Are you considering the 4-month Business Manager Visa to start a business in Japan?
The four-month Business Manager Visa has been an option for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to enter Japan and complete company establishment procedures after arrival.
One of its main advantages is that entrepreneurs may be able to handle practical arrangements themselves, without a trusted local partner in Japan.
However, the new Business Manager Visa requirements introduced on 16 October 2025 have made this route considerably more challenging.
In particular, the increased capital requirement of JPY 30 million, mandatory employment of a qualifying full-time employee and additional requirements concerning Japanese language proficiency and management experience must be carefully considered.
This article explains the 4-month Business Manager Visa application process, the preparations required before coming to Japan and the important points to consider under the new requirements.
To compare the available options, read our related article:
[Japan Business Manager Visa: 3 Ways to Start a Business in Kyoto & Shiga]
目次
1. What Is the 4-Month Business Manager Visa?
The 4-month Business Manager Visa is one of the permitted periods of stay under Japan’s Business Manager status of residence.
It has traditionally been used primarily by foreign entrepreneurs who need to enter Japan to complete business establishment procedures.
The usual approach has been to prepare the business before arrival, complete the remaining procedures during the initial four-month period and then apply for an extension of stay, often seeking a one-year period, before moving into full-scale business operations.
2. How to Apply for a 4-Month Business Manager Visa: Step-by-Step
The following process explains the main stages involved in preparing a four-month Business Manager Visa application.
Step 1: Prepare Before Applying
Careful preparation before applying is essential, particularly because the initial period of stay is only four months.
1. Prepare Draft Articles of Incorporation
You should prepare draft articles of incorporation for the Japanese company you intend to establish.
If you plan to establish a Kabushiki Kaisha (KK), the articles of incorporation generally require notarisation during the incorporation process.
For foreign nationals residing overseas, identity and signature verification procedures may require additional documents.
Depending on your country of residence, these may include a certificate of signature issued or authenticated by an appropriate authority.
A Godo Kaisha (GK) does not require notarisation of its articles of incorporation, although other incorporation procedures still apply.
2. Prepare a Detailed Business Plan
Your business plan should explain the nature of the proposed business, its target customers, financial projections, staffing arrangements and commercial viability.
Under the revised Business Manager Visa requirements, the plan must also be reviewed by an appropriately qualified professional, such as a registered Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant (Chusho Kigyo Shindanshi), certified public accountant or tax accountant.
The business plan should demonstrate that the proposed company is realistic and capable of sustainable operation.
3. Identify Suitable Business Premises
You should identify suitable business premises in Japan before submitting your application.
For entrepreneurs living overseas, arranging an office lease can be challenging because landlords may require Japanese residence documents or a domestic guarantor.
One possible arrangement is to negotiate a lease in your personal name before incorporation, with the landlord’s agreement to transfer it to the company afterwards.
For applicants considering a 4-month Business Manager Visa, information about prospective business premises, such as a property brochure, can be submitted to the Immigration Service Agency, even if a lease agreement has not yet been signed. The information may include the office’s location, floor area, monthly rent, floor plan and layout.
Under the new requirements, using a residence as a business office is generally not accepted. A virtual office alone will also generally be insufficient.
Another important consideration is rental cost. Once a lease begins, you will normally have to pay rent even if you have not yet arrived in Japan or started operating the business.
You should therefore consider the timing of any lease carefully.
4. Prepare a Full-Time Employee Recruitment Plan
The new requirements requires at least one qualifying full-time employee.
Waiting until arrival to begin recruitment may leave insufficient time to complete the necessary procedures before the initial period of stay expires.
You should therefore prepare a recruitment plan covering job responsibilities, salary, employment conditions, workplace location and social insurance arrangements.
Where possible, job advertisements and preliminary interviews should be arranged before coming to Japan.
If you intend to satisfy the Japanese language requirement through an employee, you should also check that the proposed employee meets the relevant criteria.
Step 2: Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
The next stage is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) through the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, the supporting documents may include:
- COE application form and photograph.
- Draft or completed articles of incorporation.
- Business plan and the required professional evaluation.
- Documents relating to the proposed business premises.
- Evidence of investment funds and financial resources.
- Documents demonstrating the applicant’s management experience or educational qualifications.
- Evidence relating to qualifying employees and Japanese language proficiency.
- Other documents required under the current Business Manager Visa rules.
The Immigration Services Agency may request additional documents or explanations.
Required Documents: Regular vs 4-Month Business Manager Visa
| Procedure | Standard Business Manager visa (one year) application | 4-Month Business Manager visa application |
| Articles of Incorporation (Draft) | Required | Required |
| Notarisation of Articles | Required | Can Be Deferred |
| Company Registration | Required | Can Be Deferred |
| Business Premises Lease | Required | Can Be Deferred |
| Opening a Bank Account | Required | Can Be Deferred |
| Business Plan Preparation | Required | Required |
| Hiring a Full-Time Employee | Required | Can Be Deferred |
Step 3: Obtain Your Visa and Enter Japan
If the COE is issued, you can generally apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence.
