Startup Visa (Program to Support Foreign Entrepreneurs)

 

When a foreign national wishes to start a business in Japan, they must obtain the “Business Manager” status of residence (hereinafter referred to as the “Business Manager Visa”). To acquire this status, the applicant must meet requirements such as establishing a corporation with capital of at least 30 million yen and hiring at least one full-time employee before entering Japan.

 

Therefore, starting a business in Japan without local supporters is extremely challenging. To address this, Fukuoka City has implemented the Startup Visa (Program to Support Foreign Entrepreneurs) to make it easier for foreign entrepreneurs to start businesses in Japan.

 

This system allows Fukuoka City to review the business plan in advance and grant a special status of residence called “Designated Activities” (hereinafter referred to as the “Startup Visa”).

 

Foreign nationals planning to start a business can meet the requirements for the Business Manager Visa during the Startup Visa period (up to two years), allowing them to begin business preparation activities promptly after entering Japan.

 

 

Overview of the Startup Visa

Eligible Applicants

Foreign nationals who intend to start a business in Fukuoka City.

Eligible Businesses

     

• Knowledge-based industries (FinTech, semiconductor-related, software development, content creation, robotics, etc.)

 

*Trade-related businesses must be innovative or significantly contribute to the growth of local companies.

 

Process for Obtaining a Startup Visa and Subsequent Steps

STEP 1　Preliminary Consultation & Application

•   Please consult with the Global Business Support (GBS), a one-stop support center for foreign entrepreneurs first.
•   If you meet the Startup Visa requirements, please prepare and submit the application documents to GBS.

STEP 2　Review & Issuance of Confirmation Certificate

•   Fukuoka City reviews the submitted documents.
•   Opinions on the business plan will be sought from experts with knowledge and experience in starting and managing businesses (such as certified SME management consultants).
•   After review, Fukuoka City issues a “Certificate of Business Startup Activities Confirmation.”

※ When issuing the certificate, we will provide an in-person briefing on key points to keep in mind. A representative will contact you to schedule the meeting. Please visit the Global Startup Promotion Section, Economic, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau, located on the 14th floor of Fukuoka City Hall.

※ Prior to issuance, an online payment of 300 yen per certificate will be required as a processing fee. Details regarding the payment method will be provided after the “Confirmation of Business Startup Activities.”

※ Please be aware that, depending on the results of the review, the certificate may not be issued.

STEP 3　Obtaining the Startup Visa

•   Please submit an application for the issuance of a “Certificate of Eligibility” to the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau, attaching the “Certificate of Business Startup Activities Confirmation” you received from Fukuoka City.

※ For details regarding the application procedure, please contact the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau directly:

Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau, Employment and Permanent Residency Examination Division

Tel: 092-717-7596

•   After receiving the “Certificate of Eligibility” from the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau, please apply for a visa at the Japanese diplomatic mission in your home country.
•   Once the visa is issued, you may enter Japan and obtain landing permission for the status of residence “Designated Activities.”

STEP 4　Business Startup Activities

•   During the Startup Visa period (initially one year, up to two years), you will need to carry out the startup preparation activities such as secure an office, establish a company, and hiring employees.
•   During that period, you will be required to attend an interview with Fukuoka City Government or GBS at least once a month to report on the progress of your business startup activities.

STEP 5: Transition to Business Manager Visa

•   If you meet the requirements for obtaining a Business Manager visa during the certified Startup Visa period, apply for a status change to the Business Manager Visa at the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau.

※If you do not meet the requirements for obtaining a Business Manager visa during the certified Startup Visa period, you may apply for a six-month extension until the Startup Visa period reaches a maximum of two years.

※The ‘Certificate of Confirmation of Startup Preparation Activities’ by Fukuoka City or the ‘Certificate of Eligibility’ by the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau may not be issued depending on the review results.

Required Documents for Submission

Initial Application

Foreign nationals applying for confirmation of business startup activities must prepare and submit all of the following documents.

Please refer to the Q&A when you prepare the documents, and please fill them out in Japanese.

 

•   Business Startup Activities Confirmation Application Form (Form No. 1) （ワード：26KB）  example（PDF：440KB）
•   New Business Implementation Plan (NBIP) (Form No. 1-2)（ワード：141KB） example（PDF：523KB）
•   Applicant’s resume (Form No. 3)（ワード：65KB）
•   Documents clarifying the applicant’s residence for one year after landing or after changing the status of residence (e.g., a copy of the lease agreement, a copy of the rental application form, or a copy of the rental quotation)
•   Documents clarifying the applicant’s living expenses for one year after landing or after changing the status of residence (e.g., a copy of the applicant’s bankbook)
•   If applying under either item (i) or (ii) of Public Notice No. 5, Article 6(1)(v), documents proving the applicable condition (e.g., the applicant’s certificate of enrollment or certificate of employment)
•   A copy of the applicant’s passport

Renewal Application

Foreign nationals applying for confirmation of business startup activities must prepare and submit all of the following documents.

Please refer to the Q&A when you prepare the documents, and please fill them out in Japanese.

 

•   Business Startup Activities Confirmation Application Form (Form No. 1)（ワード：22KB）
•   New Business Implementation Plan (NBIP) (Form No. 1-2)（ワード：135KB）
•   Applicant’s resume (Form No. 3)（ワード：65KB）
•   Documents clarifying the applicant’s residence for one year after landing or after changing the status of residence (e.g., a copy of the lease agreement, a copy of the rental application form, or a copy of the rental quotation)
•   Documents clarifying the applicant’s living expenses for one year after landing or after changing the status of residence (e.g., a copy of the applicant’s bankbook)
•   If applying under either item (i) or (ii) of Public Notice No. 5, Article 6(1)(v), documents proving the applicable condition (e.g., the applicant’s certificate of enrollment or certificate of employment)
•   A copy of the applicant’s passport

Cancellation of Business Startup Activities Confirmation

If false statements or fraudulent acts are discovered, the confirmation will be revoked, and city officials will provide guidance for departure.

If it is found that the confirmation was obtained through false applications or other fraudulent acts, the Business Startup Activities Confirmation will be cancelled. In such cases, city officials will provide guidance for returning to your home country, and you will be required to comply.

Support for Business Startup Activities

To ensure that foreign entrepreneurs can smoothly carry out business startup activities in the city, Fukuoka City provides comprehensive support mainly through Global Business Support (GBS). This includes pre-application consultations before applying for a new ‘Designated Activities’ visa, assistance with renewal applications before the expiration of the period of stay, support for applications to change to a ‘Business Manager’ visa with the Immigration Bureau, as well as consultations on daily life.

Specifically, GBS offers information and advice on business plans, organize events for foreign entrepreneurs, and provides integrated consultation services regarding startup procedures. In addition, various events, including business matching and networking sessions, are held free of charge and are open to everyone.

Related Links

Startup Visa FAQ