The Five New Requirements for the Business Visa

Starting October 16, 2025, the requirements for obtaining Japan’s Business visa will become significantly stricter. It is no longer enough to just register a company. To qualify, you must meet all five of the following conditions simultaneously.

• Hire at least one full-time employee: Your employee must be a Japanese national, special permanent resident, or hold one of the following statuses: Permanent Resident, Spouse of Japanese National, Spouse of Permanent Resident, or Long-Term Resident. Foreigners holding working visas (e.g., Engineer, Instructor) do NOT qualify.
• Invest ¥30 million or more in your business: For corporations, this means paid-in capital of at least ¥30 million. For sole proprietors, it includes verified expenses such as office rent, one year’s salary for employees, equipment purchases, and other startup costs.
• Prove Japanese language proficiency: Either you or your full-time employee must demonstrate Japanese ability at the B2 level (CEFR), equivalent to JLPT N2 or higher. Alternative proof includes graduating from a Japanese university, completing compulsory education + high school in Japan, or having lived continuously in Japan for over 20 years.
• Show relevant experience or education: You must have at least three years of hands-on management experience—or hold a Master’s, Doctorate, or professional degree in business administration, economics, or a related field. Degrees from foreign universities are accepted. Time spent preparing to start your business under the “Specified Activities (51)” visa also counts toward this experience.
• Submit a professionally reviewed business plan: Your business plan must include an official evaluation letter from one of the following certified professionals: Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants, Certified Public Accountants (CPA), or Certified Public Tax Accountant. This document must confirm that your plan is realistic, financially sound, and achievable.

All five conditions must be met at the same time. Missing even one will likely result in denial. The Japanese government is no longer issuing this visa to investors or passive owners—it’s reserved for active, committed entrepreneurs who will contribute meaningfully to Japan’s economy.

Real Business, Real Presence: Proving Your Operational Authenticity

The new rules focus heavily on whether your business is real—not just paperwork. Here’s what immigration officers will scrutinize:

• You cannot use your home as an office: Working from your apartment or house is no longer acceptable. You must have a dedicated, separate business space—such as a rented office or commercial unit.
• Outsourcing everything won’t work: If you hire external contractors to run your entire business and only act as a “supervisor,” immigration will not recognize you as an active manager. You must make key decisions, manage staff, and be directly involved in daily operations.
• Your employee must be properly employed: You cannot hire part-timers or freelancers. Your full-time employee must be on a formal contract, paid regular salary, and enrolled in Japan’s social insurance system (health insurance, pension, Labour Insurance).
• Absences from Japan will hurt your renewal chances: If you leave Japan for long periods without a valid reason, immigration may conclude you have no real ties to Japan—and deny your visa renewal.

The Business visa is not a residency shortcut. It’s designed to attract serious entrepreneurs who will create jobs, pay taxes, and grow sustainable businesses in Japan. Your actions must reflect that commitment.

Japanese Language Requirement: What Level Do You Need—and How to Prove It?

To operate successfully in Japan, you must be able to communicate effectively. The new rule requires either you or your full-time employee to have Japanese language ability equivalent to B2 on the Common European Framework (CEFR)—roughly JLPT N2 level.

• What does B2 mean?: You can understand complex texts, participate in business meetings, write professional emails, and negotiate contracts with native speakers.
• How to prove it?: You can submit one of the following:
  • JLPT N2 or higher certificate
  • BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test score of 400 or higher
  • Certificate proving graduation from a Japanese university, high school, or completion of compulsory education (elementary + middle school)
  • Proof of continuous residence in Japan for over 20 years (e.g., resident card history or municipal records)
• How to fill out the application: On Form “For organization, part 1” under the section “Japanese Language Ability,” do NOT write “I speak Japanese.” Instead, specify: “Applicant passed JLPT N2” or “Full-time employee holds BJT 450 score”.
• Important note: You don’t need to speak Japanese yourself—if your full-time employee (e.g., a Japanese national) meets the requirement, you’re compliant. Many applicants choose to hire a bilingual manager specifically for this reason.

If your Japanese is weak, prioritize hiring a Japanese employee. This solves two problems at once: meeting the language requirement and satisfying the full-time staff rule.

