Insights On The Business Manager Visa From A Top Specialist

3. Challenges In Selecting The Best Application Route

Interestingly, the Business Manager visa route is not the only means to residing in Japan long-term and running a company.  In some cases, an entrepreneur may choose to designate a Japanese resident as the official representative of a company at establishment, and proceed to instead secure a standard work visa for themselves as an “employee” of the company they founded (this method of course comes with a different set of risks for potential complication). 

For those who ultimately decide to pursue the Business Manager visa, applying to transfer from an existing Japan visa (such as a Work or Student visa) can often be more desirable than beginning the entire process while based overseas.  Entrepreneurs meeting the age and nationality eligibility for a Working Holiday visa may also potentially be able to utilize that as an initial, shorter-term entry point for Japan.

Depending on the entrepreneur’s intended plan of action, the timeline for formal company establishment may vary as well.  Each route carries its own advantages and risks and depends heavily on the individual situation at hand.

 

4. Obstacles To Conducting Business As a Foreign Entity

But what about working remotely in Japan with a foreign-incorporated company & foreign corporate bank account?  Our client pointed out the sharp time and cost differences between establishing his startup in Japan and back in his home country overseas, and mused about the alternate scenario of proceeding as a “digital nomad” entrepreneur instead. 

The specialists we were consulting agreed that this was indeed viable in theory, as it is permissible to enter Japan on a tourist/sightseeing visa for engaging in business talks provided no domestic payment is changing hands.  However, the obstacles associated with successfully acquiring the Business Manager visa would instead be replaced by the sharply increased barriers to developing a strong sense of trust with other companies within the Japan market.

Understandably, corporations would feel more assured to do business with another domestically-established entity, which conveys an increased sense of legal liability and removes the complication of costly overseas transactions.  Obstacles could also manifest in other unexpected ways such as formal documents: many corporate contracts are specifically designed to be signed between two Japanese companies.

 

5. The Impact Of A Skilled Specialist

With the visa application process for a Business Manager being such a difficult and potentially very costly process, enlisting a seasoned and skilled specialist becomes crucial.  An experienced specialist will be able to evaluate each entrepreneur’s specific situation and advise them on which route to running their business in Japan would be most suited to their goals and needs.  They also will be able to provide valuable insight on major application pitfalls to watch out for

Although the Business Manager visa in Japan currently remains difficult to obtain, we are very thankful to the immigration specialists for openly sharing their impressions and for their best efforts towards assisting foreigner entrepreneurs.  We are hopeful that over time we will be able to progress towards an increasingly foreigner startup-friendly environment in Japan.