General information by the KIZUNA editorial team, not personalised legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules and forms can change.
Why 2026 applicants must check the new framework
Japan revised the criteria for the Business Manager status of residence effective 16 October 2025. The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) now provides amendment guidance and a frequently-asked-questions page revised on 26 June 2026. An article based only on pre-October 2025 rules is not a safe starting point.
This residence status concerns operating or managing a business in Japan. It is not synonymous with company incorporation.
The financial criterion is separate from incorporation fees
The updated criteria include a ¥30 million business capital/investment criterion in the relevant framework. This is not a service fee paid to KIZUNA, a lawyer or the government. It concerns resources committed to the business, and the form and evidence of the capital or investment must be assessed under current official guidance.
This does not mean it costs ¥30 million in professional fees to register a KK or GK. Equally, being able to establish a company for a lower sum does not mean that the immigration threshold disappears.
Other criteria need proper review
- Full-time staffing and the applicant’s business-management background or relevant academic qualifications.
- Japanese-language arrangements and the way the business will operate in practice.
- The viability and documentation of the business plan, premises and any necessary permits.
- Which route is appropriate: an initial Certificate of Eligibility, a change of status or a renewal.
Exact documentary requirements and any exceptions depend on the applicant and application category. Use the ISA’s current checklist rather than copying a fixed list from older websites.
What about people already holding this status?
ISA describes transitional handling for some existing Business Manager residents applying to renew during the three years following 16 October 2025, through 16 October 2028. This is not an automatic exemption or a guarantee of approval. Business conditions and prospects for satisfying the revised criteria are relevant to the assessment.
Prepare for a coordinated review
- Current status of residence, expiration date and immigration history.
- Ownership and capital/investment details and supporting evidence.
- Staffing plan, job roles and supporting employment documents.
- Business plan, office arrangements, actual commercial operations and permits.
- Qualifications, relevant management experience and Japanese-language arrangements.
If you are planning a startup, establish early whether the proposed company structure, operational timetable and immigration plan are mutually consistent.
How KIZUNA can help without replacing the immigration practitioner
KIZUNA can coordinate meetings, routine English/Japanese communication, document-collection logistics and project status with a properly qualified immigration professional. The eligibility assessment, legal advice and regulated filings remain the responsibility of the duly authorised professional.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get this status simply because I registered a company? No. Corporate registration and immigration permission are separate processes.
Is the ¥30 million amount a government application charge? No. It is a business financial requirement, not the professional-services budget.
Do older holders automatically qualify for renewal? No. ISA sets out transitional considerations, not blanket approvals.
Official sources and further reading
- ISA: revised criteria and current FAQ (Japanese)
- ISA: Business Manager status and application links (English)
- JETRO: distinction between company capital and residence status
Published for general orientation only. This guide is not individual legal, immigration, banking or tax advice. Rules, forms, fees and financial institutions’ screening practices can change; confirm requirements before acting.
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