Niigata 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 requirements, Niigata City offers a Startup Visa framework under its National Strategic Special Zone.

Niigata City operates a “Startup Visa” framework under the Niigata City National Strategic Special Zone. This program is officially positioned as a special measure under Japan’s immigration framework that allows eligible foreign entrepreneurs to carry out business start-up preparations in Niigata City within a defined period, with local-government confirmation as part of the process.

This article explains the system in detail—overview, Niigata City’s conditions, the practical steps, required documents (as far as official information is publicly provided), and key compliance points—so you can understand what is needed before you proceed. 

What is the “Startup Visa” in Niigata City?

Niigata City’s program is the National Strategic Special Zone “Foreign Entrepreneurship Activity Promotion” model.

Under the National Strategic Special Zone special measures, eligible applicants may be granted a startup preparation period (typically up to 6 months) to complete the requirements, provided their start-up plan is reviewed/confirmed by the implementing local government and they proceed under the program’s framework. 

Niigata City is listed as one of the implementing bodies for this Special Zone model. 

Who can use this program?

Based on the publicly available official descriptions and the Special Zone framework, the program targets foreign entrepreneurs who:

• intend to start a business in Niigata City under the special zone scheme; and

• can demonstrate a credible plan to satisfy the relevant requirements within the permitted preparation period. 

Important practical point: even when a local government confirms a plan, immigration still makes the final decision on residence status.

Target business scope in Niigata City

According to Niigata City’s official information, there are no restrictions on business industries under the city’s Startup Visa program operated as part of the National Strategic Special Zone.

In other words, applicants are not required to limit their plans to specific sectors or predefined industry categories. In practice, the focus tends to be on whether the proposed business plan is realistic, feasible, and capable of transitioning to Business Manager status within the permitted preparation period.

That said, because this program is operated under a special legal framework and is currently in a period of policy transition, applicants are strongly advised to confirm details in advance with Niigata City, especially regarding:

• how their proposed business will be evaluated in practice, and

• whether any additional conditions may apply at the time of application.

This confirmation step is particularly important when deciding whether to proceed via the Startup Visa route or apply directly for Business Manager status.

Step-by-step process in Niigata City (National Strategic Special Zone model)

The following reflects the general structure of the National Strategic Special Zone model and should be treated as an overview rather than a fixed procedural checklist.

While the full operational details vary by implementing body, the Special Zone model generally follows this structure:

Step 1: Prepare a start-up activity plan for Niigata City review

Under the Special Zone scheme, applicants must submit a business start-up / entrepreneurship activity plan and related materials to the implementing local government (Niigata City) for confirmation. 

Step 2: Receive confirmation from Niigata City (local-government confirmation step)

If Niigata City confirms that the plan is credible under the special zone framework, you proceed to the immigration step using the confirmed plan and required supporting materials. 

Step 3: Immigration application and residence status decision

Immigration reviews your application and supporting evidence and makes the final determination. Under the Special Zone model, the objective is to allow an initial start-up preparation period while you complete the Business Manager-related requirements within the allowed timeframe.

Required documents

Niigata City’s official website is the authoritative source for application requirements and forms.
While the exact documents may vary depending on timing and individual circumstances, applicants should generally expect to prepare documents in the following broad categories:

• A startup or business preparation plan submitted for review by Niigata City

• Identification documents (such as a passport)

• Materials explaining the feasibility of the proposed business
  (business concept, planned activities, timeline, etc.)

• Information related to business establishment in Japan
  (such as office plans or preparation arrangements)

Because the Startup Visa system in Niigata City is currently in a period of transition, requirements and document details may change.

For this reason, applicants should always check the latest information on Niigata City’s official website and confirm details directly with the city before preparing or submitting documents.

Key compliance points 

1. Local confirmation is not an immigration guarantee. Immigration remains the final decision-maker.

2. You must show credible feasibility within the allowed period. This program is designed for structured start-up preparation, not “waiting until later.” 

3. Business Manager requirements still matter. The Special Zone scheme is a timing/sequence accommodation; it does not erase the need to meet the substantive requirements. 

How our office can help

Even under a government program, successful cases depend on whether the plan is verifiable, feasible, and consistent with immigration’s expectations.

Trust Administrative Scrivener Office supports foreign entrepreneurs with:

• Business plan structuring (service definition, customers, pricing, cost model, operations, milestones, and risk controls)

• Evidence design (what to document, how to show feasibility, how to avoid gaps that trigger follow-up requests)

• Immigration application support, including COE preparation and strategy for the transition from the start-up preparation stage to Business Manager

• Practical compliance guidance: office setup logic, recordkeeping posture, and renewal/change planning

If you are considering Niigata City, we can help you decide whether to:

• apply directly for Business Manager, or

• use the Niigata City Special Zone route and build a plan designed to survive both local confirmation and immigration review. 

References (official and primary sources used)

• Niigata City (official): Niigata City National Strategic Special Zone – Foreign Entrepreneurship Activity Promotion Program 

• JETRO (official investment guidance): overview of the National Strategic Special Zone foreign entrepreneurship program, including the baseline Business Manager requirement context and implementing bodies list (includes Niigata City). 

• Japan’s immigration/ISA documentation (primary PDF source describing the Special Zone mechanism and areas, including Niigata City). 

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