How to Apply for a Business Manager Visa②～If You Don’t Have a Collaborator in Japan

If you plan to manage a company in Japan, you will need a Business Manager Visa. When a foreigner intends to start a new business in Japan, the application for a one-year visa will be pursued if they have a collaborator in Japan, and a four-month visa if they do not. The collaborator can be either Japanese or a foreigner. However, if the collaborator is a foreigner, they must have a Permanent Resident or a status-related visa (Spouse of Japanese National, Spouse of Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident).

This article is recommended for:
・Those interested in a Business Manager Visa in Japan
・Those who don’t have Japanese collaborators or supporters in Japan and are considering obtaining a Business Manager Visa

Cases Without Collaborators in Japan (4-Month Visa)

If there are no collaborators in Japan, the applicant can enter Japan on a tourist visa or similar and aim for a 4-month Business Manager Visa. The process involves the following steps:

Preparation:
The applicant must prepare proof of investment capital, an outline of the office rental property in Japan, and a business plan. Once these are ready, the applicant enters Japan on a tourist visa, applies for the 4-month Business Manager Visa Certificate of Eligibility, then exits Japan. Upon receiving the Certificate of Eligibility, the applicant re-enters Japan, completes the office rental agreement, establishes the company, and applies for the renewal of the Business Manager Visa to switch to a 1-year visa.

This method faces challenges such as tight timelines for finding an office, signing a lease, and registering the company within the 4-month visa period. Additionally, if the applicant does not have a personal bank account in Japan, they must open one immediately upon arrival. Since a long-term visa (more than 4 months) is usually required to open a personal bank account, the applicant cannot open an account with just a tourist visa. Many banks also require a certain period of stay in Japan before opening an account, and major banks often refuse to open accounts. In such cases, options are limited to Japan Post Bank or credit unions, with account creation taking 1-3 weeks. Therefore, opening a bank account might leave very little time for other tasks.

Procedure Flow

Consultation with Administrative Scrivener:
The administrative scrivener will review your current situation, the business type you wish to establish, the capital investment, and the business plan. They will explain the feasibility of obtaining the Business Manager Visa, necessary procedures, costs, and process. If everything is acceptable, a contract will be signed.
After the meeting, our office will collect an initial fee of 50,000 yen (non-refundable under any circumstances).
Preparation in Home Country
Prepare a balance certificate from your home country’s bank, provide details about the business you intend to pursue, and draft the Articles of Incorporation and business plan. The administrative scrivener will collect details of suitable office properties in Japan.
Entry on Tourist Visa, Contract, and 4-Month Visa Application
Once preparation is complete, enter Japan on a tourist visa, sign a contract with the administrative scrivener, and apply for the 4-month Business Manager Visa Certificate of Eligibility.
Note: The administrative scrivener can handle the application at the immigration office, but either the applicant or their representative must be present in Japan. If there is no collaborator, the applicant must be in Japan for the application.～Approximately 40-60 days from consultation to application submission to the immigration office～
Additional Document Submission (if required)
After submitting the application, the immigration office may request additional documents. The administrative scrivener will collect and submit these documents after confirming the purpose with the immigration office. Cooperation from the client may be required. Failure to submit requested documents will likely result in denial.
Receipt of Certificate of Eligibility or Denial Notification
The administrative scrivener will notify you immediately upon receiving the Certificate of Eligibility or a denial notice. Results are typically available 2-3 months after submission.If Approved:
5-1. Receipt of Residence Permit
Upon approval, the administrative scrivener will collect the COE from the Immigration Bureau and send it to the client after receiving the service fees. Subsequently, proceed with the office lease and other procedures.If Denied:
5-2. Visit to Immigration Office
⇒ If denied, the administrative scrivener will confirm the reasons for denial with the immigration office and inform you of possible solutions and the timeline for reapplying.

Conditions for Business Manager Visa

Below are the necessary conditions for obtaining a Business Manager Visa. Conditions ① is the minimum requirements, with condition ② being the key point. Conditions ③ and ④ apply to managers, but having these conditions will also facilitate obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility for business owners.

