The entire Tokyo Metropolitan Area is designated as a Special Zone for Foreign Entrepreneurship, making it possible to obtain a special management visa.

Table of Contents

What is a Business Manager Visa?

Major Requirements for Acquiring a Business Manager Visa

What is the Tokyo Startup Special Zone Startup Visa?

Features and Requirements for the Startup Visa

~Benefits of Obtaining the Business Manager Visa under the Startup Visa System~

Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages

Summary

 What is a Business Manager Visa?

 The business manager visa is the residence status required for foreigners to manage or administer a business in Japan. Acquiring this visa enables individuals to start a new business within Japan or participate in an existing business to engage in management and administration.

 Major Requirements for Acquiring a Business Manager Visa

•  Securing Business Premises: An independent office in Japan is required.
•  Capital: A minimum capital of at least 30 million yen is required.
•  Specificity of Business Plan: A detailed business plan with a high degree of feasibility must be created and submitted.
• Applicant’s Management Qualifications: Master’s degree in a relevant field or 3 years of management experience is required.
• Full-time employee and Japanese Language Ability Requirement: The company must employ one full-time employee at least. Either the manager or one full-time employee must have Japanese language proficiency.

 After meeting these requirements, submit your application. The review period typically takes approximately 4 to 6 months. During the review, the specificity of the business plan, the source of funds, and the actual status of the office are rigorously examined, and cases of rejection are not uncommon.

 What is the Tokyo Startup Special Zone Startup Visa?

 The Tokyo startup zone startup visa is a special visa relaxation program offered by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government under the National Strategic Special Zones initiative. Designed to facilitate foreign entrepreneurs launching businesses in Japan, it differs from the standard business manager visa.

 Features and Requirements for the Startup Visa

•  Initial Stay Period: A 6-month visa is granted.
•  Progress Checks and Interviews: The Tokyo metropolitan government may request progress reports on the business plan, office inspections, and in-person interviews. However, an immigration lawyer can assist with all of these.
•  Management Experience: Applicants may be required to have prior management experience.

 ~Benefits of Obtaining the Business Manager Visa under the Startup Visa System~

 Compared to standard process of obtaining the business manager visa, it offers the following advantages:

 Processing time:

 Approval can be expected faster than for a standard business manager visa. A shorter review period means costs like office rent during the review period, when business operations cannot commence, can be reduced.

 Specifically, the startup visa review period is approximately 3 to 4 months total, shorter than the standard business manager visa.

 Business Launch Speed:

 Even with a 6-month business manager visa approval, you can start your business immediately. This helps minimize lost opportunities.

 Bank Account Opening:

 With a business manager visa, you can enter the country and open a bank account.

 Company Formation:

 With a residence card, you have a Japanese address and can obtain a seal registration certificate, meaning you can register your seal. This allows you to establish a company immediately.

 Renewal:

 After obtaining the initial 6-month visa, if requirements are met, renewal to a 1-year business manager visa is possible. Longer-term visas, such as 3-year or 5-year visas, are also available thereafter.

 However, the initial renewal application requires an effort comparable to applying for a substantial change of status.

 Permanent Residency/Naturalization:

 If you can renew your visa smoothly, both permanent residency and naturalization will be considerable.

 As outlined above, selecting the appropriate visa is a critical factor directly linked to business success for foreign nationals considering entrepreneurship in Japan. However, failing to assess which visa suits your situation carries the risk of rejection or prolonged processing.

 Therefore, below we provide a detailed explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of the "Standard business manager visa" and the "Tokyo Startup visa," organizing their respective features and acquisition requirements.

 Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages

 Below is a comparison table summarizing the advantages and disadvantages of the regular business manager visa and the Tokyo startup zone startup visa.

 We will explain each item in detail as follows.

 1. Initial Period of Stay

 ~ Regular business manager visa ~

 The initial period of stay is typically 1, 3, or 5 years, but a 4-month permit system also exists as an exception. This 4-month visa is characterized by being obtainable even if business preparations are not yet complete.

