Japan revises the permission criteria for the 「経営・管理」 (Business Manager) status of residence — in force October 16, 2025; people already residing get transitional treatment until October 16, 2028, and renewals filed after 3 years have passed must meet the revised criteria
Source material is a Japanese government announcement (in Japanese); this page is a summary.
Section 2 of 「施行に伴う留意点」 sets out two things by period. It states that where a person already residing under 「経営・管理」 files an application for permission to extend the period of stay up to the day on which 3 years have passed from the date of entry into force (October 16, Reiwa 10 (2028)), the decision to grant or refuse will be made in light of matters such as the business situation and the prospect of meeting the revised criteria, even if the revised criteria are not met; and 問1 likewise answers 「施行後３年が経過するまで（令和１０年１０月１６日まで）の間は、新たな基準を満たさない場合でも、そのことのみをもって在留期間更新許可申請が不許可になることはありません」 (during the period until 3 years have passed after entry into force (until October 16, Reiwa 10 (2028)), an application for permission to extend the period of stay will not be refused on that ground alone, even where the new criteria are not met). During that period, the applicant may be asked in examination to submit a document that has been evaluated by an expert in management. It then states 「施行日から３年を経過した後になされた在留期間更新許可申請については、改正後の基準に適合する必要があります」 (an application for permission to extend the period of stay filed after 3 years have passed from the date of entry into force must meet the revised criteria), and 問30 adds 「改正前の許可基準の適用により許可処分となった場合であっても、施行日から３年を経過した後は改正後の許可基準を満たす必要がありますので、十分に留意してください」 (even where permission was granted through application of the pre-amendment permission criteria, the revised permission criteria must be satisfied after 3 years have passed from the date of entry into force, so please take full note of this). For applications for permission to extend filed after 3 years have passed as well, a (注) adds that where the revised permission criteria are not met but the business situation is sound, obligations such as payment of corporate tax are being properly performed, and there is a prospect of satisfying the revised permission criteria by the time of the next application for extension, the decision to grant or refuse will be made by comprehensively considering the other aspects of the person’s residence status. It is also stated that 「高度専門職１号ハ」 (which presupposes 「経営・管理」 activities) is handled in the same way as the above, because meeting the permission criteria for 「経営・管理」 is a precondition for it. Meanwhile, 「申請に関する取扱い」3 (永住許可申請等について) states the starting point as 「施行日後」 (after the date of entry into force), providing that where the revised permission criteria are not met, permission for permanent residence from 「経営・管理」, 「高度専門職１号ハ」 or 「高度専門職２号」 (those presupposing 「経営・管理」 activities), and permission to change the status of residence from 「高度専門職1号ハ」 to 「高度専門職2号」, will not be granted. At the time of extension of the period of stay, a certificate of registered matters of the affiliated organisation (where the affiliated organisation is a corporation) and materials showing the state of performance of the affiliated organisation’s public dues obligations are required, and everything for which payment is mandatory is subject to submission (問26). 問2 of the original states that the application for permission to extend the period of stay also checks the rules that a business manager must observe, and advises that where there are problems with matters such as compliance with labour-related legislation including the Labour Standards Act and the Minimum Wages Act, enrolment or payment status for social insurance, employment insurance and workers’ accident compensation insurance, or the status of obtaining the licences and approvals needed for the business, these are judged as negative factors in examination, and there have been cases in which extension was not granted — so caution is advised. 「申請に関する取扱い」6 requires submission of 「許認可の取得状況等を証する資料」 (materials proving the status of obtaining the necessary licences and approvals) for the business the applicant operates, with a (注) stating 「在留許可を受けてからでないと許認可の取得ができないなど、正当な理由が認められる場合には、次回の在留期間更新許可申請時に提出を求めます」 (where a legitimate reason is recognised, such as the licence or approval being impossible to obtain until residence permission has been granted, submission will be requested at the time of the next application for permission to extend the period of stay). 問28 likewise answers that where a legitimate reason for being unable to obtain it in advance is recognised, the status of obtaining it will be checked at the time of the next application for permission to extend the period of stay, so a document explaining the specific reason why it cannot be obtained (様式自由, free format) should be submitted. For applications made on or after the date of the amendment (October 16, 2025), the post-amendment list of documents to be submitted, application forms and explanatory materials posted by the Immigration Services Agency are to be used. The business plan submitted when the status of residence is determined must be confirmed by a “person with specialist knowledge of management”; as of the date of entry into force, this means a 中小企業診断士 (registered management consultant), 公認会計士 (certified public accountant) or 税理士 (certified tax accountant) (Japanese qualifications), and it is stated that if those covered change after entry into force, this will be announced on the website. It is also explained that an officer or employee of the company managed by the applicant is not accepted as an evaluator from the standpoint of securing objectivity, whereas an external adviser who is a certified public accountant or certified tax accountant may act as an evaluator.
