Japan to Tighten Business Manager Visa Rules from October 2025

Japan will impose far tougher rules on its Business Manager Visa from mid-October 2025, raising the minimum capital to ¥30 million and requiring at least one full-time resident employee. The reforms follow an amendment to a ministerial ordinance by the Immigration Services Agency and mark the most sweeping change to this visa in more than a decade. Officials say the goal is to curb misuse of the category and draw “serious, growth-minded” investment that creates jobs and lasting value.

Under the new framework, applicants must meet both the higher capital threshold and the employment rule—not one or the other. Degrees and work history will also matter more. Applicants must either hold a graduate or professional degree related to management or show at least three years of management or administrative experience, including certain preparatory activities in Japan under a designated status. The Immigration Services Agency plans to promulgate the rules in early October with a short public comment period, and then bring them into force in mid-October 2025.

Authorities will also tighten documentation. Every business plan must be reviewed by an expert in business management. Applications must include strong proof of capital and investment (such as bank statements and transfer records) and proof of employment (payroll records and residency certificates). Officials expect heavier scrutiny and more back-and-forth requests for evidence once the stricter standards start.

The higher capital bar, from ¥5 million to ¥30 million, is a sixfold jump. It must be fully paid-in capital or total investment in the business. The government argues that the old benchmark was too low and made it too easy for people to treat the Business Manager Visa as a quick path to status rather than as a tool for building real companies in Japan. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the change is likely to deter casual or small-scale applicants while drawing attention from investors ready to launch with larger budgets and staff.

Policy Changes Overview

Starting in October 2025, applicants will face a much more structured process with less room for light paperwork. The Immigration Services Agency describes the main pillars as capital, employment, qualifications, and documentation.

Key requirements at a glance:
– Capital: Provide proof of at least ¥30 million in paid-in capital or total investment into the company.
– Employment: Show at least one full-time staff member who is a resident of Japan, supported by payroll and residency records.
– Qualifications: Provide either a relevant graduate or professional degree or at least three years of management/administrative experience (some preparatory work in Japan may count under a designated status).
– Business plan: Submit a plan that an expert in business management has reviewed and certified.
– Evidence: Include bank statements, transfer slips, payroll, and other records to confirm each requirement.

Business plans must now be detailed, financially sound, and credible to a qualified reviewer. The new system aims to align the visa with real business building rather than status shopping.

Implications:
– The new rules make the path clearer for well-funded founders but raise hurdles for solo operators, freelancers, and very small teams.
– Expect more document requests and scrutiny during review.

Startup Visa as an Alternative

For entrepreneurs who need more time, the nationwide Startup Visa (expanded earlier in 2025) remains a separate route. It offers up to two years to build toward the Business Manager Visa threshold and can help those who cannot immediately put up ¥30 million or hire a full-time worker from day one.

Typical local support available under startup programs:
– Office setup and co-working space access
– Market research and networking support
– Local government or investment agency guidance

Goal: Use the Startup Visa period to meet Business Manager Visa standards by the end of the startup period.

Impact on Applicants and Markets

The new rules will reshape who can enter Japan under this category and how they prepare.

Potential effects:
– Small and medium-sized enterprises, solo founders, and early-stage startups will feel the weight of the ¥30 million requirement and the staffing rule.
– Demand for compliance consulting, legal services, and business planning is expected to rise as founders seek to structure capital injections, time hires, and assemble audit-ready records.
– Regions with lower office costs and strong support programs—such as Fukuoka and Sapporo—may attract founders trying to stretch budgets while meeting visa requirements.
– Secondary cities could see increased demand for co-working spaces and small offices.

Critics’ concerns:
– The reform risks excluding legitimate small operators (niche food brands, small importers, creative studios) that historically contributed to local economies without needing ¥30 million or an immediate full-time hire.
– Lean digital businesses or seasonal ventures may find the new rules mismatched to their true costs and staffing needs.

Supporters’ arguments:
– A higher bar should reduce misuse, encourage earlier team building, and potentially improve job creation and tax revenue.

On timing: many applicants are trying to apply under the old standard before the new rules take effect, but officers and advisors caution that clocks and review timelines vary by office and case complexity.

Timeline and Transition Questions

• The ordinance will be issued in early October 2025 and take effect in mid-October 2025 after a short public comment window.
• People who already hold the Business Manager Visa under the old ¥5 million rule can remain until their current permission ends.
• Renewals after the effective date will likely need to meet the new standards; no confirmed grace period for renewals has been announced.

Officials may publish further guidance before October on:
– Renewal handling
– Verification methods for expert-reviewed business plans
– How preparatory activities in Japan can count toward the experience requirement

Policymakers and regional governments will monitor the early months to assess impacts on foreign direct investment and startup formation. If effects are stronger than expected, adjustments—such as expanded Startup Visa options or region-specific incentives—could be considered.

Practical Steps for Founders Applying Under the New System

Founders should work backward from the checklist and prepare systematically:

1. Build a detailed business plan that can withstand third-party review.
2. Ensure financial projections match the size of the ¥30 million investment and demonstrate the ability to pay a local employee.
3. Secure and document the capital flow into a Japanese bank account, with transfer records tied to the company’s capital table.
4. Time the first full-time hire so payroll and social insurance records are available when filing.
5. Gather diplomas, transcripts, or employer letters to validate your degree or three-plus years of management/administrative experience.
6. Translate documents where necessary and keep records tidy and ready for follow-up.

Recommended professional help:
– Licensed immigration attorneys
– Certified administrative scriveners experienced in the Business Manager Visa
These advisors can help confirm what counts as paid-in capital, verify residency status of hires, and identify weak points in the business plan.

Key Takeaways

• Japan’s Business Manager Visa will require ¥30 million in paid-in capital or total investment and at least one full-time resident employee from mid-October 2025.
• Applicants must also meet stricter qualification and documentation standards, including expert-reviewed business plans.
• The path becomes narrower but more predictable for well-funded founders; those unable to meet new standards should consider the Startup Visa route and plan early.

For official updates, application procedures, and contact points, visit the Immigration Services Agency of Japan: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/