① Proof of Capital: You must provide proof of at least 5 million yen in capital. It does not need to be from a Japanese bank; a balance certificate from your home country’s bank is acceptable.

② Demonstrating Business Legitimacy and Continuity:

Legitimacy of Management: The company’s Articles of Incorporation and the applicant’s educational and professional background must prove that the management of the company is legitimate and the business has continuity.
Avoiding Misuse of Visa: The Immigration Bureau may suspect that the visa might be used to work in other jobs instead of managing the company, like factory labor.
Significant Investment: Starting a business requires substantial investment and a comprehensive market survey, business plan, and sufficient capital.
Relevance to Background: The business should ideally align with the applicant’s previous education, career, and qualifications to increase the likelihood of success.
Importance of a Detailed Business Plan: A detailed and well-prepared business plan related to the applicant’s background is essential for demonstrating the legitimacy of the business and securing the Business Manager Visa.

③ If the applicant intends to obtain the visa as a “manager” of the business, they must have at least three years of experience in business management or administration (including periods of studying management subjects at graduate school). This condition is not necessarily required for business owners, but having business management experience can be a positive point to prove the intention to manage the business. If the applicant has such experience, it should be reported to the Immigration Bureau.

For business management experience, a corporate registry is sufficient if the applicant served as an executive. For administrative experience, it is generally required to obtain a certificate of employment from the company. If this is not possible due to strained relations after leaving the company, other documents such as payslips may be considered.

④ If the applicant intends to obtain the visa as a “manager,” they must receive a salary equal to or higher than that of a Japanese national. This condition is not necessarily required for business owners, but it serves as a positive point to prove the intention to manage the business. It is also natural for business owners to receive a salary since they are managing the business to earn income. Hence, it is advisable to report this to the Immigration Bureau if the business owner receives a salary. Although the Immigration Bureau does not specify an amount, a monthly salary of at least 200,000 yen is considered desirable.

Estimated Costs

Application for Certificate of Eligibility for Business Manager Visa: From 180,000 yen
Company Establishment Costs: From 200,000 yen
Note: This includes 50,000 yen for registration costs (judicial scrivener’s fee).
In addition to the above, the following costs will be incurred:
- Registration costs: From 150,000 yen (60,000 yen for a limited liability company)
- Notary fee for Articles of Incorporation: From 52,000 yen (0 yen for a limited liability company)
- Other fees such as certification application fees and postal charges
Application fee for 1-year management visa: From 45,000yen

⇒Total costs for application and company establishment: From 537,000 yen
The above amount is the basic fee. Fees may vary depending on the application details. A personalized estimate will be provided upon request. It is also possible to request each application and procedure individually, so please feel free to consult.
Office Rental Agreement Fees:
- Security deposit, key money, guarantee deposit, and intermediary fees at the time of contract: → Equivalent to 1.5 to 3 months of monthly rent
- Rent from contract to start of business: → Typically, 2 to 5 months of rent will be required from the rental contract to the start of business. Some properties may offer several months of free rent.
- Rent Market Price: → In Kitakyushu City, the monthly rent for opening a business alone is expected to be around 50,000 to 100,000 yen.
Office Equipment: → Photos of the office are required as attachments for the Business Manager Visa application. It must be in a state where business can start immediately, so having a telephone, computer, desk, chair, multifunction printer, and nameplate is necessary at a minimum. Depending on the quality chosen, the total preparation cost is expected to be around 200,000 yen.
Permit and License Costs: → If the business to be started requires permits or licenses, these must be obtained separately. Examples: Food and beverage industry, real estate industry, construction industry, hotel industry, private lodging, antique dealer permit, etc. Some permits are simple and can be obtained by oneself, but if the permit application is requested from an administrative scrivener, a reward of about 50,000 to 200,000 yen and the application fee will be required.

About Trust Administrative Scrivener Office

At Trust Administrative Scrivener Office, we support a wide range of services from obtaining a Business Manager Visa and company establishment to various licensing applications. We provide tailored services to meet the individual needs of each client, fully supporting the success and smooth operation of their business. Please feel free to contact us.