Business Manager

What it asks of you

The same checks the eligibility check runs, so the two never disagree.

1. 01

   Capital of at least ¥30,000,000 — the rule since October 2025.

2. 02

   Business premises that are not a home.

3. 03

   One full-time employee who is a Japanese national, permanent resident, spouse or long-term resident.

4. 04

   JLPT N2 or equivalent, held by you or a full-time employee.

5. 05

   Three years managing a business, or a related master's, doctorate or professional degree.

6. 06

   The business plan must also be reviewed by a 中小企業診断士, 公認会計士 or 税理士.

1. 1
   Application Form申請書
2. 2
   Passport (Current)
3. 3
   Residence Card — only required if already living in Japan在留カード
4. 4
   Photo (4cm × 3cm, white background)
5. 5
   Business Plan Reviewed by a Specialist専門家の評価を受けた事業計画書Reviewed by a 中小企業診断士, 公認会計士 or 税理士
6. 6
   Articles or Resolution Setting Officer Pay役員報酬を定める定款・議事録For a company officer — an employment contract instead if hired as a manager
7. 7
   Company Registration Certificate登記事項証明書Issued within 3 months, showing capital of ¥30 million or more; the articles of incorporation if not yet registered
8. 8
   Company Profile会社案内History, officers, organisation and business, with main customers
9. 9
   Balance Sheet貸借対照表Latest year-end; a new company prepares one as at incorporation
10. 10
    Declaration on the Company Representative所属機関の代表者に関する申告書ISA's form
11. 11
    Office Lease or Property Register賃貸借契約書・不動産登記簿謄本Premises for the business — a home does not qualify
12. 12
    Business Licences and Explanatory Form許認可・申請に当たっての説明書If the business needs a licence; ISA's form explains any that can only be obtained later
13. 13
    Full-time Employee: Pay Records and Resident Certificate常勤職員の賃金支払文書・住民票At least one — a Japanese national, special permanent resident, permanent resident, spouse, or long-term resident
14. 14
    Proof of Japanese Ability日本語能力の証明JLPT N2, BJT 400+, or a Japanese degree — the applicant's or a full-time employee's; with ISA's explanatory form
15. 15
    Degree Certificate or Proof of 3 Years in Management学位証明書・在職証明書A master's, doctorate or professional degree in a related field — or a CV and employment certificates
16. 16
    Payroll Office Notification and Withholding Tax Receipts給与支払事務所等の開設届出書・所得税徴収高計算書For a company with no prior-year payroll return; the last 3 months of receipts

Where you apply

Where it leads

1. Business Manager
2. Highly Skilled Professional
3. Permanent Resident