Due to the ministerial ordinance amendment promulgated on October 10, 2025, the requirements for renewing a Business Manager Visa have become significantly stricter than before. Even if you go through the trouble of obtaining the visa, everything will be lost if your renewal application is denied.
To secure approval for future Business Manager Visa renewals, there are two critical points you must understand:

[Point 1] Meeting the new requirements (or proving that you are expected to meet them)
[Point 2] Meeting the existing requirements, which are now enforced more strictly

This article explains these two points in detail.

Note: The official name of the Business Manager Visa is the “Status of Residence: Business Manager.” However, this article uses the commonly known term “Business Manager Visa” for clarity.

[Point 1] Meeting the New Requirements (or Proving the Prospect of Doing So)

Although a grace period has been established, meeting the newly introduced requirements is, in principle, necessary to obtain approval for a Business Manager Visa renewal. Below is an explanation of the new requirements and the grace period.

New Requirements: Five Mandatory Items

Due to the amendment, from October 16, 2025, the standards for obtaining a Business Manager Visa have been significantly raised. These stricter requirements apply not only to new applications but also to future renewals.

1. Employment of Full-Time Staff

It is now mandatory for the company managed by the applicant to employ at least one full-time employee.
Note: “Full-time employee” refers only to Japanese nationals, Special Permanent Residents, or foreign nationals with status categories such as Permanent Resident or Spouse of Japanese National.

2. Capital Requirements

A minimum capital amount of 30 million yen is now required.
Note: For corporations, this refers to paid-in capital or total investment. For sole proprietors, this refers to total investment in the business (office expenses, personnel costs, equipment investment, etc.).

3. Japanese Language Ability

Either the applicant or the full-time employee must possess an appropriate level of Japanese language ability (e.g., JLPT N2 level).
Note: Foreign employees working under other work visas may count toward this requirement.

4. Educational and Professional Background

The applicant must have three or more years of experience in business management or administration, or must possess a master’s degree or higher in a field related to business management.
Note: The “three years of experience” may include the time spent engaging in startup preparation activities under the Startup Visa (Designated Activities).

5. Verification of the Business Plan by a Professional

The business plan must be reviewed by a qualified professional—such as a small and medium enterprise management consultant, certified public accountant, or tax accountant—who confirms that the plan is feasible.

Extremely Important: The 3-Year Transitional Measures and Proof of “Prospect”

Many current visa holders may feel that suddenly meeting these requirements is impossible. For that reason, important transitional measures have been provided.

3-Year Grace Period (Until October 16, 2028)

If you apply for renewal within this grace period, even if you do not yet meet the new requirements, the immigration authority will make a comprehensive assessment based on your management conditions and whether you have a realistic prospect of complying with the new requirements.

Warning: Without proof of “prospect,” your application will be denied

The concept of “prospect of compliance” is extremely important.
It does not mean that “you can keep things as they are for three years.”
Rather, the immigration authority will examine whether you have begun taking specific steps toward meeting the new standards within the next three years.

If you lack a concrete plan, your renewal will not be approved.

Actions Required During the Grace Period

During these three years, you will be expected to formulate and execute plans such as:

  • A financial plan to increase capital

  • A hiring plan for full-time staff

  • A plan to improve Japanese language ability

After the Grace Period Ends (From October 17, 2028)

From this date forward, meeting all new requirements becomes mandatory.
However, even if an applicant does not yet fully meet the standards, exceptional approval may be possible if:

  • The business is performing extremely well

  • All tax obligations are satisfied

  • There is strong evidence that compliance will be achieved by the next renewal

[Point 2] Meeting Existing Requirements, Now Enforced More Strictly

Next, we explain the requirements that were already part of the examination but are now enforced far more strictly due to the amendment. These items relate directly to the actual operation of the business.

Stricter Screening: Determining Whether the Applicant Is Truly Acting as a Manager

Business Activities and Actual Operations

Immigration will examine whether the business is operating properly and not a paper company.
The new guidelines explicitly state that renewal will not be approved if the applicant’s managerial activities are not sufficiently recognized—for example, if the business is entirely outsourced.

Previously, actual operations were reviewed, but under the new standards, cases such as outsourcing all activities in an accommodation business (e.g., Airbnb management) carry a very high risk of being judged as “not engaging in management activities.”

Business Office Requirements

The presence of an appropriate office space is essential.
Under the amended rules, using one’s home as the business office—previously accepted in some cases—will now generally no longer be approved.

Because hiring full-time staff is now mandatory, adequate office space must be ensured.
Single-person rental offices commonly used by foreign entrepreneurs will likely no longer be accepted, as they cannot provide workspace for employees.

Financial Statements

It is preferable that the latest financial statement does not show excessive liabilities.
While a single term of deficit may be acceptable, if the company is insolvent, you must submit a business plan that convincingly explains the sustainability of the business.

Compliance with Public Obligations (Taxes and Social Insurance)

The company must be properly paying all required taxes and social insurance premiums, in addition to the applicant’s personal tax obligations.

During renewal, immigration strictly checks:

  • Labor insurance

  • Social insurance

  • National taxes (corporate tax, consumption tax, etc.)

  • Local taxes (inhabitant tax, etc.)

If there are unpaid obligations, renewal becomes extremely difficult.

Compliance with Reporting Obligations Under the Immigration Control Act

Immigration also confirms whether required notifications have been properly submitted, such as:

  • Change of residential address

  • Notifications related to the organization (company)

  • Notifications of changes in activities

These are often overlooked, so careful attention is required.

Overseas Travel During the Stay

The screening criteria for overseas travel have changed significantly.
Previously, if (1) the company was operating soundly, and (2) taxes were fully paid, long absences by the manager rarely led directly to denial.

However, under the new rules:

If the applicant leaves Japan for long periods without a legitimate reason, renewal may be denied for lack of actual managerial activities.

This means that even if the business is doing well, renewal will be extremely difficult unless the manager is actually present in Japan and actively involved in operations.

Documents Required for Renewal (Example for Category 3 Companies)

To prove compliance with the above requirements, the following documents are required:

1. Basic Documents

  • Application for Extension of Period of Stay

  • One photograph

  • Passport and residence card (to be presented at application)

2. Company Information and Financial Documents

  • Statement of total withholding tax slips for employees for the previous year

  • Copy of the most recent financial statement

  • Copy of the corporate registry (if applicable)

3. Documents Related to New Requirements and Business Activities

  • Documents proving necessary licenses and permits

  • Documents showing at least one full-time employee

  • Documents proving Japanese language ability

  • Written explanation of business management activities during the current period of stay

4. Documents Related to Taxes and Public Obligations

  • Certificate of taxation and payment for the applicant’s resident tax

  • Documents confirming the company’s compliance with social insurance, labor insurance, and national/local taxes

Conclusion

Renewing a Business Manager Visa involves a comprehensive review of whether the business has been operated appropriately during the current period of stay.
Especially after the 2025 amendment, the number of required documents has increased, and the actual business operations will be examined in much greater detail.

Maintaining sound business operations and consistently fulfilling tax and other obligations is the surest path to a smooth renewal.
If you have any concerns about document preparation or your current situation, we recommend consulting a professional.