Sendai 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, Sendai City’s Startup Visa program offers a highly structured and supportive pathway.

Sendai City operates this program under Japan’s national Foreign Business Startup Activity Promotion Program, approved by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The city provides a dedicated startup support framework that allows eligible foreign entrepreneurs to stay in Japan under a Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) status while preparing to meet the Business Manager requirements within a defined period.

One notable feature of Sendai’s program is that the city clearly states that startup consultations are free of charge, and that comprehensive support is available from the business idea stage through visa-related preparation.

This article explains the system in detail—overview, Sendai’s conditions, required documents, application steps, timelines, renewals, and key compliance points—so you can understand what is required before applying.

What is the “Startup Visa” in Sendai City?

Sendai City’s Startup Visa follows the standard two-step structure used across Japan:

Step 1: Sendai City review (plan confirmation)

Applicants receive support to prepare and submit a Startup Preparation Activity Plan.
If Sendai City determines that the applicant is likely to meet the Business Manager requirements within the permitted preparation period, the city issues a Confirmation Certificate.

Step 2: Immigration review (status approval)

With the Sendai City confirmation certificate and other required materials, the applicant applies to the immigration office.
If approved, the applicant is granted Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) status.

As clearly stated in Sendai City’s materials, the city-issued confirmation certificate supports the immigration application but does not guarantee approval by immigration authorities.

Who can use this program?

Sendai City explains that the program is intended for foreign nationals who:

• intend to start a business in Sendai City, and

• are expected to transition to Business Manager status after the startup preparation period.

The program may also be available to foreign nationals already residing in Japan under certain other statuses, subject to immigration rules.

Target business fields in Sendai City (and how to approach them correctly)

Sendai City limits eligible Startup Visa projects to businesses that are expected to strengthen the city’s international competitiveness and expand employment, and that fall within one of the following industries:

1. Knowledge-creation industries
   Examples: semiconductor-related business, software development, content production, robotics-related business, etc.

2. Health / medical / welfare / education-related industries
   Examples: drug discovery ventures, medical technology development, regenerative medicine, welfare equipment development, education-related businesses, etc.

3. Environment / energy / disaster prevention-related industries
   Examples: clean energy development, next-generation energy storage technologies, products and services related to disaster prevention, etc.

4. Trade / tourism-related industries
   Examples: businesses that contribute to overseas market development for local products, initiatives to attract inbound tourism, etc.

How to approach this correctly:
Applicants should first define their proposed business clearly (product/service, customers, revenue model, operations, timeline). Then they should confirm that the business can be positioned within one of Sendai City’s eligible industries above. The application will be evaluated based on whether the planned business fits these scopes and is credible as a startup project in Sendai.

Why Sendai is attracting foreign entrepreneurs

Sendai City actively presents itself as an attractive base for foreign founders, and this positioning is clearly reflected in its official English-language materials.

Key advantages highlighted by the city include:

Excellent access to Tokyo

Sendai is approximately 90 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen, making it possible to conduct meetings in Tokyo on a day trip while maintaining a business base in Sendai.

Attractive living and startup environment

Sendai is known for its balance of urban convenience and rich natural surroundings.
Compared with the Tokyo metropolitan area, costs such as rent and daily living expenses are relatively lower, making Sendai both livable and suitable for startups.

Extensive and free startup support

Sendai City states that foreign entrepreneurs can receive broad support from experienced staff, including:

• consultation on business content and startup planning

• support related to visa preparation

• assistance with office search

• housing consultation for living in Sendai

• general guidance for starting life in Japan

Importantly, the city explicitly notes that startup consultations are free, which is relatively uncommon among Japanese local government programs.

Step-by-step process in Sendai City

Step 1: Initial consultation 

Sendai City encourages applicants to begin with a consultation.
The city explicitly states that consultations regarding startup and visa preparation are free of charge.

Step 2: Preparation of the Startup Preparation Activity Plan

With support from the designated support framework, the applicant prepares the required plan and related documents.

Step 3: Submission to Sendai City

The completed application package is submitted to Sendai City for review.

Step 4: Review and issuance of Confirmation Certificate

If Sendai City confirms that the plan meets the program’s requirements, it issues a Confirmation Certificate.

Step 5: Immigration application

Using the confirmation certificate and other required materials, the applicant applies to immigration for Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) status.

Required documents (Sendai City confirmation stage)

Based on Sendai City’s published materials, required documents typically include:

• Application form

• Startup Preparation Activity Plan

• Business outline and activity schedule

• Documents showing feasibility and preparation activities

• Passport copy and other identification documents

• Any additional documents requested by Sendai City

Because immigration review is separate, it is important that the Sendai City submission and immigration application are logically consistent.

Timeline (how long does it take?)

Sendai City does not guarantee a fixed processing time.
Actual timelines depend on factors such as document completeness, the maturity of the business plan, and whether additional clarification is required.

Applicants should plan with sufficient time margins, especially if coordinating overseas relocation.

Renewal (up to 2 years total) and transition to Business Manager

Under the national framework, the Startup Preparation status may be renewed, with a maximum total period of up to two years.

During this period, applicants are expected to make steady, verifiable progress toward meeting Business Manager requirements.

Key compliance points (what many applicants misunderstand)

1. Free consultation does not mean guaranteed approval
   Sendai City provides extensive support, but immigration approval remains a separate decision.

2. Preparation activities must be real and continuous
   The system expects actual preparation work—not simply holding the status until later.

3. Business Manager requirements still apply
   The Startup Visa is a preparation route, not a relaxation of the final Business Manager criteria.

How our office can help (Business plan + COE / Immigration support)

Sendai’s Startup Visa program is generous in terms of consultation and lifestyle support.
However, the legal and immigration responsibility still rests with the applicant.

Trust Administrative Scrivener Office supports foreign entrepreneurs by focusing on the immigration and documentation side, including:

• Structuring a Business Manager–oriented business plan

• Aligning Sendai City documents with immigration logic

• Preparing and submitting COE and immigration applications

• Designing a realistic pathway from Startup Preparation to Business Manager

• Advising on compliance, renewals, and documentation strategy

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

• apply directly for Business Manager, or

• use Sendai’s Startup Visa as a structured preparation pathway.

References (official pages used in this article)

• Sendai City: Startup Visa program page

• Sendai City: English startup visa flyer (PDF)

• National framework: Foreign Business Startup Activity Promotion Program (METI)

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