Your Business Plan: Why a Professional Review Is Non-Negotiable

Under the new rules, simply writing a business plan is not enough. You must submit it with an official evaluation from one of three certified professionals:

• Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants (中小企業診断士)
• Certified Public Accountants (公認会計士)
• Certified Public Tax Accountant (税理士)

What will they review?

• Is your business idea specific? (What product/service? Who are your customers?)
• Are your financial projections realistic? (Revenue forecasts, operating costs, break-even timeline)
• Can you prove the ¥30 million investment is genuine and available?
• Have you researched your market, competitors, and regulatory environment?
• etc

What documents to submit:

• A signed evaluation letter from the professional (no fixed format required)
• Copies of their professional license and business card
• Emails or meeting notes showing consultation (optional but helpful)
• etc

Important warnings:

• Lawyers and Administrative Scriveners (行政書士) are NOT authorized to provide this evaluation.
• Please note: Only licensed lawyers or administrative scriveners are allowed to prepare official documents—like applications for government offices—for a fee. If someone who is not licensed does this as a business, it could break the law. Please be careful and make sure you’re working with someone who is properly qualified.

This professional review is the most trusted signal to immigration officers that your business is real. A self-written plan without expert validation will almost certainly be rejected. Start contacting consultants early—this process takes time.

What If You Already Have the Visa? Grace Period for Existing Holders

The new rules take effect on October 16, 2025—but there’s a grace period for those already in Japan.

• If you applied by October 15, 2025: Your application will be reviewed under the old rules, even if approval comes later.
• If you currently hold the visa and apply for renewal by October 15, 2028: You may still be approved even if you don’t fully meet the new requirements—provided your business is performing well and you have a clear plan to comply by October 2028.
• If you apply for renewal after October 15, 2028: You must fully meet all five new requirements. No exceptions.
• If you’re switching from “Specified Activities” visas:
  • Startup Visa (44): If you received your confirmation certificate by October 15, 2025 → old rules apply.
  • Future Creator Visa (51): If you applied or were residing under this status by October 15, 2025 → old rules apply.
  • All applications submitted on or after October 15, 2025 → new rules apply.
• Important: No path to Permanent Residency or Highly Skilled Professional status without compliance: If you hold the Business visa but fail to meet the new standards, you will be ineligible for permanent residency or upgrades to the “Highly Skilled Professional” visa—even if you’ve been in Japan for years.

Don’t assume you have time. The clock is ticking. Start preparing now—especially for hiring your first full-time employee and securing a professional business plan review.

The Office Requirement: Why Your Workspace Matters

A legitimate business requires a legitimate office. Under the new rules, your workplace must be a physical, independent space—not just a virtual address or shared desk.

Examples of acceptable offices:

• Rented commercial office space
• Office unit in a business building

Examples of unacceptable setups:

• Virtual office (mail forwarding only)
• Co-working space without a dedicated desk or lockable area
• Your home, even if you use one room as an office

If You’re a Manager (Not the Owner): What You Need to Know

You don’t need to own the company to qualify for this visa. Many applicants are senior managers (e.g., Branch Manager, Director) hired to run operations in Japan.

However, your role must be substantial. Job titles like “Manager” or “Director” alone are not enough—you must demonstrate real authority and responsibility.

• Three Years of Experience: You must have at least three years of experience in business management or administration. This can include:
  • 1 year of graduate study in business + 2 years of work experience
  • 2 years of graduate study + 1 year of work experience
  • 3+ years of graduate study (e.g., MBA) with no prior work experience
• Salary Comparable to Japanese Managers: Your compensation must be on par with—or higher than—what a Japanese national would earn in the same role. For example, if you’re managing a branch office, your salary should match what Japanese branch managers in similar industries receive.

If you’re a manager applying under this visa, be prepared to provide detailed documentation of your responsibilities and salary structure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Summary: Your Path to Success

The Business visa is now a serious gateway for entrepreneurs who want to build lasting businesses in Japan. It’s not about paperwork—it’s about proof.

You must show:

• A real office
• A real employee
• A real investment of ¥30 million+
• A real command of Japanese (or a team member who has it)
• A real business plan, validated by a certified professional

This guide was reviewed and supervised by LeongHouFai, LeongHouFai Gyosei-Shoshi Office.

We specialize in supporting entrepreneurs from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shanghai, Beijing, the UK, Canada, and other Chinese-speaking or English-speaking regions. If you have questions about your business plan, visa application, or legal compliance in Japan—we’re here to help.

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