Aichi Startup Visa (Japan) — Complete 2025-2026 Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs

If you want to start a business in Japan but you are not yet ready to meet the full Business Manager requirements, Aichi Prefecture’s Startup Visa framework (officially under METI’s Foreign Entrepreneurship Activity Promotion Program ) provides a structured preparation route.

Aichi Prefecture is an implementing body recognized under the METI program and—if approved—foreign entrepreneurs can stay in Japan under the “Designated Activities” residence status for up to 2 years (renewal required every 6 months) while conducting verified startup preparation activities.

This article explains the system in detail—overview, Aichi’s target business scope, required documents, step-by-step process, submission rules, timelines, and key compliance points—so you can prepare accurately before applying.

What is the “Startup Visa” in Aichi Prefecture?

Aichi Prefecture’s Startup Visa is a two-step process:

1. Aichi Prefecture review (plan confirmation)
   You apply for confirmation of your Startup Preparation Activity Plan. Aichi reviews whether your plan is likely to meet the Business Manager requirements within 1 year after landing / status change (this is the core feasibility test at the confirmation stage).

2. Immigration review (status approval)
   After you receive Aichi’s confirmation document, you apply to the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau within the document’s validity period (3 months). Immigration makes the final decision.

Aichi clearly positions the prefecture’s confirmation as a prerequisite/supporting step—but it is not the same as immigration approval (immigration decides the residence status).

Who can use this program?

Aichi Prefecture states the program is for foreign nationals who aim to start a business in Aichi Prefecture.

(Practical note for your blog: keep this section aligned to the official statement, and then explain that eligibility and documentation details are judged through the plan confirmation + immigration process.)

Target business fields in Aichi Prefecture

Aichi defines the eligible business scope as:

• IT field (information and communications industry) aiming for high growth, or

• High-growth business using innovative technologies or services

Why Aichi? 

Aichi is one of Japan’s strongest regions for building and scaling technology-driven businesses—especially founders aiming for growth in IT or innovative technologies/services, which are exactly the target areas under Aichi Prefecture’s Startup Visa program.

What makes Aichi attractive in practice is the combination of:

1) A government-backed startup ecosystem (not just a visa framework)
Aichi has been building an integrated startup support system—working with universities, economic organizations, and multiple government bodies—to provide continuous support across startup stages (seed → early → expansion and beyond).

2) Global startup recognition and regional acceleration programs
Aichi (together with Nagoya and Hamamatsu) was selected by Japan’s Cabinet Office as a “Startup Ecosystem Global Hub City” group, and the region operates initiatives such as J-Startup CENTRAL to support high-potential startups with global ambition.

3) Strong fit for founders who want “speed to execution”
Because the Aichi Startup Visa program is designed for entrepreneurs who intend to reach the Business Manager requirements within a limited preparation period, Aichi is a good match for founders who want a realistic, milestone-driven route—while using the region’s ecosystem support to move faster from planning to setup.

If your business is growth-oriented and built on IT or innovative technology/services, Aichi is structured to be more than “a place to live”—it is positioned as a region where you can prepare, validate, and launch with ecosystem support while working toward the Business Manager transition.

Step-by-step process in Aichi Prefecture 

Step 1: Apply for confirmation of your Startup Preparation Activity Plan

To use this program and obtain Designated Activities, you must first receive Aichi’s confirmation of your plan. Aichi reviews your plan under the national notice framework and may consult experts (e.g., SME consultants) when conducting confirmation.

Step 2: Submit required materials for the confirmation review

Aichi lists specific required materials (see “Required documents” section below).

Step 3: Receive Aichi’s confirmation document (if approved)

If Aichi confirms you meet the notice requirements, it issues a confirmation document (and if not, it issues a result notice indicating non-confirmation).

Step 4: Apply to Immigration within the validity period

After receiving confirmation, you must apply to the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau within 3 months (validity period of the confirmation).

Step 5: After “Designated Activities” is granted, start monitored preparation activities

Aichi’s framework includes monthly interviews during the preparation period and may require you to submit evidence of progress (contracts, bankbook copies, etc.).

Step 6: Renewal confirmation (every 6 months) and path to Business Manager

Aichi requires renewal confirmation before each 6-month period ends, and the overall framework allows up to 2 years maximum (with renewals). The goal is to reach Business Manager requirements and apply for Business Manager as appropriate.

Required documents 

Aichi Prefecture publishes the required forms and instructions on its official website.

Rather than fixing a static checklist in this article, applicants should expect the following document categories (Aichi lists these items explicitly):

A) Official application forms (templates provided by Aichi)

• Application for confirmation

• Startup preparation activity plan

• Activity schedule/roadmap 

• Applicant resume/CV

• Pledge document

B) Housing proof (for 1 year after landing/status change)

• Documents showing your residence for the first year (e.g., lease contract copy, application copy, etc.).

C) Funds proof (living costs / stay costs)

• Documents showing your funds for living expenses after landing/status change (e.g., bankbook copies, balance documents).

D) Evidence that you meet the national “notice” criteria

• If you apply claiming you fall under specific notice categories, submit documents proving that (e.g., enrollment certificates, employment certificates, etc.).

E) Passport copy

• Passport copy.

F) Other documents deemed necessary

• Any other documents the governor deems necessary.

Who can submit the application package?

Aichi states submission can be made by:

• the applicant, or

• a lawyer / gyoseishoshi who has filed the proper notification through their association to the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau director, with additional conditions when the applicant is outside Japan.

Submission method (Aichi-specific operational point)

Aichi’s page describes a two-step submission handling:

1. Pre-check (content confirmation by email)
   Before applying, send your application documents to Aichi by email for content confirmation.

2. Electronic application system (Japanese-only)
   After the content check, submit via Aichi’s electronic application system (noted as Japanese only).

Ongoing monitoring after approval

Aichi’s framework includes:

• Monthly interviews (in principle, once per month) to confirm progress; and

• possible requests for documents showing implementation status (examples given: office lease contracts, employment contracts, business contracts, bankbook copies, etc.).

If a founder stops preparing or fails to cooperate with required explanations/document submissions, Aichi’s rules allow cancellation of the confirmation, and the entrepreneur may ultimately need to return home if continuing becomes difficult.

Key compliance points 

Grounded in Aichi’s published guidance and implementation rules:

• Aichi’s confirmation ≠ immigration approval. Immigration decides the residence status.

• The confirmation stage is a feasibility test: can you realistically meet Business Manager requirements within the required timeframe?

• You must be ready for monthly progress verification, not “preparation later.”

• Aichi’s guidance includes an explicit compliance restriction tied to organized crime exclusion. If it becomes known, the application may not be accepted or may be cancelled retroactively.

How our office can help 

Aichi’s Startup Visa route is not just “forms + attachments.” Reviewers are assessing whether your plan is credible, fundable, and verifiable—and whether you can reach Business Manager requirements within the allowed period.

Trust Administrative Scrivener Office supports foreign entrepreneurs with:

• Business plan structuring (service definition, customers, pricing, operations, schedule, funding plan) aligned to the Aichi confirmation logic

• Document preparation support (housing/funds evidence organization, roadmap consistency, omission prevention)

• Immigration support (Designated Activities → Business Manager pathway design, timing strategy, evidence planning)

• Practical compliance guidance for the monthly progress checks (what to prepare, how to document progress)

References

• Aichi Prefecture (official): “Implementation of the Foreign Entrepreneurship Activity Promotion Program”.

• Aichi Prefecture PDF (official): “Aichi Prefecture Foreign Entrepreneurship Activity Promotion Program Implementation Guidelines” .

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