Kyoto Visa Application】Guidelines for Revision of Criteria for "Management and Administration" Permission

  Please watch the explanatory video.

  Please watch the explanatory video

 Excerpts of important changes only

Revision of Japanese Status of Residence "Management/Administration": Important Notice to Foreign Entrepreneurs (Effective October 16, 2025)

On October 16, 2025, the criteria for permission to apply for the status of residence "Management/Administration" were revised for foreign nationals who wish to start up a business in Japan and engage in management/administrative activities. The following is an easy-to-understand explanation of the main changes.

1. mandatory employment of full-time staff

• New Requirement: The At a company owned by the applicant, for example,One or more full-time employeesto be employed.
• Definition of full-time staff:. Eligibility is limited to Japanese nationals, special permanent residents, and foreigners with "permanent resident," "spouse or child of Japanese national," "spouse or child of permanent resident," or "permanent resident" status.
  • Notes:. Foreign nationals with status of residence in Appended Table 1 of the Act, such as "Engineer/Humanities/International Services," are not counted in this number of full-time employees.

2. increase in capital requirements, etc.

• New Requirement: The To operate a business,Capital of 30 million yen or more, etc.is required.
• Meaning of capital etc.:.
  • For corporations:. The amount of paid-in capital (amount of common stock) of a stock company, or the total amount of capital contribution of a general partnership, limited partnership, or limited liability company.
  • For sole proprietors:. The total amount invested as necessary for the business, such as securing business premises, staff salaries for a year, and capital investment expenses.

3. additional Japanese language proficiency requirement

• New Requirement: TheApplicant him/herselfor employ.full-time staffEither one of the "Considerable Japanese language abilityThe applicant is required to have a "M".
  • The term "full-time employees" here includes foreign nationals with status of residence in Appended Table 1 of the Act (e.g., excluding specified technical skills and technical internship).
• What is "a fair degree of Japanese language proficiency"?
  • In "Reference Framework for Japanese Language EducationEquivalent to B2 or higherThis refers to the Japanese language ability of the
  • If you are not a Japanese national or special permanent resident, you must meet one of the following criteria: 1.
    • Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).N2 or higherThe company must be accredited by the
    • BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test400 points or moreThe applicant must have obtained a
    • As a mid- to long-term residentMore than 20 yearsMust be residing in Japan.
    • Graduation from a Japanese university or other institution of higher education.
    • Completion of compulsory education and graduation from a high school in Japan.

4. background (education and employment history) requirements

• New Requirement: The One of the following must be met
  • In areas related to business management or the skills and knowledge required for the applicant's business,Doctoral, master's and professional degreesThe applicant must have obtained a
  • or the management or administration of a business.At least 3 years of work experienceThere must be a

(5) Obligations regarding business plans

• New Requirement: The To evaluate the specificity, reasonableness, and feasibility of the business plan to be submitted when determining residency status,Persons with expertise in managementconfirmation will be obligatory.
• Experts (as of the effective date):. This applies to small and medium-sized business consultants, certified public accountants, and certified tax accountants.

6. business office requirements

• New Requirement: The Because it is necessary to secure a place of business to conduct management activities in accordance with the size, etc. of the revisedAs a general rule, it is not permitted to combine a home with a business office.The following is a list of the most common problems with the

For those already residing in Japan under the category of "Management" (transitional measures)

• From the effective date3 years（In the case of an application for permission for extension of the period of stay (by October 16, 2028), even if the applicant does not conform to the revised permission criteria, an examination will be conducted based on the business situation and the likelihood of conformity to the revised criteria.
• However, for renewal applications after three years,Must conform to revised permit standardsThe following is a list of the most common problems with the

Important: Confirmation of performance of public taxes and public dues (taxes and social insurance premiums)

• When renewing the period of stay, the application status of labor insurance and social insurance, payment of insurance premiums, and payment of national and local taxes (corporate tax, consumption tax, individual inhabitant tax, etc.) will be checked.

This information is an excerpt of important changes only. Please be sure to check the official information from the Immigration and Immigration Management Agency for details.

Revisions, etc. to the "Management and Administration" Permit Criteria (Guidelines for Revisions)

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