GMS Flash Alert - Immigration - Japan – Business Manager Visa Reforms Take Effect

Oct 5, 2026

Uploaded by Mary Man

Japan’s Ministry of Justice amended the ministerial ordinance governing the Business Manager visa, tightening requirements that take effect on 16 October 2025. The reforms raise the minimum capital requirement to 30 million yen, introduce mandatory full-time employment, add Japanese language proficiency criteria (CEFR B2+, including JLPT N2 or BJT 400+), and require specified career or academic background. Business plans must be validated by certified professionals, and renewals face strengthened checks on tax and social insurance compliance.

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Japan – Business Manager Visa Reforms Take Effect

Highlights of Before October 16 and After (Including) October 16

Other Key Points

Impact on Current Business Manager Visa and Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c) Visa Holders

GMS Flash Alert Immigration 2025-195 | 15 October 2025 Japan – Business Manager Visa Reforms Take Effect On 10 October 2025, the Ministry of Justice of Japan promulgated an amended ministerial ordinance that tightens the requirements and criteria for the “Business Manager” visa in Japan. Under the new rules, the minimum capital requirement will be raised to 30 million yen (six times the previous amount) . Additional requirements include Japanese language proficiency, management experience, and the employment of full-time staff. The new eligibility requirements will take effect on 16 October.1 WHY THIS MATTERS The amendments to the “Business Manager” visa represent a significant tightening of requirements and criteria for foreign entrepreneurs and managers operating in Japan. The reforms introduce important, stricter requirements: • substantial increase in the minimum capital requirement, • creation of new employment, • Japanese language proficiency, • career/academic criteria, and • professional verification of business plans. These changes will directly impact on both new applicants and current Business Manager visa as well as the Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c) and (ii) visa holders for renewal procedures. In other words, the new rules are applicable to the new applicant (to enter Japan) and to those already living in Japan under Business Manager, Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c) and Highly Skilled Professional (ii) visas for extension of period of stay and status change. Highlights of Before October 16 and After (Including) October 16 The table on the next page offers a comparison of the situation before and after the amendments, highlighting the key changes, improvements, and implications brought about by the revised provisions.2 ,3 ,4 ,5 | Category | Before | After (effective October 16) | Implication | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Capital
requirements | Minimum: JPY 5
million | Minimum: JPY 30 million (six-fold increase) | Aims to foster substantive business operations and prevent nominal company establishments. | | Employment
requirements | No obligation | Mandatory employment of at least one full-time employee who is a Japanese national, a permanent resident, spouse of Japanese national, spouse/child of permanent resident or long-term resident. | Highlights the necessity of substantive business activities. | | Japanese
language
requirement | No requirement | Either the applicant or one of the fulltime employees must possess a sufficient level of Japanese language; CEFR B2 level or higher.
• JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N2 or higher.
• BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test 400 points or higher.
• 20+ years of residence in Japan as a mid-to-long-term resident.
• Graduation from a Japanese university or other higher education institution.
• Completion of Japanese compulsory education and graduation from high school. | Fosters adaptability to Japanese society and business environment. | | Career and
academic
background
requirement | No requirement | Master’s degree or higher in business or related field, or at least three years of management experience. | Importance placed on the qualities required for business management personnel. | | Review of business plans by certificated professionals | No requirement | Business plans must be validated by certified professionals (small and medium enterprise management consultant, certified public accountant, or tax accountant) . | Business plans must be specific, reasonable, and feasible. | | Compliance with tax and social insurance obligations (for renewals) | Basic verification | Verification of details including the status of labor insurance coverage, the status of social insurance coverage, and the payment status of national and local taxes to be paid by the business establishment. | Establishes legal obligations and social responsibilities as a member of Japanese society. | | Source: KPMG i

FAQs

When do the Business Manager visa reforms take effect in Japan?

They take effect on 16 October 2025, following the amendment promulgated on 10 October 2025.

What are the major changes to the Business Manager visa eligibility?

Key changes include raising the minimum capital requirement to 30 million yen, adding mandatory full-time employment, requiring Japanese language proficiency, setting career/academic criteria, and requiring certified professional validation of business plans.

How do the changes affect renewal applicants and Highly Skilled Professional visa holders?

Renewal applicants who do not meet the new requirements during extension applications submitted between 16 October 2025 and 16 October 2028 will be evaluated based on business circumstances and the prospect of meeting amended criteria; the new rules also apply in relevant renewal and status-change contexts for Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c) and (ii) holders.

Oct 5, 2026

Uploaded by Mary Man