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

If you want to start a business in Japan but are not yet ready to meet the full Business Manager visa requirements, Kaga City’s Startup Visa program, operated under Japan’s Foreign Business Startup Activity Promotion Program (METI framework), provides a structured preparation pathway.

Under this program, eligible foreign entrepreneurs can obtain Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) status and prepare to meet the Business Manager requirements within a defined period, while receiving confirmation and oversight from Kaga City.

This article explains the system in detail — overview, Kaga City’s conditions, target business scope, required documents, application process, timelines, renewals, and key compliance points — based solely on the current METI-based program operated by Kaga City.

What is the “Startup Visa” in Kaga City (current system)?

Kaga City’s Startup Visa is part of Japan’s Foreign Business Startup Activity Promotion Program approved by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

The program allows a foreign national who meets the required criteria and receives confirmation from Kaga City to:

• engage in startup preparation activities in Kaga City, and

• stay in Japan under Designated Activities status for up to two years in total
  (with renewals generally handled in six-month units).

This period is intended to be used to prepare the elements required for a later transition to Business Manager status.

How the Kaga City Startup Visa works (two-step structure)

Like other METI-based Startup Visa programs in Japan, Kaga City’s system follows a two-step structure:

Step 1: Kaga City confirmation (plan review)

The applicant prepares and submits a Startup Preparation Activity Plan and related materials to Kaga City.
Kaga City examines whether the plan is realistic and whether the applicant is expected to meet the Business Manager requirements within the permitted preparation period.

If approved, Kaga City issues a Confirmation Certificate.

Step 2: Immigration review (Designated Activities approval)

Using the Confirmation Certificate and other required materials, the applicant applies to the Immigration Services Agency for Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) status.

Important:
The Confirmation Certificate supports the immigration application but does not guarantee approval. Final decisions are made by immigration authorities.

Who can use this program?

Kaga City’s METI-based Startup Visa is intended for foreign nationals who plan to start a business in Kaga City and aim to transition to Business Manager status after completing startup preparation.

Each application is assessed individually based on the business plan, preparation feasibility, and compliance with the national Startup Visa criteria.

Target business scope in Kaga City

Under the current METI-based Startup Visa framework, Kaga City limits eligible projects to businesses that fall within the following industries, as defined by the city:

1. Knowledge-creation industries
   Examples: semiconductor-related businesses, software development, robotics-related businesses, etc.

2. Health, medical, and welfare-related industries
   Examples: drug discovery ventures, development of welfare and assistive devices, etc.

3. Environment and energy-related industries
   Examples: clean energy development, next-generation energy storage technologies, etc.

4. Logistics-related industries
   Examples: international delivery services, development of drone-based logistics systems, etc.

5. Trade-related industries
   Examples: businesses that contribute to developing overseas markets for products originating in Kaga City, etc.

6. Tourism-related industries
   Examples: businesses aimed at attracting foreign tourists to the city, etc.

7. Other businesses recognized by the Mayor of Kaga City

How to approach this correctly

Applicants should first clearly define their proposed business, including:

• product or service

• target customers

• revenue model

• operations and preparation activities

• timeline toward meeting Business Manager requirements

They should then confirm that the proposed business falls within one of the eligible industries listed above (or can reasonably be positioned under “other businesses recognized by the Mayor”).
The application will be evaluated based on both industry eligibility and feasibility within the permitted startup preparation period.

What Business Manager requirements are deferred?

The Startup Visa allows applicants to prepare for requirements that are normally needed at the time of entry under Business Manager status, such as:

• securing an appropriate business office, and

• meeting capital or employment requirements
  (for example, capital investment or employment of full-time staff residing in Japan).

The Startup Visa does not remove these requirements; it provides time to meet them in a structured manner.

Step-by-step process in Kaga City 

Step 1: Prepare your startup preparation plan

The applicant prepares a Startup Preparation Activity Plan that explains:

• business content and objectives

• preparation activities during the Designated Activities period

• milestones toward meeting Business Manager requirements

Step 2: Submit documents to Kaga City

The applicant submits the required documents according to Kaga City’s current Startup Visa procedures.
Kaga City may request clarification or additional materials during review.

Step 3: Receive the Confirmation Certificate

If the plan is confirmed, Kaga City issues a Confirmation Certificate for use in the immigration application.

Step 4: Apply to immigration

The applicant submits the immigration application for Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) using the Confirmation Certificate and supporting documents.

Step 5: Conduct startup preparation activities

After approval, the applicant conducts verifiable preparation activities in accordance with the approved plan and prepares for transition to Business Manager status.

Required documents (Kaga City confirmation stage)

Kaga City’s official guidance indicates that applicants must submit documents such as:

• application forms designated by Kaga City

• Startup Preparation Activity Plan

• documents showing feasibility and preparation activities

• identification documents (e.g., passport)

• any additional materials required under the METI-based framework

Applicants should rely on Kaga City’s official application guidelines and forms as the authoritative checklist.

Timeline and renewal

• Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) status may be granted and renewed up to a maximum total of two years.

• Renewals require continued confirmation that preparation activities are being conducted appropriately and that progress toward Business Manager requirements is realistic.

Key compliance points (common misunderstandings)

• The Startup Visa is not automatic approval for Business Manager.

• Actual preparation activities must be carried out and documented.

• If the Confirmation Certificate is revoked, the immigration status may also be affected.

• Applicants must always comply with both Kaga City’s program rules and immigration regulations.

How our office can help 

Even under a public support framework, the responsibility for immigration compliance remains with the applicant.

Trust Administrative Scrivener Office supports foreign entrepreneurs by providing:

• business plan structuring aligned with Business Manager standards

• document preparation and consistency checks for the Kaga City confirmation stage

• immigration application support (Designated Activities → Business Manager)

• renewal and transition strategy planning

If you are considering Kaga City, we can help you determine whether the Startup Visa is appropriate or whether a direct Business Manager application is more suitable.

References
・Kaga City: Startup Visa (METI-based Foreign Business Startup Activity Promotion Program)
・Kaga City: Notice on integration of the former Special Zone Startup Visa into the METI framework

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