Business Manager Visa Renewal – Transitional Measures 2025
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Business Manager Visa Renewal and Transitional Measures after the 2025 Reform
Japan revised the Business Manager status criteria on October 16, 2025. For people who already held this status before the reform, failure to meet the new criteria alone does not automatically result in refusal during the three-year transitional period.
Key point: the transition is not an automatic renewal guarantee
The Immigration Services Agency currently explains that, until October 16, 2028, an extension application by a person who already held Business Manager status before the reform will not be refused solely because the new criteria are not yet satisfied.
Business performance, taxes, social insurance, labor-law compliance, required licenses, residence history and other circumstances remain relevant.
Main criteria introduced on October 16, 2025
Business scale
For a corporation, capital or total investment of at least JPY 30 million is generally required. Different calculation rules apply to sole proprietors.
Full-time employee
At least one qualifying full-time employee must generally be employed. The employee’s nationality or status of residence is relevant.
Japanese ability
The manager or a qualifying full-time employee must generally have Japanese ability equivalent to CEFR/JF Standard B2.
Experience or degree
Management experience or an eligible academic or professional qualification is reviewed.
Business plan review
The business plan may need confirmation by a person with relevant professional knowledge.
Compliance
Taxes, social insurance, labor insurance, labor laws and required business licenses are important examination factors.
Who is covered and for how long?
| Eligible persons | People who already held Business Manager status before October 16, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Transition period | Until October 16, 2028 |
| Basic treatment | Failure to satisfy the new criteria alone is not an automatic ground for refusal. Business condition, tax compliance, improvement prospects and other residence circumstances are considered comprehensively. |
After the transition, capital below JPY 30 million does not always mean automatic refusal
The Immigration Services Agency states that even after the three-year period, where the business is performing well, tax obligations are properly fulfilled and the applicant is expected to satisfy the revised criteria by the next renewal, the application may still be assessed comprehensively.
Therefore, the statement that every current holder must prepare JPY 30 million by October 16, 2028 or leave Japan is inaccurate. A credible improvement plan and supporting evidence remain essential.
Practical points reviewed at renewal
- Actual business operations shown by sales, contracts, invoices, bank records, expenses and accounting books
- Substantive involvement of the applicant in management and important decision-making
- A business premises suitable for the actual business and available on a continuing basis
- Proper filing and payment of corporate, income, consumption and local taxes
- Social insurance, employment insurance, workers’ compensation and labor-law compliance
- Required licenses and permits for the business
- A realistic plan for capital, employment, Japanese-language capability and business-plan compliance
Application documents
Applications filed on or after October 16, 2025 use the revised forms and the explanation document for extension applications. Required evidence differs depending on the company category, corporate or sole-proprietor structure, business activity and employment situation.
The previous article’s statement that a “Business Management Activity Report” became universally mandatory in July 2025 has been removed. Current guidance should be based on the latest Immigration Services Agency document list and explanation forms.
Support by Tommy’s Legal Service
- Pre-renewal review of business substance and residence history
- Assessment of compliance with the revised criteria and improvement planning
- Review of capital, employees, Japanese-language arrangements, licenses, tax and social-insurance documents
- Preparation of business plans, explanations and responses to additional document requests
- Individual review of cases involving losses, inactivity, previous refusal or notification failures
Discuss your Business Manager visa renewal
A reliable review requires four perspectives: the applicant, the company, the supporting documents and current examination practice. The free initial check covers service availability and quotation information; detailed document analysis and renewal prospects are handled through a paid consultation.
Tommy’s Legal Service
102, THE HUB Yokohama Motomachi, 1-13-2 Ishikawa, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0868, Japan
Phone: 045-550-5135
Last updated: July 28, 2026
