Japan's Business Manager visa now needs JPY 30 million: what changed and who is affected
Japan's Business Manager visa has long been one of the cheaper ways for a foreign entrepreneur to get a residence status in a G7 country. That has changed. From 16 October 2025, the capital requirement rose from JPY 5 million to JPY 30 million (roughly USD 200,000 at recent exchange rates).
What changed
The revised rules, as summarised by law firms and consultancies tracking the reform, include:
- Capital of at least JPY 30 million invested in the business, up from JPY 5 million.
- At least one full-time employee who is a Japanese national or permanent resident. The older alternative of hiring two employees instead of meeting the capital test no longer applies.
- Japanese language ability at about JLPT N2 / CEFR B2 level, or an equivalent (for the applicant or a qualifying staff member, depending on the case).
- A master's degree or three years of management experience for the applicant.
- A business plan assessed by a qualified professional, such as a certified small and medium-sized enterprise consultant or accountant.
Transition period
People who already hold a Business Manager status were given a transition period running to 15 October 2028, during which renewals are assessed with some flexibility. If you hold the visa today, check how your renewal will be treated well before it falls due.
Who this affects
- Aspiring founders who budgeted around JPY 5 million now need roughly six times that amount, and must show it is genuinely invested in the company.
- Freelancers and consultants who used a small company as a visa vehicle will find the staffing and language requirements harder.
- Startups with investors may still qualify if the capital is raised through the company, but the full-time local employee rule is firm.
Alternatives to consider
Japan has other routes that may suit you better than a company of your own:
- The Highly Skilled Professional points system, which rewards degrees, salary, experience and Japanese ability.
- Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services work visas with a sponsoring employer.
- Startup visa programmes run by some municipalities, which can give a temporary status while you build the business.
What to do next
- Confirm the current requirements with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan or a gyoseishoshi (immigration administrative scrivener).
- Check whether the capital must be in cash, and whether the amount counts only once paid in.
- Plan your first-year payroll and office lease, because they count towards the credibility of your plan.
- Compare the cost of this route with an employed work visa before you commit.
Because this rule changed recently and guidance is still settling, treat any figure you read on older blogs, including those quoting JPY 5 million, as outdated.
Visa Ray is a rule-based reference tool, not a law firm. Rules and fees change, so always confirm current figures with the official government source before you apply. You can run a free assessment on Visa Ray to see which pathways fit your profile.