Who this is for
- Foreign nationals starting a company or sole proprietorship in Japan
- People working as managers in a business in Japan
- People considering an extension of Business Manager status or a change from another status of residence
Main application and consultation offices:Regional Immigration Services Bureau. For an application for a Certificate of Eligibility, the competent office is determined by the intended place of residence if the applicant applies in person, or by the location of the receiving organization, among other factors, if an agent applies. For a change of status or extension, the competent office is the one with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence.
Covered activities and the distinction between business owners and managers
Business Manager covers activities involving the management of a trade or other business in Japan, or the administration of such a business. Explain the actual responsibility for important matters such as business policy, funding, and staffing. Merely investing in a business or being listed as an officer in the company registry is not sufficient. Managing or administering a business that may legally be conducted only by a person qualified to perform legal or accounting services is excluded.
New criteria concerning business scale and the applicant’s work history also apply to employed managers, who must receive remuneration at least equivalent to that paid to a Japanese national engaged in the same work. It may also be an issue if most of the work is outsourced and the applicant does not engage in day-to-day business management.
Main New Standards Effective October 16, 2025
In addition to securing a business office, you must employ at least one full-time employee and have a business scale of at least ¥30 million. For a corporation, this is determined by paid-in capital or the total amount of contributions; rent, salaries, and capital reserves cannot be added. For a sole proprietorship, rather than capital, the total amount invested in the business is assessed, including the cost of securing an office, one year of employee salaries, and investment in equipment.
For the employment requirement, the employee must reside in Japan and be a Japanese national, a Special Permanent Resident, or a person with the status of residence of Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, or Long-Term Resident. Employing only foreign nationals with work-authorizing statuses of residence does not satisfy this requirement. Working days, hours, and conditions of employment are also checked; dispatched workers and contractors, among others, are not counted as full-time employees for this purpose.
The applicant or a full-time employee must have Japanese-language ability equivalent to at least B2, on the assumption that they reside in Japan. This can be demonstrated, for example, by JLPT N2 or higher, or a BJT score of 400 or higher. Foreign nationals with work-authorizing statuses of residence may also count as the employee meeting this Japanese-language requirement; the persons eligible differ from those for the employment requirement. The applicant must have a doctorate, master's degree, or professional degree in a related field, or at least three years of management or administration experience.
Renewals and Transitional Rules for Current Residents
If a person who held the status of residence of Business Manager before the amendment applies for renewal by October 16, 2028, the application will not be denied solely because they do not meet the new standards. However, their business situation and prospects for meeting the new standards, among other matters, will be reviewed. This does not exempt them from issues relating to taxes, insurance, or labor laws.
In principle, subsequent renewals require compliance with the new standards. However, where the business is performing well, tax obligations have been properly fulfilled, and there is a prospect of meeting the standards by the next renewal, the decision will be made in light of other aspects of the person's residence status as well. It is inaccurate to say that anyone below ¥30 million must automatically return to their home country.
Applications accepted by October 15, 2025, that are still under review are subject to the old standards. For changes from the startup-preparation period under Designated Activities No. 44 or No. 51, the old standards may also apply depending on the date the confirmation certificate was issued and the dates of application and residence. This is not an exception common to all Designated Activities, so the terms of the designation and the relevant dates must be checked.
Supporting materials:[2]
COE, Change, Renewal, and Affiliated Organization Categories
For entry from overseas, apply for a Certificate of Eligibility. In Japan, apply for a change when switching from another status of residence, or for a renewal when continuing the same activities. Required documents differ according to the category of the affiliated organization. For Categories 1 and 2, some supporting documents are generally waived, but the permission requirements still apply.
Category 3 applies to organizations that submitted the total legal-records statement for the previous year and are not in Category 2. Category 4 applies to organizations that do not fall under another category. From April 15, 2026, a declaration concerning the affiliated organization's representative is additionally required when engaging in business management at a Category 3 or 4 organization. The items below are examples of main documents, not a complete list of requirements common to everyone.
Checking required documents and where to obtain them
The documents listed are representative examples. Required materials vary depending on the type of application, such as an application for a Certificate of Eligibility, change, or extension, as well as your current status of residence, affiliated organization, nationality, and family relationships. Additional materials may be requested for individual cases.