Key facts
| Date of entry into force | October 16, 2025 (Reiwa 7) (partial amendment of the landing criteria ordinance and the enforcement regulations) |
|---|---|
| Full-time employee | At least 1 must be employed. Those who count are limited to Japanese nationals, special permanent residents and foreign nationals with a status of residence in Appended Table 2 of the Act (Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident) |
| Capital, etc. | 30 million yen or more. Corporation = the amount of paid-in capital (capital amount) of a kabushiki kaisha or the total amount of contributions in a gomei, goshi or godo kaisha / individual = the total amount invested, such as securing a business office, salaries of employees hired (for 1 year) and equipment investment expenses |
| Japanese language ability | Either the applicant or a full-time employee must be at a level equivalent to B2 or above on the 「日本語教育の参照枠」. For persons other than Japanese nationals and special permanent residents, one of the following is confirmed: JLPT N2 or above / BJT 400 points or above / residence as a mid- to long-term resident for 20 years or more / graduation from a Japanese university or other higher education institution / graduation from high school after completing compulsory education in Japan |
| Experience | Obtaining a doctoral, master’s or professional degree in a field relating to the technology or knowledge necessary for business management or for the work of the business concerned (注1 「外国において授与されたこれに相当する学位を含みます」 — this includes a degree conferred abroad that corresponds to these), or 3 years or more in the management or administration of a business (the guideline PDF uses the wording 「職歴」, the body text of the official page uses 「経験」; 注2: including periods of start-up preparation activity (起業準備活動) under the 「特定活動」 status of residence) |
| Renewal treatment — until October 16, 2028 | 「既に「経営・管理」で在留中の方が施行日から３年を経過する日（令和１０年１０月１６日）までの間に在留期間更新許可申請を行う場合については、改正後の基準に適合しない場合であっても、経営状況や改正後の基準に適合する見込み等を踏まえ、許否判断を行います」 (where a person already residing under 「経営・管理」 files an application for permission to extend the period of stay during the period up to the day on which 3 years have passed from the date of entry into force (October 16, Reiwa 10 (2028)), the decision to grant or refuse will be made in light of matters such as the business situation and the prospect of meeting the revised criteria, even if the revised criteria are not met). For this period, 問1 answers 「新たな基準を満たさない場合でも、そのことのみをもって在留期間更新許可申請が不許可になることはありません」. The applicant may be asked in examination to submit a document evaluated by an expert in management. Applications accepted and under examination by the day before the date of entry into force are subject to the pre-amendment criteria |
| Renewal treatment — after 3 years have passed | 「施行日から３年を経過した後になされた在留期間更新許可申請については、改正後の基準に適合する必要があります」 (an application for permission to extend filed after 3 years have passed from the date of entry into force must meet the revised criteria). However, a (注) states that even where the revised permission criteria are not met, if the business situation is sound, obligations such as payment of corporate tax are being properly performed and there is a prospect of satisfying them by the time of the next application for extension, the decision to grant or refuse is made by comprehensively considering the other aspects of the person’s residence status. 問30 states that even where permission was granted through application of the pre-amendment permission criteria, the revised permission criteria must be satisfied after 3 years have passed, and adds 「十分に留意してください」 |
| 「高度専門職１号ハ」 (presupposing 「経営・管理」 activities) | 「「経営・管理」の許可基準を満たすことが前提となることから、上記と同様に取り扱います」 (because meeting the permission criteria for 「経営・管理」 is a precondition, it is handled in the same way as the above) — handled in the same way as the two items above (the treatment until October 16, 2028 and the treatment after 3 years have passed) |
| Permanent residence, etc. (「申請に関する取扱い」3) | 「施行日後、改正後の許可基準に適合していない場合は」 — permission for permanent residence from 「経営・管理」, 「高度専門職１号ハ」 or 「高度専門職２号」 (presupposing 「経営・管理」 activities), and permission to change the status of residence from 「高度専門職1号ハ」 to 「高度専門職2号」, will not be granted. The starting point stated by the original for this item is 「施行日後」 (after the date of entry into force) |
