Key Facts
• August 25, 2025: Proposal presented at Liberal Democratic Party committee meeting.
• Capital requirement for residency raised from 5 million yen to 30 million yen.
• New criteria include 3+ years of management experience or equivalent master’s degree.
• At least one full-time employee must be hired under the revised rules.
• Aim: Prevent misuse of residency for immigration purposes.
• Current system criticized for lax standards enabling fraudulent applications.
• Public comments to be collected before finalizing changes by year-end 2025.
Summary
Japan’s Immigration Services Agency is tightening residency requirements for foreign business owners under the “Business/Management” visa category. The proposed changes, presented on August 25, 2025, include raising the minimum capital requirement from 5 million yen to 30 million yen. Additional criteria mandate at least three years of management experience or a master’s degree in a related field, along with the employment of at least one full-time staff member. These measures aim to curb fraudulent use of the visa system for immigration purposes. The current system has faced criticism for its leniency, with cases of businesses lacking genuine operations being identified. The proposal has been approved by the Liberal Democratic Party’s special committee and will undergo public consultation before implementation by the end of 2025.
