Business Manager - Required Documents
The Business Manager visa status is for activities involving starting the management of trade or other business operations in Japan, or engaging in the management of such business.
| Applicable Activities | Activities of starting the management of trade or other business in Japan, managing such business, or engaging in the management of said business |
|---|---|
| Period of Stay | 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 4 months, 3 months |
Category Classification of Affiliated Organizations
Required documents vary by category. Please confirm your applicable category before submitting documents.
| Category | Applicable Organizations |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | Listed companies, mutual companies engaged in the insurance business, national/local government bodies, independent administrative agencies, special corporations/authorized corporations, innovation-creating enterprises, companies meeting certain conditions, etc. |
| Category 2 | Organizations/individuals whose total withholding tax on employee salary income for the previous year is 10 million yen or more |
| Category 3 | Organizations/individuals that have submitted a legal records summary table of withholding tax slips for employee salary income for the previous year (excluding Category 2) |
| Category 4 | Organizations/individuals not falling under Categories 1-3 (including newly established companies) |
Required Documents by Application Type
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
- Application for Change of Status of Residence
- Application for Extension of Period of Stay
Important Notes Before Applying
- For questions about how to fill out application forms, required documents, etc., please contact the Immigration Information Center. (TEL: 0570-013904)
- Applications with incomplete documents may result in significant delays in examination or denial of permission.
- All certificates issued in Japan must be submitted within 3 months of the date of issuance.
- Documents written in foreign languages must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.
Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
Common Documents (All Categories)
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, and clear. Write the applicant’s name on the back of the photo and attach it to the photo section of the application form.
3. Return envelope - 1
Write the recipient’s address on a standard envelope and attach stamps for registered mail. This will be used to return the application result (Certificate of Eligibility, etc.).
4. Documents proving category eligibility
Submit documents proving the category to which the affiliated organization belongs. If no applicable documents can be submitted, it falls under Category 4. (Check category classification)
Category 1
Submit any of the following applicable documents.
- Copy of Shikiho (Japan Company Handbook) or a document proving listing on a Japanese stock exchange
- Copy of a document proving establishment approval from the competent authority
- Document proving status as an innovation-creating enterprise (copy of subsidy grant decision notice, etc.)
- Document proving that the company meets certain conditions (copy of certification, etc.)
Category 2
Copy of the legal records summary table of withholding tax slips for employee salary income for the previous year
Category 3
Copy of the legal records summary table of withholding tax slips for employee salary income for the previous year
Additional Documents for Categories 3 and 4
5. Documents proving the applicant’s activities, etc.
Submit the applicable documents from the following.
- (1) When assuming the position of officer in a Japanese corporation: Copy of the articles of incorporation stipulating officer remuneration, or copy of the minutes of the shareholders’ meeting resolving officer remuneration (for companies with a remuneration committee, copy of the committee’s minutes)
- (2) When transferring to a Japan branch of a foreign corporation, or assuming the position of officer in an organization other than a company: A document from the affiliated organization specifying the position (duties), period, and amount of remuneration to be paid (letter of appointment, transfer notice, etc.)
- (3) When being employed as a manager in Japan: A document specifying labor conditions issued to workers based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Labor Standards Act and Article 5 of the Enforcement Regulations of the same act (employment contract, etc.)
6. Copy of a business plan evaluated by a person with specialized knowledge in business management
7. Documents proving the business content
Submit the applicable documents from the following.
- (1) If the business is conducted by a corporation, a copy of the certificate of registered matters of said corporation (if corporate registration has not been completed, a copy of the articles of incorporation or other documents proving the intention to start the business). This applies both when establishing a corporation in Japan and when setting up a branch of a foreign corporation in Japan.
- (2) A company brochure detailing the history, officers, organization, business content (including major business partners and transaction records), etc. of the workplace
- (3) Other documents prepared by the workplace, etc. equivalent to (2)
8. Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year
Income statement and balance sheet.
9. Documents proving that necessary permits/licenses for the business have been obtained
- (1) Explanation of application (PDF / Word)
- (2) Copy of permits, etc. proving that necessary permits/licenses have been obtained
10. Documents proving the reason for being unable to submit the legal records summary table (Category 4 only)
- (1) For organizations exempt from withholding tax: Certificate of exemption from withholding tax for foreign corporations or other documents proving that withholding tax is not required
- (2) For other organizations:
- Copy of the notification of establishment of salary payment office, etc.
