What Is the Startup Visa? | Up to 2 Years to Prepare a Business and Changing to the Business Manager Visa

As of October 2026 · Administrative Scrivener Yukiko Horiuchi

Hello. I’m Yukiko Horiuchi, a certified administrative scrivener at the Horiuchi Administrative Scrivener Office.

"I want to start a business in Japan, but it's hard to meet all the Business Manager visa requirements from the start." The so-called startup visa is a system for such people. In 2025 the system was unified, and the preparation period became up to 2 years.

In this article, let's look at how the startup visa works, the application process, and points to note when switching to a Business Manager visa.

1. What Is the Startup Visa?

The startup visa is a system that allows foreign nationals aiming to start a business in Japan to come to Japan and prepare before meeting the Business Manager visa requirements. Officially called the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Program", local governments, etc. certified by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry manage and support those preparing.

A regular Business Manager visa is applied for once the office and funds are ready. The big difference with the startup visa is that you can search for an office, set up a company and secure funds and staff while living in Japan.

2. What Changed in 2025?

From January 1, 2025, the National Strategic Special Zone startup visa was unified into the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry system, and the preparation period was extended to up to 2 years. The previous special zone system allowed up to 1 year and 6 months.

Tokyo also ended its "Foreign Entrepreneur Acceptance Promotion Program" at the end of March 2025 and began accepting applications for the new "Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion Program" from March 3, 2025. Older information sometimes says "applying to Tokyo gives a 6-month Business Manager visa", but this differs from the current system, so be careful.

3. Who Can Use It?

Eligible are people whose business start-up preparation plan has been confirmed by a certified local government, etc. In addition to people living abroad, international students who graduated from Japanese universities, etc. may also be able to use it.

However, the participating local governments, eligible business fields, number of interviews, etc. differ by local government. It is important to first check whether the local government in the area where you plan to start your business is certified.

4. What Is the Application Process?

First, have the local government confirm your business start-up preparation plan, then apply for status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau based on that confirmation. The main flow is as follows.

1. Consult in advance with the local government (certified organization) where you plan to start your business
2. Submit a start-up preparation activity plan (business content, schedule, funding plan, etc.) and have an interview
3. Receive a confirmation certificate from the local government
4. Apply for status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau and come to Japan (change application if already in Japan)
5. During the preparation period, report progress to the local government regularly
6. Once the requirements are met, apply to change to a Business Manager visa

The plan is basically written in Japanese, and the concreteness of the business and backing of funds are carefully checked. We provide a document list tailored to your situation together with the necessary forms.

5. What to Watch Out for When Changing to a Business Manager Visa?

Within the preparation period, you need to meet the Business Manager visa requirements and apply for a change. The new revised standards apply to those whose confirmation certificate was issued on and after October 16, 2025.

• capital of 30 million yen and above
• At least one full-time employee who is a Japanese national, permanent resident, etc.
• Japanese ability of the applicant/a full-time employee (B2 level)
• A related degree/3+ years of management experience (the start-up preparation period can be included)

Details of the new requirements are introduced in "Summary of New Business Manager Visa Requirements [2026]".

6. Who Is Better Suited to a Regular Business Manager Visa?

If you can already prepare the funds and office, applying for a regular Business Manager visa from the start, without going through the startup visa, is faster and more certain. At our consultations, we first recommend the regular Business Manager visa to many people.

• You already have funds of 30 million yen and above, or have a clear plan to prepare them
• You have partners/specialists in Japan who can help with the office contract and company formation
• You want to start your business right away without local government review and regular reports
• The local government in the area where you plan to start your business does not accept the startup visa

Since the startup visa ultimately aims to change to a Business Manager visa, the requirements to meet are the same. You can also proceed from company formation to the Business Manager visa application while staying abroad, so please consult us first about which suits you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I apply for the startup visa?
First, have the local government (certified organization) where you plan to start your business confirm your plan, then use that confirmation certificate to apply for status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau.

Can I work part-time during the preparation period?
Since it is a status of residence for business start-up preparation, you cannot do work unrelated to the preparation. If you will engage in income-generating activities, check in advance.

Can my family come to Japan with me?
Your spouse and children may be able to apply for status of residence as family members. Separate permission is required for them to work.

Related Articles

• What Is the 4-Month Business Manager Visa? Preparing to Start a Business in Japan and Points to Note
• Guide to Establishing a Company in Japan | Comparing Corporate Forms and Visas [2026]

summary

The startup visa is a reassuring system that lets you spend up to 2 years preparing to start a business while living in Japan. On the other hand, the goal is to change to a Business Manager visa, so it is important to plan from the start for the funds, employment and Japanese language needed to meet the new requirements.

Details of our support can be found onBusiness Manager Visa Application Support.

We hope this article helps you as you consider starting a business in Japan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.