Once the visa has been issued, you can travel to Japan.
You should already have a detailed plan for the procedures that need to be completed after arrival.
The four-month period is relatively short, so delays with banking, property contracts or company registration can cause significant difficulties.
Step 4: Complete the Necessary Procedures After Arrival
Depending on the preparations already completed and the conditions of your application, you may need to undertake several procedures after arriving in Japan.
These may include:
| Procedure | Main Purpose |
|---|---|
| Residential registration | Register your address at the local municipal office |
| Personal seal registration | Register an inkan if required for particular procedures |
| Business premises | Finalise any outstanding office arrangements |
| Personal bank account | Open an eligible Japanese bank account where necessary |
| Capital payment | Complete any permitted outstanding capital payment procedures |
| Company incorporation | Complete company registration at the Legal Affairs Bureau |
| Corporate bank account | Apply to open a bank account in the company’s name |
| Transfer of company funds | Arrange the appropriate transfer of capital to the corporate account |
| Tax notifications | Submit the required notifications to the tax authorities |
| Employee arrangements | Complete any permitted outstanding recruitment, payroll and insurance procedures |
| Business licences | Obtain any licences or permits required for the intended business |
For example, the ability to open a personal or corporate bank account depends on the financial institution’s procedures.
Similarly, company incorporation and capital payment arrangements must comply with Japanese company law.
The timing of employment and office arrangements must also be consistent with the immigration requirements applicable to your case.
Step 5: Apply for an Extension of Stay
Before the initial four-month period expires, you must apply for an extension of your period of stay to continue residing in Japan under Business Manager status.
Immigration authorities will examine whether you meet the applicable requirements and whether your business arrangements and activities support continued residence.
If important procedures remain incomplete, your extension application may be affected.
You should therefore prepare the necessary supporting documents well before the expiry of your initial period.
4. Important Risks and Practical Considerations
Four Months Is a Very Short Preparation Period
Four months can pass surprisingly quickly when you need to arrange several procedures involving banks, government offices, estate agents and professional advisers.
Some procedures may take longer than expected.
For this reason, as much preparatory work as possible should be completed before arrival.
Your schedule should identify which procedures are essential, which can be undertaken simultaneously and which depend on the completion of earlier steps.
Banking Procedures May Cause Delays
Opening a Japanese bank account is not always straightforward for newly arrived foreign nationals or newly established companies.
Japanese banks have become increasingly cautious about opening accounts due to stricter anti-money laundering regulations and identity verification requirements.
Many financial institutions are reluctant to open personal bank accounts for foreign nationals holding a four-month period of stay.
In practice, Japan Post Bank (Yucho Bank) is one of the main options worth considering. However, account opening is subject to screening, and applicants generally need to have more than three months remaining on their period of stay when applying. This makes it particularly important to begin the process promptly after arrival.
For corporate bank accounts, online banks (internet-only banks) may offer a more accessible option than traditional banks, particularly for newly established companies. Nevertheless, approval is not guaranteed.
Before arriving in Japan, you should research potential banks, contact them directly and confirm their account-opening requirements, particularly if you intend to transfer JPY 30 million from overseas to establish your company.
Banking arrangements should be planned well in advance, as unexpected delays could affect your company incorporation schedule and subsequent visa extension application.
Employee Recruitment Requires Advance Planning
The requirement to employ a qualifying full-time employee is one of the most significant changes introduced in October 2025.
Recruitment, employment contracts, payroll administration and social insurance arrangements can all take time.
In addition, the Japanese language requirement must be addressed separately.
These matters should be included in your business plan and preparations from the beginning.
Professional Assistance Is Highly Recommended
In practice, completing all the necessary procedures independently within four months can be extremely difficult.
You may need assistance from several professionals, including an Administrative Lawyer (Gyoseishoshi), Solicitor (Judicial Scrivener / Shiho Shoshi), tax accountant or other qualified specialist.
Professional advice before applying is particularly important under the new requirements, because the four-month visa should not be treated as a guarantee that business establishment requirements can be completed after arrival.
An experienced Administrative/Immigration Lawyer can help assess your proposed application strategy, prepare immigration documentation and co-ordinate with other relevant professionals.
6. Consult an Administrative Scrivener in Kyoto or Shiga
The four-month Business Manager Visa remains one of the permitted periods of stay under Japanese immigration law.
However, the requirements introduced in October 2025 mean that applicants must carefully assess whether the traditional four-month approach is appropriate for their circumstances.
In particular, entrepreneurs should not assume that company incorporation, capital payment, office arrangements and employee recruitment can all be postponed until after arriving in Japan.
If you are considering starting a company in Kyoto or Shiga, obtaining professional advice before making significant financial commitments can help reduce unnecessary risks and delays.
Contact us to discuss your Business Manager Visa application and business establishment plans in Kyoto or Shiga.