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Japan’s Immigration Services Agency partially amended the 「出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の基準を定める省令」 (Ministry of Justice Ordinance No. 16 of Heisei 2) and the 「出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則」 (Ministry of Justice Ordinance No. 54 of Showa 56) as they relate to the 「経営・管理」 (Business Manager) status of residence, with effect from October 16, 2025 (Reiwa 7). The published 「主な改正内容」 (main content of the amendment) consists of five items: (i) employment of at least 1 full-time employee (常勤職員) at the company, etc. operated by the applicant (item 2, (イ)); (ii) capital, etc. of 30 million yen or more (item 2, (ロ)); (iii) either the applicant or a full-time employee has a considerable level of Japanese language ability (item 3); (iv) the applicant has obtained a doctoral, master’s or professional degree in a field relating to the technology or knowledge necessary for business management or for the work of the business concerned (注1 「外国において授与されたこれに相当する学位を含みます」 — this includes a degree conferred abroad that corresponds to these), or has 3 years or more of work history (職歴, 注2: including periods of start-up preparation activity (起業準備活動) under the 「特定活動」 status of residence) in the management or administration of a business (item 4); and (v) mandatory confirmation, by a person with specialist knowledge of management, of the business plan submitted when the status of residence is determined (Enforcement Regulations, Appended Table 3, item 1, (イ)). Those who count as 「常勤職員」 are limited to Japanese nationals, special permanent residents, and foreign nationals residing under a status of residence in Appended Table 2 of the Act (「永住者」 Permanent Resident, 「日本人の配偶者等」 Spouse or Child of Japanese National, 「永住者の配偶者等」 Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, 「定住者」 Long-Term Resident); foreign nationals residing under a status of residence in Appended Table 1 of the Act are not included (however, the 「常勤職員」 referred to in the Japanese language ability requirement does include foreign nationals with a status of residence in Appended Table 1). 「3,000万円」 (30 million yen) refers, for a corporation, to the amount of paid-in capital (capital amount) of a kabushiki kaisha or the total amount of contributions in a gomei, goshi or godo kaisha, and, for an individual, to the total amount invested as necessary to operate the business, such as securing a business office, the salaries of employees hired (for 1 year) and equipment investment expenses. The section 「２ 既に「経営・管理」等で在留中の方からの在留期間更新許可申請等について」 of 「施行に伴う留意点」 sets out two things by period. First it states 「既に「経営・管理」で在留中の方が施行日から３年を経過する日（令和１０年１０月１６日）までの間に在留期間更新許可申請を行う場合については、改正後の基準に適合しない場合であっても、経営状況や改正後の基準に適合する見込み等を踏まえ、許否判断を行います」 (where a person already residing under 「経営・管理」 files an application for permission to extend the period of stay during the period up to the day on which 3 years have passed from the date of entry into force (October 16, Reiwa 10 (2028)), the decision to grant or refuse will be made in light of matters such as the business situation and the prospect of meeting the revised criteria, even if the revised criteria are not met), adding that the applicant may be asked during examination to submit a document that has been evaluated by an expert in management. Next it states 「施行日から３年を経過した後になされた在留期間更新許可申請については、改正後の基準に適合する必要があります」 (an application for permission to extend the period of stay filed after 3 years have passed from the date of entry into force must meet the revised criteria), with a (注) added stating that even where the revised permission criteria are not met, if the business situation is sound, obligations such as payment of corporate tax are being properly performed, and there is a prospect of satisfying the revised permission criteria by the time of the next application for extension, the decision to grant or refuse will be made by comprehensively considering the other aspects of the person’s residence status. It is also stated that 「高度専門職１号ハ」 (which presupposes 「経営・管理」 activities) is handled in the same way as the above, because meeting the permission criteria for 「経営・管理」 is a precondition for it. For applications for a certificate of eligibility, applications for permission to extend the period of stay and the like that were