Foreign nationals who will be managing a company in Japan will need to obtain a business manager visa. If the timing for the visa application closely coincides with the preparation period for the business, this would make managing both difficult. Our group’s administrative scriveners will support you in handling your visa application process so that you can focus on smoothly running your new business.

Below we have two cases in which we offer our visa application services.

Case 1. A foreign national currently residing overseas plans to establish a company in Japan and apply for a business manager visa

When a person from overseas plans to manage or administrate a company or business in Japan, they are required to obtain a status of residence (visa) called the “business manager”. It is common for foreign nationals residing overseas and planning to establish a business in Japan to enter Japan with a short-term visa first. They would then later request for assistance ― either from acquaintances familiar with the process, or administrative scriveners ― when applying for the business manager visa.

While in Japan with their short-term visas, they will attend to matters focused on preparing the company in Japan. These include selecting the office, incorporating the business, setting up bank accounts for transactions, and finalizing contracts. Once completing these, they will then leave the task of their visa application process at Japan’s immigration office to an authorized proxy before returning to their home country. Once they have been issued a certificate of eligibility, they will then apply for a business manager visa at the Japanese embassy (or consulate) and then re-enter Japan under their new visas.

Our group has handled numerous cases where we have been authorized to apply for a business manager visa on behalf of our clients who then resided overseas. There are other methods to obtain a business manager visa, so if you are having difficulties with your application, please do not hesitate to inquire with us. Our experienced team of administrative scriveners can help you with going through the visa process smoothly.

Case 2. Inviting an acquaintance from overseas on a business manager visa and working together in Japan

When doing business with business partner who is a foreign national, the company to be established and the visa that needs to be acquired will depend on the job title and roles of the involved individuals.

If a foreign national will be invited to assume the position
If a foreign national will be invited to assume the position of company representative in Japan ― who serves as the Japanese entity’s chief executive ― they will need to establish a company that is eligible for the business manager visa. The foreign national applying for the business manager visa must also have has at least 3 years experience of operating or managing a business. Additionally, if the invitation to work in Japan is for an appointment for a managing director position, they will need to obtain an Engineer/Specialist In Humanities/International Services visa.

As shown above, there are many possible outcomes depending on the person’s background and planned job title.

Our group has handled a number of cases where we have been authorized to apply for business manager visas on behalf of our clients in Japan who wish to enter into a business venture with a foreign national. If you are having difficulties with applying for the business manager visa, please do not hesitate to inquire with us.