Japan Considers Stricter Visa Rules for Foreign Entrepreneurs

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency is planning to tighten the requirements for the “Business Manager” visa, a residency status designed for foreign entrepreneurs. This move is aimed at preventing individuals from obtaining the visa for the sole purpose of immigration, rather than for its intended use of starting a legitimate business.

The main change under consideration is a significant increase in the minimum capital requirement for a business. The agency is looking to raise the necessary capital from the current 5 million yen to 30 million yen, a six-fold increase. This adjustment would bring Japan’s requirements more in line with those of other countries.

During a recent meeting of the Immigration Agency’s expert panel, there were mixed views on the proposal. Some members argued that a substantial increase in the capital requirement is necessary to prevent misuse of the system. Others suggested that a more effective approach would be to strengthen existing investigations into businesses. A more cautious opinion was also raised, suggesting that the agency should first determine how many foreigners are currently using the “Business Manager” visa for purposes other than its intended use before making any major changes.