- One of the following: Copy of the income tax collection record calculation statement for the most recent 3 months (with receipt stamp), or documents proving approval if receiving special payment deadline treatment
11. Documents proving the existence of business office facilities
- (1) Real estate registry transcript
- (2) Lease agreement
- (3) Other documents
12. Documents proving the scale of the business
- (1) Documents regarding wage payment and resident certificate of relevant employees proving that there is at least 1 full-time employee, and other documents
- (2) Balance sheet
- (3) Certificate of registered matters (not required if already submitted under No.7 (1))
- (4) Other documents proving the scale of the business
13. Documents proving Japanese language ability
- (1) Explanation of application (reference form)
- (2) Resident certificate of a person with Japanese language ability (excluding the applicant)
- (3) Documents proving that the manager or full-time employee possesses Japanese language ability: exam pass certificate/score report, or documents proving the identity and career of the person with Japanese language ability (graduation certificate, etc.)
- (4) If the person with Japanese language ability is a full-time employee (excluding the applicant), documents regarding wage payment for said employee
14. Documents proving career history
- (1) Proof by educational background: Documents proving possession of a doctoral degree, master’s degree, or professional degree in a field related to business management or the field related to the application (degree certificate)
- (2) Proof by work experience:
- Resume specifying the organizations where related work was performed and the content/period of activities
- Documents proving the period of engagement in related work (certificate of employment, etc.)
Application for Change of Status of Residence
Common Documents (All Categories)
1. Application for Change of Status of Residence - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, and clear. Write the applicant’s name on the back of the photo and attach it to the photo section of the application form.
3. Documents proving category eligibility
Submit documents proving the category to which the affiliated organization belongs. If no applicable documents can be submitted, it falls under Category 4. (Check category classification)
Category 1
Submit any of the following applicable documents.
- Copy of Shikiho (Japan Company Handbook) or a document proving listing on a Japanese stock exchange
- Copy of a document proving establishment approval from the competent authority
- Document proving status as an innovation-creating enterprise (copy of subsidy grant decision notice, etc.)
- Document proving that the company meets certain conditions (copy of certification, etc.)
Category 2
Copy of the legal records summary table of withholding tax slips for employee salary income for the previous year
Category 3
Copy of the legal records summary table of withholding tax slips for employee salary income for the previous year
Additional Documents for Categories 3 and 4
4. Documents proving the applicant’s activities, etc.
Submit the applicable documents from the following.
- (1) When assuming the position of officer in a Japanese corporation: Copy of the articles of incorporation stipulating officer remuneration, or copy of the minutes of the shareholders’ meeting resolving officer remuneration (for companies with a remuneration committee, copy of the committee’s minutes)
- (2) When transferring to a Japan branch of a foreign corporation, or assuming the position of officer in an organization other than a company: A document from the affiliated organization specifying the position (duties), period, and amount of remuneration to be paid (letter of appointment, transfer notice, etc.)
- (3) When being employed as a manager in Japan: A document specifying labor conditions issued to workers based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Labor Standards Act and Article 5 of the Enforcement Regulations of the same act (employment contract, etc.)
5. Copy of a business plan evaluated by a person with specialized knowledge in business management
6. Documents proving the business content
Submit the applicable documents from the following.
- (1) If the business is conducted by a corporation, a copy of the certificate of registered matters of said corporation (if corporate registration has not been completed, a copy of the articles of incorporation or other documents proving the intention to start the business)
- (2) A company brochure detailing the history, officers, organization, business content (including major business partners and transaction records), etc. of the workplace
- (3) Other documents prepared by the workplace, etc. equivalent to (2)
7. Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year
Income statement and balance sheet.
8. Documents proving that necessary permits/licenses for the business have been obtained
- (1) Explanation of application (reference form)
- (2) Copy of permits, etc. proving that necessary permits/licenses have been obtained
9. Documents proving the reason for being unable to submit the legal records summary table (Category 4 only)
- (1) For organizations exempt from withholding tax: Certificate of exemption from withholding tax for foreign corporations or other documents proving that withholding tax is not required
- (2) For other organizations:
- Copy of the notification of establishment of salary payment office, etc.
- One of the following: Copy of the income tax collection record calculation statement for the most recent 3 months (with receipt stamp), or documents proving approval if receiving special payment deadline treatment
10. Documents proving the existence of business office facilities
- (1) Real estate registry transcript
- (2) Lease agreement
- (3) Other documents
11. Documents proving the scale of the business
- (1) Documents regarding wage payment and resident certificate of relevant employees proving that there is at least 1 full-time employee, and other documents
- (2) Balance sheet
- (3) Certificate of registered matters (not required if already submitted under No.6 (1))
- (4) Other documents proving the scale of the business
12. Documents proving Japanese language ability
- (1) Explanation of application (reference form)
- (2) Resident certificate of a person with Japanese language ability (excluding the applicant)
- (3) Documents proving that the manager or full-time employee possesses Japanese language ability: exam pass certificate/score report, or documents proving the identity and career of the person with Japanese language ability (graduation certificate, etc.)
