Flow of Business Manager Visa Application in Japan

December 11, 2019

Question:

Please tell me the process of applying for a Business Manager visa.

Answer:

In general, the flow of application for a Business Manager visa is as follows:
(1) Securing an office to become the company’s head office location
(2) Company establishment procedure and notification process to the tax office and others after establishment
(3) Securing of store properties and construction of interiors (in case of a shop business)
(4) Application for a business permit (in case of a business that requires a business permit)
(5) Recruitment procedure of employees and employment insurance participation procedure (when recruiting employees before application)
(6) Preparation of visa application documents to immigration office; application
(7) Acquisition of Business Manager visa

Explanation:

Securing an office to become the company’s head office location

In principle, it is necessary to secure an office independent of one’s residence when applying for a Business Manager visa. In exceptional circumstances, even if it is a home office, if the space for necessities and the space for the office are separated and independent of each other and if you have a stable working environment, you may be granted a Business Manager visa.

Company establishment procedure and notification process to the tax office and others after establishment

Establish a stock company with a capital of at least 5 million yen. This amount will be deposited to a personal bank account in Japan. If the foreigner does not have a Japanese bank account, it can be transferred to the bank account of a Japanese resident who would be the Representative Director.

There are no particular restrictions on the contents of the business when applying to the Immigration Bureau for the Business Manager visa, as long as it does not violate Japanese laws and public order and morals. The contents of the business will be described in the company’s articles of incorporation and copy of registration certificate.

Securing of store properties and construction of interiors (in case of a shop business)

If the business to be conducted by the applicant for the Business Manager visa is a store-type business such as a restaurant, securing a store property is also necessary.

Application for a business permit (in case of a business that requires a business permit)

If the business to be conducted by the applicant for Business Manager visa is a business that requires permits such as restaurant, real estate, antique dealing, liquor sales, staffing services, and paid job placement services, etc., business permits must be prepared in advance.

Recruitment procedure of employees and employment insurance participation procedure (when recruiting employees before application)

If hiring is decided, you have to submit documents for hiring of employees to the Immigration Bureau. If not, then hiring must be reflected in the personnel plan when you prepare the business plan.

Preparation of visa application documents to immigration office; application

Prepare the visa application documents and apply at the Immigration Bureau. Generally, it is the applicant of the Business Manager visa who will apply, but it is also possible to request for an agent to substitute for the application.

Acquisition of Business Manager visa

The Immigration Bureau will notify the applicant or agent when they receive the result for the Business Manager visa. The procedures for obtaining a residence card differs between a “Resident Status Certificate Grant Application” and “Change of Status of Residence Permit Application”.

・For Certification
As the Certificate will be mailed, it will be submitted to the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country for entry procedures.

After completing the procedures at the embassy or consulate, you will receive the residence card when you arrive at the Japanese airport.

・For Status Change
The applicant or the administrative scrivener of the application agency will bring the applicant’s passport, original residence card, and handling charge payment and shall receive the new residence card.

With the abovementioned flow, the process for obtaining a Business Manager visa is completed.