As the name suggests, “Business administration” is a status of residence for the purpose of managing a company.
Business administration
What kind of status is “Business administration”? (Applicability of Status of Residence)
| Under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Business administration is defined as follows “Activities to manage a trade or other business in Japan or to engage in the management of such business. *Except for activities to engage in the management or administration of a business that is legally prohibited unless the applicant has the qualifications listed in the Legal and Accounting Services section. Simply put, it refers to managerial or administrative duties of the president, senior managing director, managing director, or general manager class of a company. There are no regulations regarding the type of business, so as long as the type of business is legal. |
What kind of work can a “business administration” visa holder do?
| The types of work possible with a “business administration” visa are as follows. Entrepreneur President or other director of a newly established company Management positions in existing companies (equivalent to department manager level) |
What are the requirements to obtain “Business Management”? (Conformity with landing permission criteria)
| 1. The business office or store must be located in Japan. 2. “Scale of business” must meet one of the following conditions A) At least two full-time employees residing in Japan are engaged in the business in addition to the manager. Full-time employees must be Japanese nationals, permanent residents, spouses of Japanese nationals or permanent residents, or other permanent residents. B) The amount of capital or the total amount of investment must be at least 5 million yen C) Must be recognized as being of a scale equivalent to A) or B) 3. Must have obtained a business license necessary for business operation. 4. Must have filed all necessary tax-related documents. 5. Business plan must sufficiently demonstrate the stability and continuity of the business. |
What is the period of stay for “business administration”?
| 3 months, 4 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years |
What documents are required to apply for “business administration”?
The documents required to apply for “business administration” vary depending on the size of the company employing the applicant.
This company size is called “category” in the Immigration Law. For more information on categories, please click here.
The required documents for “Management and Administration” application are as follows.
Required Documents for “Business Management
Certificate of Eligibility for Change or Renewal of Status of Residence (with photograph attached)
- return envelope (a self-addressed, stamped envelope with a 404 yen stamp (for registered mail) attached) [application for certification
- Passport and resident card [application for change or renewal
- Documents certifying that the applicant falls under one of the company categories
<Category 1
A copy of the quarterly report or a document certifying that the company is listed on a Japanese stock exchange (copy)
A document (copy) certifying that the company has been approved for establishment by the competent authorities.
Documents (a copy of the notification of subsidy decision, etc.) certifying that the company is a company (innovation creating company) subject to the middle column (a) or (b) of the special additions in the table in each item of Article 1, Paragraph 1 of the Ministerial Ordinance on Highly Specialized Workers (a copy of the notification of subsidy decision, etc.).
Document certifying that the company is a “company, etc. that meets certain conditions” in the category table (a copy of a certificate, etc.)
＜Category 2
Documents certifying that the application for use of the online system for residence application has been approved (e.g., e-mail notification of approval for application for use).
<Category 2, 3
A copy of the certificate of withholding tax for the previous year’s salary income of the applicant’s staff (a copy of the certificate with the receipt stamp)
<Category 3
The total amount of withholding tax for the previous year’s salary income of the employee (a copy of the receipt with the seal)
The following applies only to Categories 3 and 4
Any of the following documents that clarify the applicant’s activities.
In the case of assuming office as an officer of a company incorporated in Japan
A copy of the articles of incorporation that stipulate remuneration for directors and corporate auditors, or a copy of the minutes of the shareholders’ meeting that resolved remuneration for directors and corporate auditors (in the case of a company with a remuneration committee, the minutes of the said committee).
In the case of transferring to a Japanese branch of a foreign corporation or assuming office as an officer of an organization other than the company
In the case of being transferred to a Japanese branch of a foreign corporation or becoming an officer of an organization other than the company: a document (dispatch letter, notice of transfer, etc.) from the organization to which the employee belongs that clarifies the position (duties in charge), period of time, and amount of compensation paid.
When employed as a manager in Japan
If employed as a manager in Japan: A written employment contract or other document clearly stating the working conditions
If employed as a manager in Japan: A document certifying that the applicant has at least 3 years of experience in business management or administration (including the period during which the applicant majored in a subject related to business management or administration at a graduate school). Document certifying that the applicant has at least 3 years of experience in business management or administration (including the period of majoring in subjects related to business management or administration at graduate school)
A resume that clearly states the organization(s) where the applicant has been engaged in the relevant work and the nature and duration of the activities.
Documents certifying the length of time the applicant has been engaged in related activities (including a certificate from the relevant school indicating the length of time the applicant majored in a subject related to management or administration at a graduate school). 7.
- documents that clarify the nature of the business
If the business is conducted by a corporation, a copy of the certificate of registered matters of the corporation.
If the business is to be conducted by a juridical person, a copy of the certificate of registered matters of said juridical person.
(*In the case of incorporation of a corporation in Japan or establishment of a branch of a foreign corporation in Japan, regardless of whether it is a case of incorporation of a corporation in Japan or establishment of a branch of a foreign corporation in Japan.
A copy of a document that shows the history, officers, organization, business activities (including major business partners and business transactions), etc., of the company where the applicant works in detail. (2) A guidebook that describes in detail the history, officers, organization, business activities (including major business partners and past transactions), etc. of the company where the applicant works
Other documents similar to the above prepared by the employer - Documents that clarify the scale of the business
Documents and resident certificates or other materials related to the payment of wages to employees that clearly indicate that there are two or more full-time employees.
Other documents that clarify the scale of the business - Documents that clarify the existence of office facilities
A certified copy of the real estate registry, lease agreement or other documents - a copy of the business plan
- a copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year
The following applies to Category 4 only
What are the application procedures for “Business Management”?
- Secure company/shop, determine location and purpose of head office
- Prepare articles of incorporation, have articles of incorporation certified by a notary public
- Payment of capital
The amount of capital must be at least 5,000,000 yen. However, if there are two or more full-time employees other than the applicant, the capital of 5 million yen is not required.
A customs declaration certificate is required when bringing in more than 1,000,000 yen from overseas. (Loan for consumption, remittance record, etc.) 4. - Registration of incorporation (1 to 2 weeks)
5、Submission to the tax office (Report to the social insurance office, etc. based on the registration)
6、Obtain business license, etc. (about 1 month)
7、Application for business administration visa (1-3 months) (30-50 days for a change from the current status of residence)
An office must be rented. Virtual offices and home-based businesses are not acceptable.
Note that a corporate contract cannot be signed until the corporate registration is completed.
*If you intend to start a business for the first time after obtaining a business administration visa, you cannot apply for recognition or change of status of residence until the procedures for establishing a company are completed.
In addition, if the applicant who will be the representative of the company is located overseas, the representative in Japan or the representative director at the time of establishment must handle everything from opening an account to arranging an office, preparing and certifying the articles of incorporation, and carrying out registration procedures.
Points to be noted regarding “Management and Administration
<Points for examination
Is an office secured?
The source of the capital (the name of the remittance from overseas, the provider, and whether there are any procedural violations will be checked).
(sales route estimates, business cards, etc.) ・Is the business plan solid?
What is the location, facilities, and size of the office?
What about the location, facilities, and size of the office?
＜ Cases of disapproval Insufficient capital/questionable source of capital＞
(In the case of a restaurant business, is the size of the restaurant and the number of seats for customers consistent with the contents of the business plan?)
・Owner had simple labor/regularly worked in the hall
・The business plan does not meet the requirements (I don’t know what you are talking about)
<About the business plan＞
A business plan must be submitted in the application for status of residence.
The business plan should include details such as who will do what, why, and what they will do, market size, business distribution and strengths, profit forecast and personnel plan (for about two years), and risks and countermeasures.
A business plan should be at the same level as the one submitted for a bank loan, so we can introduce you to our affiliated social insurance labor consultants, small business consultants, etc.