The new Business Manager Visa renewal requirements, implemented on October 16, 2025, have raised the bar significantly for foreign entrepreneurs operating in Japan. The process is now stricter and more demanding, and some businesses will find it difficult to comply. If your last renewal was before the amendments took effect, the 3-year grace period gives you time to get there, but the clock is running. 

Key takeaways

• 5 new requirements: Capital Requirement, Full-time Employee Requirement, Japanese Language Proficiency Requirement, Business Experience Requirement, Professional Review of Business Plans
• Requirements that are still required: Business Establishments, Licenses and Permits, Public Taxes and Charges, Financial stability, & Departure from Japan
• 6 essential types of documents you will need for approval: Basic Application Documents, Company and Financial Documents, Evidence of Business Activity, Tax and Compliance Documents
• Startups and small businesses are greatly affected with the new requirements
• Opportunities and blockages from the 3-year grace period
• Consistent compliance and the help of SmartStart Japan are the strongest renewal strategies

What Are the Requirements for Renewing a Business Manager Visa?

There are 5 new essential requirements that must be met to be eligible for renewal of a Business Manager Visa.

1. Capital Requirement

The capital requirement increased from ¥5 million to ¥30 million. According to the Ministerial Ordinance on Landing Criteria, the ¥30 million refers to the business’s investment in the operation. If you’re an individual entrepreneur, the requirement refers to the amount invested in operating the business, such as the cost of the business location, salaries, and other expenses.

2. Full-time Employee Requirement

There must be at least one full-time employee who is a Japanese National, Special Permanent Resident, a foreigner with legal documents evidencing Permanent Residency status, or the spouse of a Japanese National.

3. Japanese Language Proficiency Requirement

This requirement can be fulfilled by you, as the applicant, or a full-time employee. You have 5 ways to complete this requirement.

• A certification of N2 or higher in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT),
• A score of 400 or higher in the Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT)
• Resided in Japan for 20 or more years as a mid-to-long-term resident
• Completed university or higher education in Japan
• Compulsory education and high school education completed in Japan” (Immigration Services Agency).

If registering a full-time employee, they must hold a B2 or higher in the “Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education”.

4. Business Experience Requirement

You, as the applicant, must have at least 3 years of experience in business management. This can include the time spent on activities under the “Designated Activities” (specific visa status) that led to the startup’s establishment. Another option that can fulfill this requirement is holding a master’s degree or higher in business management. 

5. Professional Review of Business Plans

Your business plan document must be examined by an authorized person, such as a certified management consultant for small and medium-sized enterprises, a certified public accountant, or a tax accountant. 

Existing Requirements that Still Matter

The 5 new requirements are not the only things you should focus on; existing requirements have just gotten even stricter. 

Business Establishments: Spaces for establishments must comply with the revised space regulations governing where business activities can be conducted. House spaces will no longer be permitted.  

Licenses and Permits: Must submit all documents that confirm the business’s legal status to operate

Public Taxes and Charges: Must have documentation that proves that all payments are completed. The immigration bureau will mainly focus on labor and social insurance, as well as national and local taxes. 

Financial stability: Often, a short-term financial loss does not negatively affect your chances of renewal. However, if the business is deemed to be deep in debt, you must submit a proposal demonstrating how the company will move forward to ensure stability. 

Departure from Japan: Leaving Japan for an extended period without a valid reason will result in the denial of renewal. 

What Documents Are Required for a Business Manager Visa Renewal?

In addition to the 5 new regulations, 4 new documents are required to demonstrate the business’s adequacy with respect to sustainability and growth. 

Basic Application Documents

• Renewal Forms: Updated forms of the applicant and the activities that are being carried out. These forms must be completed at least 3 months before renewal. You can obtain the forms by pressing the link: Application for Extension of Period of Stay
• Passport
• Residence Card

Company and Financial Documents

• Corporate Registration: The company’s registration with the Legal Affairs Bureau.
• Financial Statements: Financial performance and status of the most recent fiscal year.
• Profit and Loss Statements: The company’s revenue, expenses, and profit or loss of the most recent fiscal year.
• Balance Sheets: Assets, liabilities, and equity at the end of the fiscal year.

Evidence of Business Activity

• Customer Contracts: Agreement between client and company from the past 12 months.
• Invoices: Records of goods and services provided and customers’ payment requests from the last 6 to 12 months.
• Sales Records: Revenue, customer purchases, and business transactions of the most recent fiscal year.
• Marketing Material: Current websites, advertisements, social media pages, promotions. 

Tax and Compliance Documents

• Corporate Tax Records: Most recent 1 to 3 years of tax filings and payments.
• Local Tax Records: Prefectural and municipal taxes, including resident and enterprise taxes from 1 year to 3 years ago.
• Social Insurance Documentation: Japan’s health insurance and pension system from the most recent year.
• Labor Insurance Records: workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance from the most recent year.

