American applicants · Japan
Business Manager Visa (経営・管理) for American citizens
Visa for foreign nationals starting or managing a business in Japan — now requires a physical office, at least ¥30 million in capital or business funds, and at least one qualifying full-time employee.
This page covers the Business Manager Visa (経営・管理) specifically for American applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to United States. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 4–8 weeks for COE.
- Government fees
- COE: free; visa fee varies by nationality; company registration ¥200,000+ (kabushiki kaisha) or ¥60,000+ (gōdō kaisha).
- Typical duration
- 1 year initially; renewable for 1, 3, or 5 years.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.
Consular processing: a Japan consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Tourist entry vs. this route
Tourist-entry rules for American nationals are set by ISA and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Business Manager Visa (経営・管理) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
Visa overview
The Business Manager visa allows foreign nationals to establish or manage a business in Japan. Since the October 2025 reform, new applications generally require a physical office, at least ¥30,000,000 in paid-in capital or business funds, at least one qualifying full-time employee resident in Japan, management experience or a relevant graduate/professional degree, Japanese-language capacity in the operation, and an expert-reviewed business plan. The visa is initially issued for 1 year and renewable. PR is available after 10 years of continuous residence (or faster via HSP if you score 70+ points as a business manager).
Additional sources
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Physical office in Japan (not a virtual office or informal home/virtual address).Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
- ✓At least ¥30,000,000 in paid-in capital or business funds, plus at least one qualifying full-time employee resident in Japan.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
- ✓Applicant has at least 3 years of business-management experience or a relevant master's, doctorate or professional degree.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
- ✓Applicant or a qualifying full-time employee can evidence the required Japanese-language capacity for the operation.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
- ✓A viable business plan reviewed by a recognised business-management professional.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
Common blockers
- !No physical office — virtual offices and residential addresses are generally rejected.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
- !Paid-in capital or business funds below ¥30,000,000.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
- !No qualifying full-time employee resident in Japan.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
- !No qualifying management experience, relevant graduate/professional degree, Japanese-language evidence, or expert-reviewed business plan.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Company registration certificate (tōki-bo tōhon).Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
- ·Office lease agreement.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
- ·Expert-reviewed business plan.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
- ·Capital investment evidence (bank statements, proof of transfer).
- ·Evidence for the qualifying full-time employee and Japanese-language capacity.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
- ·Management-experience records or a relevant graduate/professional degree.Immigration Services Agency (ISA), Ministry of Justice (Japan) ↗
Application pathway
Establish the company
Register a kabushiki kaisha (KK) or gōdō kaisha (GK) with the Legal Affairs Bureau. Secure a physical office, satisfy the ¥30,000,000 capital or business-funds requirement, and hire at least one qualifying full-time employee.
Prepare reform-era evidence
Prepare the expert-reviewed business plan, capital evidence, employee evidence, management-experience or degree evidence, and Japanese-language evidence.
Apply for COE
Submit the COE application with company, office, capital, employee, business-plan, language and management-capability evidence.
Apply for visa and enter Japan
With the COE, apply for a Business Manager visa at the consulate.
Operate and renew
At each renewal, immigration assesses business viability, tax and social-insurance compliance, and progress against the current Business Manager standards.
Other Japan routes covered for American applicants
Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa
Points-based visa for highly skilled foreign professionals — the fastest route to Japanese permanent residence (1–3 years).
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Japan's most common work visa for knowledge workers — engineers, IT professionals, translators, designers, and business staff.
Not sure Japan is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer entrepreneur routes that American nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are American citizens eligible for the Business Manager Visa (経営・管理)?+
Eligibility for the Business Manager Visa (経営・管理) is set by ISA and is not nationality-restricted. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do American applicants typically file the Business Manager Visa (経営・管理)?+
a Japan consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by ISA — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do American applicants need a tourist visa for Japan as well?+
Tourist-entry rules for American nationals are set by ISA and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Business Manager Visa (経営・管理) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
Can I manage a company remotely on this visa?+
No. The Business Manager visa requires you to be physically present in Japan managing the business. Remote management from abroad will jeopardise your visa renewal.
What type of company should I register?+
Most foreign entrepreneurs choose a gōdō kaisha (GK — similar to an LLC, registration ¥60,000+) or a kabushiki kaisha (KK — similar to a corporation, registration ¥200,000+). GK is cheaper and simpler; KK carries more prestige. Either structure can qualify, but the business still needs to satisfy the post-October 2025 capital, staffing, language, management-capability, office and business-plan requirements.
Can I use a shared office or coworking space?+
Generally no. Immigration requires a dedicated physical office space — not a shared desk or virtual address. The office must be clearly identifiable as your business premises. Some immigration bureaus have accepted dedicated private offices within coworking spaces (e.g. a lockable room with your company name), but this varies — consult with a judicial scrivener (gyōsei-shoshi) before committing.
What happens if my business is not profitable at renewal time?+
Immigration assesses business viability at each renewal. A business that is not yet profitable is not automatically refused — immigration considers the business plan, invested capital, and trajectory. However, a business with no revenue, no employees, and declining capital may lead to a shorter renewal period (1 year instead of 3 or 5) or refusal. Maintaining proper tax filings and a clear business-development trajectory is critical.