Japan Immigration News

Business management visa requirements to be tightened from next week

Release Date: 2025-10-10
Media: Japan Times
Summary: Starting next Thursday, Japan will tighten requirements for foreign nationals applying for business manager visas, the Immigration Services Agency announced.

Key changes include:

* Minimum capital requirement raised from ¥5 million to ¥30 million (about $197,000).
* Applicants must have at least one full-time employee** who is a Japanese national or a long-term foreign resident.
* Either the applicant or an employee must show business-level Japanese proficiency (e.g., JLPT N2 or CEFR B2).
* Applicants must have at least three years of management experience or a graduate degree in business or a related field.
* Tax and social insurance payment record* will be checked during renewals.
* Passive investment activities, such as property purchases or outsourced management, will no longer qualify.

Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki said the stricter standards are intended to prevent abuse of the visa as a shortcut to residency and to ensure applicants are engaged in genuine business operations.

As of the end of 2024, there were 41,615 business manager visa holders, up from 31,808 in 2022; Chinese nationals made up over half.

Transitional measures will apply until October 16, 2028, allowing renewals under the old standards if businesses are performing well, but all holders must meet the new criteria afterward.
Tags: Business Manager

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