Startup Visa (Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project) is a scheme that can be used by local governments that have received planning authorization from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The purpose of this scheme is to increase the acceptance of foreign entrepreneurs and to promote new businesses. 
 

Foreign entrepreneurs need to receive a status of residence of “Business Manager” (hereinafter “Business Manager Visa”) from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan to engage in the operation and management of businesses in Japan. When applying for this visa, the following requirements must be met: 1) securing office space, and 2) hiring at least two full-time employees or having capital or investments exceeding five million yen.

 

A foreign entrepreneur submits a new business implementation plan to Fukuoka City (hereinafter “the City”) in the Startup Visa scheme, and the City makes a judgment on the prospect of the entrepreneur fulfilling the requirements of the Business Manager Visa within one year and issues a confirmation certification. The foreign entrepreneur then submits the required documents, with the confirmation certificate attached, to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. The agency then permits the entrepreneur to have a status of residence of “Designated Activities” (hereinafter “Designated Activities Visa”) of up to two years (needs to be renewed after one year) after performing a review. The foreign entrepreneur can then promptly proceed with business inside the City after arriving in Japan or after changing his/her status of residence as long as he/she meets the necessary requirements for the Business Manager Visa within his/her period of residence.

 

The City offers specialized support through Global Business Support, helping foreign entrepreneurs meet the requirements and smoothly transition their status of residence from the Designated Activities Visa to the Business Manager Visa within onr year.
*For more details, please visit the METI website.

 

A subsidy program for foreign entrepreneurs starting a business in Fukuoka City
　　　Office and Residential Rent Subsidy Program for Foreign Startups (FY2024)

New Applications for Startup Visa

In order to use this scheme to receive the Designated Activities Visa, you will need to receive the new business implementation confirmation. This is achieved by creating and submitting (new application) a new business implementation plan for the business you will conduct in the City.

 

The new business implementation plan confirmation is when the content of a new business implementation plan application is judged by the City to see whether it has the prospect of meeting the requirements pertaining Business Manager Visa within one year after you arrive in Japan or change your status of residence.

 

The New Business Implementation Confirmation Certificate will be given to foreign entrepreneurs who have received new business implementation confirmation. They will need to apply for the Designated Activities Visa at the Fukuoka Immigration Services Agency of Japan after receiving the certificate.

Renewal Applications for Startup Visa

Foreign entrepreneurs who have received Designated Activities Visa using this scheme need to receive new business implementation renewal confirmation. This is achieved by creating and submitting a new business implementation plan (for renewal) to the City before the expiration of their one-year residence period.

 

The new business implementation plan renewal confirmation is when the content of a new business implementation plan application (for renewal) is judged by the City to see whether it has the prospect of meeting the requirements pertaining to the Business Manager Visa within six months after renewal of the period of residence.

 

The New Business Implementation Confirmation Certificate (for renewal) will be given to foreign entrepreneurs who have received the new business implementation renewal confirmation. You will need to apply to renew your Designated Activities Visa at the Fukuoka Immigration Services Agency of Japan after receiving the certificate.

Eligible Persons

Foreigners who want to start new businesses within Fukuoka City

Eligible Businesses

Businesses applicable to the industries below that are expected to strengthen the international competitiveness of the industries or increase employment in Fukuoka City.
 

*It is necessary for businesses in trade related industries to be those with novelty or those that greatly contribute to the growth of operators in Fukuoka.

Documents to Be Submitted (For New Application)

Foreigners applying for new business implementation confirmation shall create/prepare and submit all the documents below. Please complete the documents in Japanese.
 

Documents to Be Submitted (For Renewal Application)

Foreigners applying for new business implementation renewal confirmation shall create/prepare and submit all the documents below. Create these documents with reference to the entry examples (under preparation) and the Q&As. Please complete the documents in Japanese.
 

Application

  Global Business Support (GBS)
  Address: Fukuoka Growth Next 1F, 2-6-11 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
  Email： info@global-fgn.com
　*For more information about the application procedure, please email us.
  *You must submit your application in person.

Issuance of the New Business Implementation Confirmation Certificate

The City will issue a confirmation certificate to foreign entrepreneurs who have received new business implementation confirmation or new business implementation renewal confirmation. A representative will contact you using the contact details you have given on your application form as confirmation is made. Please then come to pick up the certificate from Fukuoka City Hall (14F Global Startup Support Section of the Economics, Tourism and Culture Bureau). Before your visit, you will need to pay a fee of 300 yen. Detailed payment instructions will be provided after the Business Startup Activities is granted.

Application for Designated Activities Visa at the Fukuoka Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Foreign entrepreneurs who have received the new business implementation confirmation certificate or new business implementation confirmation certificate (renewal) shall apply for Designated Activities Visa at the Fukuoka Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Please inquire directly to the Fukuoka Immigration Services Agency of Japan for details of the procedures.

Working & Permanent Residence Inspection Department of the Fukuoka Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
TEL: 092-717-7596

 

After receiving Designated Activities Visa

State of Progress Confirmation
Foreign entrepreneurs who received Designated Activities Visa using this scheme will be interviewed (state of progress confirmation) at least once a month by the City and/or parties hired by the City (hereinafter “Fukuoka City Officials”) during the period in which they implement their new businesses, so please make sure to attend these. In addition, we may ask for the submission of necessary documents at that time (e.g., contracts relating to office rent or employment of employees, certificate of all recorded matters, articles of incorporation), so please cooperate with this.

Management Diagnosis
Those with insights on starting up and managing businesses (Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants) will perform a business management diagnosis about once every two months for foreign entrepreneurs whose period of residence has been renewed for six months after applying for renewal of Designated Activities Visa. Accordingly, please use this to manage the progress of your business.

Cancellation of New Business Implementation Confirmation

We will cancel your new business implementation confirmation if it is found that the said confirmation has been received due to a false application or other fraudulent acts. Fukuoka City Officials will give guidance on returning back to your own country at that time. You will have to follow that.

Support for New Business Implementation

The City provides comprehensive support through the Global Business Support (GBS) to help foreign entrepreneurs smoothly establish new businesses in the City. For example, we offer advance consultations prior to new applications for Designated Activity Visa and provide supports for renewal applications of visas prior to the expiration of the period of stay or applications to change to Business Manager Visa at the Immigration Bureau. Specifically, we provide information on business plans, offer consultation supports and hold events for foreign entrepreneurs.