accepted by the day before the date of entry into force and are still under examination, the pre-amendment permission criteria apply, but 問30 adds 「改正前の許可基準の適用により許可処分となった場合であっても、施行日から３年を経過した後は改正後の許可基準を満たす必要がありますので、十分に留意してください」 (even where permission was granted through application of the pre-amendment permission criteria, the revised permission criteria must be satisfied after 3 years have passed from the date of entry into force, so please take full note of this). Meanwhile, 「申請に関する取扱い」3 (永住許可申請等について) states the starting point as 「施行日後」 (after the date of entry into force), providing that where the revised permission criteria are not met, permission for permanent residence from 「経営・管理」, 「高度専門職１号ハ」 or 「高度専門職２号」 (those presupposing 「経営・管理」 activities), and permission to change the status of residence from 「高度専門職1号ハ」 to 「高度専門職2号」, will not be granted. In addition, 「申請に関する取扱い」5 provides that at the time of extension of the period of stay, the state of performance of public dues obligations will be checked — namely the status of application of labour insurance, the status of application of social insurance, and the payment status of the national and local taxes payable by the business office.
Background — why this change
The basis is the partial amendment of the 「出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の基準を定める省令」 (Ministry of Justice Ordinance No. 16 of Heisei 2) and the 「出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則」 (Ministry of Justice Ordinance No. 54 of Showa 56), which came into force on October 16, 2025 (Reiwa 7). The Immigration Services Agency document summarising the amendment, 「「経営・管理」の許可基準の改正等について（令和７年１０月１６日施行）」, was published on October 10, 2025 (Reiwa 7) and is the version updated on the 30th of the same month. The official page carries the notice 「特にお問合せが多い質問について御案内します。【令和８年６月２６日更新：掲載の順序や問の内容を変更しました。】」 (we provide guidance on the questions that are asked most often. Updated June 26, Reiwa 8 (2026): the order of publication and the content of the questions have been changed). The “person with specialist knowledge of management” who confirms the business plan means, as of the date of entry into force, a 中小企業診断士, 公認会計士 or 税理士, and it is stated that if those covered change after entry into force, this will be announced on the website. The handling of applications for permission to change the status of residence from 「特定活動」 to 「経営・管理」 is set out in two branches in 「施行に伴う留意点」3, each with a different reference date: for 特定活動 (No. 44, foreign entrepreneur (外国人起業家), start-up visa), the reference date is the date of entry into force of the 「外国人起業活動促進事業に関する告示の一部を改正する告示」, and where the confirmation certificate was issued before that date of entry into force the pre-amendment permission criteria apply, while where it was issued on or after the date of entry into force of the amending notification the revised permission criteria apply (問32 states that this notification is 「令和七年経済産業省告示第百二十四号」 and that “before its date of entry into force” means on or before October 15, 2025). For 特定活動 (No. 51, future creation human resources (未来創造人材)), where an application for a certificate of eligibility for 「特定活動（51号）」 or the like had been filed as of the day before the date of entry into force, or the person was residing under that status of residence, the pre-amendment permission criteria apply, while where an application for a certificate of eligibility relating to 「特定活動（51号）」 or the like is filed on or after the date of entry into force, the revised permission criteria apply. 問32 adds that applications for permission to extend the period of stay by persons residing under 「経営・管理」 through the above routes are handled in the same way as for persons already residing under 「経営・管理」. The list of documents to be submitted, application forms and explanatory materials for applicants filing on or after the date of the amendment (October 16, 2025 (Reiwa 7)), together with guidance on online application, are posted on the official page.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
Summaries reflect national-level programs. Municipal (city/ward/town) programs may differ — confirm with the official desk before applying.
FAQ
If someone who has been residing under 「経営・管理」 since before the amendment cannot prepare 30 million yen by October 16, Reiwa 10 (2028), do they have to leave Japan?
