Japan · Startup Visa
Japan Startup Visa for Foreign Founders
Japan's startup visa grants foreign founders Designated Activities status for up to two years while they prepare a business under a METI-certified local government or company, before switching to the Business Manager status.
- Startup route
- Startup Visa (Designated Activities)
- Minimum capital
- About JPY 30 million to qualify as Business Manager
- Permanent residence
- 1 or 3 years via HSP points; 10 years otherwise
- Citizenship
- 5 years by law; 10 in principle since April 2026
Startup Visa (Projects for Encouraging Foreign Entrepreneurs to Start Business)
Under METI's foreign entrepreneur program, a founder submits a business preparation activity plan to a certified Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Organization. Most of these are prefectures, cities and wards, with a small number of private operators. Once the organization issues a certificate of confirmation, the Immigration Services Agency can grant Designated Activities status so the founder can prepare a company in Japan under the organization's management and support. From 1 January 2025 the program was unified with the former national strategic special zone scheme and the maximum stay was extended from one year to two. The agency's document list asks for proof of at least one year of business or management experience, or a relevant master's, doctoral or professional degree.
- Status of residence
- Designated Activities
- Maximum stay
- Up to 2 years in total, including renewals
- Endorsement
- Certificate from a METI-certified promotion organization
- Background
- 1 year of business experience or a relevant graduate degree
- Family
- Can apply with proof of relationship and living funds
- Fees
- Change and renewal fees scale with period granted (from Oct 2026)
- Leads to
- Business Manager status once its criteria are met
Requirements
- Prepare a business preparation activity plan and have it confirmed by a METI-certified Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Organization.
- Hold a valid certificate of confirmation from that organization when applying.
- Show at least one year of business or management experience, or a relevant master's, doctoral or professional degree.
- Carry out startup preparation under the organization's management and support during the stay.
- Plan renewals so that the total period does not exceed two years.
How to apply
- Choose a certified organization, usually a prefecture, city or ward, and submit the business preparation activity plan.
- Receive the certificate of confirmation.
- Apply to the Immigration Services Agency for Designated Activities status, from abroad or by change of status in Japan.
- Set up the office, capital and staffing while reporting to the supporting organization.
- Apply to change to Business Manager status before the two-year limit runs out.
Business Manager status of residence
Status: Criteria tightened from 16 October 2025
Business Manager is the status a foreign founder needs to run a company in Japan. Amended criteria took effect on 16 October 2025. The business must now have about JPY 30 million in funds, which for a company means paid-in capital, and must employ at least one full-time staff member who is a Japanese national, a special permanent resident or holder of a residence-based status such as Permanent Resident. The applicant or a full-time employee must have Japanese ability at around CEFR B2, and the applicant needs a relevant master's or higher degree or at least three years of management experience. A licensed expert must check the business plan, and using a home as the office is generally not accepted.
- Capital
- About JPY 30 million (paid-in capital for a company)
- Staffing
- At least 1 full-time employee with a qualifying status
- Japanese
- Applicant or employee at about B2, e.g. JLPT N2 or BJT 400+
- Background
- Relevant master's or higher, or 3+ years in management
- Plan review
- SME management consultant, CPA or licensed tax accountant
- Periods of stay
- 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 4 months or 3 months
- In force since
- 16 October 2025
Requirements
- Hold about JPY 30 million in the business; sole proprietors count total business investment such as office, equipment and a year of salaries.
- Employ at least one full-time Japanese national, special permanent resident or holder of a residence-based status.
- Show Japanese at about B2 for the applicant or a full-time employee, for example JLPT N2 or a BJT score of 400.
- Hold a relevant master's, doctoral or professional degree, or have at least three years of business management experience.
- Have the business plan checked by an external SME management consultant, certified public accountant or licensed tax accountant.
- Secure an office suited to the scale of the business; a home generally does not qualify.
How to apply
- Incorporate the company, pay in the capital and lease a suitable office.
- Hire the qualifying full-time employee and gather evidence of Japanese ability.
- Have the business plan reviewed and signed off by a qualified external expert.
- Apply for a certificate of eligibility from abroad, or a change of status in Japan.
How the 2025 Business Manager overhaul affects startup visa holders
The two routes are designed to connect. Time spent on startup preparation under the Designated Activities status counts toward the three years of management experience that the amended Business Manager criteria ask for, which helps founders without a graduate business degree. JETRO notes that the nationwide startup program, effective 1 January 2025, also allows a grace period of up to two years for the office and business-scale requirements. Even so, a founder leaving the startup visa must still meet the Business Manager tests at the point of switching, including the capital, staffing, language and plan-review conditions introduced on 16 October 2025.
Founders already holding Business Manager status before the change have a transition window. The Immigration Services Agency states that until 16 October 2028, a renewal will not be refused solely because the new criteria are not met, although the condition of the business and the prospect of meeting the criteria are weighed. It also clarifies that existing holders are not required to deposit JPY 30 million in capital to remain. Separately, for applications filed from 15 April 2026, organizations in categories 3 and 4 must submit additional documents.
Questions and answers
Does time on Japan's startup visa count toward Business Manager experience?
Yes. The Immigration Services Agency states that time spent on startup preparation under the Designated Activities status counts toward the three years of business management or administration experience required under the amended Business Manager criteria. Founders with a relevant master's, doctoral or professional degree meet that requirement through their education instead.
Which Japanese language evidence satisfies the Business Manager rules?
The applicant or a full-time employee needs ability at about the B2 level. Accepted evidence includes JLPT N2 or higher, a BJT Business Japanese Test score of 400 or more, 20 or more years of residence in Japan as a mid- to long-term resident, a degree from a Japanese higher education institution, or Japanese compulsory education plus high school graduation.
Who counts as the full-time employee for Business Manager?
The employee must be a Japanese national, a special permanent resident or a holder of a residence-based status, such as Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of a Japanese National, Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident, or Long-Term Resident. Staff on work-based statuses do not count toward this requirement, although they can satisfy the Japanese language condition.
Must existing Business Manager holders now hold JPY 30 million?
Not immediately. The agency states that existing holders are not required to deposit JPY 30 million in capital to stay, and that until 16 October 2028 a renewal will not be refused solely for failing the new criteria. After that date renewal applicants must meet the new criteria, though other factors may be considered.
Official sources
- 外国人起業家（外国人起業活動促進事業）www.moj.go.jp
- スタートアップ関連施策www.moj.go.jp
- 2.12 Promoting acceptance of foreign entrepreneurswww.jetro.go.jp
- 在留資格「経営・管理」に係る上陸基準省令等の改正についてwww.moj.go.jp
- 在留資格「経営・管理」www.moj.go.jp
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Japan.
Startup visa
Designated Activities for up to 2 years under a METI-certified organization
02Temporary residence
Business Manager: JPY 30 million, one full-time hire, Japanese ability
03Permanent residence
1 or 3 years with HSP points; generally 10 years of residence otherwise
04Citizenship
Nationality Act sets 5 years; ministry requires 10 in principle since 2026