- (4) If the person with Japanese language ability is a full-time employee (excluding the applicant), documents regarding wage payment for said employee
13. Documents proving career history
- (1) Proof by educational background: Documents proving possession of a doctoral degree, master’s degree, or professional degree in a field related to business management or the field related to the application (degree certificate)
- (2) Proof by work experience:
- Resume specifying the organizations where related work was performed and the content/period of activities
- Documents proving the period of engagement in related work (certificate of employment, etc.)
Application for Extension of Period of Stay
Common Documents (All Categories)
1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, and clear. Write the applicant’s name on the back of the photo and attach it to the photo section of the application form.
3. Passport and Residence Card
4. Documents proving category eligibility
Submit documents proving the category to which the affiliated organization belongs. If no applicable documents can be submitted, it falls under Category 4. (Check category classification)
Category 1
Submit any of the following applicable documents.
- Copy of Shikiho (Japan Company Handbook) or a document proving listing on a Japanese stock exchange
- Copy of a document proving establishment approval from the competent authority
- Document proving status as an innovation-creating enterprise (copy of subsidy grant decision notice, etc.)
- Document proving that the company meets certain conditions (copy of certification, etc.)
Category 2
Copy of the legal records summary table of withholding tax slips for employee salary income for the previous year
Category 3
Copy of the legal records summary table of withholding tax slips for employee salary income for the previous year
Additional Documents for Categories 3 and 4
5. Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year
Income statement and balance sheet.
6. Copy of certificate of registered matters of the corporation
Submit this if the business is conducted by a corporation.
7. Documents proving that necessary permits/licenses for the business have been obtained
- (1) Explanation of application (reference form)
- (2) Copy of permits, etc. proving that necessary permits/licenses have been obtained
8. Documents regarding withholding tax (Category 4 only)
Certificate of exemption from withholding tax for foreign corporations or other documents proving that withholding tax is not required.
9. Documents regarding full-time employees
Documents regarding wage payment and resident certificate of relevant employees proving that there is at least 1 full-time employee, and other documents.
10. Documents proving Japanese language ability
- (1) Explanation of application (reference form)
- (2) Resident certificate of a person with Japanese language ability (excluding the applicant)
- (3) Documents proving that the manager or full-time employee possesses Japanese language ability: exam pass certificate/score report, or documents proving the identity and career of the person with Japanese language ability (graduation certificate, etc.)
- (4) If the person with Japanese language ability is a full-time employee (excluding the applicant), documents regarding wage payment for said employee
11. Statement explaining business management activities during the most recent period of stay
A document specifically explaining the activities related to business management during the previous period of stay (free format). If there have been changes since the previous application for stay, include an explanation of the reasons.
12. Resident tax assessment (or non-taxation) certificate and tax payment certificate
Must include total income and tax payment status for one year. This can be obtained from the municipal office (city/ward/town/village) having jurisdiction over the place of residence as of January 1. If the certificate includes both total income and tax payment status, submitting only one certificate is sufficient.
13. Documents proving the status of public dues and tax compliance of the affiliated organization
- (1) Explanation of application (reference form)
- (2) All applicable documents proving compliance with public dues and taxes:
If the affiliated organization is a corporation:
- Documents proving labor insurance enrollment status and premium payment status
- Documents proving social insurance enrollment status and premium payment status
- Tax payment certificates for withholding income tax and special reconstruction income tax, corporate tax, consumption tax and local consumption tax
- Tax payment certificates for corporate resident tax (prefectural tax and municipal tax) and corporate enterprise tax
If the affiliated organization is an individual:
- Documents proving labor insurance enrollment status and premium payment status
- Documents proving social insurance enrollment status and premium payment status
- Documents proving national health insurance enrollment status and premium payment status
- Tax payment certificates for withholding income tax and special reconstruction income tax, declared income tax and special reconstruction income tax, consumption tax and local consumption tax, inheritance tax, and gift tax
- Tax payment certificates for individual resident tax (prefectural tax and municipal tax) and individual enterprise tax
- For individual business owners not obligated to enroll in social insurance, please submit documents explaining that the business is not subject to compulsory social insurance coverage.
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