Japan’s First “Startup Visa (Entrepreneurial Incentives for Foreigners)”

 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 prerequisites. 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 provide with six-months to fulfill the standard prerequisites and complete procedures while developing his/her business.

 Fukuoka City provides individual support through the Startup Café to aide foreign entrepreneurs in meeting the standard prerequisites so that he/she may be able to renew his/her Business Manager visa.

　Q&A（Only in Japanese.）

In June 2020, the requirements for renewing the visa for the first time were relaxed, making it easier to take advantage of the “Startup Visa Scheme”. (Click here for more information)

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

*For more infomation about the application procedure, please email.
*You may only apply for yourself

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 purchase 300 yen in revenue stamps to issue the Letter.

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 has founded the Startup Café, which provides assistance to foreign entrepreneurs so that he/she may renew his/her residential status after the initial 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 Residential Status

 Fukuoka City provides support through the Startup Café to aide foreign entrepreneurs in meeting the standard prerequisites so that, following the initial six-months, he/she may be able to renew his/her Business Manager visa.
 A concierge at the Startup Café will provide information and consultations related to business plans, etc. Lawyers and tax accountants are available on Thursdays to provide consultations on matters related to founding a business.
Startup Café also organizes beneficial business seminars, business matching, and social events.
 These services are available for free.

　　The Startup Café

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 Zone issued 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:

・A Request 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 the Certificate 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