Foreign nationals wishing to start up business in Japan need to obtain a “business manager” visa. To receive this status of residence, in addition to opening an office, the applicant must employ at least two people full-time, or invest at least 5 million yen in Japan. This presents a high hurdle to prospective foreign entrepreneurs.
In this program to increase foreign entrepreneurs, applicants can receive the status of residence (business manager) for half a year even if these conditions are not met if business plans and other necessary information are submitted to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirms that the applicant has prospects for fulfilling the conditions within that half-year.
(How does a start-up visa differ from a regular business management visa granted by the Immigration Bureau? Please see here.)
A business plan is the essence of this program.
The submitted Plan for Business Startup Activities and other documents are assessed from the perspective of whether you have a high likelihood of fulfilling the conditions for Business Manager status after the six-month preparation period (startup activity period), in which case, confirmation of business startup activities will be granted.
Your Plan for Business Startup Activities should describe business plans that are feasible, with this feasibility supported by a certain level of evidence.
If you have no idea about the customers, unit sales price, costs, and so on, we recommend that you apply after establishing a concrete image of your business by gathering more information in your field of expertise.
Not available by mail, persons below are requested to bring documents to the application desk.
Persons who can bring
After the Tokyo government receives the submitted application documents, the Tokyo government official will conduct an interview with the applicant.
Based on the application documents and interview, they will make assessments from the perspective of the applicant’s possibility of attaining the regular “business manager” visa status after the 6-month preparatory period.
The gyosei-shoshi (immigration lawyer) is allowed to interview on behalf of the applicant.
About 2 weeks after application.
Receive a Certificate of Confirmation of start-up Activities. The certificate is valid for 3 months, during which time you can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility.
Those who have received the Certificate of Confirmation of Business Startup Activities must apply to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau for the Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence (Business Manager)
You do not have to meet the following requirements for a business management visa at this point.
Decide where you want to live. Register as a resident in that municipality.
The business management visa will expire in six months. You need to renew your visa period. You need to meet the following requirements.