New Company or Existing Business: Which Path Makes Business Manager Visa Approval Easier?

Understanding the Business Manager Visa and Its Challenges

The Business Manager Visa (経営管理ビザ) is a valuable pathway for foreign entrepreneurs looking to establish and run a business in Japan. Unlike many other visa categories, this status doesn’t require the applicant to hold academic qualifications or a specific work background. In theory, as long as you have a sound business plan and sufficient capital, you may be eligible.

However, the system has faced abuse. Some individuals have used the visa to enter Japan by setting up paper companies—businesses that exist only on paper, with no real operations. This misuse has led to a public and legal crackdown, and as a result, the Immigration Bureau has significantly tightened its screening processes to ensure only legitimate businesses receive approval.

So what’s more realistic for a foreign applicant today—starting your own company from scratch or joining the executive team of an existing one?

Challenges of Applying Through a New Company

Starting a new business in Japan and applying for a Business Manager Visa is certainly possible, but it comes with unique hurdles.

Since your company has no operational history, you cannot provide any real proof of activity—no financial statements, no transaction records, no client contracts. Instead, you must rely entirely on a detailed and convincing business plan to show your company’s potential. This plan must explain:

• Your business model and services/products

• Market research and competition

• Projected revenue and expenses

• Office location and setup

• Hiring plans (if applicable)

Even if the plan looks solid, Immigration will closely examine whether there are signs of a paper company. For example, a vague or unrealistic plan, or the lack of a properly equipped office, can result in rejection. You’ll also need to show that you’ve invested at least 5 million yen into the business, and that the company has the infrastructure to begin operating right away.

Benefits of Joining an Existing Company as an Executive

If you plan to obtain a Business Manager Visa by joining the management team of an already established company, your path may be smoother.

An existing company has proof of actual business activity, which you can present to Immigration:

• Financial statements (決算書)

• Tax filings

• Contracts with clients or suppliers

• Lease agreements

• Business licenses or permits

• Photos of the office and operations

With these documents, you don’t need to rely as heavily on future projections. Instead, you’re demonstrating to Immigration that you are stepping into a leadership role in a legitimate, functioning enterprise.

That said, Immigration will still assess whether your role is meaningful. Passive ownership or being named as an “executive” in name only won’t be enough. You need to show that your involvement is active and tied to the company’s management decisions.

How Immigration Evaluates Substance

The key difference in both cases comes down to substantiating business reality. Immigration officers are trained to spot red flags such as:

• Businesses with no clients or contracts

• Offices that appear temporary or symbolic

• Unrealistic revenue projections

• “Founders” with no real business background or activity in Japan

Whether you’re launching your own startup or joining an existing company, you must demonstrate:

• The company’s ability to operate (physical office, website, staff, or contracts)

• Your active role in managing or running the business

• That the business is not being used to circumvent immigration laws

In other words, Immigration isn’t only looking at paperwork—it’s looking for real, measurable activity.

What Should You Choose and How Can We Help ?

If you have a solid plan, capital, and local knowledge (or local support), opening your own business can still be a great path to the Business Manager Visa. But if you are unsure about regulations, Japanese business norms, or don’t have the time to build everything from scratch, joining the leadership of an existing, compliant company can be faster and safer.

At JP.Visa, we specialize in helping foreigners navigate the complexities of Japanese immigration and business setup. Whether you’re planning to open your own company or want to take a key role in an established firm, we can help with:

• Business plan creation

• Visa application preparation

• Office setup and documentation

• Ongoing compliance support

Let us help you build not just a company - but a future in Japan.