What is a business management visa?
The "business management" visa is a status of residence created for foreigners to engage in business management in Japan.
Business management patterns
1. Activities to start a new business and manage it or engage in the management of that business
2. Activities to join an already established business and manage it or engage in the management of that business
3. Activities to manage or engage in the management of that business on behalf of someone who is already managing a business
Qualifications to run a business in Japan
The statuses of residence (visas) that allow foreigners to run a business in Japan are limited to the following, including the Business Management visa.
1. Business Management
2. Permanent Resident
3. Spouse of a Japanese National
4. Spouse of a Permanent Resident
5. Long-Term Resident
6. Highly Skilled Professional No. 1 (H) (Activities to manage or engage in the management of a business in a public or private institution in Japan)
7. Highly Skilled Professional No. 2 (for those who have been active in Highly Skilled Professional No. 1 for 3 years or more)
*Visas No.2 to No.5 are called "status-based statuses of residence" and have no employment restrictions, allowing you to work in any occupation.
Characteristics of the business manager visa
1. Investment of 5 million yen or more is required
2. Secure an office separate from your home (a corporate contract for business purposes is required)
3. Engage in business management work
4. A business plan is required (explaining the continuity and stability of the business)
Requirements for Business Manager Visa
In order for an applicant to engage in trade or other business in Japan or engage in activities to manage said business, he/she must meet all of the following requirements.
① An office for operating the business must exist in Japan.
However, if the business has not yet commenced, a facility to be used as an office must be secured.
② The scale of the business pertaining to the application must meet one of the following requirements.
A. The business must be operated by two or more full-time employees residing in Japan other than those engaged in its management or management.
B. The amount of capital or total investment must be 5 million yen or more.
C. The scale must be deemed to be equivalent to A or B.
③ If the applicant intends to engage in the management of a business, he/she must have more than three years of experience in business management or management (including the period spent majoring in business management or management-related subjects at graduate school) and receive remuneration equal to or greater than the remuneration a Japanese person would receive if he/she were engaged in the same business.
Securing a "business location"
A virtual office is not recognized as a business location because it does not have a physical presence.
Even if you rent a property, a short-term contract or a month-to-month contract does not meet the requirement of "continuity," so it is not recognized as a business location.
In principle, it is not permitted to use your home as a business location.
However, if a corporation enters into a contract to use a separate section of your home (equipped with equipment necessary for the business, such as a telephone, fax, PC, and copy machine) for business purposes, it may be permitted.
Regarding the "scale of the business"
If a foreigner establishes a company, they need capital or investment of 5 million yen or more, and they must prove how they raised the funds.
If they use their own funds, they need a copy of their bankbook, and if they borrow, they need documents such as a loan agreement and a repayment plan.
If you employ two or more full-time employees, you can apply for capital or investment of less than 5 million yen.
However, full-time employees are limited to Japanese nationals or foreign nationals with status-based residence status visas (permanent resident, spouse or child of a Japanese national, spouse or child of a permanent resident, long-term resident).
Submitting a "Business Plan"
The business plan must include future income, expenses, profit and loss, and the basis for calculation, and explain "why you want to do this business" and "how you will achieve it."
This will show that the business you have applied for is stable and continuous, and that the foreign manager has management ability.
A business plan is the most important document for a foreigner to obtain a business manager visa.
Points to note about the Business Manager Visa
Before applying for a Business Manager Visa, you must do the following:
Establish a company (invest 5 million yen or more)
Secure an office
About "Establishing a Company"
When a foreigner establishes a company in Japan, the establishment method differs greatly between A: "If you are already living in Japan" and B: "If you are living overseas".
Case A: You can establish a company smoothly because you can open a personal bank account.
Case B: To establish a company in Japan, you must first open a personal bank account in Japan and transfer capital to it to prove your investment, but foreigners living overseas cannot open a bank account.
Therefore, you need a collaborator to open a bank account.
Also, when a foreigner secures a place of business in Japan, you cannot obtain a seal certificate in Japan, so the presence of a collaborator is also important when creating a rental contract.
In this way, a collaborator is always necessary for foreigners living overseas.
In addition, there are costs involved in the preparation stage, such as establishing a company and securing real estate, but if the application is not approved, these investments may be wasted.
For this reason, careful preparation, including a business plan, is necessary.
Even if permission is granted, it takes several months to obtain permission, so it will take time before you can record sales. A business plan with ample time to spare is necessary.
Our office provides free consultations on business manager visas, including company establishment.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.