Breaking News: Rules for Foreigners Applying for the “Business Management Visa” Have Tightened! A Complete Guide to the New Requirements

In August 2025, the Immigration Services Agency announced new guidelines that significantly tighten the requirements for obtaining a Business Management Visa (the “Business/Management” residency status). The agency is currently seeking public comments, with the goal of officially revising the ministerial ordinance in October.

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📢This article is written for:

• Foreign entrepreneurs and investors who are considering starting a business in Japan

• International students and highly skilled professionals who are thinking, “I’d like to start my own business in the future.

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＊In this article, we’ll break down the specific changes and explain what impact they may have going forward.

Business Management Visa Revisions

What is the Business Manage Visa?

Background of the 2025 Revisions

Key Changes for New Applications

Higher Capital Requirement

Employment Obligation

Educational and Professional Background

Japanese Language Ability

Summary of the New Standards

📌What is the Business Manage Visa?

The Business Manager Visa is a type of residence status in Japan that allows foreign nationals to set up a company and take part in running or managing that business.

It is mainly used in the following cases:

✅When you establish a new company in Japan and act as the CEO or business manager.

✅When you invest in an existing company and become involved in its management.

✅When you open an office, hire employees, and operate the business on a stable basis.

🔎Background of the 2025 Revision

The new rules were introduced in response to the following issues:

• A rise in cases where people set up “paper companies” just to obtain a visa.

• Frequent discoveries of offices or businesses that exist only on paper with no real activity.

• Instances of false business plans being submitted, which have undermined trust in the system.

The Business Manager Visa was originally designed to attract foreign entrepreneurs and boost Japan’s economy. However, in recent years, the above problems have become more visible, raising concerns about the credibility of the system.

✅Key Changes for New Applications

The following requirements will now be subject to stricter review:

1. The minimum capital has been raised to 30 million yen, six times the previous amount.

Before	The capital or total investment amount had to be at least 5 million yen.
After	The capital or total investment amount must now be at least 30 million yen.

In other words, the required capital to obtain the visa has been increased to 30 million yen, which is six times the previous amount.

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2. Employ at least one full-time staff member

   

Under the current system, applicants are required to have either a capital of at least 5 million yen or at least one full-time employee.

However, under the new draft regulations, in addition to raising the capital requirement, having at least one full-time employee will also be mandatory.

📌Who counts as a “full-time employee”?

• Japanese citizens

• Special permanent residents

• Permanent residents

• Spouses of Japanese citizens

• Spouses of permanent residents

• Long-term residents

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3. Educational and Professional Background Requirements for the Business Owner

Before

Even under the previous system, there were certain requirements for those engaged in management under the Business Management Visa.

However, for the business owner themselves, educational background and work experience were not mandatory. They were considered only as one factor to assess the applicant’s business management ability.

After

Those who will engage in business management must meet at least one of the following requirements:

🔸 Hold a doctoral, master’s, or professional degree in business management or a related field

🔸 Be able to prove at least three years of experience in business or management

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4．Applicants must have Japanese B2 level proficiency

Current System

There are no clear standards for Japanese language ability. Applicants or related staff members are not necessarily required to have Japanese proficiency.

New System (Expected)

At least one person, either the applicant or a full-time employee, must have level Japanese B2 level proficiency.

📌What is Japanese B2 level?

“B2” is a standard used in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). While it is commonly applied to languages like English or French, it is also used to describe levels of Japanese language learning.

✨Characteristics of B2 Level

• Everyday Conversation: Can converse reasonably smoothly on complex topics such as work, school, and current events.

• Comprehension: Can understand the main points in newspapers, magazines, and TV programs.

• Speaking Ability: Can discuss topics naturally with native speakers, though may still struggle with subtle nuances.

• Reading & Writing: Can understand general written content and express opinions or explanations with reasonable accuracy.

🔎The difference with the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)

B2 level roughly corresponds to JLPT N2, the second-highest level of the JLPT.

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Summary of the New Standards

📆 Effective Date

The new rules are expected to take effect from mid-October 2025.

📢Four Key Changes

①Capital Requirement

• Current: At least 5 million yen

• New Standard: At least 30 million yen (six times higher)

②Employee Requirement

• Current: Either sufficient capital or full-time employees (applicant’s choice)

• New Standard: At least one full-time employee is mandatory

③Applicant’s Education & Experience (must meet at least one)

• Master’s degree or higher in business management

• At least three years of business or management experience

④Japanese Language Ability

At least one person—either the applicant or a full-time employee—must have Japanese B2 level proficiency

Finally, while the recent revisions have made it more challenging to obtain a Business Management Visa, the essence of starting a business has not changed.

What really matters is preparing sufficient capital, taking a serious look at your business, and refining your business plan.

Thank you very much for reading this far! ✨

If you’re interested, please schedule a free consultation first.