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

Yokohama City operates a Startup Visa under Japan’s Foreign Entrepreneurship Activity Promotion Program.
This system allows eligible foreign entrepreneurs to stay in Japan under the “Designated Activities” residence status while preparing to meet the full requirements for the Business Manager visa.

Under this framework, Yokohama City first reviews and confirms the startup preparation plan, and only then does the applicant proceed to immigration procedures.
The program is designed specifically for foreign founders who need a structured preparation period before formally establishing and operating a business in Japan.

What is the Yokohama Startup Visa?

Yokohama City’s Startup Visa is part of the METI-based Foreign Entrepreneurship Activity Promotion Program, not the National Strategic Special Zone system.

Under this program:

• Yokohama City examines the feasibility and appropriateness of the applicant’s startup preparation activity plan

• If approved, Yokohama issues a confirmation certificate

• The applicant then applies to Immigration using that certificate

• Immigration makes the final decision on residence status

The visa granted is Designated Activities (Startup Preparation), which is intended strictly for active business preparation, not passive residence.

Why Yokohama? (Official and practical context)

Yokohama is one of Japan’s largest designated cities and part of the Greater Tokyo metropolitan economy.
From an administrative standpoint, Yokohama positions itself as a city that promotes innovation-driven, high-value business creation, rather than general commercial activity.

This policy orientation is reflected directly in its restricted target business fields, which focus on technology, knowledge-intensive industries, and new business models.

Who can apply？

According to Yokohama City’s official guidance, the program is available to:

• Foreign nationals

• Who intend to start a new business in Yokohama City

• And who will engage in startup preparation activities that meet the city’s policy objectives

Even if Yokohama confirms a plan, Immigration remains the final decision-maker for residence status.

Target business scope in Yokohama

Yokohama City clearly limits the Startup Visa to specific business fields.

Eligible business fields

According to Yokohama City’s official criteria, the following categories are eligible:

• Businesses using innovative technologies, such as AI and DX (Digital Transformation)

• Health and medical-related businesses

• Knowledge-intensive and high value-added businesses

• Businesses aiming to create new products, services, or business models

Explicitly excluded businesses

Yokohama City states that the following are not eligible:

• General wholesale or retail businesses

• Trading companies and import/export businesses

• Restaurants

• Accommodation / hospitality businesses

• Ordinary service businesses

This means Yokohama’s Startup Visa is not suitable for general commerce, even if such businesses are otherwise lawful under a Business Manager visa.

Applicants must ensure that their business clearly fits within the eligible categories before applying.

Language requirement: Japanese documentation is mandatory

Yokohama City explicitly states that application documents must be prepared in Japanese.

This requirement applies to:

• Startup preparation activity plans

• Application forms

• Supporting documentation submitted to the city

Applicants who are not comfortable drafting formal documents in Japanese should plan accordingly before applying.

Step-by-step process

While procedural wording may vary, Yokohama’s Startup Visa follows the standard METI-based flow:

Step 1: Prepare and submit a startup preparation activity plan to Yokohama City

The applicant submits the required Japanese-language documents to Yokohama City for review.

Step 2: City review and confirmation

Yokohama examines whether the proposed startup preparation activity is appropriate, feasible, and aligned with its policy objectives.
If approved, the city issues a startup preparation activity confirmation certificate.

Step 3: Immigration application

Using Yokohama’s confirmation certificate, the applicant applies to Immigration for the Designated Activities residence status.

Step 4: Startup preparation period

If Immigration approves the application, the applicant stays in Japan and actively conducts startup preparation activities under the city’s monitoring framework.

Step 5: Transition to Business Manager

Once the applicant satisfies the substantive requirements, they apply to change their status to Business Manager.

Required documents

Yokohama City publishes required forms and instructions on its official website.

Rather than fixing a static checklist in this article, applicants should expect documents such as:

• A startup preparation activity plan

• A schedule or roadmap for business establishment

• The applicant’s resume

• A pledge or declaration

• Passport copy

• Documents showing residence and living expenses

• Other materials required by Yokohama City for assessment

Applicants must always use the latest official templates provided by Yokohama City.

Monitoring and interviews during the preparation period

Yokohama’s Startup Visa includes progress monitoring during the preparation period.
Applicants are required to demonstrate that they are actively carrying out the approved startup preparation activities.

Failure to engage in genuine preparation activities may result in adverse consequences for residence status.

Submission vs. inquiry

This point is unique to Yokohama and important.

• Submission and formal administration: Yokohama City

• Startup Visa inquiry and consultation desk:
  A private operator designated by the city, An-Nahal Co., Ltd. 

Applicants may be directed to An-Nahal for consultation and procedural guidance, while the legal authority and confirmation remain with Yokohama City.

Key compliance points

• City confirmation does not guarantee Immigration approval

• The Startup Visa is a preparation route, not a substitute for Business Manager requirements

• Only businesses within Yokohama’s strict target fields are eligible

• All documents must be prepared in Japanese

How our office can help

Trust Administrative Scrivener Office supports foreign entrepreneurs applying under Yokohama’s Startup Visa by focusing on:

• Structuring a startup preparation plan that fits Yokohama’s narrow target scope

• Preparing documentation that aligns with both city review and immigration standards

• Supporting Japanese-language documentation

• Designing a realistic and compliant path to the Business Manager status

Official references

• Yokohama City (official): Startup Visa / Foreign Entrepreneurship Activity Promotion Program

• Yokohama City (official): Target business fields and application guidance

• Yokohama City (official): Startup Visa inquiry desk information (An-Nahal Co., Ltd.)

📩 Contact (General Inquiries & Communication)

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