Hello, this is Hong from IMS Legal Professional Corporation.
The new requirements regarding the Business Manager visa came into effect on October 16, 2025. For COE (Certificate of Eligibility) applications and change of status applications submitted on or after the enforcement date, the new standards will apply. In addition, a three-year transitional period has been established for future Business Manager visa renewal applications. For details, please refer to the official website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
Amendment to the Landing Requirements Ordinance, etc. Related to the Status of Residence “Business Manager” (Preferred language can be chosen)
In this article, I would like to explain the “evaluation” of the business plan that is now required.
What is a Business Plan?
In the Business Manager visa application, the business plan is an essential document used to demonstrate that the business is stable, sustainable, and realistically viable. Generally, it should include the following elements:
- Overview of the business
- Management philosophy
- Description of services
- Target customers
- Product lineup
- Pricing strategy
- Marketing methods
- Sales channels and suppliers
- Profit and loss projections (1 to 5 fiscal years)
- Staffing and hiring plans
Until now, if a company had poor financial status (such as being in debt), immigration sometimes required an evaluation letter from a third party who was recognized as having the qualification to assess business viability — such as a Certified Public Accountant or Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant — explaining the outlook for improvement.
However, under the new standards enforced on October 16, 2025, the business plan submitted with the application must be evaluated to confirm that it is concrete, reasonable, and achievable, and this evaluation must be performed by someone with specialized knowledge in business management.
As of October 16, 2025, the following are recognized as professionals with specialized knowledge in business management:
- Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants
- Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)
- Licensed Tax Accountants
Is the Business Plan Evaluation Required for All Applications?
No. The requirement does not apply universally. Whether the evaluation is required depends on the type of application and the company’s category.
Who Can Prepare the Business Plan?
There are no restrictions on who may prepare the business plan. It may be prepared by:
- The applicant themselves
- A consultant
- A tax accountant or SME management consultant
- Another professional adviser
However, in most cases, applicants choose to have a professional prepare it. Under the new rules, even if the applicant prepares the business plan themselves, the plan must still be evaluated and confirmed as specific, reasonable, and feasible by a qualified business professional as listed above.
Our firm works closely with tax accountants and SME management consultants, allowing us to provide full support—from business plan creation to evaluation—through a one-stop service.
Can the Business Plan Be Written in a Foreign Language?
Some documents, such as employment certificates from overseas, may remain in English.
However, in principle, documents prepared in a foreign language must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.
Therefore, even if the business plan is written in English, a Japanese version must also be submitted.
If you need assistance with company establishment, business plan creation, or the Business Manager visa application, please feel free to contact us. We are here to help.
For more information, please contact us below ↓
https://imsvisa.support/en/contact/