The question in 問3 of the original limits its subject to 「本件改正前から在留資格「経営・管理」で在留している人について」 (persons who have been residing under the status of residence 「経営・管理」 since before this amendment), and the Immigration Services Agency answers this question with 「事実ではありません」 (this is not the case). Section 2 of 「施行に伴う留意点」 sets out two things by period. 問1 answers 「施行後３年が経過するまで（令和１０年１０月１６日まで）の間は、新たな基準を満たさない場合でも、そのことのみをもって在留期間更新許可申請が不許可になることはありません」 (during the period until 3 years have passed after entry into force (until October 16, Reiwa 10 (2028)), an application for permission to extend the period of stay will not be refused on that ground alone, even where the new criteria are not met). It then states 「施行日から３年を経過した後になされた在留期間更新許可申請については、改正後の基準に適合する必要があります」 (an application for permission to extend filed after 3 years have passed from the date of entry into force must meet the revised criteria), and 問30 adds 「改正前の許可基準の適用により許可処分となった場合であっても、施行日から３年を経過した後は改正後の許可基準を満たす必要がありますので、十分に留意してください」 (even where permission was granted through application of the pre-amendment permission criteria, the revised permission criteria must be satisfied after 3 years have passed from the date of entry into force, so please take full note of this). That said, for applications for permission to extend filed after 3 years have passed as well, where the revised permission criteria are not met but the business situation is sound, obligations such as payment of corporate tax are being properly performed and there is a prospect of satisfying the revised permission criteria by the time of the next extension, the decision to grant or refuse is made by comprehensively considering the other aspects of the person’s residence status — so it is stated that a refusal is not made uniformly merely because the 「申請に係る事業の用に供される財産の総額」 (total amount of assets used for the business concerned) falls short of 30 million yen.
I am residing under 「経営・管理」. Does this also affect an application for permission for permanent residence or procedures relating to 「高度専門職」?
「申請に関する取扱い」3 (永住許可申請等について) states 「施行日後、改正後の許可基準に適合していない場合は、「経営・管理」、「高度専門職１号ハ」又は「高度専門職２号」（「経営・管理」活動を前提とするもの）からの永住許可及び「高度専門職1号ハ」から「高度専門職2号」への在留資格変更許可は認められません」 (after the date of entry into force, where the revised permission criteria are not met, permission for permanent residence from 「経営・管理」, 「高度専門職１号ハ」 or 「高度専門職２号」 (those presupposing 「経営・管理」 activities), and permission to change the status of residence from 「高度専門職1号ハ」 to 「高度専門職2号」, will not be granted). The starting point stated by the original for this item is 「施行日後」. The treatment until October 16, Reiwa 10 (2028) is set out in 「２ 既に「経営・管理」等で在留中の方からの在留期間更新許可申請等について」 of 「施行に伴う留意点」. It is also stated that, for 「高度専門職１号ハ」 (which presupposes 「経営・管理」 activities), because meeting the permission criteria for 「経営・管理」 is a precondition, applications for permission to extend the period of stay are handled in the same way as for 「経営・管理」.
Do sole proprietors also have to prepare 30 million yen in capital?
The Immigration Services Agency also answers this question (問4) with 「事実ではありません」 (this is not the case). The 「30 million yen」 in the landing criteria ordinance (申請に係る事業の用に供される財産の総額) refers, for a corporation, to the capital amount, and, for a sole proprietor, to the total amount invested as necessary to operate the business, such as securing a business office, the salaries of employees hired (for 1 year) and equipment investment expenses. Where the business entity is an individual rather than a corporation, there is no capital to prepare, and proof is provided by submitting the settlement documents for the immediately preceding year and, as necessary, receipts and the like relating to business expenses. For a corporation, on the other hand, the judgement is made on the capital amount or the total amount of contributions, so employee salaries or office maintenance costs cannot be added in, and capital reserves, capital surplus and retained earnings are not included in the 「事業の用に供される財産の総額」.
What kind of person do I have to employ as a full-time employee?