 ~ Tokyo startup special zone startup visa ~

 In contrast, the Startup visa limits the initial period of stay to 6 months. Afterward, based on an evaluation of business progress, it may be possible to renew to a 1-year, 3-years, or 5-years business manager visa.

 📌 Key Points

 The key difference is that while the standard business manager visa may allow obtaining a long-term visa of one year or more from the outset, the startup visa requires proving progress every six months.

 2. Processing Period

 ～Regular business manager visa～

 Review takes approximately 4 to 6 months. During this period, the feasibility of the business plan, proof of funding, and the readiness of office space are rigorously examined.

 ~ Tokyo startup special zone startup visa ~

 The processing period for the Startup visa is relatively short, taking about 3 to 4 months. The business plan and management experience are verified, and the visa application is submitted after receiving certification from the Tokyo metropolitan government.

 📌 Key Point

 The Startup visa offers a shorter review period than the standard business manager visa, providing an advantage for those wishing to launch their business in Japan quickly.

 3. Capital Requirements

 ～ Regular business manager visa ～

 Before applying, you must establish a company and prepare a minimum capital of at least 30 million yen. This capital is intended for business operations, so sufficient preparation is required.

 ~ Tokyo startup special zone startup visa ~

For the startup visa, it is possible to prepare capital of 30 million yen or more after entering Japan or after changing your visa status. Since there is no need to prepare a large amount of funds initially, you can create a flexible funding plan.

 📌 Key Point

 A major advantage of the startup visa is that you don't need to prepare capital before obtaining the visa. This lowers the barrier to starting a business by allowing you to postpone the timing of fundraising.

 4. Securing Office Space

 ~ Regular business manager visa ~

 Securing office space is practically mandatory at the visa application stage. A lease agreement for an office or storefront is required.

 ~ Tokyo startup special zone startup visa ~

 It is possible to sign a lease agreement after entering Japan or after changing your visa status. Therefore, there is no need to prepare an office from the start, and you can decide on your business base after obtaining the visa.

 📌 Key Point

 The Startup visa allows flexible timing for securing office space, helping reduce initial costs.

 5. Business Management Experience Requirements

Both options require a master's degree or at least three years of management experience.

 6. Renewal Mechanism

 ~ Regular business manager visa ~

 Renewal is possible for 1, 3, or 5 years based on business performance.

 ~ Tokyo startup special zone startup visa ~

 Initially, a 6-month visa is granted, which can then be renewed for 1 year. Subsequently, based on business progress, the visa can be renewed for 1, 3, or 5 years.

 📌 Key Points

 The startup visa requires its first renewal after 6 months, but subsequent renewals allow for long-term visas same as the standard business manager visa.

 7. Permanent Residence Permit

 ～ Regular business manager visa ～

 Permanent residency can be applied for after 1 to 10 years of residence. Stable business performance is required.

 ~ Tokyo startup special zone startup visa ~

After obtaining a 1-year visa, you can apply for permanent residency after 1 to 10 years. In practice, it is common to apply after being granted long-term residency.

 📌 Key Points

 Both visas offer the potential for permanent residency, making them advantageous for those wishing to conduct business in Japan long-term.

 8. Naturalization

 ～ Regular business manager visa ～

 Naturalization is possible after 3 to 5 years of residence. This requires a stable foundation for life in Japan.

 ~ Tokyo startup special zone startup visa ~

 After obtaining a 1-year visa, naturalization is possible after 3 to 5 years of residence.

 📌 Key Points

 Even starting with a startup visa, transitioning to a business manager visa opens the possibility of naturalization, allowing you to consider acquiring Japanese nationality.

 Summary

 The standard business manager visa and the Tokyo startup special zone startup visa each have distinct characteristics and respective advantages and disadvantages. The startup visa offers advantages such as relaxed initial capital requirements and support from the Tokyo metropolitan government. However, its initial residence period is only 6 months, requiring you to get your business operational within that timeframe. Conversely, the standard business manager visa may grant a longer initial residence period but requires meeting strict conditions, including capital and securing office space.

 It is crucial to select the most suitable visa based on your specific business plan and circumstances. We recommend seeking expert advice when applying.