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繁體中文Who this is for
- Anyone who needs a Business Manager visa to run a company in Japan
- Companies transferring employees from an overseas head office to a base in Japan
- Anyone considering permanent residency or naturalization
- Anyone who wants to bring their family to Japan
- Companies starting to hire foreign talent or to accept Specified Skilled Workers
Statuses of residence at a glance
The main statuses of residence related to business and work are as follows.
| Status of residence | Who it is for | Key review points |
|---|---|---|
| Business Manager | People who run or manage a business in Japan | Business scale and continuity, place of business, business plan, background |
| Highly Skilled Professional | People whose points for education, work history, income and other factors meet the threshold | Points calculation and proof. Benefits include a shorter path to permanent residency |
| Intra-company Transferee | Employees transferring from an overseas head office or group company | Length of employment before the transfer, duties in Japan |
| Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services | People taking jobs that use specialized knowledge | Relevance of education and work history to the job, pay |
| Specified Skilled Worker | People with certain skills working in sectors facing labor shortages | Skills and Japanese-language tests, the host company's support system |
| Dependent | Spouses and children of status of residence holders | The supporting person's income and status of residence |
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The October 2025 revision tightened the Business Manager visa standards for business scale, employment, Japanese-language ability, background and business plan. Current holders will also be subject to the new standards after a transitional period.
What we do
Choosing and applying for a status of residence
We learn about your business, background, family and any plans for permanent residency, then propose which status to obtain and in what order. We handle applications from overseas (Certificate of Eligibility), changes of status and renewals.
Business plan and supporting evidence
Business Manager reviews scrutinize the business plan and its supporting evidence. We prepare your market, revenue forecast, staffing and funding plans in a form reviewed by professionals.
Renewals linked to company operations
Renewals also check financial statements, tax payments and social insurance enrollment. With accounting, tax and HR handled by the same team, the documents needed for renewal are kept in order all year.
Permanent residency and naturalization
Permanent residency is a status that lets you keep living in Japan without changing nationality; naturalization is the process of acquiring Japanese nationality. We review your residence history, income, and tax and pension records, and advise which suits you better.
Bringing your family
We apply for statuses of residence for your spouse and children. Bringing parents is difficult in principle, although it may be allowed under certain conditions for Highly Skilled Professionals and some others.
Hiring foreign talent
We explain an employer's obligations, such as the scope of work each status permits, residence card checks and notifications to Hello Work. Candidate referrals are made in partnership with licensed placement agencies.
Accepting Specified Skilled Workers
Working with registered support organizations, we help host companies build the support they are required to provide (orientation to daily life, securing housing, Japanese-language study, regular interviews and more). The new Employment for Skill Development system is scheduled to start in 2027.
Settling into life in Japan
Housing contracts, residence registration and My Number, health insurance and pension, bank accounts, driver's license conversion, choosing schools. We guide you through the procedures right after arrival, and accompany you and interpret as needed.
Why TIMOA
- 01
The same team handles company setup, accounting, tax and HR, so application and renewal documents stay consistent.
- 02
We choose your first status of residence with permanent residency and inheritance in view.
- 03
We explain your applications in Japanese, Chinese and English.
Fees
Fees are quoted once we understand the nature and scope of your engagement. Please contact us first.
Ask about feesFrequently asked questions
If I set up a company, will I get a Business Manager visa?
Not by setup alone. You must meet requirements such as business scale, office, employment, business plan and background, and the business must be judged sustainable. Please consult us before setting up.
Can my family live in Japan with me?
Spouses and children of Business Manager, Highly Skilled Professional and other status holders can live with them under the Dependent or another status. Dependents need permission to engage in activities outside their status in order to work.
Permanent residency or naturalization: which is better?
Permanent residency if you want to keep living here without changing nationality; naturalization if you want a Japanese passport. Chinese nationals lose Chinese nationality on acquiring Japanese nationality. As this also affects inheritance and asset planning, consider them together.
If my application is refused, can I reapply?
Yes. We first confirm the reasons for refusal with the immigration authorities, sort out what can be improved, and then reapply.
Related articles
- Hiring Foreign Employees in Japan: Work Visa Requirements and Process
- Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa: Points and 70/80 Benefits
- Business Manager Visa Application: Documents and Processing Times
- Intra-Company Transferee Visa in Japan: Requirements and Procedure
- Japan Startup Visa Explained: How the Programme Works and How to Apply