your executive responsibilities, especially if a strong general manager stays on.
Common pitfalls we see
- Buying a dormant or shell company. This is precisely what the reform targets; expect refusal.
- Ignoring the employee requirement until application time. Hiring in Japan takes months; acquiring a staffed business solves this structurally.
- Underestimating total cost. The acquisition price is only one component — budget for the capital increase, working capital, and professional fees. Our Investment Calculator [blocked] gives a realistic all-in estimate.
- Skipping licensed professionals. Visa applications must be prepared and filed by you or a licensed immigration specialist (行政書士/弁護士); share transfers involve legal and tax work. Coordination matters, but the regulated steps belong to licensed professionals.
How to proceed
If you want a structured read on whether this path is open to you — budget, experience, timeline, and the gaps you would need to close — take our free Eligibility Check [blocked]. It takes about three minutes and returns your eligibility tier, estimated capital requirement, and recommended next steps.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Immigration decisions are made solely by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan; engage a licensed immigration specialist for advice on your specific case.
Frequently asked questions
What changed in Japan's Business Manager visa in October 2025?
Effective October 16, 2025, the minimum capital or investment rose from ¥5 million to ¥30 million, applicants must employ at least one full-time worker (Japanese national or permanent/long-term resident), and applicants must show either three years of business management experience or a relevant master's-level qualification, plus Japanese language ability at roughly JLPT N2 or employ a Japanese-speaking staff member.
Can I still get the Business Manager visa by starting a new company?
Legally yes, but practically it is much harder: a brand-new company must show ¥30 million paid-in capital, hire a qualifying full-time employee immediately, and convince immigration reviewers with a business plan that has no operating history. Acquiring an existing profitable company satisfies several requirements with evidence that already exists.
Why does buying an existing Japanese company satisfy the new rules more easily?
An operating company can already have employees on payroll (satisfying the staffing requirement), existing revenue and tax filings (supporting business-plan credibility), and real premises. The buyer needs to ensure paid-in capital reaches ¥30 million, which can be done via a capital increase at acquisition.
Where do you stand?
Three minutes. Personalized capital requirement, gaps, and next actions.
Free Readiness Check