Additional Documents Related to New Requirements

• Employee Records: Current employment contracts, payroll records, organizational charts, and staff information
• Business Plan Reviews: Assessment documentation from the past few months.
• Language Proficiency Evidence: JLPT certification or other documents that prove your language fluency (Refer to Japanese Language Proficiency Requirement section above).
• Capital Documentation: Most current bank records, investment agreements, assets, shareholder contributions, or proof of paid-in capital.

Are You Affected by the New Business Manager Visa Renewal Requirements?

For large corporations, these new requirements will not have a drastic effect, as they have the capital and employee headcount. However, these regulations will have a major impact on two types of business managers: startup founders and small foreign business owners.

Bringing Your Family on a Business Manager Visa SmartStart Japan

Startups often have limited funding at the outset and operate at a loss during product development. These two factors make it difficult to meet the capital requirement and to demonstrate financial instability in the documents. Also, securing one full-time employee can be difficult if the company is not in a sufficient financial position to pay salaries. 

Small foreign businesses are at risk as well. These businesses often operate with limited resources and rely on steady growth. This can affect their chances of reaching the capital requirement. Small businesses also rely on small, part-time teams; hiring a full-time employee can affect the business’s financial position. Although they may be in strong financial standing and demonstrate growth, failing to meet all requirements will result in the denial of renewal. 

The 3-Year Grace Period Can Make or Break You

Amid the drastic changes, the Ministerial Ordinance Amendments provided residing managers until October 16, 2028, to fulfill all requirements. 

How Does the 3-Year Grace Period Help You?

The Immigration Bureau assesses each case individually, even if the company does not fulfill all the requirements. Providing documentation of the business’s financial stability and growth towards meeting all requirements by the end of the grace period will ensure you receive a visa renewal. However, after October 16, 2028, there will be no leeway. 

What You Must Do During the Grace Period

• Develop a tactic that will help your business reach the ¥30 million capital
• Make financial alterations that will allow you to hire a full-time employee
• Practice your Japanese fluency
• Have your business plan revised by an authorized professional

If You Can’t Make it to ¥ 30 Million, Can You Qualify for the Business Manager Visa Renewal?

One of the biggest concerns among founders is whether startups can obtain renewal under the stricter rules.

A Slim Chance during the 3-Year Grace Period

The immigration bureau strictly assesses whether the company has a realistic path to achieving the requirement by examining its revenue and capital plan, and the scale of its growth. If they view the documentation as adequate proof of the business’s growing success, they will forgive your capital but expect you to reach it by the end of the three years. 

Definite No after a 3 Year Grace Period

Once the grace period is over, the requirements will be entirely enforced. Being in good financial standing and on the pathway to grow will not exempt you from this requirement. 

Different Visas You Should Apply For: HSP Visa, Spouse Visa

If you are aware that you will not be able to reach the ¥ 30 million requirement, then you should look into applying for these types of visas.  

• Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa: This visa operates on a points-based system and offers a 5-year duration, with the opportunity to obtain a permanent residency visa. Those who qualify fall into the categories of advanced academic researchers, specialized technical workers, or senior business managers. The points system evaluates an individual’s qualifications, age, experience, and language level. They must score at least 70, but with a score of 80+, they can apply for permanent residency in a year. 
• Spouse Visa: This visa authorizes the holder to live and work in Japan. You must present official marriage documents for your marriage to a Japanese National. To apply for permanent residency, you must have lived in Japan for a year and been married for 3 years. 

Why Can a Denial of Your Renewal Put Your Business at Risk?

For starters, you will lose your residency status, which will prevent you from legally remaining in the country. This will strip you of your manager role, and the business operations will quickly become untenable, as the entire team: suppliers, employees, and investors, rely on you. After losing the visa, your support can diminish due to the loss of client relationships and partnerships. Overall, it can be a massive setback to your business goals and achievements.

 How Can A Professional Advisor Help With a Business Manager Visa Renewal?

SmartStart Japan is a consultancy that specializes in assisting foreign entrepreneurs in entering and growing in the Japanese market.

How can SmartStart Japan Help You?

Navigating the new Business Manager Visa renewal requirements alone can be overwhelming. Our main priority is to make your dreams a reality. With a 100% success rate in business manager visa approvals, we can assure you of the right guidance and protection. The new regulations may be demanding, but our Done-For-You Visa and Business Support helps you by preparing your documentation, securing an office space, and applying for the visa. Our timeframe for receiving your visa is about 3 to 9 months. Even after your approval, we continue to stand by you, providing assistance with resident registration and opening a bank account. If you have any questions, feel free to sign up for our free 30-minute consultation offer.