Section 2. Visas and Status of Residence

2.12 Promoting acceptance of foreign entrepreneurs

2.12.1 Projects for Encouraging Foreign Entrepreneurs to Start Business (Startup Visa)

Some municipalities have developed Plans for Managing and Supporting Business Startup Activities by Foreign Entrepreneurs and approved by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and have introduced " Projects for Encouraging Foreign Entrepreneurs to Start Business (Startup Visa),” aimed at increasing the acceptance of foreign entrepreneurs and supporting startups.

When a foreign national starts a business in Japan, he or she usually needs to acquire the status of residence of "Business Manager." Under the current system, securing a place of business and investing at least JPY 5 million or employing two or more full-time employees is required to acquire the residence status.

In the case of a Startup Visa, a foreign entrepreneur who wishes to start a business submits a "business preparation activity plan" to the following local government. The local government judges the applicant’s prospects for the applicant to meet the visa requirements and issues a certificate of confirmation to the foreign entrepreneur. The Foreign entrepreneurs submit a certificate of confirmation issued by the local government and other necessary documents to the Regional Immigration Bureau (or branch office thereof). If the Regional Immigration Bureau (or branch office thereof) determines the foreign entrepreneur to satisfy the requirements as a result of the examination, he or she can obtain the status of residence of "Designated Activities" for a maximum of one year (required to be renewed after six months), and cane prepare for starting business.

After landing, foreign entrepreneurs can fulfill the requirements for the status of residence of “Business Manager” during their period of stay, change the status and engage in business in Japan.

For information on authorized local governments, please refer to the following website.

2.12.2 Promoting to increase foreign entrepreneurs in the National Strategic Special Zones

Some municipalities have been conducting foreign entrepreneurship program by taking advantage of the special provisions of the Immigration Control Act for the National Strategic Special Zones.

If foreign nationals wish to start a business in Japan, they have to obtain a status of residence for a “Business Manager”. For the acquisition of this status of residence, according to current rules, they are required to invest at least 5 million yen or employ at least 2 full-time staff members as well as to open a business place for the business. However, in promoting expatriate entrepreneurship under the foreign entrepreneurship promotion program, foreign nationals intending to start a business in following autonomous bodies listed below may be given the status of residence for a “Business Manager” for 6 months without meeting the above-mentioned requirements for the status, provided that they submit the required documents including their business plan to the such autonomous bodies and that the autonomous bodies approve such business plan. This will allow the foreign entrepreneurs to make preparations for the establishment of their business, including satisfying the above-mentioned requirements, while staying in Japan.

For more information about the foreign entrepreneurship promotion program, visit the link below:

Laws and Regulations on Setting Up Business in Japan Pamphlet

The pamphlet "Laws & Regulations" is available in PDF, and outlines basic information about laws, regulations and procedures related to setting up a business in Japan. It is available in 8 languages (Japanese, English, German, French, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Korean and Vietnamese).
You can download via the "Request Form" button below.

Section2. Documents businesses are required to submit to authorities

Section Documents Where documents are listed within the URL The competent authorities and relevant web pages
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Business Manager)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Highly Skilled Professionals)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See 2 Regarding application documents, etc.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Intra-company Transferee)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Legal / Accounting services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Skilled Labor)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See "When attempting to engage in activities as a chef" or "When attempting to engage in activities other than being a chef" ⇒ Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Specified Skilled Worker)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.3 Visa application form to enter JapanExternal site: a new window will open See Visa application form in Chapter 3. ⇒Visa Application Documents (download)/
See format.
Ministry of Foreign AffairsExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.5 Notification of a change of an item on the residence cardExternal site: a new window will open See Format Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.5 Application for extension of the valid period on the residence cardExternal site: a new window will open See Format Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.5 Application for re-issuance of a residence cardExternal site: a new window will open See Format Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.8 (1) Notification of affiliated (contracting) organization (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Notification form reference form 1 to 4.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.8 (1) Notification of affiliated (activity) organization (Intra-company Transferee or Business Manager)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Notification form reference form 1 to 4.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.8 (2) Notification of relationship with spouse (divorce/death)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Notification form reference form.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.8.4 Application for re-entry permissionExternal site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form/required documents, etc.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.9 Application form for issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility (Dependent)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.9 Application for permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously grantedExternal site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form/required documents/number of copies.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.1 Application for extension of period of stay (Intra-company Transferee)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form for extension of period of stay ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.1 Application for extension of period of stay (Business Manager)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form for extension of period of stay ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.1 Application for extension of period of stay (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form for extension of period of stay ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.2 Application for change of status of residence (Intra-company Transferee)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for permission to change status of residence ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.2 Application for change of status of residence (Business Manager)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for permission to change status of residence ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.2 Application for change of status of residence (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for permission to change status of residence ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open

Materials listed as ‘Reference’ contain samples of documents regarding registration, visa, taxation, personnel and labor matters that are necessary when a foreign company establishes a corporation or other entity in Japan. These documents are not published by competent authorities and therefore are not official. For those who are going through the official procedures, please obtain the latest official documents from the competent authorities and related bodies or consult a person who specializes in advising on such information and procedures.

The information contained in this documents should be used at the reader’s independent discretion. While JETRO makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it provides, no responsibility is accepted by JETRO for any loss or damage incurred as a result of actions based on the information provided in these documents or provided by the external links listed on these pages.

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