4-month Business Manager Visa
What is a 4-month business manager visa?
Foreigners need to obtain a business manager visa to establish a company in Japan and carry out business management activities. Normally, this visa has a one-year period of stay. However, for foreigners who are starting a new business, a 4-month business manager visa is also available. Here, we will explain the characteristics of a 4-month business manager visa, the process for obtaining it, and the difference between it and a 1-year business manager visa.
The difference between a 4-month business manager visa and a short-term stay visa
A 4-month business manager visa is a visa that foreigners who are about to start a business in Japan use to come to Japan before establishing a company and prepare for the company’s establishment.
With a short-term stay visa (90 days or less), foreigners cannot register as residents in Japan. Therefore, foreigners cannot open a Japanese bank account or rent a company office because they do not have an address in Japan. However, by obtaining this visa, foreigners can register as residents after coming to Japan and proceed with the procedures necessary to start a new business, such as opening a bank account, leasing an office, and registering the establishment of a company.
Why 4 months?
Why was a four-month business manager visa created? The reason is that four months is the shortest period for a foreigner to get a “resident card,” which is the first thing they need to start a business.
The four-month business manager visa was created as a consideration to facilitate the initial preparations for foreigners to start a business in Japan. In order to obtain a regular one-year business manager visa, a foreigner must transfer the company’s capital to a Japanese bank account before applying for the visa. In addition, an office must be secured and many notifications must be submitted to administrative agencies. However, it is very difficult to do these things from overseas. In reality, it was essential for the foreigner to have a collaborator in Japan to support the foreigner in starting a business. However, by using this four-month visa, a foreigner can make these preparations by themselves after coming to Japan, and can start a business even if they do not have a collaborator in Japan.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
You can register as a resident and open a bank account: You can obtain a residence card, so you can register as a resident (issue a resident card) and open a bank account in Japan. This allows you to deposit capital for company establishment and conduct daily transactions smoothly.
You can secure an office: After obtaining a visa, you can select an office yourself and negotiate with the landlord to enter into an office rental contract.
You can come to Japan before establishing a company and engage in business management activities: You can carry out the company establishment procedures yourself. In addition, you can immediately engage in business management activities after the company is established.
Disadvantages
Very short period of stay: You must complete preparations for company establishment and business start-up within four months and apply for renewal to a one-year visa.
Some banks do not allow you to open an account: Some financial institutions do not allow foreigners on a four-month business management visa to open an account. This can make it difficult to deposit capital into a bank account for company establishment.
It may be difficult to rent an office: If a foreigner on a 4-month visa applies to rent an office, the application may be rejected due to the short period of stay of the foreigner. Therefore, it may take longer than expected to select an office.
What is the difference from a 1-year business manager visa?
Purpose of stay: A 4-month visa is intended for a short-term preparation period. In contrast, a 1-year visa is intended for business management activities.
Conditions for visa application: When applying for a 1-year visa, it is necessary to establish a company and secure an office before applying. However, when applying for a 4-month visa, it is not necessary to establish a company or secure an office.
Steps for obtaining a 4-month visa
◎When a foreigner applies for a visa while staying in Japan on a short-term visitor visa
1 The foreigner prepares a business plan, draft articles of incorporation, proof of funds, office candidate materials, etc. while staying in Japan.
2 Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility at the immigration bureau.
3 Leave the country once the certificate is issued.
4 Obtain a visa at the Japanese embassy.
5 The foreigner re-enters Japan on a business manager visa.
◎When a foreigner applies for a visa while living outside Japan
1 While living abroad, the foreigner prepares a business plan, proposed articles of incorporation, proof of funds, and office candidate materials.
2 Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility at the Immigration Bureau (Foreigners living outside Japan cannot apply for a visa themselves. Administrative scriveners can apply for visas for foreigners.)
3 After the certificate is issued, the foreigner obtains a visa at a Japanese embassy overseas.
4 The foreigner re-enters Japan on a business manager visa.
Procedures after entry
・Resident registration (issuance of resident card)
・Bank account opening
・Office rental contract
・Company establishment registration
Procedures for renewal of residence status (Start a business within 4 months and apply for renewal of residence status for business manager.)
Documents required for visa application
・When applying for a 4-month business manager visa, the following documents must be submitted at a minimum. (In reality, many other documents are required.)
・Business plan: Details of business activities, income and expenditure plan, organizational structure, representative background, business partners, etc. are described in detail. The guideline is about 10 A4 pages.
・Articles of incorporation proposal: Create a document that defines the company’s basic information and management policy.
・Funds certificate: Prepare a document that proves the source of the planned amount of capital.
・Documents related to the office: Prepare information on the property to be used as an office and the contract documents.
Prepare these documents and submit them to the immigration bureau. The review period for a four-month business manager visa is usually about 1 to 3 months.
Summary
The four-month business manager visa is a convenient visa that foreigners can use as a preparation period for starting a business in Japan. By obtaining this visa, foreigners can register as residents, open a bank account, and sign an office contract. On the other hand, foreigners need to start a business in a short period of four months and go through the one-year business manager visa renewal procedure, so planned preparation is required. It is required to prepare the necessary documents early and proceed with the procedure smoothly. Even if a foreigner does not have a business partner in Japan, they can prepare for business by obtaining this visa, but there are many cases where specialized knowledge is required for visa applications and company establishment in Japan. In such cases, a visa attorney or other such person will be required.
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