The requirements for the Business Administration Visa have officially changed since October 16, 2025. The new requirements are as follows:
1. Employment of full-time staff
At the company run by the applicant,You will need to employ one or more full-time employees.
The “full-time staff” applies to Japanese citizens, special permanent residents, and foreign citizens residing in Japan with a status of residence under “permanent residents,” “spouses of Japanese nationals,” “Spouse of a Permanent Resident” or “Long-Term Resident”.
2. Amount of capital, etc.
Capital of 30 million yen or more is required. More specifically:
<If the business entity is a corporation>
This refers to the amount of paid-up capital (amount of capital) of a joint-stock company or the total amount of investment of a general partnership, limited partnership, or limited liability company.
<If the business entity is an individual>
This refers to the total amount invested in things necessary to run a business, such as securing a business premises, salaries of employed staff (for one year), and capital investment expenses.
3. Japanese language ability
The applicant or a full-time staff member needs a fair level of Japanese ability .
* The term “full-time employee” here includes foreign nationals residing in Japan with a status of residence under Schedule 1 of the Act (Such as Legal/Accounting Services or Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services).
**A sufficient level of Japanese language ability is Equivalent to B2 or above in the “Frame of Reference for Japanese Language Education” For those who are not Japanese nationals or special permanent residents, you must meet one of the criteria below：
・ Have been certified at level N2 or above on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) administered by the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services Public Interest Incorporated Foundation and the Japan Foundation.
・Scoring 400 or more on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test administered by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation
- Have resided in Japan for more than 20 years as a mid- to long-term resident
- Graduated from a university or other higher education institution in Japan
・Complete compulsory education in Japan and graduate from high school
About your career (educational and work history)
The applicant must hold a doctoral, master’s, or professional degree in a field related to the skills or knowledge necessary for business management or the business relevant to the application*, or must have at least three years of experience in business management or administration**.
* This includes equivalent degrees awarded abroad.
**This includes the period of activities (preparatory activities for starting a business) such as securing a place of business necessary to start a trade or other business based on the status of residence “Designated Activities.”
5. Handling of business plans
Regarding the business plan submitted, it is required to have the plan verified by a person with specialized knowledge in management* to assess whether the plan is concrete, reasonable, and feasible.
*The following persons fall under this category:
・Small and medium-sized enterprise management consultant
・Certified public accountant
・Tax accountant