Incorporation

Question:

What are the requirements for obtaining a Business Manager visa in Japan?

Answer:

In order to obtain a Business Manager visa, you must satisfy the conditions for residence status and landing permission. Also, it is necessary to establish a corporation, and to prove the stability and continuity of the business.

Explanation

Eligibility for Resident Status and Compliance for Landing Permission Standards

To obtain the Business Manager visa, you have to meet the standards for the resident status and landing permission.

Eligibility for resident status means that foreigners who apply for a visa are supposed to carry out activities in Japan that fall under the status of residence as stipulated in the Immigration Control Act.

Compliance for landing permission standards is defined for each residence qualification in the “Ministerial Order to Provide for Criteria Pursuant to Article 7, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act” as the standard for landing permissions. Refer to Q74 for details.

Establishment of a Corporation, Etc.

In order to get the Business Manager resident visa, it is common to set up a stock or joint company and to apply as a representative of that company. In addition, the business needs to be conducted properly, and is required to obtain a permit for businesses that need one.

However, many are seeking Business Manager visas as a requirement for their businesses. In such cases, a joint representative such as a Japanese may be appointed if necessary, who may resign once the foreign national obtains their Business Manager visa. For this, the Immigration Bureau needs to clarify that there are co-representatives, their respective roles, and their rational reasons.

Business Stability and Going Concern

In establishing a new company to conduct business, it is necessary to prove its stability and going concern. You must specifically describe the business contents to be conducted with general and administrative expenses such as annual sales forecast, annual purchases forecast, staff remuneration and payroll, etc. For sales, attach the basis for calculating forecasted sales; as for purchases, attach contracts and receipts, etc. Also, show what kind of products are to be purchased and the frequency at which they are sold. In addition, attach receipts for the materials and such that are used for the business and clarify where, what, and how much they were purchased.