Business pathways
Can I move to Japan to start a business, and does investing get me residency?
You can apply to run a business in Japan, but investing money alone does not give you residence rights. The usual route is Business Manager status (経営・管理).
For new applications from 16 October 2025, the requirements include at least ¥30 million in capital or investment, an eligible full-time employee, a relevant postgraduate degree or three years of management experience, and Japanese ability equivalent to B2 from you or a full-time employee. A qualified professional must also check the business plan.
The Startup Visa programme may allow up to two years to prepare a business with support from a METI-certified organisation. It has its own eligibility conditions, so check the participating organisation's requirements before committing funds.
What may vary
These are the landing criteria for new Business Manager applications from 16 October 2025; renewals filed by 16 October 2028 are not refused solely for missing them. Sole proprietors count the total invested in the business rather than share capital, and only Japanese nationals and holders of permanent-type statuses (permanent resident, spouse of a Japanese national or permanent resident, long-term resident, special permanent resident) count as the full-time employee. The Startup Visa has its own conditions, including at least one year of business experience or a relevant postgraduate degree, and depends on a METI-certified body accepting your plan.
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