Startup Visa (Entrepreneurial Incentives for Foreigners) under the National Strategic Special Zone Initiatives

As one of the National Strategic Special Zone Initiatives, Fukuoka City has been approved to implement the “Startup Visa (Entrepreneurial Incentives for Foreigners)” to incentivize foreigners to be business entrepreneurs in Fukuoka. Prerequisites for the “Business Manager” visa, which is required for foreigners intending to start a business in Japan, will be eased for foreigners who found his/her business in Fukuoka (National Strategic Special Zone).

 

Foreign entrepreneurs are required to open a business office and hire two or more permanent employees or have capital/investments exceeding five million yen upon submitting his/her application to the Immigration Bureau in order to receive approval for the “Business Manager” residential status.

 

The “Startup Visa” system permits foreign entrepreneurs to receive a six-month “Business Manager” visa without fulfilling aforementioned requirements. The entrepreneur must, however, submit a New Business Implementation Plan (“NBIP”) to Fukuoka City. After evaluating the NBIP, should Fukuoka City confirm that the entrepreneur is expected to fulfill the visa requirements, the Immigration Bureau will evaluate the candidate based on Fukuoka City’s confirmation. If approved, foreign entrepreneurs are given six months to fulfill the standard requirements and complete the necessary procedures while developing their business.

 

Fukuoka City provides a tailored support service through Global Business Support (GBS), which was established by the city to assist foreign entrepreneurs in fulfilling the requirements for renewing their "Business Manager" visa within six months.

 

　Startup Visa FAQ(English)

Applying for the “Startup Visa”

In order to utilize this special measure and receive confirmation for the Business Manager residential status, applicants must submit a New Business Implementation Plan (“NBIP”) and await confirmation from Fukuoka City.

 

The confirmation of the NBIP evaluates whether the business plan detailed in the NBIP is viable and that the applicant is very likely to fulfill the prerequisites for the Business Manager residential status within six-months.

 

After confirming the applicant’s NBIP, Fukuoka City will issue a Confirmation Letter of NBIP (“CLNBIP”). Once the CLNBIP is issued, the applicant should proceed to apply for the Business Manager residential status at the Fukuoka Immigration Bureau.

Eligible Persons

 

Foreign entrepreneurs intending to start a business in Fukuoka City.

Eligible Businesses

Businesses with the potential to improve Fukuoka City’s industrial competitiveness at the international level or expand employment opportunities. Eligible industries are shown below.

 

 

*For Trade Industries, candidates must be businesses with a sense of innovation or that otherwise will make strong contributions to the growth of firms within Fukuoka City.

Required Documents

Foreigners applying for confirmation of his/her New Business Implementation must create, prepare and submit the following documents. Please refer to the example form and Q&A when creating the documents. Please use Japanese.

 

 

Where to Apply

Global Business Support (GBS)

• Location 1
  • Fukuoka Growth Next (FGN)
    Fukuoka Growth Next 1F, 2-6-11 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• Location 2: CIC Fukuoka
  • ONE FUKUOKA BLDG 7F, 1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 

Issuing the Confirmation Letter of NBIP

This is a certificate issued to those who have received confirmation for his/her New Business Implementation Plan. Following the confirmation process, Fukuoka City will contact the applicant at the contact information provide on his/her application. Please come to Fukuoka City Hall to receive your Confirmation Letter.
The applicant will be required to pay 300 yen.

Applying for the Business Manager Residential Status at Fukuoka Immigration Bureau

Successful applicants who receive a Confirmation Letter of NBIP must apply for the Business Manager residential status at the Fukuoka Immigration Bureau.
Please contact the Fukuoka Immigration Bureau for application procedures.

Fukuoka Immigration Bureau, Status Department
Telephone: 092-717-7596

　Fukuoka Immigration Services Agency

After Approval for Business Manager Residential Status

After utilizing this system to receive approval for the Business manager residential status, Fukuoka City will conduct a review on the progress of the entrepreneurial activities during the permitted six-month period.
City officials will visit the applicant’s business office or residence to inquire about the applicant’s business progress.
Fukuoka City provides support through Global Business Support (GBS) to assist foreign entrepreneurs in fulfilling the requirements for renewing their "Business Manager" visa within six months.

