The Business Manager Visa is a residence status for foreign nationals who wish to start and operate a business in Japan. It is not enough to simply meet the formal requirements — immigration authorities also carefully examine whether the business can realistically continue over the long term.
The core requirements are:
Securing a business office (such as a lease contract for an office)
An investment of at least 5 million yen, or employment of at least two full-time staff members
In addition, immigration places strong emphasis on whether the business plan is feasible and sustainable, and this is reviewed in detail during the application process.
Why Are Evaluation Reports Being Requested?
In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in cases where immigration asks for an evaluation report from an SME management consultant, accountant, or other professional.
This trend is driven by several factors:
Some foreign-owned startups have withdrawn quickly or lacked substance, making immigration more cautious about business continuity
Applicants with limited management experience are often asked to reinforce the credibility of their plans
Policymakers have been shifting towards selectively approving “high-quality” foreign entrepreneurs
As a result, evaluation reports are being used to provide objective support for the soundness of a business plan.
Current Practice: When Evaluation Reports Are Requested
While not legally required, in practice immigration officers increasingly request such reports in cases like:
When projected revenues appear unrealistic → an SME consultant’s evaluation may be required
When a newly established company has a weak financial base → an accountant or tax advisor’s opinion may be requested
When the applicant has little prior management experience → a third-party evaluation may be requested to reinforce credibility
In other words, this is not a fixed legal rule, but rather a growing practical trend in examinations.
When You May Not Need an Evaluation Report
Evaluation reports serve as supporting documents, not mandatory requirements. In fact, applications may still be approved without them in situations such as:
The applicant has extensive management experience in Japan or abroad
The applicant is taking over a Japanese company with several years of proven performance
A large-scale investment (tens of millions of yen) makes the business highly credible
Thus, whether or not an evaluation is needed largely depends on the applicant’s background and investment scale.
Professionals Who Can Provide Evaluation Reports
Several types of professionals can prepare evaluation or opinion reports:
Professional
Specialty
Key Contribution to Immigration
SME Consultant
Business planning, market analysis, revenue projections
Provides objective assessment of feasibility and market potential
Tax Accountant
Cash flow, taxation issues
Strengthens the reliability of projected figures
Certified Public Accountant
Financial soundness, accounting standards
Guarantees credibility of assets and financial health
Among these, SME consultants are particularly valued for their ability to objectively validate the market feasibility and revenue projections of business plans.
Common Case Examples
Here are some anonymized examples based on typical situations:
IT startup: Revenue projections were overly optimistic → an SME consultant’s evaluation was added
Restaurant business: Investment was sufficient but the revenue plan lacked clear basis → a tax advisor’s opinion was provided
Trading company: Concerns about inventory risks and cash flow → a CPA’s financial opinion was submitted
These examples illustrate how supplementary reports can strengthen the persuasiveness of an application.
Cost and Timeline for Preparing an Evaluation Report
Preparing an evaluation requires both time and cost. Typical estimates are:
Professional
Approximate Cost
Preparation Time
SME Consultant
¥100,000–¥200,000
1–2 weeks
Tax Accountant
From several tens of thousands to around ¥100,000
1–2 weeks
Certified Public Accountant
Several hundred thousand yen or more
2–3 weeks+
Since costs and timelines vary depending on the business, it is best to consult professionals early and allow for sufficient preparation time.
Not a Legal Requirement — But Worth Noting
It is important to stress that there is no current law or official regulation requiring these evaluation reports. Immigration may request them as additional documentation only in certain cases, typically where the business plan is seen as weak or lacking evidence.
While there is always a possibility that such requirements could become formalized in the future, for now this remains a practical trend in immigration reviews, not a statutory rule.
Outlook for the Future
At this stage, requests for evaluation reports are occasional rather than universal. However, future changes cannot be ruled out:
They may become linked with discussions on raising the capital requirement
Japan may introduce a system assessing the “quality of entrepreneurs” more formally
Similar systems already exist abroad, so Japan may eventually follow suit
👉 This indicates that the Business Manager Visa is moving towards focusing not only on formal requirements, but also on the overall quality and feasibility of the business.
Conclusion
The Business Manager Visa requires not only meeting formal requirements such as capital and office space but also convincing immigration of the plan’s feasibility. While evaluation reports from consultants or accountants are not legally required, they are increasingly requested in practice.
In some cases, applications succeed without them, but considering the tightening of reviews, seeking professional support early can be a strong safeguard for applicants.
📎 Related Articles:
▶ Breaking: Business Manager Visa Capital Requirement to Increase to 30 Million Yen
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