Three Criteria for Selecting an Immigration Lawyer　for Business Administration Visa Applications to Avoid Regrets

It is no exaggeration to say that for foreign business owners who have decided to start a business in Japan and are applying for a business management visa, the choice of an immigration lawyer as a partner can make the difference between the fate of their business.

Unfortunately, however, there has been an increase in the number of cases in recent years where people come to our office for consultation seeking a "replacement handler" in the middle of the application process for reasons such as "the procedure did not go smoothly even though I requested it" or "I am worried because the explanation was not sufficient.

Why do regrets arise? And what are the criteria for choosing the right one to avoid regrets? We will explain from a professional's point of view.

1. Do you have the management knowledge to support your "business plan"?

The most important factor in the examination for a business administration visa is "continuity and stability of the business. This cannot be proved by simply preparing documents with a list of numbers.

• Points of choice:. Make sure that the administrative agent understands management practices such as marketing and corporate strategy. A business plan that does not have an actual business situation will be a cause for severe suspicion from the immigration authorities. You should choose a specialist who understands the essence of management and can logically explain to the immigration authorities "why this business will be successful.

2. Can we have a transparent dialogue without hiding risks?

We have seen many cases where a client believes easy words such as "100% will be allowed," and as a result, is stuck in a situation where they are later unable to respond to additional materials.

• Points of choice:. Can they accurately point out the "weaknesses" and "risks" in your situation during the initial consultation? There are many hurdles to visa application, such as proving remittance routes from abroad and securing an office. A true partner is an expert who can give you honest advice based on legal grounds, without ambiguity about these matters.

3. International mindedness and speedy response

The Business Management Visa process involves a wide variety of steps that move concurrently, including incorporation, tax reporting, and business licenses.

• Points of choice:. Is there a system in place to respond quickly to communications and provide consultation from a global perspective? An immigration lawyer who tends to lose contact during application preparation will not be able to keep up with the speed of rapidly changing business.

4. Conclusion

The business management visa is the "starting line" for your challenge in Japan. We will do our best to support you so that you can take that first step with confidence, rather than with regret.