What Is a Business Manager Visa?

The Business Manager Visa is a residence status that allows a foreign national to establish, manage, or operate a business in Japan.

This visa is intended for:

• Entrepreneurs starting a business in Japan

• Business owners managing their own company

• Managers responsible for business operations in Japan

It is not a work visa for ordinary employees.

Major Changes After the 2025 Reform (Effective October 16, 2025)

Japan’s Business Manager Visa standards were significantly tightened in 2025.

Key Requirements (Overview)

• Capital investment: at least JPY 30 million

• Employment: at least one full-time employee

• Japanese language ability: B2 level (JLPT N2 or equivalent)

• Business plan: highly detailed and realistic

• Stricter screening by Immigration

For a detailed breakdown of the reform and what it means for you,
👉 Business Manager Visa Reform 2025 – New Rules & Key Takeaways

Case with a Collaborator in Japan (1-Year Visa Route)

If you have a collaborator in Japan, you may apply directly for a 1-year Business Manager Visa without first entering Japan.

A collaborator may be:

• A Japanese national, or

• A foreign resident with

  • Permanent Resident status, or

  • A status-based visa (Spouse of Japanese National, Spouse of Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident)

This route is generally more stable than the 4-month visa route
and is recommended if the necessary conditions are met.

Basic Flow (With a Collaborator)

Below is a general overview of the procedure:

1. Paid consultation with an administrative scrivener

2. Preparation of a business plan and supporting documents

3. Office arrangement in Japan (via collaborator)

4. Company establishment

5. Application for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

6. Entry into Japan after COE issuance

7. Start of business operations

Common Challenges (Important)

For applications with a collaborator in Japan,
the main challenges are not procedural, but practical and personal.

Reliability of the Collaborator

In this route, the collaborator plays a critical role as the applicant’s local representative in Japan.

For example, the collaborator may be required to:

• Sign office lease agreements on behalf of the company

• Act as an initial director or representative during incorporation

• Temporarily handle company-related procedures before the applicant enters Japan

Most importantly, in many cases:

• Investment capital is first transferred to the collaborator’s personal bank account
  before company incorporation and corporate bank account opening.

Because of this structure, the collaborator must be highly trustworthy.

Risk Awareness

This route is not recommended unless:

• You have a collaborator you trust completely

• The roles, responsibilities, and exit timing are clearly agreed in advance

• Legal and financial risks are fully understood

For this reason, careful prior consultation is essential
before choosing the “collaborator route.”

Procedure Flow & Estimated Timeline (Overview)

Below is a simplified overview of the typical procedure
when applying for a 1-year Business Manager Visa with a collaborator in Japan.

Step 1: Paid Consultation & Initial Review

Review of your background, business plan, capital structure,
and the role of the collaborator in Japan.
Feasibility, risks, procedure outline, and estimated costs are explained.

Estimated time: 1–2 weeks

Step 2: Formal Engagement & Company Setup Preparation

After a formal engagement agreement is concluded,
the following preparations are carried out in parallel:

• Office arrangement in Japan (through the collaborator)

• Transfer of investment capital (to the applicant’s or collaborator’s account)

• Preparation and notarization of Articles of Incorporation

• Company registration (via a partnering judicial scrivener)

Estimated time: 1–2 months
(May take longer if permits or licenses are required)

Step 3: Post-Incorporation Procedures

After company registration:

• Opening of a corporate bank account (by the collaborator)

• Notifications to tax offices and relevant authorities

• Application for required permits or licenses (if applicable)

These steps are completed before submitting the COE application.

Step 4: COE Application (1-Year Business Manager Visa)

Submission of the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application
to the Immigration Bureau by an authorized administrative scrivener.

Estimated time to submission:
Approximately 2–3 months after formal engagement

Step 5: Immigration Examination

Immigration reviews the application and may request additional documents.

Estimated review period: 3–4 months

Step 6: Entry to Japan & Business Start

After COE issuance, the applicant enters Japan on a
1-year Business Manager Visa and begins operating the business.

At this stage, transitions such as:

• Shifting account control from the collaborator to the company

• Resignation of the collaborator (if acting as an interim director)

are completed as planned.

Overall Estimated Timeline

➡️ Approximately 6–8 months
from paid consultation to the start of business in Japan
(Indicative only; timelines vary by case and licensing requirements.)

Important Notes

• The above timeline is indicative only

• Delays may occur due to document preparation, bank procedures,
  or additional requests from Immigration

• Detailed scheduling is discussed only during a paid consultation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can approval be guaranteed?

No. Immigration approval is never guaranteed.

Q2. Can you guarantee bank account opening?

No. Banks make independent decisions. We cannot guarantee approval.

Q3. Why do fees vary?

Because procedures, risks, and preparation volume differ greatly by case.

Q4. Is cheaper support available elsewhere?

Possibly. However, extremely low fees often mean limited support and higher risk.

What Our Office Can Support (Scope & Estimated Fees)

Below are general fee guidelines:

• Business Manager Visa (COE application): from USD 1,500

  • Includes business plan preparation

  • External certification (SME consultant / CPA), if required: USD 300–700 (separate)

• Company incorporation support fees are structured as follows:
  
  ■ Professional fee (our office fee)
  – from USD 1,400

  ■ Statutory registration costs (paid separately, approximate):
  – Godo Kaisha (GK): around USD 700
  – Kabushiki Kaisha (KK): around USD 1,400

  ※ Statutory costs include registration tax, notary fees, and related expenses.
  ※ The final total varies depending on the amount of capital and company details.

⚠️ These are estimates only.
Exact fees depend on your case and will be confirmed during a paid consultation.

Our Office Location & Support Area

Trust Administrative Scrivener Office is located in
Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.

• In-person support is available in Kitakyushu and the Fukuoka City area

• For other regions (e.g. Nagoya), support is limited to remote assistance

Next Step – Before Contacting Us

Due to a high volume of inquiries, we do not provide individual guidance by free email.

If you are seriously considering:

• A Business Manager Visa

• A Startup Visa

• Company establishment in Japan

Please proceed as follows:

Step 1

Complete our Google Form
→ This allows us to review your situation efficiently.

Step 2

If necessary, book a paid consultation
→ Detailed feasibility, procedure, and cost explanation is provided here.

👉 Google Form Link
👉 Paid Consultation Page

Please note:
We do not accept applications without prior paid consultation.

📩 Contact (General Inquiries & Communication)

For updates on an ongoing case, document submission, or other general inquiries, you may contact us through the tools below.

⚠️ Please note that we do not answer visa, residency status, licensing, apostille, or other consultation-related questions through this Contact section.
If you would like to receive advice or guidance, please apply through our paid consultation page.

👉 Click here to book a consultation (Consultation Page)

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Office Name: Trust Administrative Scrivener Office
Email: info@trust-gyosei.com