Reviewing the Progress of Entrepreneur Activities

Based on the New Business Implementation Plan, Fukuoka City officials will conduct a review on the progress of startup businesses founded by entrepreneurs who utilized this system and received approval for his/her Business Manager residential status. There will be three review sessions during the six-month period, of which at least one session will be held either at the entrepreneur’s place of business or residence.
During the review sessions, the business’s bank account, lease for the place of business, and employment contracts may be reviewed. If progress is not satisfactory, Fukuoka City may direct the entrepreneur to return to his/her home country.

Assistance in Renewing the Visa

After obtaining the Startup Visa, Fukuoka City provides support through Global Business Support (GBS) to assist foreign entrepreneurs in fulfilling the requirements for renewing their "Business Manager" visa within six months.
In addition, concierges at Fukuoka Growth Next (FGN), public-private collaboration start-up support facility in Fukuoka City, will provide information and consultations related to business plans and more.

Beneficial seminars, business matching opportunities and social events are also available.
All of these services are free of charge for everyone.

 

　　Global Business Support (GBS)

Relaxation of the Visa Renewal Requirements

According to the previous rules, it was necessary to rent an exclusive office space to renew the visa. However, from June 2020, the requirements were relaxed, making it possible to use coworking spaces* (spaces not designed to function as exclusive offices) from the first renewal date until the date of the visa’s expiration.
*As of June 2020, only Fukuoka City and Sendai City allow coworking spaces for visa renewal.



When renewing the visa under the new relaxed requirements, a Notice Regarding Special Exceptions for Foreign Entrepreneurs when Securing Exclusive Office Space in the National Strategic Special Zoneissued by Fukuoka City is required in addition to the usual necessary documents to be submitted to the Immigration Bureau.
To obtain the Notification, the following documents must be submitted to Fukuoka City:

• ARequest for Issuance of Confirmation Regarding Special Exceptions for Foreign Entrepreneurs when Securing Exclusive Office Space in the National Strategic Special Zone（Form）
• Documentation clarifying how long the applicant can use one of Fukuoka City’s authorized coworking spaces etc. listed below
• A copy of theCertificate of Registered Matters of the company established by the applicant

The following coworking spaces certified by Fukuoka City can be used as a business space under the new relaxed requirements for visa renewal.

【List of Authorized Coworking Space】　　*This list is regularly updated.

• Fukuoka Growth Next　2-6-11 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• Wissquare Fukuoka　1-3-7 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 　South Stage 3F
• Share Office SALT　1-15-18 Imajuku Station, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka
• The Company Canal City Hakata Mae　8-13 Gioncho, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka　Daiichi Prince Building 1F
• The Company　Fukuoka　PARCO　2-11-1, Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 　Fukuoka PARCO New Building 5F
• WeWork　Daimyo　1-1-29 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka　
• WeWork　Gates　Fukuoka　3-7-24 Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• G’s BASE FUKUOKA　1-3-41 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka  Prio Daimyo 1F & 2F　
• Q　1-1 Central Street, Hakata Station, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka AMU Plaza Hakata B1F
• CREATIVE ROOM  fukuoka-daimyo　1-3-32 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka  La Corte Daimyo 203
• Servcorp NMF Hakata Ekimae Building　1-15-20, Hakata Ekimae, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka  NMF Hakata Ekimae Building　2F
• Servcorp Fukuoka Tenjin Fukoku Seimei Building　1-9-17 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• Fukuoka Tenjin Fukoku Seimei Building　15F
• The Company　Mina Tenjin　4-3-8, Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 　Mina Tenjin 8F
• CO-WORKING-SALON・CAFE-LOUNGE　SHIKINOIRO 4-4-16, Chiyo, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka SHIKINOIRO BLD
• Co-work & Share.H 2-1-13, Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• YOKALAB TENJIN 2-9-35, Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka Tousen Tenjin Building 9F
• CIC FUKUOKA（新ウィンドウで表示） １-１１-１,  Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 7F