Main Documents to Be Prepared by the Applicant
Application form, photograph, and identity documents appropriate to the application type
- Purpose
- Provide information about the applicant and the activities they plan to undertake.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Application forms are available on the official Immigration Services Agency website. Passports are issued by the relevant country's issuing authority; Residence Cards are issued by the Immigration Services Agency.
- Points to check
- The forms differ for applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change, and renewal. For an in-person Certificate of Eligibility application, check whether a return envelope or similar item is required; for a change or renewal, check the requirements for presenting the passport and Residence Card. Whether a photograph is required depends on the application conditions.
Supporting materials:[1]
Degree certificate or résumé and certificate of employment
- Purpose
- Demonstrate the applicant's relevant degree or management or administration experience.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- The university or other institution that awarded the degree, and previous employers. The applicant prepares the résumé.
- Points to check
- Prepared mainly for applications for a Certificate of Eligibility or change. The work history should indicate the duties and period of employment. A startup-preparation period under Designated Activities specified by public notice may be counted in some cases.
Main Documents to Be Prepared by the Business or Employer
Business plan evaluated by a qualified professional
- Purpose
- Explain the business's specificity, rationality, and feasibility.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Prepared by the business operator and evaluated by a Japanese certified management consultant, certified public accountant, or licensed tax accountant.
- Points to check
- This applies to business plans submitted with applications for a Certificate of Eligibility or change. Company officers and employees cannot serve as evaluators. An evaluation by a qualified professional may also be requested for renewals during the transitional period.
Certificate of registered matters, balance sheet, and financial statements
- Purpose
- Show the business activities, scale of capital and other resources, and business performance.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Obtain the certificate of registered matters from the Legal Affairs Bureau; the business operator prepares the accounting documents.
- Points to check
- Mainly for Categories 3 and 4. For a Certificate of Eligibility application, prepare a balance sheet at establishment or another relevant point even if the financial year has not yet ended. For a renewal, prepare the most recent financial statements and, for a corporation, the registration documents; also check documents such as the total legal-records statement used to verify the category.
Documents showing salary payments to full-time employees, certificates of residence, and Japanese-language proficiency documents
- Purpose
- Show the actual employment, the status of the relevant employees, and compliance with the Japanese-language requirement.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Salary documents: employer; certificates of residence: municipal office; test certificates: administering organization; graduation certificates: school.
- Points to check
- Prepare these according to the category for applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change, or renewal. The applicant may also demonstrate their own Japanese-language ability. For persons other than Japanese nationals and Special Permanent Residents, check the official methods of proof, such as test results or graduation from a higher education institution in Japan.
Documents on duties and remuneration, and declaration concerning the representative
- Purpose
- Clarify the applicant's position, assigned duties, and remuneration.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- The company prepares documents such as minutes recording directors' remuneration, a letter of dispatch, or an employment contract. The declaration uses an Immigration Services Agency reference form.
- Points to check
- For applications for a Certificate of Eligibility or change, documents on duties depend on the form of appointment, transfer, or employment. For managers at Category 3 and 4 organizations, check the representative declaration for applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change, and renewal.
Supporting materials:[1]
Office lease and registration documents, and business license or permit documents
- Purpose
- Show that a business office has been secured and that the business can operate lawfully.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Lease agreement: contract with the landlord; registration documents: Legal Affairs Bureau; license or permit: government agency responsible for the business.
- Points to check
- Office documents are mainly checked for applications for a Certificate of Eligibility or change; license or permit documents may also be checked for renewals. If there is a legitimate reason why a required license or permit cannot be obtained before permission to reside is granted, explain the specific reason and provide information on its acquisition status at the next renewal.
Documents to Prepare with Particular Care for a Renewal
Statement of management and administration activities during the most recent period of residence
- Purpose
- Explain the specific management and administration activities carried out in Japan.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Prepared by the applicant and business operator in a format of their choice.
- Points to check
- Mainly a renewal document for Categories 3 and 4. If anything has changed since the previous application, also state the reason. Those covered by transitional measures should be prepared to explain the prospects for meeting the new standards as well.