Those who count as the 「常勤の職員」 in the permission criteria are limited to Japanese nationals, special permanent residents and foreign nationals residing under a status of residence in Appended Table 2 of the Act (Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident); foreign nationals residing under a status of residence in Appended Table 1 of the Act are not included. However, the 「常勤職員」 referred to in the Japanese language ability requirement does include foreign nationals with a status of residence in Appended Table 1. Examples given of meeting the criterion are: employing at least 1 Japanese national or special permanent resident; employing at least 1 foreign national with a status of residence in Appended Table 2 (with proof of Japanese language ability); and employing as full-time employees 1 foreign national with a status of residence in Appended Table 2 (without proof of Japanese language ability) together with 1 foreign national with a status of residence in Appended Table 1 (with proof of Japanese language ability). Examples given of not meeting it are: employing only foreign nationals with a status of residence in Appended Table 1 (with proof of Japanese language ability); and employing only full-time employees with a status of residence in Appended Table 2 but with no proof of Japanese language ability. Whether a person is full-time is judged from perspectives such as working 5 days or more and 217 days or more per year, with weekly working hours of 30 hours or more, and workers engaged in duties under 「在籍出向」 (secondment while retaining employment), 「派遣」 (dispatch) or 「請負」 (subcontracting) arrangements cannot be treated as full-time employees of that business office.
Can I use my home as the business office as well? What else is checked at the time of extension?
After the amendment, a business office suitable for conducting management activities on the relevant scale must be secured, so using a home also as the business office is in principle not accepted. Where the actual substance of activity as a manager is not sufficiently recognised — for example because the work is outsourced — the person is treated as not being recognised as conducting activities that fall under 「経営・管理」. At the time of extension of the period of stay, the state of performance of public dues obligations is checked in accordance with 「申請に関する取扱い」5, covering (i) the status of application of labour insurance (performance of acquisition of insured status for employment insurance, performance of payment of employment insurance premiums, the status of workers’ accident compensation insurance application procedures and the like), (ii) the status of application of social insurance (performance of acquisition of insured status for health insurance and employees’ pension insurance, and performance of payment of the above social insurance premiums), and (iii) the payment status of the national and local taxes payable by the business office. 「申請に関する取扱い」6 requires submission of 「許認可の取得状況等を証する資料」 for the business the applicant operates, with a (注) stating 「在留許可を受けてからでないと許認可の取得ができないなど、正当な理由が認められる場合には、次回の在留期間更新許可申請時に提出を求めます」 (where a legitimate reason is recognised, such as the licence or approval being impossible to obtain until residence permission has been granted, submission will be requested at the time of the next application for permission to extend the period of stay). 問28 likewise answers 「あらかじめ取得できないことに正当な理由があると認められる場合には、次回の在留期間更新許可申請時に取得状況を確認することになるため、取得できない具体的理由を説明した文書（様式自由）を提出してください」 (where a legitimate reason for being unable to obtain it in advance is recognised, the status of obtaining it will be checked at the time of the next application for permission to extend the period of stay, so please submit a document explaining the specific reason why it cannot be obtained (free format)). 問2 of the original states that the application for permission to extend the period of stay also checks the rules a business manager must observe, and advises that where there are problems with matters such as compliance with labour-related legislation including the Labour Standards Act and the Minimum Wages Act, enrolment or payment status for social insurance, employment insurance and workers’ accident compensation insurance, or the status of obtaining the licences and approvals needed for the business, these are judged as negative factors in examination and there have been cases in which extension was not granted. In addition, where a person has been outside Japan for a long period during the period of stay without a legitimate reason, they are regarded as having no actual substance of activity in Japan and permission to extend the period of stay is not granted. On the specific standard for this, 問22 answers 「個々の在留状況に応じて判断することになりますが、一般論としては、決定された在留期間のうち、累計でその過半を超える期間について、再入国許可による出国（みなし再入国許可による出国を含む。）をしている場合には、正当な理由があるときを除き、在留期間更新に係る審査において消極的な要素として評価されることになります」 (the judgement is made according to each individual’s residence situation, but as a general matter, where a person has departed under a re-entry permit (including departure under a deemed re-entry permit) for a cumulative period exceeding the majority of the period of stay determined for them, this will, except where there is a legitimate reason, be evaluated as a negative factor in the examination relating to extension of the period of stay).