Japan to tighten rules for foreign business manager visas from October

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency has proposed changes to the requirements for foreign nationals seeking the “Business Manager” visa, raising the bar for investment and documentation. The revised rules are scheduled for promulgation in early October 2025 and will take effect in mid-October.

Under the draft ordinance, applicants for the “Business Manager” status will need to meet stricter conditions. The minimum capital or total investment required will be increased from ¥5 million to ¥30 million. In addition, applicants must employ at least one full-time staff member residing in Japan, and both conditions must be satisfied.

The government will also introduce new qualifications for applicants. They must either hold a graduate or professional degree in management or a related field, or demonstrate at least three years of management or administrative experience, including certain preparatory activities carried out in Japan under designated status.


Supporting documents will also face tighter scrutiny. Business plans must be reviewed by an expert in business management. Applicants will be required to submit both proof of capital or investment and documentation on employees, such as payroll records and residency certificates. In the past, only one type of document was sufficient.

For visa renewal applications, the same dual-document requirement will apply. The option of submitting “other documents” to demonstrate business scale will be removed. Applicants must now provide both employee-related documents and capital proof.

The Immigration Services Agency said the revisions align with Japan’s comprehensive policy on accepting and integrating foreign human resources. The measures are intended to ensure more appropriate acceptance of foreign entrepreneurs, while considering the impact on industry and daily life in Japan.