Business Manager visa basics in Japan: what to confirm before paying consultants
The Business Manager visa typically needs 5 million yen in capital and a physical office. What the requirements actually are, and how to avoid overpaying agencies.
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See what to ask before paying a business setup consultantQuick conclusion
The Business Manager visa is high-stakes and attracts a lot of consulting services, some genuinely helpful and some overpriced or unreliable. The requirements commonly cited are capital or investment of at least 5 million yen and a physical office suited to your business, but always confirm the current figures directly rather than trusting an agency's sales page. The single clearest red flag: anyone who guarantees approval is not being honest with you, since the decision belongs entirely to immigration authorities.
What the requirements commonly involve
| Requirement | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| Capital or investment | Often cited around 5 million yen minimum - confirm current guidance directly |
| Physical office | A real, appropriately sized space suited to your stated business - not virtual-office-only |
| Business plan | A specific, realistic plan reflecting your actual business, not a generic template |
| Management activity | You need to be genuinely managing the business, not merely a nominal owner |
Requirements and their interpretation can be updated by immigration authorities, so treat any specific number as a starting point to verify, not a guarantee.
Why capital alone is not enough
A common misconception is that simply depositing the minimum capital amount guarantees approval. In practice, immigration review also considers whether your business plan is realistic, whether the office is genuinely suited to the stated activities, and whether you will be actively managing the business rather than holding a nominal role. Founders sometimes discover this only after a rejection, having assumed the capital figure alone was the whole test.
Spotting an unreliable consultant or agency
- Guaranteed approval claims - no legitimate provider can promise this, since the decision is immigration's alone
- Vague, unitemized pricing - ask for a written breakdown of exactly what is included before paying anything
- Generic, unchanged business plan templates - your plan should reflect your specific business, not a reused document
- Pressure to pay quickly or sign before you have reviewed the actual scope of work
If any of these appear, pause and get a second opinion - see what to ask before paying for business setup consultation for a fuller checklist of questions to put to any provider before paying.
The office requirement, specifically
Even if your company is validly registered using a virtual office (see company incorporation basics), the Business Manager visa generally expects a physical office appropriately sized and equipped for your stated activities. This is a common and costly mistake: founders complete incorporation successfully, then have their visa application questioned or rejected because the office does not meet this separate, stricter bar.
Getting this right without overpaying
A tax accountant experienced with foreign-owned businesses, a judicial scrivener for the registration itself, and (for complex cases) an immigration lawyer are the professionals typically involved - not every founder needs all three, and scope should match your situation's complexity. Compare at least two providers, get everything in writing, and treat your business bank account setup and tax accountant selection (see choosing a tax accountant) as connected decisions rather than separate errands.
This is general information about a high-risk visa category, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change and depend heavily on individual circumstances - confirm current criteria with the Immigration Services Agency or a qualified immigration lawyer before committing money or time to this path.
Before you apply
- ✓Confirm current capital and office requirements directly with immigration sources
- ✓not just an agency's sales page
- ✓Get a written
- ✓itemized quote before paying any consulting or agency fee
- ✓Verify a physical office suitable for your business exists before applying
- ✓Ask for a realistic business plan review
- ✓not just a template document
- ✓Get a second opinion if any claim sounds like a guaranteed approval
FAQ
How much capital do I need for a Business Manager visa?
Guidance commonly cites capital or investment of at least 5 million yen, though this figure and its interpretation can be updated by immigration authorities, so confirm the current requirement directly rather than relying on an agency's marketing material. Capital alone is not sufficient - your business plan and office also need to be viable and appropriately documented.
Can any agency guarantee my Business Manager visa will be approved?
No legitimate agency or consultant can guarantee visa approval, since the decision rests entirely with immigration authorities based on your specific application. Be very cautious of any service that claims a guarantee - this is a warning sign of an unreliable provider, not a sign of confidence.
Do I need a physical office for the Business Manager visa?
Yes, generally a physical office appropriately sized and suited to your stated business activities is expected, not just a registered address. A virtual-office-only setup, even if valid for basic company registration, often does not satisfy this visa requirement on its own.
How much should business setup consulting cost in Japan?
Costs vary widely by scope - from simple document preparation help to full-service company setup plus visa application support. There is no single standard price, which is exactly why getting a written, itemized quote and comparing at least two providers before paying matters more than assuming a fixed market rate.
Is a detailed business plan actually required?
Yes, immigration review considers whether your business plan is realistic and sufficiently detailed, not simply a formality. A template business plan that does not reflect your actual specific business, market, and finances is a weak foundation - insist that any paid consultant tailor the plan to your real situation rather than reusing a generic template.
Finished reading?
Take the next step while it is fresh
You now know what to check. Compare the current conditions while they are fresh in your mind, and keep a record of what you confirm.
See what to ask before paying a business setup consultantReferences
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan - Business Manager status of residence - Immigration Services Agency of Japan