Stricter Business Manager Visa Rules Lead to Immediate Removal Risk: 'Actual Work in Japan' is the New Key Focus

To All Foreign Business Owners Who Have Established a Company and Obtained a Business Manager Visa in Japan: Important Warning Regarding the Latest Operational Trends in Immigration Law and Status of Residence.

Recently, the scrutiny and renewal requirements for the Business Manager Visa have intensified annually, with a specific focus onThe "Substance of Business Management Activities within Japan" is the most critical check item.The first two are the following.

1. "Rare Cases of Work Practices" Behind the Stricter

We have handled the following cases in the past

Case Overview: A Chinese entrepreneur established a company in Kyoto and obtained a business management visa. Business seemed to be going well, but in factFrequent travel to ChinaThe company is a member of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), a non-profit organization,Significantly fewer working days in established Japanese companiesThe situation was.

In some cases, the old operation managed to renew due to the size and profitability of the business. However,In today's rigorous screening process, this "scarcity of work experience" is immediately considered a problem.

2. significant risk of being judged as "not in actual working condition

The status of residence "Management/Administration" is granted to those who reside in Japan and engage in "activities to manage or administer a business".

Even if the company is located in Japan, if the manager himself/herself works extremely few days in Japan, the Immigration Bureau is more likely to make the following decisions

Matters to be determined	Consequential risk
Lack of true activity reality	Status of ResidenceRenewal not grantedbecome
Landing and staying in Japan under false pretenses	Grounds for Revocation of Status of Residencecorrespond to
Denial of intention to continue business	An immediate order to leave Japan (Departure Order) will be issued.

In particular, "revocation" of status of residence means immediate loss of status of residence in Japan.