Applicant's municipal tax assessment and tax payment certificates
- Purpose
- Show annual income and the payment status of municipal taxes.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- Municipal office for the address as of January 1.
- Points to check
- Checked for renewals in Categories 3 and 4. One certificate containing both sets of information may be sufficient. If the certificate cannot be issued, for example because the person has only recently entered Japan, check with the Immigration Services Agency.
Supporting materials:[1]
Documents showing the business operator’s tax and insurance enrollment and payments
- Purpose
- These demonstrate fulfillment of public obligations imposed on the business operator.
- Issuing office / document preparer
- The tax office, prefectural tax office, municipality, Labour Bureau, pension office, and other relevant authorities.
- Points to check
- For renewals in Categories 3 and 4, prepare all applicable documents according to whether the business is a corporation or sole proprietorship and its enrollment and tax obligations. A sole proprietor with no obligation to enroll in social insurance should confirm an explanation of the non-applicability and their own National Health Insurance documents.
Consultation and application preparation process
- 1
Determine the application type and applicable criteria
Confirm your current status of residence, the date of your previous application, the specified details of your start-up preparation activities, and the date your Certificate of Eligibility was issued. Identify whether the application is for a Certificate of Eligibility, a change, or a renewal, as well as the organization category and whether transitional measures apply.
- 2
Review the business and applicant’s circumstances
Verify the capital and other resources, business premises, employment, Japanese-language ability, and the applicant’s background using supporting documents. The business premises must be appropriate to the scale of the business; using a residence for both purposes is generally not accepted.
- 3
Prepare documents according to the application type
For applications for a Certificate of Eligibility or a change, focus on the business plan and the applicant’s role; for renewals, focus on performance and tax and insurance matters. Cross-check the application form against accounting and employment documents, and attach Japanese translations where required.
Supporting materials:[1]
- 4
Apply to the office with jurisdiction and respond to requests for additional information
Check the latest list of required documents before applying. If additional documents are requested, explain specifically what was missing. Even after a Certificate of Eligibility is issued, a separate visa application and landing examination are required.
Points to check before applying
- Waivers of documents or transitional measures do not guarantee permission. Failure to fulfill tax or insurance obligations, failure to obtain required business licenses, and long-term departures from Japan without a valid reason may also raise issues during the examination.
- As a rule, submit certificates issued in Japan within three months of their issue date. Foreign-language documents generally require Japanese translations, although exceptions apply to some English-language employment and degree certificates. Check each case against the latest official list.
This page provides general information about the system and does not determine individual cases or guarantee permission or approval. Required documents and requirements vary depending on individual circumstances. When applying, check the latest official information and consult an administrative scrivener about the procedures suited to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be granted permission if I prepare 30 million yen in capital?
No. Employment, Japanese-language ability, the applicant’s degree or experience, business premises, and actual business activities are also examined. Salary and rent cannot be added to a corporation’s capital. Permission is not determined solely by company registration.
Is the representative personally required to pass JLPT N2?
The system does not require the representative alone to prove this; a full-time employee may meet the requirement as well. There are also officially prescribed methods other than the JLPT. However, distinguish the employees who demonstrate Japanese-language ability from those who meet the employment requirements based on the scale of the business.
Supporting materials:[2]
If I am covered by transitional measures for renewal, can I also apply for permanent residence under the old criteria?
The same treatment does not apply. The Immigration Services Agency’s explanation of the amendment states that permission for permanent residence will not be granted to applicants whose Business Manager or other status does not meet the new criteria after the amendment takes effect. Confirm separately whether renewal is possible and whether the requirements for permanent residence are met.
Supporting materials:[2]
Official Immigration and Legal Affairs Sources
Check the following official pages for application forms and the latest required submission materials. Official materials are displayed in Japanese or other languages provided by each organization.
- [1] Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Status of Residence “Business Manager” (documents to be submitted for applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change, or renewal)
- [2] Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Amendments to the Ministerial Ordinance on Landing Permission Criteria for the Status of Residence “Business Manager” (criteria, transitional measures, and Q&A)
- [3] Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Activities covered by the Status of Residence “Business Manager” and landing permission criteria
- [4] Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Application for issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility