As the name suggests, the status of residence “Business Administration” is for the purpose of managing or administering a company.
■What kind of status is “Business Manager”? (Applicability of Status of Residence)
Under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, business management is defined as follows
“Activities to engage in the management of a trade or other business in Japan or to engage in the administration of such business.”
*Except for activities engaged 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 “Business Manager” do?
The following occupations are generally available with the “Business Administration” visa status.
-Entrepreneur
-President or other director of a newly established company
-Managers of existing companies (equivalent to department manager)
■What are the requirements to obtain “Business Manager” ?(Conformity with landing permit criteria)
- Business office or store must be located in Japan.
- The “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 business owner.
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) - Must have obtained a business license necessary for business operation.
- Must have filed all necessary tax-related documents.
- The business plan must sufficiently demonstrate the stability and continuity of the business.
■What is the duration of stay for “Business Manager“?
3 months, 4 months, 6 months or 1 year, 3 years, 5 years
■What documents are required for a “Business Manager” application?
The documents required for a “Management and Administration” application depend on the size of the employing enterprise.
This company size is called a “category” in the Immigration Law. For more information on categories, please click here.
The required documents for the “Management and Administration” application are as follows
１．certificate of eligibility for change or renewal of status of residence (photo attached) 2.
２．return envelope (a self-addressed, stamped envelope with a 404 yen stamp (for registered mail) attached) [Application for Certificate of Eligibility
３．Passport and resident card [application for change or renewal
４．Document certifying that the applicant falls under one of the company categories
<Category 1＞
-A copy of the quarterly report or a document (copy) certifying that the company is listed on a stock exchange in Japan
-A document (copy) certifying that the establishment of the firm has been approved 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 the certificate of recognition, 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＞
-A copy of the certificate of withholding tax for the previous year for the employee’s salary income, etc. (with the receipt stamp)
The following applies only to categories 3 and 4
５．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
: 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
: A written employment contract, etc. that clearly specifies the working conditions
６．if employed as a manager in Japan, at least 3 years of experience in business management or administration (including the period of majoring in a subject related to business management or administration at a graduate school)
-A resume that clearly states the organizations in which the applicant has worked and the nature and duration of the activities in related positions.
-Documents certifying the length of time the applicant has been e
ngaged in related work (including a certificate from the relevant school indicating the length of time the applicant majored in a subject related to business administration or management at a graduate school).
７．Documents clarifying 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 corporation is not yet registered, a copy of the articles of incorporation or other documents that clarify that the corporation intends to start the business in question.
※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, and business activities (including major clients and business results) of the company where the applicant works, etc., in detail.
-Other documents similar to the above prepared by the employer
８．Ddocuments that clarify the scale of the business
-Documents and resident certificates and other materials related to the payment of wages to the said employees that clarify that there are two or more full-time employees.
-Other documents that clarify the scale of the business
９．Documents that clarify the existence of office facilities
-A certified copy of the real estate registry, lease agreement or other documents
10.A copy of the business plan
11.A copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year
The following applies to Category 4 only
12．Any of the following documents that clarify the reason why the statutory total of withholding tax for the employee’s salary income for the previous year cannot be submitted. -In the case of an organization that is exempt from withholding tax
: A certificate of exemption from withholding at source for a foreign corporation or other documents that clarify that withholding at source is not required.
-In the case of an organization other than the above
: A copy of the notification of establishment of a payroll office, etc.
-One of the following documents
: A copy of the notification of the establishment of a payroll office, etc.
：In the case of an organization that has received a special exception to the payment period, documents that clearly show that the organization has received such approval.
■What is the application process for “Business Manager“？
- １．Secure company/shop, determine location and purpose of head office
２．Prepare articles of incorporation, have articles of incorporation certified by a notary public
３．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 an applicant intends to start a business for the first time after obtaining a business management visa, he/she cannot apply for authorization or change of status of residence until after completing the procedures for establishing a company.
If the applicant who will be the representative of the company is located overseas, the proxy or representative director at the time of establishment in Japan must handle everything from opening an account to arranging an office, preparing and certifying the articles of incorporation, and completing the registration procedures.
■Notes on “Business Manager“
＜Points to be considered for the examination＞
-Is an office secured?
-Source of capital
(The name of the remittance from overseas, the provider, and whether there are any procedural violations will be checked.)
-Do you have a solid business plan?
(sales route estimates, business cards, etc. Concreteness regarding schedule)
-What is the location, facilities, and size of the office?
-What about the human resource plan?
<Cases of disapproval＞
-Insufficient capital / Doubtful source of capital
-Office is ng.
(In the case of a restaurant business, is the size of the restaurant and the number of customer seats consistent with the business plan?)
-Owner had simple labor/regularly worked in the hall
-The business plan does not meet the requirements (It’s difficult to understand what you are talking about)
<About Document of Business Plan>
A business plan must be submitted when applying for status of residence.
The business plan should include details such as who is doing what, why, the size of the market, business distribution and strengths, profit projections and staffing plans (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.